Detailed Responses - Maryland State Senate District 14

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?

Rona E. Kramer (D) Yes.

Karen S. Montgomery (D) Yes, it allows bicyclists, walkers, and joggers to continue to use the trail for pleasure or travel to work, while others can use the light rail.

 

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?

Rona E. Kramer (D) Yes and have voted to that effect as a member of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

Karen S. Montgomery (D) Yes, I believe we need light rail along that corridor and should extend Metro past Shady Grove. The road is 10 lanes wide at some exits and obviously still cannot handle the traffic. It is also time to have some meaningful public transportation, such as MARC, along the corridor to Frederick and even to Hagerstown.

 

Question 3

How can we fund WMATA?

Rona E. Kramer (D) Funding for WMATA has been a priority for me as a legislator. I have sponsored two bills to create permanent and reliable state funding sources for WMATA, Senate Bill 850 and Senate Bill 167. The Maryland legislative delegation from the Washington DC region must demand greater state funding for WMATA to assist the efforts of our federal representatives who are working for federal funds. I have, and will continue to do so.

Karen S. Montgomery (D) We need to include funding from all local districts affected by the transit decisions. The WMATA Board needs both elected officials and transit rider advocates from the districts affected by WMATA decisions.

 

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?

Rona E. Kramer (D) The Corridor Cities Transitway should, certainly, be the priority. Funding sources and approval schedules are, likely, very different.

Karen S. Montgomery (D) Science is a bulwark of the Montgomery County economy. It is vital to continue the commitment to science and excellence. However, unless we dedicate ourselves to light rail where needed, we will never address the need to limit destructive sprawl. It is unconscionable to build this center without addressing the need for infrastructure: light rail, schools, police services, fire departments, etc. The models of the past are no longer sustainable. We need to commit to funding light rail before we do any further spending on new highways and access by automobile.