Peter Franchot
Encyclopedia
Peter V. R. Franchot assumed office as the Comptroller of Maryland
in January 2007. He was formerly a member of the Maryland House of Delegates
, representing the 20th legislative district in Montgomery County, Maryland
from 1987 to 2007.
. He attended Phillips Academy
of Andover, Massachusetts
, obtained a B.A.
in English from Amherst College
in 1973 and graduated from Northeastern University School of Law
with a J.D.
in 1978.
Franchot is married to Anne Maher and has two children. He resides in Takoma Park, Maryland
. In his community, he served as treasurer of the Longbranch Sligo Citizens Association, and as a coach for the Takoma Park Youth Soccer League and the Montgomery County Youth Hockey League.
from 1968 to 1970. From 1980 to 1986, Franchot served as the staff director for Congressman Edward J. Markey. He also served as special counsel to chair of Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Power of the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce
(1985–1986), a member of the Sound Barrier Review Panel (1995–1996), as a member of the Committee on Building Public Trust and Confidence in the Justice System (1999), as a member of the State Information Technology Board (1999–2004), as a member of the Transit Policy Panel (2000), and as a member of the Virginia-Maryland-District of Columbia Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate Transportation (2000–2003). He has been a member of the District of Columbia Bar since 1989.
In 1986, he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates
representing the 20th district. He served as a member of the Appropriations Committee, and as the Chair of its Transportation & the Environment Subcommittee.
In 1988 Franchot was the unsuccessful Democratic
nominee against U.S. Representative Connie Morella
.
Some independent analysts suggest that Franchot's opposition to slots helped him politically, with one columnist writing, "Next year, Franchot will have a built-in network of supporters throughout Maryland, thanks to the comptroller's anti-gambling crusade and his activity as co-chair of the Obama for president campaign in Maryland." http://www.gazette.net/stories/05292009/poliras154634_32526.shtml Franchot endorsed Obama in early January 2008 http://www.franchot.com/node/241 and actively campaigned for him across the state.
, Franchot defeated incumbent William Donald Schaefer
and fellow challenger Janet S. Owens
in a close Democratic primary election on September 12, 2006. He defeated the Republican nominee Anne McCarthy in the General Election on November 7, 2006. Franchot was sworn on January 22, 2007.
Early in his term, Franchot promoted the idea of investing state pension funds in the life sciences sector. Franchot believes that such an investment will spur growth for that industry in Maryland. Franchot says that the industry has tremendous potential to create high paying jobs in Maryland.
In 2008, Franchot pushed Governor Martin O'Malley
on a "Tax Fairness Initiative" to upgrade tax collection technology. The initiative called for putting more qualified auditors in the field to catch evaders. The initiative was passed in the 2008 legislative session and should bring in an additional $200 million in revenue during the first year and $80–100 million in subsequent years.
Franchot is also a known advocate for minority businesses. He has pushed for state contracts to go to qualified minority and women owned businesses on the Board of Public Works. For his leadership, he was awarded "The Most Distinguished Person in Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Award" by the Maryland Washington Minority Contractors' Association.
He has earned a reputation as an independent leader who is sometimes a thorn in the governor's side, but, commands respect from both Republicans and Democrats. In addition to opposing Governor O'Malley's slots initiative, he's also openly questioned some of O'Malley's spending proposals describing them as 'irresponsible.' Republican Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell noted, "Although Peter was at the opposite end of the political spectrum from myself, he was always very articulate and well-respected and very informed from his point of view." http://www.onlineslotmachine.org.uk/franchot-seeking-a-wider-role-for-office-baltimore-sun-slot-machine/49/
After spending much of 2008 campaigning against slots, Franchot turned his attention to promoting eFiling and unclaimed property in 2009. He produced a YouTube video promoting eFile at little cost to the taxpayers that went viral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvbRj-XdhRc Franchot was quick to remind Marylanders that eFiling saved Maryland money and allowed Marylanders to get their tax refund much faster. Franchot also became an avid user of Twitter
and became the first public official to Tweet from a Board of Public Works meeting.
Comptroller of Maryland
The Comptroller of Maryland, United States, currently Peter Franchot, is the state's chief financial officer and is also elected by the people for a four year term. The comptroller is not term-limited. The office was established by the Maryland Constitution of 1851 due to concern about the...
in January 2007. He was formerly a member of the Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
, representing the 20th legislative district in Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
from 1987 to 2007.
Education and family
Franchot was born in New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. He attended Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
of Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
, obtained a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English from Amherst College
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
in 1973 and graduated from Northeastern University School of Law
Northeastern University School of Law
Northeastern University School of Law is a law school in Boston, Massachusetts. From the time of its founding in 1898, the law school's mission has focused on addressing the needs of students and of society....
with a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1978.
Franchot is married to Anne Maher and has two children. He resides in Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone...
. In his community, he served as treasurer of the Longbranch Sligo Citizens Association, and as a coach for the Takoma Park Youth Soccer League and the Montgomery County Youth Hockey League.
Career
Peter Franchot served in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1968 to 1970. From 1980 to 1986, Franchot served as the staff director for Congressman Edward J. Markey. He also served as special counsel to chair of Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Power of the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce
United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
(1985–1986), a member of the Sound Barrier Review Panel (1995–1996), as a member of the Committee on Building Public Trust and Confidence in the Justice System (1999), as a member of the State Information Technology Board (1999–2004), as a member of the Transit Policy Panel (2000), and as a member of the Virginia-Maryland-District of Columbia Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate Transportation (2000–2003). He has been a member of the District of Columbia Bar since 1989.
In 1986, he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
representing the 20th district. He served as a member of the Appropriations Committee, and as the Chair of its Transportation & the Environment Subcommittee.
In 1988 Franchot was the unsuccessful Democratic
Maryland Democratic Party
The Maryland Democratic Party is the state affiliate of the United States Democratic Party in the U.S. State of Maryland, headquartered in Annapolis. The current state party chair is Yvette Lewis.-History:...
nominee against U.S. Representative Connie Morella
Connie Morella
Constance Albanese "Connie" Morella is a Republican United States politician who represented in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2003. She also served as Permanent Representative to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development from 2003 to 2007. She...
.
Legislative notes
- voted against slots in 2005 (HB1361)http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/votes/house/0152.htm
- voted for income tax reduction in 1998 (SB750)http://mlis.state.md.us/1998rs/votes/house/1229.htm
Slots Campaign
Franchot campaigned against bringing slot machine gambling to Maryland. As a member of the House of Delegates, he led a coalition of lawmakers to oppose the legislation. The coalition succeeded in placing before the voters a Constitutional amendment to legalize slots. In 2008, Franchot, along with hundreds of grassroots leaders from around the state, launched Marylanders United to Stop Slots to encourage a 'no' vote on the referendum. Franchot argued that the high social costs of increased crime, broken families and bankruptcies would outweigh any revenue gains. http://www.franchot.com/issues/slotsSome independent analysts suggest that Franchot's opposition to slots helped him politically, with one columnist writing, "Next year, Franchot will have a built-in network of supporters throughout Maryland, thanks to the comptroller's anti-gambling crusade and his activity as co-chair of the Obama for president campaign in Maryland." http://www.gazette.net/stories/05292009/poliras154634_32526.shtml Franchot endorsed Obama in early January 2008 http://www.franchot.com/node/241 and actively campaigned for him across the state.
Comptroller of Maryland
2006 election
A candidate for Comptroller of MarylandComptroller of Maryland
The Comptroller of Maryland, United States, currently Peter Franchot, is the state's chief financial officer and is also elected by the people for a four year term. The comptroller is not term-limited. The office was established by the Maryland Constitution of 1851 due to concern about the...
, Franchot defeated incumbent William Donald Schaefer
William Donald Schaefer
William Donald Schaefer was an American politician who served in public office for 50 years at both the state and local level in Maryland. A Democrat, he was mayor of Baltimore from 1971 to 1987, the 58th Governor of Maryland from January 21, 1987 to January 18, 1995, and the Comptroller of...
and fellow challenger Janet S. Owens
Janet S. Owens
Janet S. Owens is an American politician and Democrat who served as County Executive of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, for two terms, from 1998 until 2007. She is a resident of Millersville, Maryland. She was the first female county executive of Anne Arundel County...
in a close Democratic primary election on September 12, 2006. He defeated the Republican nominee Anne McCarthy in the General Election on November 7, 2006. Franchot was sworn on January 22, 2007.
Tenure as Comptroller
Franchot is an active Comptroller who has spoken out on a number of his issues. Early in his term, he "issued statements about divesting state pension money from Darfur... railed against the possible implementation of slot machine gambling to mitigate a looming budget crisis... supported a doomed House of Delegates health care plan... led the successful charge against a Kent Island development that environmentalists argued would harm the Chesapeake Bay. And he has cast himself as a chief advocate for expanding Maryland's biotechnology industry."Early in his term, Franchot promoted the idea of investing state pension funds in the life sciences sector. Franchot believes that such an investment will spur growth for that industry in Maryland. Franchot says that the industry has tremendous potential to create high paying jobs in Maryland.
In 2008, Franchot pushed Governor Martin O'Malley
Martin O'Malley
Martin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
on a "Tax Fairness Initiative" to upgrade tax collection technology. The initiative called for putting more qualified auditors in the field to catch evaders. The initiative was passed in the 2008 legislative session and should bring in an additional $200 million in revenue during the first year and $80–100 million in subsequent years.
Franchot is also a known advocate for minority businesses. He has pushed for state contracts to go to qualified minority and women owned businesses on the Board of Public Works. For his leadership, he was awarded "The Most Distinguished Person in Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Award" by the Maryland Washington Minority Contractors' Association.
He has earned a reputation as an independent leader who is sometimes a thorn in the governor's side, but, commands respect from both Republicans and Democrats. In addition to opposing Governor O'Malley's slots initiative, he's also openly questioned some of O'Malley's spending proposals describing them as 'irresponsible.' Republican Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell noted, "Although Peter was at the opposite end of the political spectrum from myself, he was always very articulate and well-respected and very informed from his point of view." http://www.onlineslotmachine.org.uk/franchot-seeking-a-wider-role-for-office-baltimore-sun-slot-machine/49/
After spending much of 2008 campaigning against slots, Franchot turned his attention to promoting eFiling and unclaimed property in 2009. He produced a YouTube video promoting eFile at little cost to the taxpayers that went viral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvbRj-XdhRc Franchot was quick to remind Marylanders that eFiling saved Maryland money and allowed Marylanders to get their tax refund much faster. Franchot also became an avid user of Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
and became the first public official to Tweet from a Board of Public Works meeting.