My Commitment

Issue: Schools Must Prepare Students for Success, Not Just Tests

Strong public schools are essential to Washington County’s future. They protect property value, attract growth, and prepare the next generation to support our local economy and public services.

With approximately 22,000 students across 46 schools, families need to be confident that our county is funding education wisely. Too often, success is measured by test scores alone, while students graduate without clear pathways to good jobs, higher education, or careers here at home. At the same time, teachers are stretched thin, families need more support, and taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability for how education dollars are spent.

When education funding isn’t aligned with workforce needs and community realities, students and the county fall behind.

Resolution: Practical, Accountable, and Future-Focused Education

As County Commissioner, I will work to ensure education investments lead to real results for students, families, and taxpayers by doing the following:

✓  Align education funding with workforce development so students graduate with skills that match local job opportunities and career pathways in Washington County.

✓  Advocate for responsible, transparent school funding that supports safe schools, strong teachers, and measurable outcomes—without overburdening taxpayers.

✓  Collaborate closely with the Board of Education and community leaders to strengthen academic quality while respecting fiscal responsibility.

✓  Listen directly to students, families, and educators to understand their needs and push for accountability in performance and outcomes.

✓  Expand partnerships between schools and local organizations to provide wraparound support such as mental health services, counseling, mentoring, and after-school programs.

✓  Create opportunities for learners of all ages by strengthening connections between schools, employers, and community resources. 

Issue: Housing Costs Are Outpacing Washington County Residents

Renters in Washington County are cost-burdened, spending more than they can afford on housing. Rent costs continue to rise while wages have largely stayed the same. Families, seniors, and people with disabilities are being priced out of the communities they call home.

Washington County also faces a shortage of housing options. Limited land for multifamily development, outdated land-use regulations, and inadequate infrastructure have stalled new construction. As a result, housing supply has not kept up with population growth, aging residents, or the needs of people exiting care systems or experiencing homelessness.

Without action, these pressures will continue to push working families, older adults, and vulnerable residents out of the county—or into instability.

Resolution: Smart, Inclusive Housing Solutions

As County Commissioner, I will take a practical, people-first approach to housing by doing the following:

✓  Increase housing supply responsibly by revisiting land-use and development policies that have slowed construction, with a focus on protected affordable housing.

✓  Expand affordable options for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income renters so residents can age and live safely in their communities.

✓  Work with municipalities on rent stabilization strategies that balance fairness for renters with sustainability for property owners.

✓  Require transparency and accountability from developers and ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to engage in development decisions.

✓  Invest in infrastructure so new housing is supported by transportation, utilities, and services.

✓  Create supportive housing pathways for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including those transitioning out of the care system.

Issue: Growth Without Connection Is Leaving Residents Behind

Rapid development in Washington County has increased demand on roads, pedestrian pathways, and public transit, but infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. Too often investments stop at the city limits, leaving many residents, especially seniors, students, and those living in rural or developing areas without reliable ways to reach job opportunities healthcare, education, and essential services that are largely concentrated in the City of Hagerstown. Residents in rural and outlying areas face long distances and limited transit options, which disproportionately affect seniors who no longer drive, students without reliable transportation and working families. .

Residents within city limits are faced with challenges of limited transportation. These challenges become exasperated for those who are further away from city limits, deepening the divide between Hagerstown and the rest of the county.

Resolution: Fair, Reliable Transportation for All of Washington County

As County Commissioner, I will advocate for transportation planning that serves all Washington County residents. I will advocate for a transportation system that respects and serves rural communities just as much as urban ones. I am prepared to collaborate with constituents, Local and State elected officials, and the Washington County Transit on the following:

✓  Push for equitable transit access countywide, ensuring rural and developing communities have reliable connections to jobs, services, and education.

✓  Support expansion of transit routes, evening, and weekend service so residents aren’t limited by geography or schedule.

✓  Demand transparency and accountability in transit planning, funding, and timelines so residents know when and how improvements are coming.

✓  Ensure federal and state investments deliver real results, including the effective use of funding for expanded and modernized transit services.

✓  Ensure rural residents have dependable access to transit, including routes and schedules that connect outlying areas to jobs, healthcare, and services.

✓  Bridge the gap between Hagerstown and rural Washington County, ensuring new development benefits the entire county.

Issue: Outdated Zoning Is Driving Up Housing Costs

Washington County's zoning has not kept up with current needs. Housing affordability isn't just about rent prices, it's about what we allow to be built and where. The lack of development of modest, higher-density housing has caused an imbalance, driving up the cost of apartments, townhomes, and starter homes. These are the options that allow young adults to build families and seniors to downsize.

Housing choice allows young adults to stay, work, and build a future in Washington county. It allows seniors to downsize without leaving their communities. By modernizing zoning and planning for residents' needs, Washington County can grow in a way that's affordable, sustainable, and inclusive.

Resolution: Smarter Zoning for Housing Needs

As County Commissioner, I will work with fellow commissioners and municipalities to modernize zoning and unlock housing options that support affordability and stability. I will push for practical zoning reforms that expand housing choice without changing the character of our neighborhoods with the following strategies:

✓  Update zoning rules through a thoughtful, multi-year process to allow duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes in areas currently limited to single-family homes.

✓  Increase housing near jobs, services, and transportation, reducing costs, long commutes and keeping residents connected to opportunity.

✓  Support housing that fits every stage of life, from starter homes for young adults to accessible, low-maintenance options for seniors and disabled adults.

✓  Align local zoning reforms with Maryland’s 2024 Housing Expansion & Affordability Act, ensuring Washington County meets state goals while protecting local priorities.

✓  Engage residents throughout the process, so changes are transparent, predictable, and respectful of existing neighborhoods. 

Issue: Stop the Tax Hikes. Start Respecting Taxpayers.

Rising costs are putting real pressure on Washington County households and local businesses, affecting everyday decisions and long-term stability, and county government shouldn't make it worse. Property taxes, fees, and assessments keep climbing, even as many residents live on fixed or modest incomes. Too often, taxpayers are asked to pay more before the county has done the hard work of reviewing spending, improving efficiency, or planning responsibly for the future.

Seniors are at risk of being taxed out of their homes, working families are stretched thin, and small businesses face policies that discourage growth. We must fight to keep seniors in their homes, protect family budgets, and create a county government that works for, and not against the next generation.

Washington County deserves a government that respects taxpayers, plans for the future, and delivers real value, without reaching deeper into your pocket.

Resolution: Accountability You Can Afford

As County Commissioner, I will prioritize fiscal responsibility before considering any tax increase. I will oppose unnecessary increases, demand transparency in every dollar spent, and require that any tax or fee proposal be clearly justified, limited, and fair. I will advocate for adjustments to eligibility criteria and benefit levels to ensure the tax credit keeps pace with rising costs and inflation. I am committed to:

✓  Expand outreach and streamline enrollment for existing property tax relief programs, including the Homestead Property Tax Credit that limits assessment increases on owner-occupied homes and helps reduce bills after reassessment.

✓  Expand support and promotion of Enterprise Zone tax credits that provide both state and local property tax credits for businesses that make capital investments and create jobs within designated zones in Hagerstown and Hancock.

✓  Build on the Job Creation and Capital Investment Real Property Tax Credit program to attract new and expanding businesses with up to 15 years of tax credits tied to job growth and investment in Washington County.

✓  Launch a countywide tax relief campaign to make sure residents and businesses know about credits like the Homestead Tax Credit, Enterprise Zone incentives, High Performance Building credits, Agricultural Preservation credits, and the Senior Citizen Supplemental Homeowner’s Property Tax Credit. Expanded outreach will help seniors and homeowners access every benefit they’ve earned.

✓  Assist with application navigation, including community workshops and support services, so seniors and their families can complete and submit applications accurately and on time. These steps would help reduce property taxes for qualified seniors, protect long‑time homeowners from financial strain, and support stability in the Washington County community.