Richard Madaleno in 2018 MD Governor's race

On Abortion: 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland

Expand access to contraceptives
Protect women's right to choose
100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
0% rating from Maryland Right to Life

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Budget & Economy: Tax credits to companies offering 50% over minimum wage

Vice-Chair of Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
Supports tax credits for companies that grow jobs in Maryland and offer 150% of minimum wage

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Civil Rights: Equality for gender identity; end same-sex discrimination

Voted YES on prohibiting wage discrimination based on gender identity
Voted YES on requiring health insurance providers to provide coverage for in-vitro fertilization for same-sex couples
Sponsored law prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment based on gender identity

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Crime: Require data collection on race-based traffic stops

Voted YES on no longer requiring ex-offenders to be tested for drugs
Voted YES on allowing persons convicted of possession of marijuana to petition for expungement of record
Voted YES on establishing minimum amount of $300 subject to forfeiture
Voted YES on requiring data collection on race-based traffic stops
Voted YES on stripping parental rights from rapists
Voted YES to allowing ex-felons to apply for food stamps

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Drugs: Allow petitioning for expunging marijuana arrest record

Voted YES on allowing parents or guardians of minor children to apply on their behalf to outpatient alcohol or drug abuse programs
Voted YES on allowing persons convicted of possession of marijuana to petition for expungement of record
Voted YES on no longer requiring ex-offenders to be tested for drugs

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Education: Free community college tuition

Member of Kirwan Commission
Voted YES on expanding meals and food programs for students
Helped restore funding for schools
Sponsored law that froze college tuition from 2007-2010
Supports free community college tuition
Voted YES on increasing maximum age for children to be in school from 16 to 17

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Energy & Oil: Supports Paris Climate Agreement & regulating greenhouse gas

Voted YES on banning fracking
Supports Paris Climate Agreement
Favors requiring high renewable energy standards
Voted YES on stricter regulations for greenhouse gas emissions
Voted YES on establishing grant program to help individuals, local governments, and businesses to purchase solar panels
Voted YES on establishing limits on certain emissions from electric generating facilities

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Environment: Increase funding for Chesapeake Bay Trust

100% rating from Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Supports prohibition of use of polystyrene food packaging
Voted YES on banning certain fertilizers
Voted YES on increasing scope of and funding for Chesapeake Bay Trust
Voted YES on limiting emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and mercury from electric generating plants

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Families & Children: Stricter regulations on BPA, concussions, & child seats

Voted YES on stripping parental rights from rapists
Voted YES on allowing parents or guardians of minor children to apply on their behalf to outpatient alcohol or drug abuse programs
Voted YES on repealing weight exemption for children under age of 8 who must be in child safety seats
Voted YES on banning child care products containing BPA
Voted YES on establishing program to loan hearing aids to parents of children under age of 3
Voted YES on requiring creation of policies and program to provide concussion awareness to coaches, school personnel, parents, and children
Voted YES on requiring foster homes, family day care homes, and child care centers to have cordless window coverings

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Foreign Policy: No state contracts if connected to Iran

Supports barring individuals or entities doing business with Iran or boycotting Israel from receiving state procurement contracts

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Free Trade: Preference for American-made goods in state procurement

Supports preference for American-made goods in state procurement

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Government Reform: Same-day voter registration & automatic registration at MVA

Voted YES to put initiative on ballot to allow same-day voter registration
Voted YES on automatic voter registration at Motor Vehicle Administration
Voted YES on allowing persons to vote in primary elections before turning 18 if voter will turn 18 before general election
Voted YES on increasing number of early voting centers and on establishing early voting period
Voted YES on public financing of campaigns

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Gun Control: Ban assault weapons; ban bump stocks

Voted YES on banning assault weapons
Voted YES on banning bump stocks
Voted YES on prohibiting those convicted of domestic abuse crimes from possessing firearms
Voted YES on "red flag" law

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Health Care: Prohibit price gouging for generic drugs

Voted YES on increasing access to contraceptive drugs
Voted YES on prohibiting price gouging for generic drugs

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Immigration: Allow Syrian refugees into US and Maryland

Supports allowing Syrian refugees into US and Maryland
Voted YES on allowing state AG to sue federal government on travel ban
Supports TRUST Act to bar local police from asking about immigration status

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Jobs: Require state contractors to support apprenticeships

Voted YES on requiring state contractors to support apprenticeships
Supports tax credits for companies that grow jobs in Maryland and offer 150% of minimum wage

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Local Issues: Fund regional transit authorities & the cancelled Red Line

Supported cancelled Red Line
Supports increased investment in public transportation vs. road projects
Supports state funding for regional transit authorities

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Principles & Values: Social justice for all people

Supports equal rights, voting rights and social justice for all people

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Tax Reform: Raise estate tax at state level since feds won't

Opposes 2017 GOP tax plan
Sponsored law expanding Earned Income Tax Credit
Sponsored law decoupling MD estate tax from federal estate tax in light of increase of federal exemption

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Welfare & Poverty: Supports affordable housing & community development projects

Supports affordable housing and community development projects
Voted YES to allowing ex-felons to apply for food stamps

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

On Abortion: Supported Planned Parenthood when Feds tried to cut

We need a governor who will protect reproductive rights without equivocation. When Washington tried to force Planned Parenthood out of business I introduced a new law guaranteeing that Maryland will reimburse Planned Parenthood for the health care services it provides here. This ensured that young people, and especially young women of color, will keep access to primary care, mammograms, cancer screenings, birth control, medical advice, and abortions. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Civil Rights: Committed to fighting for marriage equality & LGBTQ rights

A lot of people know me as the person who brought marriage equality to Maryland. And I am very proud of that reputation. I stood up for the civil rights of the people of our state. These rights take many forms, and impact people in many ways. In the General Assembly, and out, I have delivered on civil rights for the people of Maryland. But I am not finished. I will never be finished. I will cede no ground on civil rights, LGBTQ rights, workers' rights, or women's rights. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Corporations: Support smaller businesses as job creators

Our path to continued prosperity is our tremendous and talented workforce. We need to direct economic development resources away from large companies with no loyalty to Maryland workers, and toward small- and medium-sized businesses that really are the "job creators." We need to increase credential programs and align community college schedules with real-world student needs. We need a spectrum of education that trains people for their first job, and for their next job. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Drugs: Opioid epidemic is health issue, not criminal one

We have a prescription opioid and heroin crisis in our state--a public health crisis that we ineffectively treat as a law enforcement issue. Entire communities across our state are being hollowed out. There are economic and social issues feeding this epidemic that we must address, but before and above all else, we must ensure that those in the grips of addiction get the help they need, and that their families and communities are supported. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Education: Public schools are the key to our future

A high-quality public education system is the key to our future. The incumbent's education agenda focused on taking money from public schools and giving it to for-profit charter schools, private schools, and religious schools. My commitment to public education will be unwavering. We will achieve universal pre-kindergarten, we will support and improve public K-12, and we will invest in our colleges and universities. You'll see it in my budget and appointments. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Energy & Oil: Maryland should lead way on renewable energy

As a state Senator, I've fought to end fracking, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and invest in renewable energy resources. As Governor, I will ensure our state is a leader these areas. Two hundred years ago, the first gas lamps in America were turned on in Baltimore. But that was then, and now we need to move on, with that same spirit of innovation, to help us move to the next sources of energy to power future growth. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Health Care: Single-payer would be ideal outcome

I guarantee you this: When I am governor, no matter what Republicans in Congress do, Maryland will treat health care as a human right, and Maryland will ensure that every person has access to affordable health care. Like many Marylanders, I believe single-payer is the ideal outcome. But states can't do single-payer alone, it has to be national. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Jobs: Raise minimum wage to $15 to boost economy

A growing economy must be also a just economy. That starts with a $15 an hour minimum wage, indexed to the cost of living, so that no one falls behind again, and I have proudly supported this in the General Assembly. One of the cruelest Republican lies is that higher wages are bad for the economy and cost jobs, when the opposite is actually true. Consumer spending drives our economy. When people have more money, the economy grows, and companies hire. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Technology: Investment for all transportation, not partisan slush fund

In 2013, I led the successful effort to fund critical transportation improvements. The governor then cherry-picked projects to eliminate, and redirected the money to places that voted for him, benefitting a privileged few supporters, and sacrificing our long-term economic interests for his short-term political gain. We need to return to the 2013 plan and stop using taxpayer money as a slush fund to reward friends and punish supposed enemies. Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website MadalenoForMaryland.com Aug 8, 2017

On Drugs: Co-sponsored marijuana legalization bill

Drug prohibition has led to a number of "maybe unintended, but quite negative consequences" for the state. Marijuana violations have entangled "too many young people" in the criminal justice system, and prosecution for marijuana possession disproportionately affects black communities despite similar usage. "The war on drugs has unfortunately failed," Madaleno said. "I just think it's time that we take a different approach, one that says this product can be regulated." Source: The Diamondback (U.MD.) on 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial race Mar 2, 2017

On Gun Control: Sponsored ban on guns on campus

"None of us want our children to be exposed to gun violence when they're off at school, whether it's walking into kindergarten or walking into graduate school," said Madaleno, who is sponsoring the legislation that would ban guns on all college campuses in Maryland. He warned against only thinking of mass shootings when considering gun safety saying he was more concerned with individual instances, like suicide or relationship violence. Source: The Diamondback (U.MD.) on 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial race Mar 2, 2017

The above quotations are from 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Richard Madaleno. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Mar 19, 2019