2010 Gubernatorial Candidate Survey

The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires states to create health care insurance exchanges, but allows states to opt out of providing abortion coverage through health plans on the exchange. Your administration will support legislation to exercise this option, so state taxpayers and participants in the exchange will not be required to pay for abortions in their insurance plans.

Your administration will support legislation to require abortion clinics to meet the same state health and safety regulations as ambulatory surgical facilities.

Your administration will support state laws and regulations that protect individuals and institutions from having to provide services or comply with policies that contradict their moral principles, either as a condition of employment or as a condition of participation in a public program.

Given that life without the possibility of parole can be imposed as a punishment for first-degree murder in Maryland, your administration will support legislation to repeal Maryland’s death penalty.

Your administration’s proposed 2012 budget will include funding devoted only to adult and other forms of non-embryonic stem cell research, and discontinue funding stem cell research that uses cells obtained through the destruction of human embryos.

Maryland law prohibits physician-assisted suicide. Your administration will support maintaining this policy and oppose legislation that would directly or indirectly encourage patients to terminate their lives.

Maryland law says that “only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in this State.” Your administration will support maintaining the state’s current definition of marriage and oppose legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage.

Your administration will support legislation to grant a state income tax credit for business donations to nonprofit organizations that provide need-based scholarships to nonpublic school students and teachers.

Maryland currently allocates $4.4 million to provide nonreligious textbooks and technology to students in nonpublic schools. Your administration’s proposed 2012 budget will maintain, and if possible increase, funding for this program.

Education and awareness training for children, and the adults who care for them, is one of the most effective methods for the prevention of child abuse. Your administration will support legislation to mandate such training in public and private institutions that primarily serve children.

Legislation has repeatedly been introduced in Maryland requiring state and local law enforcement officials to act as agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency by investigating, apprehending, and detaining persons in the country illegally. Your administration will oppose legislation that would charge state and local police with that federal responsibility.

The state Department of Human Resources (DHR) has seen a decrease in its staff, even as its caseloads increase, resulting in delayed access to services for Maryland’s neediest residents. Your administration’s proposed 2012 budget will maintain funding for front-line DHR staffing levels, and include increased funding to restore eliminated positions, if necessary to guarantee that Marylanders in need are able to access basic services and receive benefits in a timely manner.

Your administration will support legislation to prohibit landlords from discriminating against potential renters based on their lawful source of income, including federal housing vouchers. The measure would allow landlords to screen applicants based on rental history and other relevant factors.