State senator speaks to students

State Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke today to Blair students and teachers.

About 20 people attended including students and teachers. Students asked questions about the war in Afghanistan, about how Van Hollen measures up to the other Democratic candidates, and about plans for redistricting in Montgomery County.

Van Hollen spoke on different matters concerning his campaign, his ideas, and his experience. He has had experience in passing bills on the environment, education, and gun control. Van Hollen helped pass a bill involving requirements about gun safety and a bill preventing oil drilling in the Chesapeake Bay.

Van Hollen worked with Maryland's education policies as well. He tried to prevent money from going to build stadiums instead of schools. "Education funding has been something I've been working very hard for," he said. Van Hollen agrees with the current status of standardized testing and believes that testing should be determined by the states.

Mark Kennedy Shriver, Van Hollen's opponent in the primary, will be coming to speak in February. For more information on the Student Democrats Association contact club president Matt Yalowitz.