Mike Tabor's Views on Election Choices

[MoCo Progressives]

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE NOVEMBER 6^th  MARYLAND ELECTIONS?

 

A discussion is in order in our community about the upcoming local elections.

 

We’re all very well informed on the national presidential vote but what about the candidates running for the Montgomery County Board of Education?  Or, Question 5 (Congressional Districting) or Question 7 (The Gaming Expansion Referendum)?  Do you have enough information to vote responsibly on these important issues? 

 

Here are some points to ponder prior to the availability of PROGRESSIVE NEIGHBORS’ Election Guide and the Nov. 6^th election.(PN played a role in electing Jamie Raskin, Robert Manno, Eric Leudtke, Donna Edwards and others.  If interested in receiving a copy of the guide, send your name and email to pn4c...@gmail.com.

 

1.  THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RACES

 

AT LARGE:  Between Phil Kauffman and Morris Panner, most progressives gravitate toward Phil Kauffman.

 

DISTRICT 2:  Between Fred Evans and Rebecca Smodrowski, both are good choices; however, Smondrowski is a community activist and a strong advocate for the disabled.  Evans would be the third former school principal on the board and appears bombastic at times. 

 

DISTRICT 4:  The liberal incumbent, Chris Barclay, is being challenged by Annita Seckinger.  She supports students trying to eliminate styrofoam trays from the schools and supports preserving the only organic farm in the lower county.

 

2.  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

 

QUESTION 3 – Most are in favor of automatically suspending those elected officials who are convicted of crimes.

 

QUESTION 4 – Most are in favor of allowing undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates after attending community colleges.

 

QUESTION 5 - Most progressives are against the highly gerrymandered Congressional Districts drawn by Governor O’Malley and Senate President Mike Miller (see Phil Andrews' opinion piece in Sunday’s Post – September 23^rd, page C-4).

 

QUESTION 6 - Most are in favor of the Civil Marriage Protection Act.

 

QUESTION 7 – Gaming Expansion.  Yes, jobs will be created, but the temptations of gambling nearby and its impact on children and spouses of gamblers should be considered especially because they cost tax payers in terms of additional social services.  States that allow large gambling interests also have increased levels of corruption in state politics. Suggestion is to vote against this item.

 

 

QUESTION A – most are in favor of expedited recruiting and hiring individuals with disabilities.

 

QUESTION B – Collective “effects bargaining" for police employees.  The MoCo Council voted unanimously to remove it 30 years after approving it, believing the police union abused its bargaining rights. However, the AFL-CIO is for it.  You decide.

 

Questions or comments and please share with others:  Michael Tabor, esiegel2@igc.org