By Adam Pagnucco.
Here is today’s question.
Montgomery County is near the bottom of large jurisdictions in the region in terms of the number of private-sector jobs created since the Great Recession. Why do you think this is? What policies do you support to address this problem?
Mithun Banerjee (D)
On April 29, Banerjee requested more time to respond due to medical reasons. At that time, he told me, “I was sick & still I am sick. I will try my level best to send them to you at the earliest.”
Andrew Friedson (D)
Montgomery County has suffered from a “culture of complacency” that has often treated economic growth as an afterthought. We are currently losing the competition for private investment because our regulatory environment is too slow and taxes are used to fill the holes left from a lack of economic expansion. We need to hold the line on tax increases that make Montgomery County less affordable and less competitive and get far more intentional with economic development, including incentive programs like the New J.O.B.S. Initiative I authored to create high paying jobs in strategic industries. We need to make it easier, cheaper, and faster to invest in Montgomery County by cutting red tape and streamlining regulations like I did with the Accelerate MoCo package, which cuts review times by more than 75 percent. We need to grow the tax base, not the tax rate, to remain competitive in the region. We must make Montgomery County compelling for residents and businesses because they have choices of where to invest and we need them to start choosing Montgomery County again.
Evan Glass (D)
Montgomery County has long benefited from its proximity to the federal government. But instead of diversifying our economy and competing more aggressively for private-sector investment, we grew too reliant on that relationship. It wasn’t a single decision — it was a pattern of missed opportunities over time. And since the election of Donald Trump, the federal government has taken actions that have directly harmed our region, including the loss of thousands of federal jobs.
From my time on the Council, I’ve learned that good intentions are not enough. Our permitting process is too slow and overly complex. Housing costs make it difficult for employers to attract and retain talent. And we have not consistently signaled that Montgomery County is open for business. These are solvable challenges.
As County Executive, I will act immediately. On day one, I will appoint a Director of Permitting Services with a clear mandate: make it faster and easier to open and operate a business. I will expand housing supply so workers can afford to live where they work. And I will make growing our private-sector tax base a daily priority — because long-term fiscal health depends on economic growth, not repeated tax increases.
Peter James (D)
The reason is we are next door the DC where public sector jobs that pay well and didn’t use to require workers to do much work. It also helps that we have 6500+ non-profits in the county.
All my opponents and most of the voters share this “scarcity” paradigm. AI plus the economic collapse will eliminate virtually all jobs. Elon tell us not to worry we won’t need jobs nor money.
I just don’t trust Musk to take care of us. That why it is imperative that we own the technology and its productive wealth is owned by the residents of the County.
I have a low cost efficient Ai server that i talk to like Tony Stark. I describe a part and the AI creates the cad design of the component so it can be 3D printed. The AI can also generate a CNC toolpath to cut the part from metal, or other materials.
County residents will not have to work. Without jobs, even being fed, housed and receiving healthcare, many people will need to find purpose. I will build maker space in communities where citizen will be able to make anything they desire.
Will Jawando (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Shelly Skolnick (R)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Esther Wells (R)
Montgomery County’s stagnation is a leadership problem. Two decades of one-party rule have left us over-reliant on the federal government while regional competitors eat our lunch. Current leadership has prioritized unchecked spending and safety net programs over strategic private-sector growth and the needs of taxpayers.
I will restore our edge through policies focused on affordability and accountability:
Aggressive Tax Cuts: I will lower property, income, and fuel energy taxes to stop the exodus of high-income earners and keep capital in our local economy.
Faster Permitting: I will slash the red tape that stalls jobs and housing, making it easier for businesses to build, hire, and grow here.
Budget Integrity: I will conduct a forensic audit to eliminate waste and fraud, ensuring your tax dollars are spent on efficient government, not mismanagement.
As a Certified Public Accountant and President of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League, I understand the bottom line. I will make Montgomery County a premier destination for investment and a place where young professionals can afford to build their futures.