Gaithersburg plumber looks to take on taxes as delegate in District 39

Jenn Davis/The Gazette

Al Phillips

Al Phillips isnt satisfied with the direction Maryland is moving and the decisions being made by current state lawmakers, so hes taking matters into his own hands.

The Gaithersburg Republican is running for a state delegate seat in District 39, which includes Clarksburg, Germantown, Montgomery Village and parts of Gaithersburg.

I have a laundry list of issues where I disagree with these people, Phillips said. I believe that sometimes you need to be the change you want to see or at least make an attempt to be it.

Since filing to run, Phillips, 49, said he has participated in several regional events, such as the Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade and Montgomery Village Fourth of July Parade, to meet voters. He plans to attend future community events, and host meet-and-greets to get to know voters better.

Ive been doing things here and there but I believe now Im in full campaign mode, Phillips said, adding that he also had flyers and yard signs created to give out to citizens.

Although there are many issues Phillips hopes to tackle in office, the largest one is changing various tax rates.

Lowering the corporate income tax rate to make it more competitive with Virginias is a major priority for Phillips. By having a higher corporate income tax rate than Virginia, Maryland is losing businesses to its southern neighbor, Phillips said.

Other necessary changes include reducing the tax rates on gasoline, alcohol and tobacco, Phillips said. Climbing tax rates on these items are pushing consumers to spend their money outside of the state where taxes are lower, he added.

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Gaithersburg plumber looks to take on taxes as delegate in District 39