Annapolis, MD – It’s time to set the record straight. Despite my attempts to share the facts, misinformation about funding for the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center and my vote on a veto continue to circulate. I hope the following puts the discussion to rest. 

It’s time to focus on the REAL issues important to Southern Maryland. If my opponent wishes to continue spouting false talking points, I invite him to do so at the League of Women Voters Forum being held May 21 at the Lexington Park Library. I will be there talking about what matters most to you – taxes, school safety, jobs, and more. I work for YOU and will continue to be the Bulldog you sent to Annapolis.

Southern Maryland Higher Education Center
Senate President Mike Miller (D-PG County) killed the merger between the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC) and the University System of Maryland (USM) and cut funding for the autonomy research center (the “3rd building”). I saved the merger, put College Park in charge and restored the project to next year’s budget, which Governor Hogan has promised to fund. As your Senator, I stood up to Senator Miller because I fight for Southern Maryland.
Read my amendment for yourself.  

College Applications Veto
I supported Governor Hogan on 13 of his 14 vetoes. However, he vetoed a bill that I along with 4 of my Republican colleagues supported in 2017. It passed with a wide bi-partisan majority after Maryland Colleges and Universities got an amendment they asked for. My vote to override the veto was a matter of integrity. As passed, the bill simply moves criminal background inquiries later in the college admission process.

The ability of colleges to check backgrounds is still very much present. I believe that it actually adds another layer of protection to college admissions through reliance on criminal record checks rather than just an application check box. Read the bill for yourself, page 4 line 14. Quite simply, a candidate who will lie to voters about things like this to get the job can’t be trusted with it. If you would like more information on these or any other issues, I encourage you to reach out to my office at 410-841-3673 or via e-mail steve.waugh@senate.state.md.us or please visit my website senatorstevewaugh.com to find out how you can donate or get involved.

I need your help, I’m asking for your vote in June. Semper Fi!