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2014 Questionnaire
For Candidates Running for LocaI Government Office
in Montgomery County

Progressive Maryland is a grassroots advocacy organization that defends the interests of Maryland's
working families. We have over 23,000 members and supporters statewide and over 40 of Maryland's
strongest labor, civil rights, faith and like-minded organizations as affiliates. We maintain offices in
Silver Spring and Baltimore. Learn more at www.ProgressiveMaryland.org
Progressive Maryland supports candidates who favor a pro-working family agenda that builds a
strong middle class in Maryland. Elections can have an enormous impact on our work to reduce
income inequality and improve the lives of working families in Maryland. t is our responsibility to
advocate for working families by engaging in the political process and we do so utilizing our vast
membership base, electronic communications and professional door-to-door canvass.
To be considered for Progressive Maryland's endorsement, please return the completed
questionnaire to our Executive Director Kate Planco Waybright at Kate@progressivemaryland.org no
Iater than noon on Monday, ApriI 28, 2014. Your responses will be available to the public at
www.ProgressiveMaryland.org

Candidate Information
Candidate Last Name:
___________________________________________________________

Candidate First Name:
___________________________________________________________

Office Seeking:
___________________________________________________________

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District:
___________________________________________________________
Party:
___________________________________________________________


Campaign Contact Information
Committee Name:
___________________________________________________________

Street Address:
___________________________________________________________

City:
___________________________________________________________

Zip Code:
___________________________________________________________

Business Phone:
___________________________________________________________

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Fax:
___________________________________________________________

Campaign Website:
___________________________________________________________

Candidate Contact Information

Cell Phone:
___________________________________________________________

Email Address:
___________________________________________________________

Treasurer Contact Information
Treasurer Name:
___________________________________________________________

Street Address:
___________________________________________________________


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City:
___________________________________________________________

Zip Code:
___________________________________________________________

Phone:
___________________________________________________________

Candidate History
Previous Elected Offices:







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Which Years Did You Serve:





Have you ever received an endorsement from Progressive Maryland? YES_____ or NO_____
f Yes, when:





Have you ever assisted Progressive Maryland in achieving its goals? YES_____ or NO_____
Describe:





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Major Endorsements (Elected Officials/Organizations/Opinion Leaders):




Issue Questions
1. Progressive Maryland was proud to be one of the lead groups organizing
to increase Montgomery County's minimum wage and we were thrilled
when the Council recently passed legislation to raise the county minimum
wage to $11.50 in phases between now and 2017. Will you oppose any
attempts to lower this wage of $11.50, extend the implementation past
2017, and/or exempt certain employers from paying the full minimum wage
to all of their employees?

YES_____ or NO_____
Comments:




2. While we were grateful for the strong wage rate, we remain
disappointed that indexing and tipped workers weren't a part of the passing
Montgomery County minimum wage bill. Would you support legislation to
strengthen Montgomery County's minimum wage by raising the minimum
wage for tipped workers to at least 70% of the county minimum wage and
indexing the minimum wage to the cost of living for the area?

YES_____ or NO_____

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Comments:




3. Walmart is attempting to expand its presence in Montgomery County.
They have already submitted plans to build a new Super Center in Aspen
Hill. There is clear evidence that Walmart does more harm than good in
the communities in which it locates. Will you oppose the further expansion
of Walmart in Montgomery County until they change their policies and
begin to treat and pay their employees fairly throughout their supply chain
and respect the communities around their stores?

YES_____ or NO_____
Comments:



4. Will you support passage of a Large Retailer Accountability Act which
would require that retail stores larger than 75,000 square feet pay a living
wage, provide adequate health benefits and engage in first source hiring
agreements?


YES_____ or NO_____

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Comments:




5. Public employee collective bargaining rights, absent a comprehensive
law like the National Labor Relations Act for private sector workers, consist
of a patchwork of laws around the country and throughout the state of
Maryland. Being that the County Council and County Executive are
routinely asked to express support/opposition to pending legislation in
Annapolis, would you support legislation for a comprehensive public
employee collective bargaining law in Maryland?

YES_____ or NO_____
Comments:




6. Do you support legislation that would require final and binding arbitration
of all labor disputes by public employees?
YES_____ or NO_____

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Comments:





7. Do you support requiring any businesses which receive public support in
the form of industrial revenue bonds, enterprise zone benefits, tax
increment financing, tax breaks and the like, to provide jobs with living
wages and health benefits?

YES_____ or NO_____
Comments:




8. Once a contract agreement has been reached between a collective
bargaining agent and the county or other government entity, do you commit
to fully funding those contracts?

YES_____ or NO_____

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Comments:




9. Do you support legislation that requires any public entities to recognize a
union, providing that union submits authorization cards by a majority of
eligible members and that once a union is recognized, all persons covered
in the bargaining unit pay reasonable service fees, if they choose not to
belong to the recognized union?

YES_____ or NO_____
Comments:





10. WMATA has provided rail transportation in Maryland since the late
1970s. While the system has been stressed lately, it has generally
provided well run service since its inception and its workers are paid
decent wages and benefits. Some have proposed operating the light rail
"Purple Line as a state or privately run line without integrating it into the
WMATA system and paying substandard wages and benefits. Do you favor
a WMATA operated "Purple Line or streetcar service?

YES_____ or NO_____

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Comments:




11. Would you support requiring the winner of the Purple Line contract bid
to abide by ethical labor standards?

YES_____ or NO_____
Comments:




12. Three years ago Prince George's County passed two laws, the first law
required Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on all county construction
projects of million dollars or more. The second law required Labor Peace
Agreements (PLAs), Certified Training Programs, Local Hiring and
Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) on all development projects that
receive one million dollars or more in public subsidies. f elected will you
support passing similar laws in Montgomery County?

YES_____ or NO_____

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Comments:






13. The skyrocketing cost of campaigns gives wealthy individuals and large
corporations too much power in deciding who gets elected in Montgomery
County. Do you support enacting a voluntary public campaign finance
system for Montgomery County Council and Executive races?
YES_____ or NO_____
Comments:









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Assisting Progressive MaryIand & AIIies

For the measures above that you have agreed to support wouId you be wiIIing to:

Co-sponsor legislation? YES_____ or NO_____

Work with our lobbyists to pass a bill? YES_____ or NO_____

Testify at a hearing in support of legislation? YES_____ or NO_____

Speak at public events in support of legislation? YES_____ or NO_____

Write a letter in support of legislation? YES_____ or NO_____

Write an op-ed in support of legislation? YES_____ or NO_____

In order to buiId progressive grassroots organizations, wouId you be wiIIing to heIp by:


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Speaking at Progressive Maryland events?

Urging employers to respect their employees' right to form a union by
remaining neutral during a union campaign?

Urge employers to recognize a union voluntarily when the majority of their
employees choose to form a union?

Write a letter to unorganized workers endorsing an organizing drive by a
labor union?


Walk a picket line with a labor union?


YES_____ or NO_____

YES_____ or NO_____
YES_____ or NO_____

YES_____ or NO_____

YES_____ or NO_____