Candidate name: Anne R. Kaiser

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Burtonsville

Date of birth: Feb. 10, 1968

Place of birth: Washington, D.C.

Current occupation: Community Outreach non-profit organization that encourages commuters to take public transportation.

Education: M.A. in Educational Studies, University of Michigan; M.A. in Public Policy, University of Michigan; B.A. in Political Science, University of Chicago; Rockville High School

Community associations, involvement: Task Force Member, Girls in Information Technology, 2005-06; Member, Local Interagency Coordinating Council, Infants and Toddlers, 2004-06; Graduate, Leadership Montgomery, 2005; Board⁄Committee Member, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, 2003-04; Co-Coordinator, Montgomery County Women’s Fair, 2001-02; Organizer, 2000-02; Chair, Mid-County Citizens’ Advisory Board, 2001-02; Member 1999-02; Member, Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, 1998-02;

Professional Associations: National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL)

Family: Single

Campaign office address, telephone, website: Kaiser for Delegate, 14602 Wexhall Terrace, Burtonsville, MD 20866 (301) 890-4422

www.annekaiser.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

1. Public Education: More early childhood education; more school construction; and greater attention to eliminating the achievement gap. Higher education must be more affordable.

2. Health Care: Everyone deserves comprehensive and affordable health care, which includes access to affordable prescription drugs.

3. Transportation: I support road improvements and increased funding for transit, particularly the Purple Line, the Bi-County Transitway, an extension of the red line and better bus service.

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

Excellent. In our first terms, we have performed well individually and as a team. Individually, I have championed affordable higher education and tax equity; Delegate Montgomery has been a tireless advocate for the environment; Delegate Taylor has been a key promoter of fair wages for workers; and Senator Kramer has been a key advocate for affordable housing issues. We have worked together to provide solutions to constituent issues and to bring back state funding for local initiatives including: the Olney Theatre, the Olney Boys and Girls Club, the Olney Skate Park, the Sandy Spring Slave Museum, the Sandy Spring Museum, Aunt Hattie’s Place, the Girls Scout Camp at Brighton Woods and the National Capital Trolley Museum.

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

Yes. In Maryland, the governor has the strongest executive budgetary power in the nation. The governor drafts a budget and the legislature cannot move or increase allocations from one program to another. Citizens expect three equal branches of government, and the legislature should have a greater role in developing the state budget. I would vote for such an amendment regardless of which party is in control of the governorship.

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

I believe measured development is good for Maryland’s economy. Development — balanced with a strong open space program — fosters high quality of life, high-paying jobs, and strong, vibrant communities. The local community must have input on development in their neighborhoods. Also, we must ensure that proper infrastructure (roads, schools, water supply, etc.) is in place if we are to move forward with development in a given region.

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 strongly support increased funding for early childhood education programs. To pay for it, I will continue to support closing corporate tax loopholes.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

I believe the governor’s car tax should be repealed. It was unnecessary when it was passed and it is unnecessary now.

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

I do not support the legalization of slot machines in Maryland. I believe we can do better for our residents than relying on gambling money to pay for needed government services.

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

I believe the roads would be safer if undocumented immigrants were given proper driving instruction regarding the rules of the road.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

Illegal immigration is a serious problem requiring the attention of each state and the federal government. However, I don’t wish to penalize the children of illegal immigrants, many of whom have lived in the U.S. nearly all of their lives. And since federal law requires that all K-12 students — regardless of their immigration status — attend public school, I believe higher education should be a viable option for them. As the level of education for all of our residents increase, crime decreases and economic development increases.

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

I believe the ability for Maryland’s working families to afford to send their children to college is a serious problem facing higher education. To address this challenge, I was proud to introduce legislation last year that would have provided a tax credit for tuition expenses.

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

I would increase the Transportation Trust Fund by creating a dedicated funding source for transit.

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

I believe investing in more public transit options will help reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution. I support building the Purple Line and the Bi-County Transitway, extending the Red Line, and making bus transportation more accessible to more residents.

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

Yes. I introduced legislation last year that would have established a dedicated funding source by increasing the state sales tax by one penny. If Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia established their own dedicated funding source for Metro, the federal government would provide an additional $1.5 billion for Metro improvement and expansion.

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

I believe that once appointed, the new Public Service Commissioners should be given the opportunity to do their job without high levels of political interference. If the state continues to see giant increases in electricity rates, I would be open to discussing the feasibility of re-regulation. We must help families with limited income deal with sharp increases in electricity rates.

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

While I support the right of Americans to own a gun, I believe that our laws are not strict enough and that we must ban the use of assault weapons. Hunting rifles and handguns are worlds away from assault weapons. I firmly support waiting periods, criminal background checks and gun safety courses.

What is your position on abortion?

I believe that abortion should be safe, legal and rare. I believe reproductive health decisions should be made by women and their families — not government and politicians. I consider myself fully pro-choice. I support the results of Question 6 — the 1992 voter referendum, which codified Roe v. Wade into our own state law books. To reduce the need for abortion, I believe our state can and should be doing more to prevent unintended pregnancy.

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

I believe in legal protections for same-sex couples. I believe that committed partners should have the same inheritance rights, hospitable visitation and two-parent adoptions rights — that protect so many Maryland families.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

Yes. I support efforts to reduce runoff and pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed areas. I opposed efforts by the current governor to sell precious state land at a discount to his campaign contributors.

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?

Ashton is a great community and most residents have expressed a desire for at least some new development at Ashton’s crossroads — Route 108 and New Hampshire Avenue. I believe that developers and community members must work together to strike the appropriate balance that protects parcels of open space, maintains the community’s rural character and allows appropriate development of the property in question. I have seen proposed plans for Ashton Meeting Place that strikes a proper balance.

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

Senator Kramer, Delegate Montgomery, Delegate Taylor and I have been working with the local community and with the State Highway Administration to advocate for an underpass on Georgia Avenue north of Norbeck Road, rather than an overpass.