Issue Position: Jobs

Issue Position

PROBLEM: Unemployment is over 10% nationally, and it's doubled in Southern Maryland during the last 12 months. People don't want handouts or bailouts; they want a job and a paycheck.

SOLUTION: Ignite Small Business Jobs

ISSUE: Businesses are scared to hire now, even as they feel more demand.

* ACTION: Establish a Small Business Bonus -- Create a full time job and get a $1000 tax credit.
* LOCAL IMPACT: There are more than 1,000 businesses in Southern Maryland; hundreds will each hire a few; even the smallest may hire 1 or 2, now!

ISSUE: It's too hard to start a business: even the State web site says, "Get a lawyer and accountant."

* ACTION: Launch the Maryland Small Business Express -- Accelerate new business creation with a goal of less than 48 hours from start to permit.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Entrepreneurs who know where Opportunity lies will chase their dream and create jobs, now!

ISSUE: Tomorrow's businesses have the potential to be created by our children on their smart phones.

* ACTION: Create 21st Century entrepreneurs -- teach our children how to run their new business
* LOCAL IMPACT: Make Business Basics essential education: finance, law, regulations, and employment.

SOLUTION: Give Maryland a Competitive Edge

ISSUE: Business needs job incentives - new businesses, existing businesses and relocating businesses.

* ACTION: Give existing businesses that create jobs a $1000 tax credit for each full time job created.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Existing businesses will hire those extra full timers they've been holding out for.

* ACTION: Reduce Business Tax to 2% for 2 years for new businesses.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Reduce the start-up burden during the hardest time in the worst economy

* ACTION: Cut Business Tax in half for 2 years for businesses that relocate to Maryland.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Businesses will move across the 301 bridge from Dahlgren to Indian Head.

* ACTION: Oppose Federal "Card Check" legislation
* LOCAL IMPACT: Keep the federal government in its lane; maintain Maryland's sovereignty enshrined in the US Constitution's 10th Amendment and Articles 3 & 4 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights.

ISSUE: Government productivity is a contradiction in terms

* ACTION: Limit regulation to give people the greatest freedom to pursue happiness as the Framers intended.
* LOCAL IMPACT: One example: Keep Annapolis from arbitrarily forcing us to replace our septic systems.
* ACTION: Demand metrics and accountability for every state program before it's approved.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Track progress and accomplishments online. If it doesn't meet its goals, the program is cancelled and funding returned.
* ACTION: Balance approaches to home, small and industrial businesses.
* LOCAL IMPACT: A family farm isn't the same as an industrial site with regard to fertilizers and fines.

SOLUTION: Pay attention to critical markets

ISSUE: Agriculture is dwindling and entry costs are escalating.

* ACTION: Repeal the Death Tax that breaks up family farms and businesses.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Keep farms affordable, retains our rural heritage.

ISSUE: Watermen are the second leg of our heritage.

* ACTION: Help implement a new business model for aquaculture.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Keep watermen in business; grow the business and Save the Bay.

ISSUE: Construction is at a near-standstill while home values are down and credit is scarce.

* ACTION: Create jobs that in turn ignite demand for groceries, homes, cars, restaurants, etc.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Every home built and sold spurs demand for further development.

ISSUE: Personal and business tourism isn't fully tapped.

* ACTION: Build more conference facilities to satisfy the growing appetite for convention spaces, and start an effective marketing campaign -- now!
* LOCAL IMPACT: Big businesses in DC have off-sites, and they need hotels, restaurants, fishing trips…

ISSUE: The fastest growing segment in aviation is Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV'S), and St. Inigoes is the center of gravity.

* ACTION: Preserve airspace for safe unmanned aircraft operations.
* LOCAL IMPACT: New programs = new jobs.
* ACTION: Limit home development around St. Inigoes to preclude encroachment.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Jobs with HUBZone businesses that hire St. Inigoes residents in high tech jobs.
* ACTION: Bring the Navy Alliance, Patuxent Partnership and others to Annapolis to testify on this.
* LOCAL IMPACT: Protecting St. Inigoes as the UAV Capital will keep Southern Maryland poised for the next wave of aviation, both military and civil.

Source