COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR: Interview with Don Praisner.

QUESTIONS FROM PROGRESSIVE NEIGHBORS PAC

1. Transportation Policy. Marilyn Praisner was a strong opponent of the ICC and a proponent of increased public transportation. What is your position on the ICC – for or against – your supporting comments are welcome. Purple Line. Will you encourage the County to lobby the State and our County legislative delegation to fund the Purple line?

I do not support the ICC. It has the potential to cause serious environmental and health effects along its route, and the State Highway Administration construction of this road must continued to be monitored very closely. I support the Purple Line and would lobby for its funding.

2. These last several elections have stressed opposition to accepting funds from special interests, developers and PACs. Will you turn away funds from these special interest, including developers and their land use attorneys?

Yes.

3. Traditionally, the Chamber of Commerce has taken positions in favor of rapid growth of business and development. Rep. Carr, for instance, has taken a position of legislating a higher tax on commercial property than residential. The Chamber opposes such legislation. What is your reaction and why? How else should the County deal with its revenue shortfall?

A higher tax on commercial property, within reason, is not inappropriate. Many homeowners are on fixed incomes and cannot afford a property tax increase. That said, the County must take a multi-pronged approach to solving its long-term problem by adopting a sustainable budget. We must be creative in solving the county's budget crisis and think beyond raising taxes, cutting programs and reducing staff.

I believe there is an untapped resource the county can use to offset the projected deficit. That asset is our county workers. We can reach out to front line county workers through creating a new Labor-Management Cooperation Program to identify, change, and most importantly, account for the future savings projected by these changes. The County is eligible for an underwriting grant from the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service that could award the County up to $125,000 to explore how to use labor management cooperation to identify changes in policies and procedures that can make work more cost effective and efficient.

As a career public servant, on the front line and in management, I understand the dedication and care public sector employees have for their work, and we must reach out to our county employees to hear their suggestions.

4. Affordable housing and Rent Control/Stabilization

There’s a decreasing amount of affordable rental housing in our county. A proposal has been made for rent stabilization, for example. Where do you stand on this subject. Where do you stand on the conversion of rental units into luxury condos? How would you act to preserve affordable housing?

Our highest priority must be to maintain the affordable housing stock we now have, and that includes rental properties. I would support using the Housing Initiative Fund to purchase and maintain this rental housing and acquire more. The County has a condo conversion law, which I support. However, I would be open to recommendations for strengthening this law.

5. Shortly after coming into office, you will vote to appoint 2 new members to the Park and Planning Commission. The choice could favor developers or controlled growth advocates. On what basis would you choose? What philosophical approaches are you looking for in a planning board member?

I am looking for a member who would strongly consider the views of community members and respect master plans when making decisions. I am taking no developer money in my campaign.

6. The County has a projected budget gap of approximately $300 million for next year. If the Council decides to raise property taxes and reduce services for next year, do you think that the Council should also reduce funding for salary increases for County and MCPS employees?

If elected, I would not be in a position to vote on the FY09 Operating Budget. I believe in honoring negotiated agreements. I must add however, very difficult financial times are before the County. I would look for a hard review of the existing budget and limited revenue solutions. Reducing any negotiated agreement would be a last resort, but everything must be considered.

7. The General Assembly is considering legislation that would enable Montgomery County to enact a public financing system for County elections. If this legislation is approved and you are elected, would you vote for legislation that would establish a public financing system for County Executive and County Council elections, and that would designate a dedicated funding source to adequately fund the system?

Yes.

8. For the purposes of transparency, it has been proposed that each of you post your daily receipts and debts on line every 48 hours after the initial April 1st filing deadline. Will you agree to do that? What is your position on campaign finance reform in Maryland?

Yes.