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Bill Ferguson IV's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Bill Ferguson IV did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

Maryland State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes b) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
No c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
I believe that the very personal and private choice of having an abortion should be made between a mother, her partner (as applicable), and her healthcare professional. I also believe we must do more to encourage effective family planning and access to contraceptives, as well as to counseling services for women and families.

1) Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Maryland's budget.

No a) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
Yes b) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
No c) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
Yes d) An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
We cannot balance the State's budget on Maryland's working and middle class, as our State's ability to balance the budget in the future requires that these hard-working families can thrive. In the extraordinary circumstances of financial crisis, I would consider furloughs and layoffs if absolutely necessary.
Yes a) Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
Yes b) Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes c) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No d) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
In the post-Citizens United world, I strongly believe that we have to do more to require timely and effective contribution & expenditure disclosures as extensively as may be legally and practically possible.
Yes a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
Yes c) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
No d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
In all of these cases, the details of each of the proposals would be critical in determining how I would vote on a specific piece of legislation related to these issues. While I have answered in broad strokes above, these are very important questions that require thoughtful policy development.
Yes a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes b) Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes c) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
Yes d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
No e) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes f) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Maryland?
Yes g) Do you support legalized state-sponsored sports betting in Maryland?
No h) Do you support increasing state regulatory oversight of ride-sharing drivers (e.g. Uber, Lyft)?
I support a comprehensive approach to tax reform that makes our tax code more efficient, effective, and transparent. Maryland must do more to implement evidence-based policies that strengthen and protect Maryland's middle and working class families. Additionally, I believe we passed an effective regulatory framework for ridesharing in 2013 that serves as a model for the country to balance the many interests at stake.
Yes a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Maryland?
Yes b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Maryland high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
We must have a laser-like focus on creating & investing in schools and opportunities that prepare Maryland children for the 21st Century economy. As the world and economy have rapidly changed, our public school system often has not. We must be willing to implement evidence-based policies that promote student achievement and readiness for college and career.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes b) Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
Not only is environmental protection necessary to address the impacts of climate change, but Maryland can be a leader in the 21st Century economy if we have a competitive advantage in green and sustainable technologies.
Yes a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No c) Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun ownership?
As an elected representative of Baltimore City, I firmly believe that we have a severe illegal gun problem in the Baltimore region. We have to do more to ensure that criminals have less access to illegal firearms within the confines of the 2nd amendment. We also must do more to punish criminals who commit crimes with illegal firearms.
Yes a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Maryland's health care programs?
Yes c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes d) Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
No e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
My support of granting citizens the right o choose to die through euthanasia is only with extreme precautions and protections in place. I do not support eliminating the religious exemptions for vaccinations so long as the religious belief is a bona fide, deeply held belief.
Yes a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Maryland's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Maryland's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support greater efforts by Maryland state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
I believe Maryland has been a progressive leader in these civil rights issues, and I was proud to vote in favor of the numerous laws Maryland passed over the last two terms to ensure that all Marylanders are treated equally under the law.
1) Maryland must create a public education system that gives all children the opportunity to attain an excellent education, one that genuinely prepares them to maximize their fullest potential in the 21st Century economy. 2) Maryland must create a business ecosystem where new and innovative companies can thrive - this includes the establishment of a tax and regulatory system that is flexible and globally competitive. 3) Baltimore City must be a driver for the state in creating a metropolitan hub where families can thrive and where businesses can grow.

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