2022 Voter Guide: Stephen A. Wantz, candidate for Maryland House District 5

Why are you running for office?

I am completing my second term as Carroll County Commissioner and I am term limited out. I firmly believe my eight years in local government will be a huge asset in the General Assembly. I have been actively engaged in Annapolis for the last eight years in my roles with the Maryland Association of Counties working and testifying on bills. Many times I have been challenged by the lack of experience and knowledge of local government by those in the General Assembly. I have been a strong leader in Carroll with an extensive knowledge of budgets, public works, infrastructure, public safety, education and all issues dealing with successful government operations. I will use this knowledge to work in a successful bi-partisan way to ensure not only my constituents needs are accomplished, but also those across our great State.

What is the most pressing issue in your district?

Carroll County has a plethora of aging infrastructure needs including schools, detention center, roads and bridges, public buildings etc. Carroll County is in the very beginning of creating a combination fire and EMS department. Carroll County has rural areas with little to no broadband coverage. All of these issues can be classified as pressing requiring enhanced state funding.

How will you help your constituents deal with inflation?

It is essential that the one size does not fit all methodology is dealt with in the General Assembly. There are many bills that are introduced and passed that challenge our County resources and fiscal abilities. The nature of a legislators responsibilities starts with ensuring the identity of our county is respected. I will use my local government experience to work with everyone, regardless of party, to provide this understanding to ensure our citizens do not see increased taxes and fees. I am proud to say I have accomplished a great deal in our county over the last 8 years with no tax increases. Fiscal responsibility at all levels of government is essential.

What do you see as the top transportation priority in your district, and how would you address it?

We have been dealing with a huge deficit as a result of highway user revenue being drastically reduced since 2009. This important funding assists with maintenance and improvements for our roads and bridges and new transport vehicles and maintenance for our inter county transit system. I will work across the aisle to ensure this revenue returns to the levels it should be.

What should schools do differently during the next pandemic to help students, families and teachers?

We have a great knowledge base and structure to assist in handling any future pandemics. We need to have increased accountability and transparency. Many decisions in our educational systems are done behind closed doors. Use the staff, including teacher expertise about needs to help make decisions on the school level. Engaging teachers, parents, students to ensure that accurate information is shared will go a long way in the understanding of everyone’s responsibilities required to maintain appropriate functionality of our schools . All of our school systems should also be proactive and upgrade their current plans and put an emphasis on ensuring nurses and mental health positions are not just maintained but increased to ease the burden in this area.

How equitably do police officers treat people of color?

These are certainly issues that have occurred as a result of bias/prejudice in law enforcement across the country, and we have watched them play out in the news. There are typically bad apples in every profession but as in every profession, one persons actions do not represent all police officers. Oversight of law enforcement officers with unbiased strong leadership and proper training can bring an awareness of anyone who is biased and behaves inappropriately in the work place, and prevent unacceptable biased behavior before it affects our citizens. Public safety is the number one priority of elected officials, without it everything else crumbles, and we have a group of great well trained law enforcement officers on many levels from local to state. There is no excuse for biased behavior, at all, in any profession.

What would you do to make sure Maryland’s voting system is secure and accurate?

The latest security software should be in place on all of the election devices. Maryland’s election officials should be well trained and up to date on all of the new standards, and cyber security individuals should be on staff. Those we entrust with these important roles can be trusted to accurately verify all counts. Election judges should be compensated fairly and we should increase the amount of employees at all local election boards, ensuring sufficient staff and oversight is in place, to make sure the process and results are secure and accurate through the most updated procedures set in place.

What are the right goals and deadlines for Maryland to reduce carbon emissions and develop renewable energy sources?

This important issue is a work in progress, and we do need a well defined plan. Experts in the field of low emitting technologies should be consulted on a consistent basis to ensure technical solutions are obtainable. Experts in the field of renewable energies should also be consulted to ensure realistic steps are obtainable as we move to a cleaner environment. We then need to use their expertise to set those goals with environmental impact the number one priority. Currently goals and deadlines are being set by those who are not knowledgeable, and the experts are worried that we are not moving down the right path, as we attempt to capture best practices for a cleaner world. Expert input can accomplish goal setting in a timely fashion, leading to appropriate deadlines. Again, surrounding ourselves with the right people to ensure correct solutions is essential.

What’s Maryland’s best use of federal COVID relief money?

Emergency management personnel and resources should be enhanced starting with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to all local management boards. Similarly the same should occur with our State Health Department to all local boards of health. Funding should be established for recurring training for all public safety personnel in all manners of pandemic management and responsibility. Ensuring critical infrastructure is maintained and improved. Clean water and associated delivery systems are essential. Broadband coverage should be assured regardless of location. There is no reason for lack of connectivity anywhere.