Candidate name: Michael ‘‘Mike” Ryman

Place of residence: 5 Pennforest Way, Rockville, MD 20853

Date of birth: Nov. 20, 1941

Place of birth: Moline, IL

Current occupation: Business Consultant (Retired Federal Senior Executive Service, Criminal Investigator)

Education: B.A. in Political Science, Loras College; M.A Management & Supervision ,Central Michigan University

Community associations, involvement: Norbeck Meadow Civic Association; Governor’s Advisory Council on Insurance Fraud (Gov. Schaeffer’s); Precinct Chair; Legislative District 19; Republican Party; Knights of Columbus; American Diabetes Association; St. Patrick Parish

Professional associations: Marine Corps Heritage Foundation; American Legion; Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; Regent Emeritus; Board of Regents; Dominican Mission Foundation

Family: Wife, Margaret Mary Walsh; Four daughters; Five grandchildren

Campaign office address and telephone: 5 Pennforest Way, Rockville, MD 20853; Tel# 301-570-5316

Link to candidate’s Web site: www.mikeryman4mdsenate.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

* Safety & Security for our neighborhoods and schools.

* Tax Fairly & Spend Wisely.

* Affordable Health Care for All.

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

Poor. They have failed to be good stewards of the public’s trust and their record reflects they are just ‘‘walking in lock-step” with their party’s dependence on special interests.

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

No.

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

Wrong question. Most of the factors of growth are difficult, or impossible, to control, i.e., the migration of people to jobs, new industry, new opportunities, quality of life, etc. The failure, with respect to growth, has come from favoring special interests, development interests, rather than the interests of the commonweal.

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 don’t think it is a matter of cutting programs and adding programs. It is a matter of oversight, legislative leadership and budget execution. Until legislative policy addresses the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of present programs, it makes little sense to talk about cutting programs and adding programs. I don’t think that just throwing money at a problem, then forget it, is good policy. It’s the Governor’s budget— with certain exceptions— the legislature says yea or nay. Legislative leadership should look to cooperative oversight of budget execution and not one of special interests and personal politics.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

Yes, property taxes are skewed because of an anomaly in the real estate business cycle that unfairly impacts residential property owners. This in turn produced a budget surplus, instead of equitable relief Montgomery County devised a slight-of- hand, instead of true tax relief. About a $100 million of the surplus was then programmed for ‘‘non-recurring expenses” which I view as ‘‘pork barrel” spending.

Small business is ‘‘taxed” in the form of unnecessary state mandates these should be looked at and unnecessary ones eliminated.

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

I’m open to the possibility, but I have a jaundiced view based on my experience. The ‘‘devil is in the details” when it comes to enabling legislation and appropriations. I would look very closely at the control mechanisms in a particular piece of legislation. Gambling, even slots, is a ‘‘license to print money.” Historically, in many cases, the introduction of gambling has proven to be a slight-of- hand for politicians: First slots then casinos. Then the crime problems associated with it. Experience tells me it will not stop with just slot machines. Furthermore, the original lofty objectives of gambling revenue, i.e., funding education later get changed to revenue for the General Fund or some pet project to make up a budget shortfall. Moreover, in many instances, gambling attracts predators who engage in criminal and socially irresponsible activity, on the fringes of the industry. Besides, how much revenue does the community want from ‘‘sin taxes” and the inevitable negative social impact.

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

No.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

No

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

The biggest problem is the price tag for a college education. We need to make it affordable. We have got to find creative funding mechanisms so that higher education is reachable for all.

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

Revenue for the transportation trust fund is derived from per gallon taxes. In order to get more revenue out of the gas tax we would have to (1) sell more gas or (2) raise taxes per gallon of gas. Both of these are unrealistic. What is needed is to redirect the revenue toward efficient, economical and effective operation of the transportation system. And we need more accountability for the management and operation of the various components of the system, especially the operations end.

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

* Mass transit, preferably, light and hard rail, in high-density areas. In the DC metropolitan area, we need a circumferential artery (‘‘purple” line)

* More effective coordination in the various agencies that are tasked to deal with problems in mobility-disruption in the traffic flow, i.e., construction, wrecks, accidents, emergencies, etc.

* Regional funding for mass transit

* Value pricing (tolls)

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

Yes

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

Yes, if that means that its affairs are open and transparent and not subject to the arbitrary and capricious whims of politicians, and their dependence on special interests, who want to forestall the inevitable for short-term political gain.

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

Too strict

What is your position on abortion?

I believe life is sacred, and therefore endowed with the dignity of human personhood, in all of its developmental phases. Because the abortion issue is so emotionally charged and divisive, it should only be determined by the voters in a statewide question on the ballot.

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

No. This should be decided by the voters, not the courts, and the legislature should not derail the opportunity of the people to determine this issue.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

Yes

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

Yes

Do you think the state needs to do more to prevent older, smaller homes from being torn down and replaced by larger houses?

No. This is a local matter, and it should be decided on that level.