Candidate name: Jim Rosapepe

Place of residence: College Park

Date of birth: May 20, 1951

Place of birth: Rome, Italy

Occupation: Business

Education: No answer

Community associations, involvement: Former state delegate (1987-97); Former U.S. ambassador to Romania (1998-01); Member, former regent, University System of Maryland (2001-06)

Professional associations: No answer

Family: No answer

Campaign office address and telephone: 150 S. Washington Boulevard, Laurel, MD 20707 (301) 7766775

Link to candidate’s website: www.rosapepeforsenate.com⁄

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

STANDING UP FOR WORKING FAMILIES BY SCRAPPING ELECTRIC RATE DEREGULATION; IMPROVING PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH SMALLER CLASSES AND NEW AND IMPROVED SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S AND ANNE ARUNDEL; AND REDUCING GRIDLOCK BY BRINGING METRORAIL TO BELTSVILLE, LAUREL, AND WEST ANNE ARUNDEL

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

THE CURRENT STATE SENATOR, JOHN GIANNETTI, IS OUT OF STEP WITH THE DISTRICT, HAVING SUPPORTED ELECTRIC DEREGULATION AND OPPOSED BANNING ASSAULT WEAPONS, OPPOSED MANDATED FUNDING FOR EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH, AND OPPOSED MANY OTHER PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVES. A GAZETTE SURVEY RATED HIM THE 6TH LEAST EFFECTIVE SENATOR AMONG 47.

THE THREE CURRENT DELEGATES — PAULINE MENES, BARBARA FRUSH, AND BRIAN MOE — REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT WELL — HAVING VOTED AGAINST ELECTRIC DEREGULATION AND FOR BANNING ASSAULT WEAPONS, STEM CELL RESEARCH, AND OTHER PROGRESSIVE CAUSES. THEY ARE ALSO RESPECTED LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

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

YES, IT’S A VERY IMPORTANT WAY TO PROTECT FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND THE ENVIRONMENT. GIANNETTI WAS ONE OF THE FEW DEMOCRATS TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

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

DEPENDS ON THE AREA. IN TOO MANY AREAS IN LAUREL AND WEST ANNE ARUNDEL, DEVELOPMENT HAS OUTPACED SCHOOLS, TRANSPORTATION, AND PARKS. WE SHOULD REVITALIZE INNER BELTWAY COMMUNITIES AND CONCENTRATE DEVELOPMENT AROUND MASS TRANSIT STOPS.

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?

MY PRIORITIES WOULD BE EDUCATION, BOTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES; PARKS AND PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE; AND PUBLIC SAFETY, PARTICULARLY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF POLICE ON THE STREETS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S AND WEST ANNE ARUNDEL.

What must be done to ensure the long-term success of Prince George’s Hospital Center?

A MERGER WITH A WELL-MANAGED HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

Is there adequate federal emergency and preparedness support for Prince George’s County given its proximity to the nation’s capital?

NO.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

CONSISTENT WITH BALANCING THE BUDGET, I FAVOR REDUCING THE SHARE OF THE INCOME TAX BURDEN PAID BY MIDDLE AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

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

YES, UNDER LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES — IF LIMITED TO COMMUNITIES THAT WANT THEM; IF THE ARRANGEMENT MAXIMIZES FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SERVICES, NOT FOR OUT OF STATE GAMBLING COMPANIES; IF THE STATE BUDGET IS NOT MADE DEPENDENT ON THEM; AND IF ENOUGH OF THE PROFITS ARE COMMITTED TO HELP PROBLEM GAMBLERS.

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

NO ONE SHOULD BE DRIVING WITHOUT A DRIVERS LICENSE.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

LONGTIME MARYLAND RESIDENTS, WHO HAVE ATTENDED LOCAL MARYLAND SCHOOLS, SHOULD GET RESIDENT TUITION RATES.

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

STATE BUDGET CUTS WHICH FORCED 40% INCREASE IN TUITION. I LED THE SUCCESSFUL FIGHT TO REVERSE THEM AND FREEZE TUITION THIS FALL. I’LL FIGHT FOR A LAW TO GUARANTEE ADEQUATE STATE FUNDING AND CAP TUITION.

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

FIRST CHOICES WOULD BE ECONOMIC GROWTH, CRACKING DOWN ON ABUSIVE TAX SHELTERS, AND CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES.

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

METRORAIL PURPLE LINE THROUGH COLLEGE PARK; EXTENDING METRORAIL GREEN LINE TO BELTSVILLE, LAUREL, AND WEST ANNE ARUNDEL; FIXING ROUTES 1, 198, AND 175

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

YES

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

YES

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

I SUPPORT BANNING ASSAULT WEAPONS SUCH AS THOSE USED BY THE BELTWAY SNIPER

What is your position on abortion?

I VOTED TO MAKE ROE V WADE THE LAW IN MARYLAND.

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

I FAVOR CIVIL UNI0NS AND OPPOSE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN SAME SEX MARRIAGE.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

YES, PARTICULARLY TO PROTECT THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. IN THE HOUSE, I VOTED REPEATEDLY FOR STRONGER ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.