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Oldak runs for District 16 delegate

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Oldak

‘‘I’m running because I really want to provide District 16 with more forceful and consistent leadership,” Oldak said. ‘‘There are a lot of issues that the federal government is not taking action on. It’s falling to the state to protect our civil rights and protect really our most vulnerable citizens ... and promote social justice.”

Oldak, 55, is a tax attorney and currently has a private practice where most of her clients are nonprofit organizations. She has also recently worked in State Sen. Sharon Grosfeld’s (D-Dist. 18) office on women’s rights issues, one of her top legislative priorities if elected.

Oldak has been vice president of the Montgomery County Commission for Women, a board member of Montgomery Women and Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, and a founding board member of Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women. One of the women’s issues she plans to fight for in Annapolis is access to emergency contraception, which she feels will help to reduce abortion rates.

‘‘There are really no issues that are just women’s issues,” she said. ‘‘The entire community is affected by the need for health care, pay equity, education rights, reproductive rights and protecting our environment.”

On education, Oldak said she also supports fully funding the Thornton Commission, the 1999 study illustrating funding disparities in Maryland’s public schools, and seeks to improve computer and technology programs. She also supports a sex education curriculum that teaches disease prevention and contraception.

Regina ‘‘Reggie” Oldak District 16, House of Delegates Age, Residence: 55, Bethesda Party: Democrat Experience: Vice president of the Montgomery County Commission for Women, founding board member of the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women, tax attorney with Internal Revenue Service, private practice attorney representing nonprofit organizations. Top issues: Improving education, healthcare and quality of life For more: www.ReginaOldak.com

Protecting the environment is another issue that Oldak believes has been left in the hands of state government.

‘‘I am really looking forward to dealing with these environmental questions,” she said. ‘‘We need green buildings, we need to clean up our waterways, we need to reduce traffic congestion on the roads. ... These are issues that we have to face and Maryland has to take the lead in this area.”

Oldak, who is one of only two non-incumbent Democrats running in Dist. 16, said she only recently made the decision to take on the current delegation, which includes delegates William A. Bronrott, Susan C. Lee and Marilyn R. Goldwater.