Red Maryland Pre-Session Survey: Nic Kipke
What is your top legislative priority for the 2017 General Assembly Session?
Budget restraint & tax reform.
What are some of your other legislative priorities for the 2017 General Assembly Session?
Opposing several harmful legislative efforts that would be very burdensome to the economic health of businesses in our state including unwise union backed efforts to further regulate private business in our state.
What concerns you the most about the 2017 General Assembly Session?
I am concerned that the democratic caucus, pushed by more partisan members, will again work at attempting to politically harm Governor Hogan instead of focusing on working on bipartisan solutions to some of the big challenges that are harming our state. Their caucus seems to have jumped far to the left and many of their initiatives would devastate employers.
What are your budget priorities for the 2017 General Assembly Session?
Ensuring that revenues and expenses are brought into check so that ultimately there is room for meaningful tax relief.
Trending: President Trump Must Be Reelected
What are your local projects or bills of local interest will you be introducing or supporting during the 2017 General Assembly Session?
Local governments desperately need to have local road money restored – which has been a priority for Governor Hogan but opposed by democrat leaders. Neighborhood roads and local thoroughfares are in desperate need of repair. O’Malley nearly eliminated local funding for roads despite gas tax money historically being shared between state and local roads. It is urgent that we restore funding for local roads as they are in dangerously bad condition.
What are your thoughts on Governor Hogan’s Executive Order regarding starting the school year after Labor Day?
I support Governor Hogan.
What are your thoughts on assisted suicide?
I am opposed to and will vote against assisted suicide.
What are your thoughts on the Highway Scoring Bill?
This legislation is a terrible political mistake on the part of the democrats and a shallow attempt at politically harming the Governor. As passed by the democrats, the scoring matrix will nearly eliminate funding for all areas of the state except for Montgomery County. Larry Hogan has been focused on fairly funding the priorities related to roads and bridges which has been neglected for nearly a decade – this legislation should be repealed.
What did you do on behalf of or in support of Kathy Szeliga’s US Senate campaign?
I supported Kathy Szeliga financially, through door to door contact with voters, distributing yard signs, through social media, sign-waved, mass email, and in other ways. She is a great Republican leader and I am very proud that she won Anne Arundel County.
What did you do on behalf of or in support of of other Republican candidates or the Republican Party in 2016?
I supported candidates financially, by speaking at public events and fundraisers on their behalf, was on host committees for candidates, went door to door, sign waved for them and much more.
What has been your biggest accomplishment as a legislator in the first two years of this term?
These first two years as Republican House Leader I worked to mentor and support the many new Republican Delegates who were elected in 2014. Additionally, I work very close with Governor Hogan to support his legislative agenda.
Will you be running for re-election in 2018? Why or why not?
Most definitely – very eager to support Governor Hogan in his second term!
