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Mark N. Fisher

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Mark N. Fisher
Fisher in 2023
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 12, 2011
Preceded bySue Kullen (27B)
Succeeded byMichael A. Jackson (27B)
ConstituencyDistrict 27B (2011–2015)
District 27C (2015–present)
Personal details
Born
Mark Nicholas Fisher

(1962-08-03) August 3, 1962 (age 62)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDeena
Children3

Mark Nicholas Fisher (born August 3, 1962) is an American politician who represents District 27C in the Maryland House of Delegates, which covers parts of Calvert County. He previously represented District 27B from 2011 to 2015.[1] He also hosts a podcast called Mark and the Millennials, which explores the divide between conservative millennials and the baby boomer generation.[2]

Early life and education

Fisher was born in Baltimore. He attended George Washington University, where he earned a B.A. in international affairs and economics.[1] After graduating, he became a managing member for telecommunications infrastructure company Telecom Capital Group LLC.[3] In 2003, Fisher founded Gray's Field Foundation, a nonprofit group to fund preservation of a baseball field in Owings, Maryland.[1][4]

Fisher is a Catholic.[5] He is married and has three children,[1] and lives in Prince Frederick, Maryland.[6]

In the legislature

Fisher in the Economic Matters Committee, 2023

Fisher ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 27B in 2010, challenging incumbent Democratic legislator Sue Kullen. In an upset,[7] he defeated Kullen in the general election with 52.6 percent of the vote.[8] He was sworn in on January 12, 2011. He was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee from 2011 to 2015, and has been a member of the House Economic Matters committee since 2015.[1] A founding member of the Maryland Freedom Caucus,[9] Maryland Matters has described Fisher as one of the most vocal conservatives in the House of Delegates.[10]

During the 2021 legislative session, Fisher spoke against the state's new legislative redistricting map, claiming that Democrats had gerrymandered multiple districts in Anne Arundel County to benefit the party.[11] After the Maryland General Assembly passed the new maps, Fisher joined the lawsuit against the new maps[12][13] and argued that his own district was gerrymandered, citing that it was drawn into Prince George's County.[14] The Supreme Court of Maryland ruled that the new maps did not violate the state constitution in April 2022.[15]

Political positions

Economic issues

During the 2013 legislative session, Fisher voted against a bill to index the state's gas taxes to inflation.[16]

In February 2014, Fisher criticized Media Rights Capital, the production company behind House of Cards, for threatening to leave the state unless it was given millions of dollars in tax credits, calling it "ransom".[17]

In March 2014, Fisher voted against a bill that would raise the state minimum wage to $10.10/hour. He also introduced an amendment to this bill that would exempt all businesses with 50 or fewer employees from the minimum wage increase, which would fail by a 45–88 vote.[18] In 2019, he voted against a bill that would raise the state minimum wage to $15/hour, calling it "socialism".[19]

During the 2016 legislative session, Fisher voted against a bill requiring employers to provide workers with seven days of paid sick leave per year, arguing it would cause restaurants to automate low-paying jobs.[20][21]

In March 2020, Fisher introduced an amendment to House Bill 932, which would implement a sales tax on digital services, that would have exempted educational products from the tax on the basis that the generated revenue would be going to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. The amendment failed along party lines.[22]

In 2022, following a spike in gas prices as the result of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Fisher said he supported holding a special legislative session to suspend gas and electric taxes, eliminate retirement income and business property taxes, and lower the income tax rate.[6]

During the 2023 legislative session, Fisher introduced a bill to ban people or businesses associated with the Government of China from buying farmland in Maryland.[23]

Education

During the 2011 legislative session, Fisher voted against Maryland's Dream Act, which provided in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.[24]

In March 2019, Fisher introduced an amendment to the Maryland state budget that would restrict $1 million of the University System of Maryland budget until completion of a report to facilitate the exercise of First Amendment rights on campus. The amendment failed by a vote of 42–96.[25]

In March 2020, Fisher introduced an amendment to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (HB1300) that would allow students attending "failing schools" to transfer to an "alternative school" within the same county. His amendment was rejected by a vote of 41–93.[26] He opposes the Blueprint, saying that he would support "suspending and rewriting" the bill because of its cost.[6]

In April 2023, Fisher sent a letter to State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury accusing the Maryland State Department of Education of hiding scores from failing scores by altering data files available on the department's website. An investigation conducted by the state inspector general found no evidence of these claims.[27]

Environment

In March 2020, Fisher voted against a bill that would prohibit stores from providing customers with plastic bags, calling it "Stalinist".[28] He voted against the bill again when it was reintroduced in 2021.[29]

In 2021, Fisher introduced a bill that would have prevented elected officials at the state and local level from using the government's electric vehicle charging stations without paying for it. Democrats on the House Environment and Transportation Committee rewrote his bill to allow state employees and local elected officials free access to the charging stations for their personal vehicles. The committee then voted 17–5 to approve the changes and brought the bill to the House floor for debate, where Fisher proposed an amendment that would revert the bill back to its original state. His amendment was rejected by a vote of 47–80.[30]

During the 2022 legislative session, Fisher said he opposed the Climate Solutions Now Act, calling it a "takeover of the economy".[31]

Gun policy

During the 2013 legislative session, Fisher voted against the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.[32]

Health policy

Fisher opposed legislation to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, suggesting it was a "price control" bill.[33] During the 2024 legislative session, he opposed a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to buy their own health insurance.[34]

National politics

Fisher has criticized the indictments against Donald Trump, predicting that the United States would "devolve into a banana republic".[35] In May 2024, he signed onto a letter condemning the jury's guilty verdict in the Trump hush money trial, calling the ruling a "political prosecution from a kangaroo court and left-leaning prosecutor" that is turning the U.S. justice system into a "third world parody of law and order".[36]

Nuclear energy

Fisher's district includes the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Maryland's only nuclear power plant.[37]

In February 2021, Fisher suggested that investing in the nuclear power industry could be a solution to the climate crisis, arguing that there is not enough solar or wind infrastructure to address the climate emergency.[38] He advocated for nuclear power investments in the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2021.[39]

In March 2019, Fisher introduced legislation to include nuclear as a Tier 1 Fuel that could be used as part of the state's renewable portfolio. He later amended his bill to instead mandate a study on the future of the nuclear industry in Maryland, causing it to pass the House Economic Matters Committee by a vote of 20–1.[40] His bill passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 102–34, but would not receive a vote in the Senate.[41]

Social issues

Fisher opposed a bill to add an amendment codifying abortion access rights to the Constitution of Maryland.[42]

During the 2023 legislative session, Fisher opposed the Trans Health Equity Act, a bill that would require the state's Medicaid program to cover gender-affirming treatment, comparing transgender healthcare to "child mutilation" and the book Brave New World, and calling it a violation of human rights.[43] He introduced an amendment to the bill to allow cancer victims to have their ovum frozen, which was rejected by the legislature.[44]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 27B Republican primary election, 2010[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark N. Fisher 1,816 64.8
Republican Bob Schaefer 756 27.0
Republican Mike Blasey 230 8.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 27B election, 2010[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark N. Fisher 8,141 52.6
Democratic Sue Kullen (incumbent) 7,336 47.4
Write-in 6 0.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 27C election, 2014[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark N. Fisher (incumbent) 9,019 58.1
Democratic Sue Kullen 6,489 41.8
Write-in 12 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 27C election, 2018[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark N. Fisher (incumbent) 10,563 55.8
Democratic Jason T. Fowler 8,349 44.1
Write-in 11 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 27C election, 2022[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark N. Fisher (incumbent) 13,474 95.7
Write-in 610 4.3

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Mark N. Fisher, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  2. ^ Hawkins, Samantha (April 27, 2021). "Md. Lawmaker Talks Politics, 'Dumb Bills' and the Generation Gap in Podcast". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  3. ^ Ginsburg, Steven (December 21, 1998). "Three ways to grow: The counties of Southern Maryland struggle to manage a business boom". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "Renewed Attention For Baseball Field In Play Since 1930s". The Washington Post. June 26, 2003. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 31, 2023). "Child Victims Act passes the Maryland House of Delegates, nears governor's desk". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Madden, Marty (June 30, 2022). "Fisher seeking fourth term in Maryland House of Delegates". Maryland Independent. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  7. ^ Newman, Jeff (September 14, 2011). "Cardin picks ex-Calvert delegate as Southern Maryland representative". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Bykowicz, Julie (November 3, 2010). "Maryland election results: GOP +6 in House, maybe -2 in Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  9. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 2, 2024). "House Freedom Caucus could be gaining more firepower in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  10. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 14, 2023). "Freshman House Republican riles colleagues with suggestion they're wasting their breath". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Wood, Pamela (January 27, 2022). "Maryland state lawmakers give final OK to new district maps; lawsuit likely". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  12. ^ Stole, Bryn; Wood, Pamela (February 10, 2022). "Maryland Republican delegates ask state's highest court to throw out new General Assembly district map". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  13. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (March 23, 2022). "Maryland's high court takes up gerrymandering case that delayed state's elections". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  14. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (March 23, 2022). "Legislative Redistricting Trial Opens With GOP Expert Decrying Lack of Compactness". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  15. ^ Stole, Bryn (April 13, 2022). "Maryland's highest court rejects legislative map challenge, clearing way for July 19 primary". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Wagner, John (March 22, 2013). "How the Maryland House voted on transportation funding". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  17. ^ Johnson, Jenna (February 20, 2014). "'House of Cards' threatens to leave if Maryland comes up short on tax credits". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  18. ^ Tabor, Nick (March 5, 2014). "Md. House rejects minimum wage indexing". Washington Informer. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  19. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 1, 2019). "Maryland House Passes $15 an Hour Minimum Wage". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  20. ^ Wood, Pamela (April 5, 2016). "After 3 years of failure, sick leave bill passed by Maryland House". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  21. ^ Hicks, Josh (April 5, 2016). "A victory for paid sick leave; bill approved by Maryland House". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  22. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 12, 2020). "House Members Talk Digital Taxes During Revenue Package Floor Debate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  23. ^ Goldstein, Adam (March 18, 2023). "Limits on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland gain support in Congress, despite skepticism". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  24. ^ Bykowicz, Julie (April 5, 2011). "Delegates to debate in-state tuition for illegal immigrants". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  25. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 13, 2019). "House Passes Budget Bill as Senate Prepares for Decision Day". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  26. ^ Ford, William J. (March 6, 2020). "Md. House OKs Massive Education Plan After Fiery Debate". Washington Informer. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  27. ^ Reed, Lillian (May 9, 2023). "Maryland State Department of Education did not cover up test scores from failing schools, inspector finds". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  28. ^ Wood, Pamela (March 12, 2020). "Maryland House OKs ban on plastic carryout bags". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  29. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 2, 2021). "Statewide Plastic Bag Ban Bill Advances". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  30. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 25, 2021). "Majority Rules: House Panel Rewrites GOP Lawmaker's Bill on Electric Vehicles". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  31. ^ Dance, Scott (March 31, 2022). "Maryland General Assembly passes sweeping climate change legislation, sending to Gov. Hogan under threat of veto". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  33. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 26, 2019). "House Dems Fight Off GOP Amendments on Prescription Drug Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  34. ^ Boteler, Cody; Sullivan, Emily; Wintrode, Brenda; Wood, Pamela (February 24, 2024). "Banner political notes: Mayor debate next week; Baltimore and Senate endorsements". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  35. ^ Kurtz, Josh (April 4, 2023). "As Trump arrest dominates global headlines, some Md. Republicans try to look away". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  36. ^ Pittman, Elijah (May 31, 2024). "Maryland Democrats guarded, Republicans angry in wake of Trump conviction". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  37. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 27, 2019). "Josh Kurtz: What Does 'The China Syndrome' Have to Do With Calvert County and the Climate Crisis?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  38. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 19, 2021). "Lawmakers Consider Carbon Fees For Polluters That Will Help Pay for Kirwan Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  39. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (April 10, 2021). "House of Delegates Passes Climate Change Response Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  40. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 27, 2019). "Josh Kurtz: What Does 'The China Syndrome' Have to Do With Calvert County and the Climate Crisis?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  41. ^ "MD HB600 | 2019 | Regular Session". LegiScan.
  42. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 11, 2022). "Ghost Gun Bans Advance in the General Assembly, While House of Delegates Passes Abortion Referendum Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  43. ^ Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (March 18, 2023). "Maryland House passes scores of bills, including Trans Health Equity Act, during extended weekend session". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  44. ^ Cox, Erin (May 3, 2023). "Maryland expands gender-affirming care for trans people on Medicaid". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  45. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  46. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  47. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  48. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  49. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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