Q&A: Six Questions for Linn Rivera

Linn Rivera is a candidate for delegate for District 19 in the Republican primary. She worked in Montgomery County Government Health and Human Services for 25 years. 

Patch: What are the two issues you think are most pressing in District 19?

Linn Rivera: First, advocating in Annapolis on behalf of our citizens to return more of our tax dollars back to Montgomery County in order to fund and support our existing services. We currently get about 17 cents back on the dollar while the state average for other counties is around 40 cents.

Second, supporting business and entrepreneurs to set up shop in Maryland in order to provide additional revenue to our state and jobs for Maryland families.

Patch: What is a transportation priority in District 19?

LR: Ensuring that the ICC [Intercounty Connector] is not cost prohibitive for commuters and does indeed lessen the cut through traffic that currently clogs our roads and streets. Improving MARC train ridership by listening to the commuters concerns and advocating on their behalf.

Patch: What is your assessment of education in District 19? What can the state do?

LR: Our schools are exceptional and each and every child is being provided a high quality education in Montgomery County. Specifically in District 19 I am in favor of bringing a magnet program to Wheaton High School in order to provide more opportunities to students.

The state should look at the funding that Montgomery County receives per student (Thorton Act 2002) and factor in MCPS high ESOL population that requires additional resources. The state should also not transfer the funding of teacher pensions to the counties.

Patch: What are your thoughts on addressing the budget crisis in Montgomery County? How does it affect your constituents?

LR: We are losing business to other states thus losing jobs and tax revenue.  Businesses employ people and provide jobs and stability to working families.  We have to look at the tax rates and business regulations that are driving business out of Maryland to Virginia and other states.  We need to support small business and entrepreneurs.  We need to not spend more than we take in just like any household tries to do.  We should not be spending tax payer money wastefully. 

Our constituents are directly affected by high unemployment rates and an inability to continue to afford rising taxes and utility fees. Families are not able to stay here and our children have to move where it is more affordable to live and where there are jobs.

Patch: How would you assess the job done by current Dist. 19 delegates?

LR: Not exceptional.  I believe in working as a team, and being exceptional, when representing and serving a diverse population as a public servant. In order to be exceptional we cannot be just a rubber stamper for our party. We do not have diversity of ideas when all our delegates are from one party. 

Currently there is not a single Republican representing our constituents from Montgomery County in the Maryland Senate or House.  That is very unfortunate and certainly does not reflect our belief in the importance of serving and representing all the people.

Patch: Any parting words to voters in your District?

LR: It has been an honor to have served the people of our community as a Mental Health Therapist for the past 25 years in our schools and community agencies. I am a highly skilled and trained listener, problem solver and collaborator. I want the very best for my family and for yours. I would appreciate you vote on November 2nd