Detailed Responses - Maryland State Delegates District 17

Question 1

Do you support the Locally Preferred Alternative selected by Gov. O'Malley for the Purple Line, including an at-grade light rail line with a trail alongside it on the Georgetown Branch right of way between Bethesda and Silver Spring, as well as the at-grade light rail line running along Campus Drive through the University of Maryland?

Kumar P. Barve (D) Yes.

Luiz R. S. Simmons (D) Yes.

Daniel R. Campos (R) Yes.

Josephine Wang (R) No.

 

Question 2

Do you support further study of the Action Committee for Transit's plan for the I-270 Corridor as an alternative to the $4 billion plan to widen I-270?

Kumar P. Barve (D) I support the proposal but NOT as a replacement for road widening. We need both!

Luiz R. S. Simmons (D) Yes.

Daniel R. Campos (R) Yes.

Josephine Wang (R) Yes.

 

Question 3

How can we fund WMATA?

Kumar P. Barve (D) I have always supported new revenue sources for transportation as long as transit is included.

Luiz R. S. Simmons (D) At this time, my priority is addressing the yawning structural deficit, the cyclical downturn in revenues, unfunded pension liabilities, and unaddressed health care needs. Perhaps a portion of WMATA funding can come from redirecting the $100 million a year public subsidy for Maryland horse racing to public transportation.

Daniel R. Campos (R) We can fund WMATA by securing meaningful funding for the Transportation Trust Fund and not raiding it, as well as encouraging partnership with Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Josephine Wang (R) Increase gasoline tax and sin tax such as alcohol, tobacco, private planes/boats.

 

Question 4

Should any money be spent on increasing highway capacity associated with the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan before a light rail Corridor Cities Transitway from Shady Grove to Clarksburg is fully funded for construction?

Kumar P. Barve (D) Yes, true transportation solutions have to include both roads and transit.

Luiz R. S. Simmons (D) No.

Daniel R. Campos (R) No.

Josephine Wang (R) The Science Center will create jobs!