Delegate Tony O’Donnell representing Maryland’s District 29C stopped by Baynet Radio and TheBAYNET.com to discuss the issues and his candidacy for the coming election. O’Donnell has been a member of the House of Delegates since January 11, 1995.
He was elected Minority Leader in 2007 where he stands as a staunch conservative fighting against the liberal legislature that has decided Maryland’s future for the past 100 years. “In the House there are 104 Democrats and only 37 Republicans,” said O’Donnell. “We are far outnumbered and it has been that way for more than a 100 years.”
The Delegate stated that he feels the electorate is very volatile and angry because of a lot of policies emanating from Washington DC.” The electorate is angry and based on the polling data we have seen, there very well could be a change coming this election.”
Originally from Pennsylvania, O’Donnell entered the Navy after high school and worked for Admiral Rickover in the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion School as an instructor and saw active duty on the nuclear powered USS South Carolina. After leaving the Navy, O’Donnell entered the private sector taking a position at Calvert Cliffs.
“When we talk about energy independence,” said O’Donnell “We need to increase our utilization of nuclear energy. The country should have been investing in nuclear power for a long time to achieve energy independence.” When asked about other alternative energy sources, O’Donnell stated that solar and wind will never have the capacity to handle the load required. “I don’t want to give the impression that I am against wind and solar energy. I think we need to combine the three to get the energy we need. It’s just that wind and solar are not cost effective at this time. When the technology gets better and more affordable they will become viable options.”
When asked about what he sees as the number one issue facing the legislature in the coming term, O’Donnell said, “The biggest challenge is to create an environment so that the private sector can create jobs and then get out of the way and let businesses thrive.”
O’Donnell stated that over the last four years Maryland has basically disintegrated the business climate. “The National Tax Policy Foundation reports that Maryland has dropped from twenty-fifth in the nation to forty-fifth,” said O’Donnell. “Our tax policies have pushed businesses out of the state. Some small businesses have seen their unemployment insurance quadruple and with increased sales tax a corporate taxes, it is very difficult to create and maintain jobs. We need to fix that to get the state back to prosperity.”
O’Donnell said, when referring specifically to his District 29C that his number one priority is to get the Thomas Johnson Bridge replacement under way. “I’d like to see engineering and right of way acquisition done in the coming years,” said O’Donnell. “It’s the next logical step. The state needs to get the design and engineering planning done and start acquiring the rights of way. The bridge is very important to both the Navy base and for residents of Southern Calvert with the additional reactor planned at Calvert Cliffs.”
Those who wish to know more about O’Donnell’s achievements while serving should visit http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa12284.html
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