Vision for economic development is to get more dollars into the more Marylanders’ hands. This will happen through job growth in new business industries and expand existing ones through entrepreneurship opportunities. I believe that phasing in a $15 an hour minimum wage in 3 years in high income urban areas, 6 years in other areas. It is my assertion that $15 an hour is a reasonable starting point for the working class to earn their way out of poverty.

Paid Sick Leave. Sick workers get compensation and protection from being fired from extended leave due to illness. Paid Sick Leave is necessary for working families to have financial security in the time of a health crisis.

Millennial Retirement Fund. A pay-as-you-go opt-in plan. This can be created by a parent or guardian, or a young worker to create a retirement fund, like a Roth IRA, that could accrue interest and have long term financial security. With the unfortunate national divestment in public sector employment, financial security is more important now than ever especially for our young workers. This fund can offer financial security for millions of Marylanders.

Transportation Funding and Development. Thousands of jobs could be made by expanding public transportation hubs and increasing rail, bus, and boat access for our workforce and the travel and tourism industry. Increasing jobs for Marylanders is my number one priority. An increase of our transportation hubs can create thousands of jobs for the present and future of our great state.

Increase Travel and Tourism Industry. Better transportation and a cleaner environment will lead to a stronger travel and tourism industry that will yield thousands of jobs in the long term.
I’m thoroughly committed to increasing the scope of travel and tourism in our state that will lead to thousands of new jobs for our state.

Introduce E-Gaming to Youth to Increase Youth Employment
Youth unemployment is at 9.9% as of 2016, an improvement from 19.8% in 2010, but more needs to be done. E-Gaming is an emerging industry that builds leadership, team building, and employment opportunities for young people.

 To me it's common sense to combine an emerging industry like e-gaming with our young people in Maryland. It takes leadership to reimagine youth employment in emerging industries like e-gaming. Federal investment and leadership to introduce e-gaming to the youth in Maryland can provide thousands of jobs for the young people of our state.

Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWOB), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Minority and Women-Owned Business Development (MWBD). Fund procurement opportunities for MWOB/MBE/MWBD in Maryland. 48.5% of Maryland are non-white and only 20% of procurement in Maryland go to minority businesses. This needs to change. For us to have a more equitable state, our procurements must match our demographics.

Nonprofit MBE/MBOE/MWBD Initiative. Fund organizations of color committed to fund entrepreneurial and STEM education. There are thousands of people of color in Maryland committed to helping their communities achieve more. I am committed to funding initiatives of theirs that fund entrepreneurial and STEM educational opportunities.

Gerrymandering

Opposing Partisan Gerrymandering

Partisan Gerrymandering unfairly carves districts to benefit a ruling party. Currently, these laws have shaped a GOP majority in the house. We must pass laws to make this type of gerrymandering unconstitutional.

Partisan Gerrymandering unfairly creates a GOP majority in areas where there are mostly democrats.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-gerrymandering-carolina-supreme-court-20180112-story.html

Corrupt, phony, and fake elected officials

Washington doesn’t work for us. Too many of our elected officials put their primary agendas before those they serve who elected them into office. The recent government shutdown our Senate and Congress still generate paychecks as many sit at home and wonder when they will return to work, or are required to work with NO PAY. In my businesses, if my workers don’t eat then I should not either. I am representing the Marylanders who want accountability in Washington!

WE MUST HOLD ELECTED OFFICALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR WORDS, ACTIONS AND OATH!!!

Maryland is in dire need of Education Reform. My educational plans will transform the future of Education in Maryland.

STEM Education for Early Learners

Mandatory STEM Education for early learners to increase preparedness to elementary school and beyond. In addition to our 3 Pre-K and 4 Pre-K, we want to invest as much as we can in early learning for our children. STEM education is our future, the more prepared they are, the more sustainable their future can be.

3 Pre-K and 4 Pre-K Programs
Funding for programs that fund 3/4-year old’s for early learning in Maryland
Studies show the early our children get to attend school the better their overall achievement outcomes will be. 3 Pre-K and 4 Pre-K programs in Maryland will help create an intelligent and capable workforce, student body, and society in Maryland.

More monies in STEM programs and STEM Elementary and High Schools
More Federal Investment in Educational Programs K-12. The more federal dollars go into STEM education in K-12, the more resilient and capable our children will be in competing for jobs in the industries of future generations.

Invest in Smart Schools – more Tech in Schools
More Federal Investment in upgrading the technology in K-12. As we work to include more STEM programs in our schools, an upgrade in technology at our schools is essential.

Upgrading School Curriculum
As the needs in our job market changes, so should the educational curriculum. Reforms in public school curriculum to include technology, financial management, and entrepreneurship education are necessary to compete in today’s world. We will also increase graduation rates by revising current curriculums and working with DOE, UFT, and other teacher organizations, and communities to prepare our children for College and Trades for successful entry into the workforce.

After school program enrichment
Resource to keep children off the street. Participating in after school programs enhanced my learning by participating in both band and other arts programs, so I know first hand that these implementations work.

HBCU Capital of the US

More federal dollars for Maryland HBCU’s to host annual conferences, broaden curriculum, offer more masters, doctoral, and online programs, and create research facilities.
An investment in the HBCU’s in Maryland is an investment long overdue. Last year a federal judge ruled that Maryland has underfunded the HBCU’s of Maryland. Therefore, we must overcommit our federal dollars to comply with the federal ruling and turn Maryland into the HBCU Capital of the US. 2012-2014 fulltime enrollment dropped nearly 20,000 in Maryland. Why? Our investment has not been there. That will change when I’m US Senator.

Free Tuition for State Colleges

Investment in State Colleges is needed to have low-income, working class, and middle-class college students attend college for free.
A first step to reducing college debt is to reduce the cost of college to our most vulnerable. Federal monies will invest in free tuition to credit a new debt free college generation.

For generations, the United States has led the world’s economy as an economic powerhouse. Without question, the United States is still a world leader, but recent years have seen a decrease in economic viability for millions of Americans. These issues were magnified during the recession.

While the American economy is beginning to stabilize, many Marylanders are still struggling. Maryland’s economy ranks 28th out of 50, meaning that the state is outclassed by more than half of the other states. Maryland has lost over 9,000 jobs in the last two years, which has led to the state spending five billion more dollars than it has generated in revenue. Simply put, Maryland is losing jobs and hemorrhaging money, which is bad for all Marylanders. As a successful businessman and entrepreneur, Rikki Vaughn understands the plight of Marylanders and all American citizens.

To address these issues and put Marylanders back to work, Rikki Vaughn has a goal of creating 25,000 new jobs for Maryland’s economy, while also creating tens-of-thousands more in the United States at large. To accomplish this, Rikki Vaughn will personally use his business knowledge to work with business both big and small, domestic and international, to bring work to Maryland.

These jobs will include skilled and unskilled opportunities in all fields including manufacturing, medicine and media. Further, Rikki Vaughn will create a tourism board to make Maryland an enticing tourist destination. This approach will create new jobs for Marylanders and also increase state revenue.

As a Senator, Rikki Vaughn will create multiple initiatives aimed at bringing American business back to America, attracting international corporations and providing funding for entrepreneurial endeavors. This will be accomplished by implementing tax incentives for individuals and organizations and creating a fair and balanced environment for operations.

Once successful, these initiatives will improve the American economy and allow Maryland to become the top state economy in the country.

Relations and Support

Now more than ever before, the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement personnel have become polarizing topics of conversation. Too often, these conversations are black and white: an individual must choose between supporting police or supporting their community, with no room in-between.

In contrast to this approach, Rikki Vaughn believes that this subject is nuanced and complex.

First, Rikki Vaughn acknowledges that the duties and responsibilities which law enforcement personnel must adhere to are extremely difficult, highly stressful and often thankless. At the same time, Rikki Vaughn also acknowledges that in many communities, law enforcement personnel have not fulfilled their roles and responsibilities to the highest level, which has created fear, dislike and distrust. Rather than assign blame, Rikki Vaughn’s goal is to work as a mediator between law enforcement and the various communities which they serve.The purpose of this is to create trust, mutual respect, and shared understanding. The approach will minimize harmful or deadly outcomes for community members, increase the safety and security of the environments where law enforcement personnel work and ultimately ensure that law enforcement and community members live together peacefully, respectfully and safely.

Once successful, Rikki Vaughn will work to maintain this newfound environment so that Marylanders will be able to live in safer and happier communities while law enforcement personnel are empowered to accomplish their jobs at the highest level possible.

Reduce Cost for Prescription Drugs

Prescription Drugs costs are high. Laws that can lower costs for individuals need to be passed in D.C. that allow consumers the ability to find cheaper venues to purchase the prescription drugs they need.
Expensive costs of prescription drugs is a burden on the disabled and our aging populations. A push to drive down costs for prescription drugs will ensure thousands of dollars more in the pockets of Marylanders. In addition, I support removal of the “gag rule” that prevents pharmacists for telling consumers they can find cheaper costs for drugs in other locations.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/maryland-to-fight-pharmacist-gag-rule-on-drug-costs/article/2645019

Propose $0 costs for seniors and veterans

Work with Companies to Reduce and Monitor Sales of Opioids
Reduce the number of prescriptions given for opioids.
Last year, CVS announced, as part of the company’s broad commitment to fighting the national opioid abuse epidemic, it enhanced its enterprise-wide initiatives supporting safe drug disposal, utilization management of pain medications and funding for treatment and recovery programs. I will work with other companies to do similar initiatives to reduce the number of opioids on the streets of Maryland.
https://cvshealth.com/newsroom/press-releases/cvs-health-fighting-national-opioid-abuse-epidemic-with-enterprise-initiatives

Get more federal monies to screen packages for opioid deliveries
Thousands of pounds of opioids are being shipped from overseas every day. The federal government doesn’t have the capacity to screen all packages shipped that may obtain contraband. More federal monies are needed to hire more screeners and prevent more opioid related deaths.
The GOP is cutting back on federal employment in the worst possible time. With a larger population, in the US and Maryland, we need more investment in our federal workforce.

Invest in Preventative Care Education

Funding for Preventative Care Education Program
Along with the flu season and increasing health concerns for our aging populations we need federal funded initiatives to inform our friends and neighbors how best to stay healthy.

Protect DACA Recipients/Dreamers

I Support the more than 8,000 DACA recipients who may get deported because of failed US immigration law. The more than 8,000 Maryland DACA recipients are doctors, lawyers, business leaders, students, and friends. More than 90% have jobs and none of them receive public assistance. In what world is removing them from our society a good thing? Support for DACA recipients and creation of a Clean Dream Act with a Pathway to Citizenship is fair and just.

No Border Wall, More Border Technology. Funding for new technologies that scan to protect the border, not a physical barrier and waste of money. This will cost billions less than Trump’s plan with equal security. 24th Century Technology means a $20+ Billion wall is unnecessary. Border security can be equally enhanced with an increase of scanners and drone technologies that could patrol the border and instill safety.

Family Immersion Program. Families hurt by Fed policies can go to designated local areas for help
At times, our federal government may create policies that hurt people. Whether a mother of three is deported back to Haiti or a father of two is deported back to Bangladesh, our immigration policies are creating various sorts of collateral damage for families. As a society, Maryland needs to be there for our friends and neighbors. Let’s create a list of community locations that can provide support for families who have been hurt by failed immigration laws and give them federal dollars to provide help until their loved ones can come back to the US. We have your back. We’ll fix this.

Rikki Vaughn’s platform is designed to mirror the state of Colorado’s legalization approach. In 2016 alone, Colorado generated over $150 million in taxes from the sale of legal marijuana. At the same time, the legalization of marijuana created over 18,000 jobs for citizens of the state. Combined, these factors helped Colorado to become the nation’s top economy.

Rikki plans to use these findings as the basis for his platform in order to create genuine change. Rikki plans to use his position as a US Senator to push for marijuana legalization, both in Maryland and in the United States at large. Once legalized, Rikki will earmark all tax revenue for social and economic programs. This includes providing an increase in revenue to the public-school systems, with a focus on improving pay for teachers and providing supplies, books and food for students. Rikki will fund public works projects using this money to improve Maryland’s infrastructure and create new jobs for Marylanders.

Funding will also be increased for law enforcement and first responders, with a focus on providing better training, better equipment and tools for interacting with community members in a meaningful and positive manner. The goal of this approach is to provide agencies with better means for serving the community.

Revenue will be set aside for educational and vocational programs for individuals with criminal records. Presently, roughly 20% of the American population possesses a criminal record. This makes finding housing and employment virtually impossible, which leads these individuals into a life of reliance on social programs. Furthermore, a lack of opportunity to live and work in society promotes recidivism, as these individuals turn to crime for basic necessities. Under Rikki’s platform, individuals who have completed their legal sentences will be offered the ability to received educational and vocational training. Rikki will create tax incentives for businesses who provide second chances to ex-convicts. This approach creates two distinct positive outcomes: ex-convicts will be given the opportunity to live, work and contribute to society, and society will save valuable tax-payer money by not having to support these individuals via social and economic safety nets. Finally, Rikki will use his platform to push for an increase in Maryland’s minimum wage. The goal of this is to provide a “living wage” for all Marylanders. Based on current economic data, the average Marylander must make $12.81 per hour in order to sustain themselves in Maryland’s economy.

Rikki’s goal is to raise Maryland’s minimum wage from $9.25 per hour to $13 per hour. This will be done over a five-year period, with wages being raised $0.75 per year until the $13-dollar wage is achieved. This goal will not come at the expense of businesses and business owners. Instead, Rikki will work to create impactful tax cuts for businesses so that these entities will be able to pay employees more while still maintaining their profitability and earnings.

To offset the tax breaks, the remaining money from the taxation of marijuana will be invested back into local and state governmental agencies so that these entities will still maintain their revenue. This creates a true “win-win” for Marylanders, business owners and governmental agencies.

Using this Platform, Marylanders will See:

• An increase in earnings for all employed persons

• An increase in employment and a variety of employment opportunities

• An improved education system for all citizens, regardless of social status or socioeconomic background

• Improved infrastructure via public works projects

• Increased tax revenue, both from legalized marijuana and from increased employment for all citizens

• More opportunity, less need for social systems due to increased education and employment and a greater society for all Marylanders

Green Economy

Issue: Urban Farming

Context: Include Marijuana as a crop to been grown under the Urban Agriculture Tax Credit Bill, shrink the size of a property of what would be considered an urban farmer to the average backyard, and support sale of all items grown to local dispensaries/markets.

Talking Point: Our body politic is slowly catching up to our society. Marylanders want the freedom to grow produce in whether it’s in their large lots of land or backyard that could be sold in their local markets. In addition, the opportunity for that same land owner to diversify their harvest with marijuana and sell it to their local dispensary would be an incredible boost to our state’s economy.

http://communitylaw.org/urbanagriculturelaw/propertytaxcredit

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-urban-ag-20150504-story.html

Issue: No Fracking in Maryland

Context: Continue to support ban on Fracking in Maryland, while supporting green initiatives in Western Maryland

Talking Point: Western Maryland is home to some of the poorest counties in the state. I know many people feel fracking would be a great financial benefit to their community. However, it would come at tremendous risk to our environment. Investments in western Maryland should go into wind, solar, and other renewable energies that would equate the number of jobs fracking would bring and be less of a risk to our environment. This way, we safeguard our future while cashing in on our present opportunities.

https://earthjustice.org/features/maryland-and-fracking

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-hog an-fracking-ban-20170317-story.html

https://ballotpedia.org/Fracking_in_Maryland

Issue: Retrofitting Homes with Solar

Context: Grow Solar in Maryland

Talking Point: Solar is our largest single energy supplier in Maryland, but we can do more. In 2014, the 215 MW of solar electricity energy capacity currently installed in Maryland ranks the state 14th in the country in installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 24,000 homes. When I’m finished as your US Senator, I want to be top 5. It’s necessary to continue build natural energy sources while add employment to an industry of more than 168 solar companies at work throughout Maryland, employing 3,000 people.

http://mdcleanenergy.org/all-about-energy/advanced-technologies/solar

Issue: No Lead in Water

Context: Replace Lead Pipes in areas with lead in water

Talking Point: A few years ago, some of our schools found high levels of lead in the drinking water. This is unacceptable. We have had some smart Marylanders on the case to lower lead levels in our water, but more needs to be done. In Michigan, money was allocated to uproot old and corrosive lead pipes and replace them. In areas of high risk of lead corrosion in pipes we must be prepared to take action. We can’t afford to ignore the fact that one day our lead pipes could age out and our children could fall ill because of political neglect and a lack of leadership.

http://washington.cbslocal.com /2016/04/10/maryland-schools-lead-water/

http://www.baltimoresun.com/ne ws/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-lead-in-water-20160409-story.html

Issue: Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

Context: Legalize Recreational Marijuana, tax it, create a new tax base that will improve Maryland.

Talking Point: Legalizing Recreational Marijuana will assist with education reform, infrastructure, Economic Development, business growth, and lighten the burden on the tax payer! Legalizing Recreational Marijuana will be to give back to those communities mostly affected by the failed war on drugs to create stability growth and self-sufficient wealth. I know if given opportunity and resources to do so, people can realize their dreams, I will help make that a reality for MORE MARYLANDERS!

Issue: Urban Dispensary Business Training for former people with prior Marijuana Convictions

Context: Those with prior marijuana convictions get support to become business owners as recompense from a failed “war on drugs” that disproportionately harmed communities of color and the poor.

Talking Point: Thousands of Marylanders have been imprisoned because the “war on drugs” targeted individuals in poor communities who sold marijuana, a drug commonly given to cancer patients and have been proven to reduce opioid overuse in states. This training and support for those with prior marijuana convictions to become business owners to sell marijuana legally is an extremely fair and just way to correct a failed policy and create opportunities for time lost.

Issue: Rural Grants for Land Owners to Grow Marijuana in Greenhouses

Context: Pass Recreational Marijuana Law to assist growers in producing to build industry

Talking Point: Growing marijuana is more than just an investment in industry, it’s an investment in the people of within our great state and our ability to create. Once elected I will work to legalize marijuana on the federal level and eventually invest millions to growers who could produce potentially billions in revenue that can help fund our schools, healthcare, and transportation.

Issue: Tax Credits for Landlords who allow tenants to grow and sell Marijuana to local dispensaries

Context: Incentives to home owners and landlords to have marijuana grown on their property.

Talking Point: The passage of the Urban Farming Tax Credit Plan opens the doors for many new opportunities to amend the deal and made it more palatable for all stakeholders of a Maryland that has legal marijuana. In addition to other plans, the Urban Farming Tax Credit will be amended to give owners of building the option to allow their tenants to grow marijuana in their property and sell it to a local dispensary for a profit that benefits both the landlord and tenant.

http://communitylaw.org/urbanagriculturelaw/propertytaxcredit

No one in a free country should have to live in fear, from racial or ethnic discrimination, hate crimes against protected classes, high crime rates, or law enforcement abuses of power!

Gun Control

Work to pass comprehensive gun control that will have extensive background checks and reduce illegal gun sales.
Shootings are too common in our urban spaces. It’s important to reduce the number of guns on our streets to increase the quality of life of our friends and neighbors.

Neighborhood Policing

Better relationships between the police and the community. Funding for de-escalation training that will be required for any peace officer and will be monitored by an independent council of both civilians and law enforcement.
Community trust and communication with law enforcement is paramount to any city and state. Mutual trust must include additional training for officers to work with residents and community education programs to teach residents how to de-escalate conflicts.

Body Cameras

Funding for Body Cameras for all local law enforcement
Body Cameras on our law enforcement is a necessary tool today. To give the most accurate assessment of any police to resident engagement body cameras are important tools for our police and the community.

Diversity in Leadership

Pass legislation that will amplify the voice and increase the presence of women and minorities in public leadership.
Often in communities of color the public leadership doesn’t mirror its demographics. This plan will include diversity staffing policies in our public institutions and agencies while creating a statewide commission on assessing diversity in leadership and procurement opportunities in Maryland.