We continue with our County Executive questionnaires today with Del. Bill Frick (D-16).
What was your most important achievement in your current or past office? How do you think it demonstrates your leadership ability?
During my career in Annapolis there have been many legislative successes that I am proud of, and each highlight different approaches to leadership. For many, I have been a negotiator and dealmaker. I was the lead legislator in creating a state-sponsored retirement plan to help low-income workers save for a secure retirement. When I started on this path, the bill was seen as a fringe liberal proposal, but I worked with colleagues in the House and Senate of both parties and carried the bill to a bipartisan success that has been held out by AARP as a national model.
There have also been times when I have served as an unapologetic warrior for our values. I was the lead house sponsor on legislation to increase the state’s reliance on clean renewable energy, an issue that enjoys little Republican support. For two years, I championed this legislation until it passed the House and Senate in 2016, only to have Larry Hogan veto the bill. As a part of the leadership team, I led the override vote that finally allowed the Clean Energy Jobs Act to become law, despite the united objection of the Republicans.
Different circumstances call for different leadership styles, and I am proud that I’ve been able to adapt my role and style to promote and protect Maryland’s values.