Dear Friend,

I’m running for County Executive to restore Montgomery’s competitive edge. Our quality of life and long-term fiscal and environmental sustainability depend on it.

Our wonderfully diverse community is an economic strength, but high taxes are squeezing our residents and businesses, making it harder to compete with other jurisdictions for good jobs. Only 19¢ of every tax dollar sent to Annapolis from our County comes back in direct state aid, squeezing our residents even more. This has to change. Our neighboring counties get far more back from Annapolis, and the average of all counties is 43¢. I voted against the proposal by County Executive Leggett, and the decision of the County Council to raise the property tax rate in 2011 and to increase it again in 2012. The need to make County government more cost-effective remains pressing.

I’ve led many successful battles on the County Council for progressive reform and fiscal responsibility (see "Accomplishments" on this site). As president of the County Council during the depth of the recession in 2009, I led efforts that balanced the budget wisely. We reduced tax-supported County Government spending for the first time since 1992, held the line on tax rates, avoided employee layoffs, protected essential services such as education, public safety, and safety net services from substantial cuts, and saved $125 million by canceling a pay raise. Recently, I called on the state to cut ICC tolls in half to double use of the underused highway.

The son of a librarian, I graduated from local public schools and grew up valuing lifelong education. I was a paperboy during the first Earth Days and during the Watergate era, which shaped my commitment to environmental sustainability, and to honest government that works for its people. That’s why I worked for Common Cause of Maryland for six years as executive director, where I led successful battles for open government and campaign finance reform. I refuse all campaign funds from political action committees (PACs) and development interests and rely on contributions from residents like you to improve trust in government.

Join my campaign for County Executive. Learn more at www.philandrews.com. Let me know what’s on your mind by calling 301-710-6322 or email me at phil@philandrews.com. I appreciate your time, hope to earn your vote in 2014, and welcome your support.

Sincerely,
Phil Andrews