Candidate name: Patrick J. ‘‘P.J.” Hogan

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Montgomery Village

Date of birth: Sept. 22,1962

Place of birth: Pittsburgh

Current occupation: Computer consultant and state senator

Education: B.S. in Marketing, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Community associations, involvement: Universities at Shady Grove, Board of Advisors; Black Rock Center for the Arts, Board of Directors,

Family: Married, Two children

Campaign office address and telephone: Committee to Elect Patrick Hogan, 18804 Keiffer Way, Montgomery Village, MD 20886, 301-869-8749

Link to candidate’s Web site: www.votehogan.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

Solve the transportation crisis, with road improvements as well as expanded transit such as the Corridor Cities Transitway. Increase state support for school construction and renovation. Continue to expand higher educational opportunities here in Montgomery County as well as making College affordable and accessible.

How would you rate the performance of the current representatives of your district: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Good, but we need to get better, and tougher, and assume more leadership in Annapolis. I feel that as state senator I have been effective in advocating and addressing the many issues of concern to the residents of District 39, and with continued Senate leadership roles I can do even more.

Do you support amending the constitution to give the legislature more budget authority?

Yes, and I have been the lead sponsor on legislation for many years to accomplish this. My legislation would strike a fair balance between the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch while retaining fiscal responsibility to ensure that the citizens funding priorities are met. We would retain a balanced budget, adhere to Spending Affordability guidelines and provide the Governor with line item veto authority.

Is the rate of growth in Maryland too fast, too slow or about right, and why?

I feel the rate of growth is about right. It obviously changes from year to year due to the economy, but we must meet needs of our citizens while at the same time maintaining fiscal responsibility. The best indicator of fiscal responsibility is our triple-A bond rating, which only six states in the country have.

What programs would you like to add or cut from the state budget? How would you pay for additional programs? What would you do with the money from any cuts you make?

We have an annual budget review process that allows us to review the governor’s budget and we traditionally cut and scale back many programs based on outcome performance and immediate demand. I do feel that we must work to ensure adequate funding to have higher education affordable and accessible. I also feel we need to do more in the area of adult literacy.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

I am always open to looking at reducing a tax or fee burden but we must ensure that we have adequate funds to meet the demands of our citizens. We are constantly looking at our tax structure to ensure competitiveness with other states.

Do you support slot machines for Maryland? Why or why not?

I have supported such legislation if it’s written very narrowly only at the tracks and with a high degree of state oversight similar to Delaware and West Virginia. $400 to $500 million dollars per year is being spent by Marylanders on slots in WV and DE and soon PA.

Do you support giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants?

Currently, undocumented aliens can receive driver licenses in Maryland; however, we must do everything possible to ensure our homeland security provisions as well as some type of documentation demonstrating an individual is on a path to legal residency and U.S. citizenship.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

I would consider eligibility for in-state tuition rates if the individual attended school in Maryland for at least three years and graduated from a Maryland high school and submit an affidavit vowing to apply for citizenship as soon as they were eligible. But we must look at how this would affect the accessibility of all students to public higher education institutions and the fact that such a policy may be in violation of Federal law.

What is the biggest problem facing higher education and what would you do to solve it?

The biggest problem has been skyrocketing tuition rates. Public higher education must remain affordable as a public good. I passed legislation freezing Maryland public higher education institutions tuition rates next year while a commission report back to the governor and legislature on what the state’s commitment should be to higher education. I helped establish the Universities at Shady Grove, which is going to continue to grow to make higher education in conjunction with Montgomery College more affordable and accessible to our local students.

Where would you get more money for the Transportation Trust Fund?

I am interested in studying the possibility of dedicating a portion of the sales tax to transit, which would provide additional money for transportation projects that are desperately needed.

What specific transportation projects do you see as priorities for the state?

I am pleased that we are finally moving forward with the construction of the ICC connecting I-270 with I-95 and I feel we must extend transit north of Shady Grove by building the Corridor Cities Transitway.

Should there be a dedicated funding source for Washington and Baltimore mass transit?

Yes.

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

As competition has not materialized we should look at the possibility of re-regulation and this is what the new Public Service Commission will be charged with studying.

Do you believe Maryland’s gun control laws are too strict, not strict enough or just right?

They are sufficient, they just need to be enforced.

What is your position on abortion?

If you want a label I would be considered pro-choice; however, I do support a ban on public funding of abortions except in the case of rape, incest, or life of the mother. I also support a ban on the procedure partial birth abortion.

Should the Maryland constitution be changed to allow same-sex marriages?

No

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

I feel that we have done a great deal protecting the environment with the Healthy Air Act, the Agricultural Stewardship Act, Chesapeake Bay restoration, Open Space Land Acquisition.

What is your position on the Corridor Cities Transitway? Assuming you support it, do you believe it should be a bus or light-rail system? What would you do to advance its funding?

I fully support the Corridor Cities Transitway and believe it should be built as light rail. I have and will continue to work to ensure this is a priority project for the state, and funding for further advancement be included in the budget.

The upcounty remains one of Montgomery County’s fastest growing areas and a growing crime problem is a concern for residents. What is your plan for providing state support to the local mission of protecting public safety?

I have worked to restore the funding for the local police aid formula, and I will continue to push Montgomery County to add additional police officers to the upcounty.