Candidate name: Rob Garagiola

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Germantown

Date of birth: Sept. 5, 1972

Place of birth: Warren, MI

Current occupation: State Senator; Business Attorney at Stein Sperling Law Firm

Education: B.A., Rutgers University; J.D., George Washington School of Law; Primary Leadership Development Course ‘‘Distinguished Honor Graduate” – U.S. Army Reserve; Attended various public schools in five different states for K-12 education, including Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, California, and New Jersey.

Community associations, involvement: Board Member, Institute for Governmental Service, University of Maryland (2004- ), Vice President (2006) and Secretary⁄Treasurer (2005); Founding Board Member, Clean Energy Partnership, Inc. (2004-2005); American Legion; Board Member⁄Vice President, Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (2000, 2001); Vice President of Economic Development, Germantown Chamber of Commerce (1999); Board Member, Germantown Alliance (1999-2001); Vice President, Germantown Citizens Association (1998)

Professional associations: Montgomery County Bar Association; Maryland State Bar Association; American Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar Association; Admitted to practice in Maryland, District of Columbia, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals (4th Circuit), U.S. District Court in Maryland

Family: Married to a public school teacher and have a boy and two girls in the public school system

Campaign office address and telephone:

P.O. Box 4183

Rockville, MD 20849-4183

(301) 251-1217

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

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

Education, including pre-k, K-12, and higher education.

Transportation. With the ICC breaking ground this year, we need to re-focus on other transportation solutions, including light rail extension from Shady Grove Metro north through Germantown to Frederick (Corridor Cities Transitway), the Purple Line, telecommuting incentives for businesses, and making the MARC train even more viable.

Environment. While some progress has been made, we need to accelerate focus on alternative, renewable energies, take more action to clean our streams, rivers and Chesapeake Bay, and continue to maintain and expand our open space and Ag Reserve.

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

Excellent. We have done very well in obtaining our share of State funding, including funding increases for K-12 education, Montgomery College, as well as local funding initiatives. In 2006 alone, we obtained funding for several local initiatives, including the Ivymount School ($170,000), Germantown Life Sciences Incubator ($250,000), Poolesville Town Hall ($150,000), BlackRock Center for the Arts ($50,000), King Farm Dairy MOOseum ($150,000), and Agriculture Activity Center Expansion ($75,000).

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

Yes. In 2004, I voted in favor of legislation to provide the General Assembly with the authority to transfer money from one line-item to another, while still requiring a balanced State budget.

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

I believe that the growth in Montgomery County is occurring at a faster rate than the development of the critical education and transportation infrastructure, as well as fire, police and rescue services. Although data may indicate growth and development is small County-wide, it is a very rapid growth rate in certain concentrated areas and is beyond infrastructure capabilities, such as in Clarksburg.

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?

Earlier this year, we had to rein in Governor’s spending increases. Early in my Senate career, we also made reductions to the State government workforce. As we go forward, we need to continue to root out government waste and inefficiencies. I would also continue to invest monies in our education system, including higher education institutions, to ensure that Maryland is competitive in the ever-increasing global marketplace. I would also seek to build on economic development incentives, such as the Biotechnology Investment Incentive Act of 2005. This will further help grow our economy in order to increase our tax revenue.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

I have supported a variety of tax cuts during my 4-years in the Senate, including State property tax reduction, estate tax reduction, and a reduction in taxes for our military retirees. Looking forward, I believe that we need to make further reductions to the Maryland estate tax or re-couple it with the federal government. We may also want to explore additional property tax relief, particularly for public servants, like fire fighters, police, and teachers who work in the County but cannot afford to live here.

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

I am open to a limited number of slot machines at race tracks.

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

As a nation of immigrants, I openly embrace our diversity and see it as a strength of our country. I believe in inclusion of all into the fabric of our society within the framework of our laws.

State law currently requires that an individual provide verifiable immigrant-related documents if they do not have a domestic birth certificate. Some have claimed that the MVA is too lax in its review of such documentation, while others claim that the MVA is unfairly rejecting driver’s license applications due to immigrant status. Others cite that, unless the federal government better enforces immigration law, illegal immigrants are working here and driving to work, even without a driver’s license. Studies have also indicated that those driving without a license are more likely to get into traffic accidents and be uninsured, which means that other drivers’ insurance pays the price.

In 2003, the General Assembly and Governor established a Joint Task Force to Study Driver Licensing Documentation. The Task Force issued a report in December 2004 recommending that no revision of current law was needed. Unless abuses are found, I do not believe we need to change Maryland law on this issue.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

Education is the great enabler of opportunity and economic prosperity. While I am sensitive to the concern that illegal immigrants should not receive benefits from our society, there are illegal immigrants who bring their children to the United States and their children do not have a choice in the matter. Federal law already requires public elementary and secondary schools to provide such children with an education.

I would consider supporting legislation to enable undocumented immigrant children to obtain in-state tuition at institutions of higher education in Maryland if the child had attended a Maryland high school for at least 3 years and pledged to seek citizenship within 30 days after becoming eligible to do so. However, we need to further examine whether such a policy would take in-state tuition slots from legal Maryland residents and whether such a policy would be preempted by the federal law any way.

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

Ensuring affordability and quality. After sharp higher education reductions in Governor’s 2003 and 2004 budgets, I supported legislation to freeze tuition at our higher education institutions for the 2006-07 academic year. However, higher education costs remain and can be cost-prohibitive for some. In addition, we need to ensure that we are properly preparing our students before they enter college, and then provide them with a top-notch college education, in order to be economically competitive in the global marketplace as we look forward to the next 10-20 years.

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

There is a Blue Ribbon Commission looking into where we obtain additional revenues. All sources of revenue should be on the table to meet our transportation demands.

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

The ICC will break ground this year.

Corridor Cities Transitway.

Purple Line

Completion of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

Red Line in Baltimore.

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

Yes.

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

With passage of legislation during the Special Session of the General Assembly that I supported, we charged the Public Service Commission with examining whether Maryland should move back toward re-regulation of the electricity industry. This is an issue that we are likely to take up during the 2007 General Assembly Session. We also need to more aggressively explore alternative, renewable energy options to long-term energy costs.

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

As a former U.S. Army Reservist, I have fired M-16s and other weapons. Although I support hunting and an individual’s right to bear arms, I do believe in some limitations. In 2004, I sponsored legislation to keep in place the federal ban on assault weapons in Maryland. I have also introduced legislation seeking mandatory minimum sentences for those who use assault weapons in violent crimes. Current laws already provide mandatory minimums for certain weapons, but not assault rifles.

What is your position on abortion?

I believe that abortion should be safe, legal and rare. In addition, I believe we can reduce the need for abortions in Maryland by preventing unintended pregnancy with passage of emergency contraception legislation.

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

This issue is now before the Maryland judicial system and I believe that we should let this process run its course before deciding next steps.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

The General Assembly with my strong support passed the Health Air Act earlier this year to curb emissions of 4 harmful pollutants from our power plants. It is critical that the State now properly enforce this new law a well as existing laws to protect our waterways and air. I continue to favor stronger measures to protect our tributaries, streams, and Chesapeake Bay as well.

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 have been a strong, out-spoken proponent of the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) and believe it should be a light rail extension from Shady Grove Metro all the way to Frederick. I have led the effort with my Senate colleagues in Upper Montgomery and Frederick Counties in writing letters of support for the CCT to the Governor, as well as Members of Congress when they were reauthorizing the Transportation bill. I have had several conversations with the Ehrlich Administration about moving forward with the CCT as a light rail project. Unfortunately, they have dragged their feet. A funding package with federal and state dollars can be put together much like was done for the ICC to move this project forward. I have also successfully passed legislation, the Drivers Responsibility and First Responders Act, out of the Senate, which would have raised millions of dollars for mass transit through additional surcharges on the worst of the bad drivers. Unfortunately, the House of Delegates has not passed a similar measure to date.

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 played a critical role in the passage of tougher laws on criminals, including recent passage of a comprehensive sex offender bill that includes mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years for violent sexual predators. I have sought mandatory minimum sentences for those who would use assault weapons in a crime of violence. The Drivers Responsibility and First Responders Act (mentioned above) would have also established a new ‘‘First Responders Fund” comprising of matching grants with local governments to hire additional police officers and obtain needed police equipment. The bill also would have provided millions annually to fund the grant program. Finally, as the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families, I have successfully worked on legislation that will hopefully keep our at-risk youth from entering into a life cycle of crime and instead become productive citizens.