Candidate name: Jim Goldberg

Party affiliation: Republican

Place of residence: Olney

Date of birth: May 6,1953

Place of birth: Philadelphia

Current occupation: Financial Advisor

Education: B.S., United States Military Academy, West Point; M.B.A., Monmouth University

Community associations, involvement: Past President of: Hallowell HOA; Greater Olney Civic Association; Men’s Republican Club of Montgomery County; District 14 Republicans; Chapter President Reserve Officer’s Association; member American Legion Post 171; 32 Degree Mason; Board of Trustees B’nai Shalom of Olney

Professional associations: member National Association of Security Dealers

Family: Married to Cindy Goldberg, three children

Campaign office address and telephone: 17136 Old Baltimore Rd, Olney, MD 20832

Link to candidate’s Web site: No answer

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

Taxes, Traffic & Trust. Tax fairly and spend wisely. Reduce traffic with a comprehensive plan combining mass transit and road improvements. Restore trust in our government through the use of an autonomous Inspector General (IG).

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

District 14 = One Fair and two Poor. The most recent Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce scorecard gives two of this district’s delegates an F and one a C. The Maryland Business for Responsive Government rated two of this district’s delegates with an abysmal 6th percentile rating and the third at the 20th percentile. Business and payroll taxes drive the future of Maryland. These anti-business scorecard results are indicative of votes supporting legislation that increases the cost of doing business in Maryland, gives Maryland a competitive disadvantage with other states, and discourages companies from adding new jobs or keeping current jobs in Maryland.

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

Yes, if combined with the Governor’s line item veto for checks and balances.

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

We sit in traffic because the growth of infrastructure is too slow.

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?

I would add low interest mortgage loans to enable affordable housing for our first responders and teachers. Our police, firemen, and teachers deserve to live where they work. Pay for the program with revenue bonds securitized by the mortgages.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

I would tighten the belt and restore trust by annual oversight from an autonomous Inspector General (IG) that will audit all state spending and contracts. We can do more with the existing taxes if an IG verifies they are spent properly.

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

Already in our border states of PA, DE, & WV, we are losing valuable tax revenue. Let’s bring our taxes home.

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

Driving is a privilege and not a right conferred based solely on age and domicile. I support implementation of a process whereby a license can be earned.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

Yes, education is still the key to success. I support a program with provisions to allow our state’s high school graduates to continue their learning at Maryland colleges.

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

We need to entice our college graduates into employment as primary and secondary educators by giving them higher education loans at state schools tied to repayment by teaching our school children.

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

An aggressive IG audit program may find waste fraud and abuse allowing us to use our existing funds more wisely.

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

The ICC is coming, but I’ve yet to meet anyone that wants to pay $7 in tolls to use it.

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

I’m not convinced that this is a long-term fix for their budget.

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

De-regulation of Maryland electric utilities was a bad idea that proved to be awful legislation. Our current electricity prices are higher than ever, and Standard & Poors just lowered their bond ratings to near junk level. That pushes up the cost of borrowing and exacerbates the situation.

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

We need to have a better balance between keeping guns out of the hands of criminals while preserving the second amendment rights of our law abiding citizens.

What is your position on abortion?

This is a matter of settled law that is a divisive wedge issue without winners. Someone always loses when a pro-choice versus pro-life decision is made.

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

Same sex partnerships should have a contract status.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

We need better stewardship of our natural resources through enforcement oversight, and leadership to gain compliance with our existing controls.

Given the debate over the Ashton Meeting Place development, what would you do to strike a balance between the right to develop the parcel of land and the desire to keep a rural feel to Ashton?

I would set up a series of presentations and hearings at the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and let our paid professionals mediate and work out these issues.

Would you support placing the Intercounty Connector under ground as it intersects with Georgia Avenue just north of Norbeck Road?

I support the GOCA position of a below grade crossing of Georgia Avenue.