Caridad Santiago

Taxes / Budget Our representatives should not be voting on the salary of their positions, future terms or not. In the name of transparency, pension COLAs and potential compensation increases should be tied in to those of other full time County employees. Education Along with the BOE and our County Executive, we need to be having honest and direct conversations about what’s happening in classrooms. We cannot blindly accept the word of the Superintendent that everything is fine, or ignore concerns when they are brought up. Taxes / Budget We hear this all the time in non-profit organizations: they know that Federal, State, and County grants exist, but navigating the bureaucratic red tape is daunting! By simplifying the system and offering programs that guide them through the process, we can support our residents as they empower themselves. Education I will champion legislation at the state level to grant the Inspector General full oversight authority over BCPS. We need to continue to push for this oversight so we have an independent entity to ensure that every dollar intended for the classroom actually gets there. Infrastructure / Transportation Development should enhance our quality of life, not diminish it. I will advocate for projects that protect our community spaces while providing vibrant, sustainable neighborhoods that respect existing community plans. Environment / Energy As our communities grow, green space cannot be an afterthought. I will advocate for long-term planning that requires budding developments and redevelopments to incorporate direct, walkable green space access from day one. Infrastructure / Transportation Stop the practice of single-use legislation. When a bill is introduced just to stop a single project, it creates a “zoning by whim” culture that hurts everyone and convolutes our zoning and permitting processes. We need rules that are fair and consistent. Taxes / Budget We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Baltimore County is home to incredible social infrastructure—from our community schools to local non-profits and county departments (like Baltimore County Public Libraries). I will advocate for these established programs, ensuring they have the resources to continue their vital work. Environment / Energy We need hiking trails, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces where families and communities can gather. “Pocket Parks” are a great example of introducing green spaces in neighborhoods, but we need maintenance plans in place before shifting around County land and designating parks. Without these plans, the responsibility for these parks can get lost between departments, leaving their maintenance in limbo and potentially draining unintended resources. Environment / Energy Matter where in Baltimore County you live, every resident deserves access to our green spaces. I will work to improve access to our existing trail systems and public outdoor spaces while increasing functional green spaces and parks inside the URDL. Infrastructure / Transportation Focusing on smart, community-centric development within our existing infrastructure, we can maintain the open spaces that help shape our county’s rural character without sacrificing the quality of life in our suburban and urban centers. Government Reform If one person can unilaterally dissolve the result of a vote, what’s the point of even voting? I believe our representatives should advocate for their districts through open dialogue and merit, not through a default vote. I believe in a system where every council member—and every resident—has a meaningful seat at the table. If you believe this “veto power” should be formalized in our Charter, we have different visions for the future of our County. Infrastructure / Transportation Our focus must remain on “Smart Growth”—directing development and redevelopment to areas where infrastructure already exists. By aligning projects with the Master Plan 2030, we protect our diverse District character while lowering the tax burden on our residents. Taxes / Budget Growth should not be a burden on current taxpayers. We need impact fees and a permitting process that makes sense, reflects the actual cost of new infrastructure, and is enforced to ensure our schools and roads can keep pace. 97% of all residential permits from 1/1/25-12/31/25 were exempt from this fee.