John Young
Age: 51
Family: Diana (spouse), Jessica (15), Darren (13), Nelson (10)
Campaign phone: 301-404-1690
E-mail: johnyoung@voteyoung2002.com
Website: www.voteyoung2002.com
Office held: None
Occupation: Physician
Current employment: Self-employed
Education: Laurel High School, Laurel, Md., 1968; U. of Md., College Park, Md., B.S, 1968-1971; U. of Md., School of Medicine, Baltimore, M.D. 1971-1975; Johns Hopkins Hospital, OB/GYN residency 1975-1979
Community ties:
Resident of Maryland for almost 40 years, Resident of Montgomery County for 23 years, Private OB/GYN practice in District 15 since 1979 (Original staff doctor of then new Shady Grove Hospital), Member of Montgomery County Medical Society and MedChi Society since 1979, Current member of Leadership Montgomery and Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), Member of Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Chinese Medical and Health Association, Past VP of OCA-DC chapter, Past Board of Directors and Treasurer of Leadership Montgomery
Endorsements: Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats of Maryland, Montgomery and PG County Medical Societies, New Democrats of Montgomery County, Maryland NARAL, Montgomery County Retired Teacher Association
* Why are you running for this position?
* Montgomery County is an affluent, progressive, and diverse county, which prides itself on its excellent quality of life. I, as an involved citizen and caring physician, am committed to preserving and protecting these values I am seriously concerned about the traffic problems that paralyze our citizens and the declining quality of health care in our state. As a resident of Maryland for almost 40 years and a practicing physician for over 20 years, I believe that I have the experience and the commitment to effectuate positive changes in those needy areas.
* What is your top public-service accomplishment?
* My top public-service accomplishment is providing compassionate and contemporary medical care to the citizens of our community for more than two decades. It is an awesome responsibility and privilege to be entrusted with the care of a person’s health. Yet, the satisfaction of making an important difference in people’s lives is extremely fulfilling and rewarding.
* What are the top five problems facing your constituents and what approaches will you use to solve them?
* Economy- Montgomery County is the Biotech Corridor for our nation and the economic engine for Maryland. We must continue to attract and maintain new businesses and economic development into our region. We must maintain a workforce that is highly trained and educated for the challenges of the new century. We must foster a favorable tax climate for our businesses and economy to strive.
Transportation- We must also improve our congested transportation system. The health of our roads and transportation system is ailing and in jeopardy. If elected, I will fight to obtain more state funding to improve our main thoroughfares. I will advocate for more incentives for car pool and the use of mass transit like Metro and light rail. I support the building of an environmentally-sensitive ICC parkway to allow better East-West commute and connect BWI, our main airport, with Montgomery County.
Education- As an individual who has benefited from the advantages of the excellent public educational system in Maryland, I understand the importance of good schools and educational opportunities. I will use my leadership skills and community involvement to work closely with our local school system to improve the quality of education in our schools and to prepare our students in an increasingly competitive world. I will also expand the presence of Higher Education in Montgomery County to support our high tech and biotech industry. Education is a sound investment for the future.
Health Care- About 33% of the approximately 2,500 bills introduced each year in the General Assembly are related to health care service and delivery. As a practicing physician, I will bring to Annapolis much needed knowledge and experience in the areas of health care, patients’ rights, and health insurance reform to the House of Delegates. I have dedicated my career to improving the quality of health care for families, women and children. I am committed to ensuring universal access to quality health care for ALL citizens in Maryland.
Environment- A clean and safe environment is an important element in our quality of life. Clean air and clean water are also important for health reasons. We must constantly be vigilant about protecting our environment and reduce pollution in our air and our water. By protecting our environment, not only will we live longer, but we will also live healthier.
* What qualities, qualifications and characteristics will you bring to this office?
* As a physician, I am uniquely qualified to address and resolve our health care problems in Maryland. I am familiar with our health care issues from all perspectives--as a provider, a consumer, and a patient. I will look for innovative and comprehensive solutions to make health care available and affordable to our citizens. Additionally, of the seven candidates (4 Democrats and 3 Republicans) in my race, I am the only candidate who has been a small business owner with first hand knowledge of running a business, meeting payroll, paying taxes, and worrying about profit and loss, balance sheets, etc.
* What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
* If elected, I promise not to legalize slot machines at race tracks next year. Marylanders are educated, informed and sophisticated people. I do not believe that our citizens want to deal with the serious problems associated with legalized gambling in our state.
* What do you predict for the short-term (two years or so) future of the Maryland budget and what adjustments will you propose to prepare for your prediction? How is this likely to impact your constituents? Where can the state afford to trim the budget?
* Due to increased state spending in the face of an economic slowdown, I anticipate significant revenue shortfall over the next several years in the Maryland budget. In order to balance the budget, I would consider a careful review of our current programs to decide whether or not we may “trim some fat” and, at the same time, explore ways to increase state revenues. I would look into the various budgets and decide whether they are being run efficiently and that we have our priorities properly identified and that the various programs are funded at a fiscally responsible level. I would consider increasing our state revenue by increasing the taxes on tobacco, beer, wine and spirits, if necessary.
* Do you support the recently reviewed Potomac Master Plan?
* I support the recently reviewed Potomac Master Plan because it’s key principle is to protect our environment. The Master Plan affirms the value and responsibility of Potomac to serve as a protector of the Potomac River and the region’s water supply.
* How would you characterize transportation issues in Montgomery County and what specific actions would you support as a result? Please address your position on: Smart Growth; Metro Purple Line; ICC; Regional Transportation Authority; recently passed County Council plan calling for more than $4 billion in state funding over the next 10 years; raising the gas tax and other possible means of paying for transportation infrastructure.
* I characterize the transportation issues in Montgomery County as “critical” and requiring “intensive care”. We are in danger of total traffic gridlock. We need a combined approach of building new roads as well as increasing and improving our mass transit system. I am a supporter of an environmentally sound ICC Parkway. I also support the building of the Metro Purple Line and the Corridor Cities Transitway. To accomplish all of these needed transportation projects, I am supportive of increasing the funding of the State’s Transportation Trust Fund. This may be accomplished by dedicating 20% or one penny of the sales tax to the Trust Fund. Additionally, we may consider some public/private partnerships for certain projects.
* What is your position on a Techway and new bridge across the Potomac River in Montgomery County? Do you favor a new study?
* I share the vision of preserving Potomac as a “green wedge” protecting the area’s water supply. I do not believe that we need a new bridge across the Potomac River in Montgomery County. It is unnecessary to study a second crossing in Potomac.
* How would you characterize and prioritize the preservation of open space in Maryland Montgomery County? What actions would you take?
* For the many reasons that I have stated before, I characterize the Potomac Region as an environmentally sensitive, green space, area. I place a high priority in the preservation of open space in Potomac. I support the newly approved Potomac Master Plan that identifies more than 600 acres of new parkland and open space. Strong neighborhood conservation and Legacy Open Space programs are important in safeguarding our exemplary and diverse natural resources and protecting our water supplies. In Annapolis, I will work to provide state and federal grants to complement local government’s share in these important programs. If indicated, tax advantages, naming rights, and other incentives may be used in exchange for certain properties and easements that are important for conservation purposes.
* Is the current mix of state fees and taxes appropriate and equitable? What would you do differently?
* Generally speaking, I have no major problems with our current state fees and tax structure.
* Schools in Potomac and the rest of the county are overcrowded with renovation, additions and new schools behind schedule. What is the state’s role in solving this and what do you propose? How would you balance the need for funding for school construction and transportation infrastructure?
* The state has a definite role in providing enough funding for the construction and renovation or construction of new schools. However, I believe that it must be balanced by the needs of transportation infrastructure. A compromise must be made to meet the needs of both important projects.
* Would you support legislation to require parental notification or consent in the case of a minor seeking an abortion?
* I do not support required parental notification or consent in the case of a minor seeking an abortion. Although it is desirable in most cases, I support overriding such consent if the minor and her doctor believe that it may not be in the best interest of the patient.
* Please articulate what you would do to reduce hand-gun violence.
* We should be proud that Maryland is one of the states that is ranked as best in gun control regulation. However, there is still more that we can do. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Too often, our laws are aimed at the misuse of guns—laws that apply after violence is committed—rather than preventing it. Some of my proposals include licensing of gun owners and registration of all guns and background checks and mandatory waiting period for all hand-gun sales, dealer or private.