Special thanks to Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan and Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley for participating in today’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Forum. We hope to hold a similar forum with Governor Bob Ehrlich and the Democratic nominee on October 16 as part of the Chamber’s Business Policy Conference in Ocean City.

Both candidates outlined economic development agendas that stressed growth in the technology and biotech sectors — I think Duncan called it a Research Diamond; O’Malley a Creative Corridor.

Both candidates stressed education and transportation funding. On transportation, Duncan reiterated the importance of the Intercounty Connector to the state’s economy; O’Malley stressed the importance of taking a statewide view when discussing the need to increase mass transit funding — both Chamber priorities.

On health care, they both discussed their support of the Wal-Mart bill, legislation the Chamber fought to defeat, but was enacted into law when the legislature overrode the governor’s veto earlier this year. Both candidates also stated that they do not support expanding the Wal-Mart Bill payroll tax to additional employers.