Al Phillips- Member, Republican Central Committee, Maryland District 39.

I am a candidate for Maryland State Delegate because I believe that Marylanders need better representation in Annapolis. For far too long, they have been over regulated and over taxed to the point that they aren't getting what they are paying for. The power of the state government has been gradually expanded in recent years, and this needs to stop. All governments, whether national, state, or local, should be restricted to the powers that they are allowed to have under the United States Constitution. Maryland also needs to be business friendly, and should be able to draw major corporations to it, rather than Virginia. As previously mentioned, over taxation and over regulation play a major part in this as well. If elected, I would vote for common sense measures that would restore liberty and prosperity to all, and help ensure that individuals and businesses have an incentive to move to Maryland. Our economy is improved and our citizens are happier if we have lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. This will also give people a reason to stay here, since several people that I know moved to states which had lower taxes and less regulations. Raising taxes when a recession is occurring is not a good idea, but somehow, it still occurred. I , as a lifelong Maryland and Montgomery County resident, have gradually seen our freedoms erode and our rates of taxation increase. In order for Maryland to be competitive with other states across the board, things need to change at the state level. However, this will remain the same as long as we keep sending the same career politicians to Annapolis. Those same politicians that have a tendency to put their own interests above those of their constituents. The same politicians who have willingly participated in the culture of corruption. Those same politicians who will not hesitate to expand the power of the government at the expense of the citizens simply because they have the votes to do so. Last, but not least, those same politicians who will vote for tax increases to fund their pet projects. As a Maryland state delegate, I plan to be an effective counter to all of the negative aforementioned things. We as a people don't need them, and firm opposition is needed. If elected, I plan to be a citizen legislator, and not a career politician.