O'Malley: "I support limited slot machines, confined to racetracks, to strengthen the economy and keep the 17,000 racing jobs associated with the tracks in Maryland. I will give local communities a strong say in how slots will be implemented in these communities."

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley had promised to reduce the number of annual homicides in Baltimore to 175, but the number far surpassed that last year, totaling 269. What is your plan to reduce crime in Maryland?

Ehrlich: "We have taken a comprehensive, results-focused approach to public safety. The main components of our public safety strategy have been prevention, empowerment of law enforcement and empowerment of citizens and communities so that their neighborhoods are not breeding grounds for criminal activity."

Ehrlich's campaign cited an 11 percent decrease in the serious crime rate in Maryland since the governor took office in 2003, a 9.3 percent decrease in the violent crime rate and an almost 12 percent decrease in the property crime rate.

"We believe these statistics support the effectiveness of our comprehensive approach to public safety, and I pledge to continue with this strategy of prevention and empowerment of law enforcement and communities as a way of building safer neighborhoods all over Maryland."

O'Malley: "By bringing neighbors and law enforcement together, investing in prevention, enforcement and drug treatment, and using new technology to advance our efforts, we have been able to make great progress in reducing violent crime and making Baltimore a safer place to live."

Since he took office, O'Malley's campaign says violent crime in Baltimore has dropped by 40 percent. Although the mayor's goal of reducing the annual number of homicides to 175 was not reached, homicides did drop by 18 percent, his spokesmen point out. His administration ended a string of 10 consecutive years with more than 300 murders.

"I will also work to stop crime at its roots, with a strong anti-gang initiative and improved drug treatment and counseling for offenders. By both policing our communities better, and providing [rehabilitation] for those in the correctional system, we can strengthen and protect Maryland’s families."

Ehrlich pledged an end to parole for violent criminals in his 2002 campaign. An end has not been seen. What is the future of parole for violent criminals?

Ehrlich: "Over the course of my nearly twenty years in elective office, I have made public safety a priority. As governor, I have committed the resources of my administration to make Maryland safer. Thus, as a general matter, I do not support parole for the most violent offenders. There are some people who are simply violent and dangerous, and who will chronically prey on the innocent men, women, and children of Maryland if not detained. Rehabilitation has its realistic limits.

"With that in mind, however, I remain committed to exercising my constitutional and moral responsibility – Executive Clemency – when and where appropriate. In my view, Executive Clemency has an operative role to play in our system of criminal justice, to address injustice, inequity and the collateral consequences of criminal conviction and to reward law-abiding conduct. I am often reminded of the Bible saying, 'What does it mean, my brother, to say you have faith if there are no deeds? Faith without works is dead.' My record reflects that I am turning my faith in Executive Clemency into deeds and making a difference in the lives of hundreds of people throughout Maryland. ...

"I remain committed to continuing my Executive Clemency approach into a second term, exercising the political will to do what is in the best interests of Maryland."

O'Malley: "Bob Ehrlich’s broken promise to end parole for violent criminals is typical of the two Bob Ehrlichs — the election-year Bob Ehrlich that promises to fight for Maryland families and communities, and the every-other-year Bob Ehrlich who fails to deliver on those promises. ...

"I was proud to receive the endorsement of Maryland’s parole and probation officers, because they know we need a change in leadership. As governor, I will work to give these officers the modern tools they need to properly monitor those released into the community and ensure that we have appropriate treatment and wrap around services to produce better outcomes."

Maryland is facing a population influx with the Base Realignment and Closure decisions - with areas around Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort Meade facing big gains. What is your stance on urban sprawl?

Ehrlich: "Maryland undeniably is an attractive state in which to live and work. Our challenge is to manage the inevitable growth with more public schools, a better transportation program, especially mass transit in the large suburban communities, and maintain a quality of life through open spaces and recreational opportunities. ...

"With the anticipated arrival of these new residents, the issue of urban sprawl is compounded and now reaches into all 23 Maryland counties. While I have chosen to defer zoning issues to the local governments, we have made great strides in partnering with the counties and municipalities to create an environment of better planning practices. I am proud of how Maryland has worked to help the municipalities and counties by giving them the tools and support necessary to make better growth decisions.

"My administration has been successful in aggressively addressing growth issues while preserving nearly 70,000 acres of pristine rural landscape in addition to providing support for responsible growth programs in established communities and locally designated growth areas. We accomplished this goal by targeting specific state resources to preserve land outside of Priority Funding Areas and encouraging growth inside Priority Funding Areas to ensure that existing communities continue to provide a high quality of life for their residents."

O'Malley: "Maryland must make the proper investments now, so when new BRAC-related jobs come to the area, we have the infrastructure in place to handle tens of thousands of additional cars and homes. I believe that we can plan growth intelligently, rather than giving in to well-connected developers or trying to sell them state-protected land, as Bob Ehrlich has done.

"If elected, I will fully fund Program Open Space and restore the Office of Smart Growth, which has been de-funded in the past four years. I will support a comprehensive transportation plan, including mass transit, to improve traffic and keep our air clear. And I will work closely with local communities to protect and develop their interests."

Ehrlich has approved two state executions since his election. Do you support a repeal of the death penalty?

Ehrlich: "My support for capital punishment is well-known throughout my service in the Maryland General Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives, and as governor. Although I believe capital punishment remains an appropriate sanction for certain heinous murders, I understand and respect the legitimate, deeply held beliefs of those on the other side of this issue.

"While the state never had a true 'moratorium' in place, as candidate for governor, I pledged to thoroughly review each capital punishment case and render a fair and unbiased determination based on the merits of each individual case. As governor, I fulfilled my campaign promise by initiating and implementing a process for the fair and objective review of all executive clemency requests, including those concerning capital punishment cases. This process is a thorough, personal review of the entire situation regarding the criminal acts, the mitigating circumstances, and the trials. Please know that I take very seriously my constitutional duty of whether to grant clemency, especially in those cases where capital punishment is at stake."

O'Malley: "I will uphold Maryland’s current law on capital punishment."

BGE energy rate increases came under intense scrutiny this summer. What steps will you take to control rising energy costs?

Ehrlich: "In 1999, the General Assembly and Governor [Parris N.] Glendening wrongly assumed future electricity prices would be low and approved a plan to deregulate Maryland’s electric utility companies, and [removed] price caps for the summer of 2006. Because of flaws in the 1999 legislation, the competition never emerged and residential electricity rates across the state skyrocketed.

"I twice presented a common sense, optional and interest-free rate relief plan. However, the General Assembly passed a plan that forces 1.1 million Baltimore Gas & Electric customers to take out loans on electricity costs for up to 10 years without consumer choice.

"The future of Maryland’s electric industry lies in increased competition and removal of subsidies that will alleviate exorbitant costs to Maryland’s working families. Additionally, I believe we must address the fact that Maryland imports 30 percent of its electricity from outside the state. This means that market forces outside our influence can directly affect Maryland rate payers. My goal is to reduce this dependency on outside electricity generators by significantly expanding our commitment to renewable energy sources. In the 2006 session of the Maryland General Assembly, I proposed legislation to require 10 percent of the state government’s electricity consumption to be from renewable sources (wind and solar) and tax credits for individuals to install solar electricity systems. Both proposals were rejected by the Maryland General Assembly."

O'Malley: "Under Bob Ehrlich’s industry-friendly Public Service Commission, thousands of Maryland families saw their energy rates increased by 72 percent, without even so much as a public hearing. ...

"'If elected, I will remove the current PSC and appoint real regulators who will have open meetings and take seriously their job to protect our families. I will end the revolving door between the energy industry and the PSC by requiring detailed reports on meetings with energy officials and a mandatory two-year waiting period between working for industry and working for the PSC.

"I will also work on plans to promote municipal bulk purchases of electricity to keep prices low. To help reduce our demand on expensive energy, I will institute a sales-tax holiday for energy-efficient home appliances and home improvement materials. I will create incentives to grow our renewable energy industry and empower consumers to better manage their own energy use through “smart” meters. Finally, I will work to protect Maryland families from another high-energy cost — gasoline prices — by promoting the purchase of alternative energy vehicles, and by working to pass an anti-price gouging law at the pump."

The passing grade for students in Baltimore City schools was lowered this summer from 70 percent to 60 percent to be in line with most other Maryland school systems. Under your administration, will this change?

Ehrlich: "Recent troubling and undisclosed actions of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners are stunning and disappointing. The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, without adequate public comment and hearings, voted to reduce the minimum passing grades for reading, mathematics and science classes throughout all 12 grades. Moreover, the City school system maintains an indefensible policy on social promotion for elementary and middle school students. Specifically, the policy states that students who have been held back one year due to poor performance 'should be promoted, even if the student does not meet the standards for promotion.' "

Ehrlich's campaign said the incumbent wanted the removal of members of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, calling the board's decision to lower the passing grade "unacceptable."

"Hopefully, highly qualified candidates will come forward to serve on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners. Our students and parents deserve a responsive board that acts prudently and inclusively to provide our children with the greatest opportunity possible."

O'Malley: "This is [a] decision made by local school boards.

"I understand why the city’s school board made the decision — they wanted Baltimore students to be competing for jobs and college admissions on the same level as all other Maryland students."

O'Malley's campaign said it is unfair for Ehrlich to single out Baltimore City schools when Frederick County schools similarly lowered its passing grade.

Funding to the University System of Maryland was cut $120 million during the first years of Ehrlich's term. Despite recent funding increases, tuition rates have also steadily increased until tuition was capped this year. Will you increase funding for higher education?

Ehrlich: In fiscal year 2007, Ehrlich's campaign says, the governor increased higher education funding by $172 million, of which $121 million went to the University System of Maryland, which equals a 14 percent increase. The campaign also says the governor raised need-based scholarships by $14.5 million to $86 million.

"Over four years, I have nearly doubled this aid for students, helping 12,000 additional students go to college; made historic capital improvements at our community colleges; significantly increased our commitment to and funding for Maryland’s historically black colleges and universities; and launched new student population growth initiatives at Towson and Salisbury Universities.

"In all these efforts, I seek to fulfill four specific goals for higher education, including: 1) maintaining access and affordability of Maryland public institutions of higher education; 2) building upon the excellent quality and national prominence of our schools; 3) targeting key workforce development outcomes of our institutions to meet the job market needs of Maryland in the 21^st century; and 4) harnessing the economic power that our institutions of higher education represent in the Maryland economy to continue historic statewide economic growth. The most significant challenge in higher education we face together is maintaining our Maryland and American edge to remain competitive, cutting-edge, and dominant in the world of ever-growing and improving universities. We must continue to reach each of these four goals to remain in the forefront of educational quality and competitiveness globally."

O'Malley: "Yes. Bob Ehrlich’s three years of tuition increases forced students and their families to pay nearly 40 percent more for tuition at Maryland’s public universities. To help mitigate the damage of the Ehrlich tuition hikes, Anthony Brown and I proposed a tuition stabilization plan in January. At the time, Bob Ehrlich called it 'hollow.' In another example of the two Bob Ehrlichs, the governor supported the bill, after the legislature passed a tuition freeze with a veto-proof majority."

Ehrlich: "In stark contrast to my efforts for health care access and affordability, the Maryland General Assembly’s answer to health reform has been a single-minded, simplistic fascination with imposing an 8 percent payroll tax on one corporation in Maryland. The so-called Wal-Mart bill has nothing to do with healthcare but simply represents an arbitrary tax on one company for perceived political advantage. I am gratified that the U.S. district court has struck down this absurd law, which was enacted over my veto, in part because it violated federal law allowing companies to set nationwide health plans. Most importantly, this bill did nothing to address the many complicated issues surrounding health care but served as purposeful distraction and demagoguery by the majority in the General Assembly to avoid the real issues of health reform.

"I look forward to continuing my Administration's aggressive steps to improve health care quality, access, and affordability in my second term in office. I recognize that there is more to do, and I will not waver in opposing meaningless health reform such as the Wal-Mart bill, pushing for real medical liability reform to reduce frivolous litigation, and addressing the many complicated issues surrounding quality and cost of care for Marylanders in need."

O'Malley: "Yes. I was proud to stand with small businesses and families in support of the Fair Share Health Care law, which would force mega-corporations to pay their fair share for their employees’ health care, rather than dumping the burden on taxpayers and small businesses via Medicaid roles.

"I believe Maryland needs a comprehensive solution to our health care crisis. To help small businesses afford health insurance for their employees, I support creating a statewide small business insurance pool, which will leverage purchasing power to exact real savings for families. I will explore the re-importation of low-cost prescription drugs, and a buy-back program for unused vaccines to keep critical medicine available for our families. I will create incentives to train and retain more nurses to offset the state’s shortage of skilled health care workers. And I will work with the legislature to support the life-saving science of stem cell research."

--Compiled by Damon Curry following e-mail correspondences with the campaigns

Copyright © 2006 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism