Nancy Wallace

Questionnaire:

Jump to key issues:

• Education
• Crime & safety
• Budget
• Reproductive rights & public health
• Climate & energy
• Transportation

Both the state government and local governments are required to make significant investments in public education under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. (Also known as the Kirwan plan.) How would you ensure that these financial commitments are met?

The Governor controls the baseline of the budget with the initial budget sent to the state legislature. I will include the full amount needed to implement the Blueprint/Kirwan Commission plan. We have both a surplus recently, and an annual contribution to the Rainy Day fund, totally nearly 3/4 of a billion dollars, which I will use for this. Also, I will review all tax credits and incentives given to businesses in the last 10 years and require the businesses to pay their fair share of taxes under MD law. I will also comb the current budget for unnecessary expenses, to find more funding for our many critical needs. Investing in schools' insulation and HVAC will also free up funds for students and teachers.

Do you believe that Maryland public schools teach about human sexuality and gender in age-appropriate ways?

Yes.

Would you suggest changes to those lessons?

We should encourage feedback from the children and students on an annual basis on the state's Comprehensive Health Education Framework, and consider changes. However it is presenting the reality of children's lives to them and enabling them to see and appreciate the diverse approaches to human sexuality that they see in their lives, in a positive and accepting way.

Are you satisfied with the ways Maryland schools teach the history of Indigenous, Black, Latino, Asian or other communities of color and systemic racism?

No.

We are moving in the right direction with inclusion of these topics in the curriculum, but the state needs to include a focus on Maryland's own specific history, both good and bad, in systemic racism especially. From the heroes to the horrors, we need to have a complete, factual view of how the economy, culture, government, press and religion were and can be used to create false myths of ourselves. It's time for truth and reconciliation, and moving on to the society we want to build and live in. We must be informed of the past to know our own potential for bad and good, and reasons for the patterns of problems today.

Do you support Maryland’s BOOST program that uses state tax dollars to fund private school tuition?

No.

Would you change program funding?

[Candidate’s response in bold.]

• Increase
• Maintain
• Decrease
• Eliminate

As governor, how would you view your role and the state’s role in reducing violent crime in our communities?

The governor must lead a state-wide reform of state and local policing to bring proven, effective methods of "unity policing" to our state. Camden, NJ and Richmond, CA both dramatically reduced street violence and murder rates - with women political leaders enabling innovative, community-based policing and supportive interventions with high-risk individuals. The governor must also lead in a national dialogue to address the sources of violence such as violent video games, easy gun access, unemployment, systemic racism, and create a focus on a united team to fight climate change with 100% employment with green jobs, urban farms, etc. The state must create the programs to employ and support people so they have a life worth living.

What steps would you take to assist Baltimore authorities in preventing violent crime in the city and holding offenders accountable?

First, full legalization of marijuana for 18 year olds and above, not just for 21 year olds (as the Democratic state legislature enacted) to prevent unnecessary policing of juveniles; and automatic vacating and reducing sentences from marijuana. This would enable thousands of people to gain jobs and housing, and build a life for themselves worth living. Second, 80% of the police should live in the city and become the heart of the "unity" policing model used in Camden, NJ successfully. Third, participate in a challenge to everyone over 60 in the city to take on a mentor role for one year, to support healthy recreation and provide caring attention to at-risk youth. Finally, partner with local health insurers to implement the successful life-mapping program of Richmond, CA to guide those at risk of violent onto their preferred life path. These methods work. The governor can facilitate education of Baltimore authorities in these successful programs.

To reduce crime, should the state invest more money in:

Choose all that apply

[Candidate’s response in bold.]

• Crime prevention and diversion programs
• Community programs such as education, youth services and job training
• Staffing and training for police officers
• Staffing and training for parole and probation officers
• Increasing the number of prosecutors

Would you propose changes to Maryland’s gun control laws?

Yes.

Maryland should require micro-stamping of bullets, a new technology which enables tracing bullet casings immediately to make and model of the gun. I also support 100% enforcement of laws prohibiting adults, including parents, from allowing minors to access guns in any manner, and a public education program to alert parents to this change. I support fingerprint trigger locks.

Do you support changing state tax laws to require high-earning Marylanders and corporations to pay more?

No.

The point is not the tax rates which are fairly high relative to other states. The problems are two-fold: first we give individual tax breaks to corporations, corporate welfare, in different terms such as tax incentives, tax waivers, zoning changes, bonds moving risk from the private to public sector, and many other tricks to reduce costs for businesses so they don't pay the full cost of their doing business in Maryland - sweetheart deals, then the corporations give campaign contributions to the Democrats and Republicans in exchange. Second, we don't get the value for our taxes that we should; I will institute annual quality reviews by the public for each state agency and department, just as in business best practices. These will lead to process improvements and tight accountability of each government service to its constituents. I lead these efforts now in my work, and have 30 years experience at business process improvement. It is deeply rewarding when done right, for all involved.

How would you spend additional revenue?

On our Blueprint for the Future, the climate programs outlined above, and life-mapping support for individuals at high risk of violence.

Maryland is sitting on a budget surplus of more than $1 billion. Would you spend some of that money, and if so, how would you spend it?

All the funds will be used for the two main emergency programs, and the Blueprint - first towards providing babies and children with truly safe, clean drinking water, since our MD breastmilk probably violates the new EPA safety standards for PFAS in drinking water - starting with Reverse Osmosis water filters for every household with a nursing baby (this will save health costs by the billions in later years also). Second, all remaining funds will go towards lower natural gas use through free insulation for low-income homes (which pays back the investment virtually forever) and installing solar panels on top of every parking lot in Maryland as long as the funding lasts (this will reduce everyone's car charging costs, air pollution health costs, and provide jobs immediately). I will also tap the Rainy Day fund to ensure Maryland transitions as quickly as possible off of the deadly fossil fuels. We must transform now - change is good if we do it together. Third, I will use these funds as necessary for the Blueprint for the future. All three of my uses are about the children and a healthy, stable, sustainable future.

Would you invest more state resources in Baltimore?

Yes.

The state must fund the emergency climate programs for major insulation upgrade (to stop using natural gas furnaces), and major solar panel installation on top of all parking lots - such as stadium parking, hospital parking - and flat topped roofs such as large stores and office buildings (to turn off our coal plants). The need is urgent, we must stop using coal and natural gas as absolutely soon as possible. We can do this, with a WWII-level urgency. And our cities will be cooler, healthier, and less expensive.

Should Maryland do more to ensure minority-owned businesses have a fair opportunity to secure state contracts or business?

Yes.

What is your position on Question 4, which would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana?

Support.

If Marylanders vote for marijuana legalization, what are the top issues related to legalization that you would focus on?

Provide small business loans to ex-felons with marijuana convictions, for CBD dispensaries, urban greenhouses for marijuana as a local crop, urban farming, and any small business that helps those individuals and communities ravaged by the fraudulent federal classification of marijuana as a "Schedule 1 drug" 70 years ago. We can grow our own marijuana here, control the quality, and keep profits local. Also, automatically reduce any sentence aggravate by marijuana to its other portions (which the Democrat bill requires felons to initiate, not automatic). Outreach to all ex-felons with past marijuana charges reminding them they can vote!!

Would you propose changes to the ways Maryland limits, regulates or funds abortion?

No.

Maryland lawmakers set aside money in the budget to fund training in abortion care for doctors and medical professionals. Gov. Larry Hogan has declined to release the funding. Would you release the funding?

Yes.

How would you seek to improve Maryland’s public health system to handle future health emergencies based on what’s been learned during the coronavirus pandemic and the monkeypox outbreaks?

The Green Party and I have always supported free, universal single-payer health care. This will enable Marylanders to improve their health through free preventive screenings, health counseling, and early treatment. The state responded well to the covid epidemic in terms of marshaling huge resources in a short period of time, showing we can handle emergencies with flexibility, innovation and dedication when needed.

Do you agree with the scientific consensus that global climate change is influenced by human activities?

Yes.

Declare a climate emergency to release emergency funds for housing insulation starting with public housing; start emergency installation of solar panels on all parking lots starting with state-owned lots, with free car charging at all lots and local jobs training; begin reforestation and regeneration on the 344,000 acres owned by the state by stopping unnecessary mowing and planting trees, employing youth and restoring birds and pollinators.

Chesapeake Bay-area states are unlikely to meet a 2025 federal deadline for making significant improvements to the health of the bay and its tributaries. What policies would you pursue to help the bay and meet the deadline?

The Dept of Agriculture will promote conversion of all farms to organic agriculture, to eliminate toxic pesticides and herbicide runoff, and stop agricultural extension services to farms which continue to use toxic chemicals; encourage no-till agriculture and native crops to build soil and reduce runoff; require organic treatment of urban and suburban properties instead of toxics which enter the Bay; develop a plan and seek federal infrastructure funding to replace the Baltimore water and sewer system; use environmental permitting to right-size Eastern Shore chicken farming to the ecosystem's ability to absorb waste; and seed MD tributaries with eelgrass to replicate the successful seagrass recovery in Virginia tributaries thereby restoring oxygen and clarity for fish and shellfish.

Please describe your position on Gov. Larry Hogan’s plan to expand highways in the D.C. metro region with privately built and operated toll lanes?

This plan was designed before the covid-inspired telework revolution, and the remaining traffic congestion should be approached with a new plan integrating alternate transportation such as dedicated bus lanes, flexible local small-car rentals like the bicycle rental programs, maximum telework on a permanent basis, funding of reduced Metro fares instead of highways, and other innovations.

Would you continue the project?

No.

Do you support the proposed high-speed maglev train between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.?

We are facing global collapse of our ecosystems. The funding for this type of project must be provided to residents and businesses to transform our energy production, food production, localize goods and services, organic farming, restoring the Bay, and many other priorities. The decades of super-high cost, publicly funded infrastructure, which has primarily been for the middle and upper classes, must yield to the scientific, existential threat to our existence and civilization. Technology at this point must focus on transformation to a net negative society - not another huge consumer of energy as this maglev train. We must change and welcome this transformation.

Should Baltimore and surrounding counties create a regional transit authority to have more control over public transportation decisions?

Yes.

This model has worked relatively well in the Metro DC area, though it needs direct election by the voters, not the distance created by the appointed commission model.

Will you accept the results of the 2022 gubernatorial election as certified by local and state election boards?

Yes.

Our voting system needs major improvement. I served on the Advisory Board of the non-partisan group VerifiedVoting.org, and know the issues with the Maryland voting system and election law. My "Yes" is conditional of course upon no finding of major errors, procedure violations, and technological breakdowns, which if documented will cast doubt on the results. However, it is the system we have right now and I have great faith in the local precincts and county boards' heroic efforts to make an accurate count. If violations are documented, then I hope and expect the media and the boards of elections will investigate with full transparency for all candidates before certifying a result. Unfortunately, the law requiring candidates be able to observe the count is now impossible to carry out given optical scanners and refusal of the State Board to allow observation of the final accumulator functions in Annapolis. Note the change in votes this summer in the Montgomery County Executive recount for instance. We should implement Best Practices from non-partisan nonprofits and other countries to have a truly open, clear, transparent, verifiable vote counts.

Would you propose any changes to the laws governing how voters cast their ballots?

Yes.

I will propose Ranked Choice Voting, also known as True Majority Voting, be used for all elections governed by state law. This is the only method to truly determine the will of a majority of the electorate. The Democrats have killed four bills in the state legislature to allow this system, which includes all voters' voices in the final outcome and even makes candidates nice to each other - read more at Fairvote.org. Maine, Alaska, New York City, San Francisco, and Takoma Park all use this system. Australia has used it for 100 years. It is more democratic, more inclusive, and produces a winner with a solid majority mandate to govern.