Issues

Four years have made a world of difference. As your District 1 Representative, Roger's focus has been and will continue to be protecting the community we love and preserving our quality of life. From speed bumps to school class size to sustainable transit ways, Rogers focus is our community. He has built his record on putting community first and will continue to do so.

Protect the Environment

Roger understands that the quality of life in our county flows from our stewardship of the environment. If we do our job well locally, we help fight global warming and make the air healthier for our children. Roger has a proven record protecting the environment. Starting with his law practice, Berliner Law PLLC, working on energy policy, he used his experience and expertise to sponsor and pass eight major measures that make Montgomery ‘greener’. Part of those measures included the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), a low interest loan program to help homeowners afford cost saving utility measures identified in a home energy audit. An additional result of Roger's climate protection measures: residents of the county can now qualify for a property tax credit when they install a renewable energy conservation device.

As we look forward to the next decade, we must remember our impact on the environment and care for this place we call home.

Creating Jobs for Montgomery

While our county is one of the lucky few in the country to have lower than average unemployment rates, our average is still twice the normal level and that means we need to do everything we can to think creatively to bring jobs to our community. To that end, Roger spearheaded the effort to invest county dollars in local community banks. Further, through the solar tax credit, which was a part of his comprehensive energy and environment measures, we are creating ‘green’ jobs.

Fiscal Responsibility

Our County government faces tough financial decisions this year and in the next term. It is vital that we meet out county’s operating budget needs and honor the statutory limits on property taxes. We will have to make significant sacrifices in order to tighten our belts, but Roger believes we can eliminate unnecessary spending and focus on what we must do to meet the challenge ahead. Further, the Council must look forward to the future and make forward thinking decisions so they can properly balance our budget and create a more effective sustainable government. Roger knows that we have to do what our families are doing. Tighten the belt!!

Manage Growth

The diversity of our District and our County is one of our greatest assets and protecting the character of our lovely suburban neighborhoods is important to managing the growth of our county. Roger sponsored and passed legislation that keeps ‘Mansionization’ in check by reducing the size of new homes on small lots so our neighborhoods can keep the character and charm that makes them so livable and attractive. Further, he has been intimately involved in the White Flint Sector Plan to ensure that the community residents are not forgotten. The goal of the Plan is to create a thriving transit-oriented mixed-use community by using sustainable development practices and strategies, encouraging walk-able, livable neighborhoods.

Protect our Schools

 

Preserve our Quality of Life

Over the last three years Roger sponsored several Senior forums with featured speakers such as Senator Ben Cardin and Congressman Chris Van Hollen as well as experts in the field. These forums are a chance to highlight important topics that matter to Seniors and discuss concerns and issues in the senior community. Roger found these events informative and rewarding on a professional and a personal level and plans to continue the practice. These forums provide Roger and his office staff with a prime opportunity to listen to citizens concerns and make sure they are doing everything they can to preserve our quality of life. To that end, this year Roger took the opportunity to become the third member of the Council's important Public Safety Committee. He believes that this puts him in a position to more pro-actively better serve the interests of District 1. Roger will address your concerns regarding criminal activity and stay closer in touch with you and the public servants who protect us all.

Community First!!

It all comes down to focusing on results to deliver for our community.