Q. What is your position on the Kaine and Kilgore proposals for providing relief to homeowners faced with rapidly rising assessments and, consequently, tax bills?
A. Rapidly rising assessments have placed a tremendous amount of stress on our homeowners, and particularly young families that are just starting out and those on fixed incomes. The key issue is that local governments are now overly reliant on the real property tax to fund the basic services that are critical to our quality of life. Kilgore?s proposal will do nothing to solve this basic imbalance, and will simply exacerbate the problem for political gain. Kaine?s proposal deserves serious consideration, and could help to make the real property tax less regressive. However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the long-term solution is to provide local governments with the ability to diversify their revenue stream.
Q. Tim Kaine has stated that he is personally against the death penalty, but would enforce it if he is elected governor. Jerry Kilgore, or course, is enthusiastically for the death penalty. What is your position on capital punishment?
A. I believe that the death penalty should be reserved for the most heinous crimes and only in cases where the evidence is absolutely convincing. In every single case, we must ensure that every precaution has been taken and that the defendant is provided with the means for an excellent defense. As a result, it is critical that the General Assembly continually monitor our system of justice to ensure that it meets these high standards. The State also has a responsibility to do everything that we can to prevent crime in the first place ? particularly by supporting anti-gang efforts and early childhood education programs.
Q. Who do you most admire in American politics? Who do you least admire?
A. I most admire those who acknowledge that good ideas come from many places ? and that it is more important to do something good than to take the credit. I also greatly admire those who are able to make tough decisions, but still have the respect of the people who disagree because their views were heard. I least admire close minded people who come to the table unwilling to consider opposing views.
Q. What will you do to fix the traffic mess in Northern Virginia? Specifically, what is your stance on ?smart growth,? extending Metrorail to Dulles airport, and I-66 widening?
A. Transportation is among the most frequently cited issues that I have heard while walking door-to-door in the 37th district. At the same time, most residents recognize that there are no easy fixes. While road improvements are necessary, our long-term focus needs to be to invest in our public transportation system. As such, I support extending Metrorail to Dulles. I am also a strong proponent of incentives to increase telecommuting. By taking cars off our roads, we not only reduce congestion, but we help to meet the region?s Clean Air Act goals. With respect to smart growth, it is essential that we plan wisely for how we will handle the approximately 130,000 people who are expected to move into our region between 2000 and 2020. A part of this will be to encourage mixed-use development (combined commercial and residential) along our existing public transportation corridors. However, smart growth also means that we consider the impacts of concentrated growth on our schools, our road network, and our environment and that we plan accordingly. All of these things need to be considered, and there continues to be room for healthy debate.
Q. What are your beliefs regarding gun control? For instance, do you factor banning so-called ?cop killer bullets? and ?assault weapons?? What about the recent NRA-sponsored bill in Florida which allows a citizen to ?meet force with force,? even outside their home?
A. I know many responsible, law abiding citizens who use guns for sport, or who chose to own a gun for protection. I support this right, but also believe that it comes with tremendous responsibility. Vigorous gun safety education programs are a key element of fulfilling this responsibility. At the same time, I do believe that a much higher level of scrutiny is warranted for weapons whose only purpose is to kill people. I support the assault weapons ban. I also disagree with the Florida bill that would allow a citizen to use deadly force outside of the home without first attempting to find a way to retreat if at all possible.
Q. What is your opinion of the ?Dillon Rule,? which severely limits the power of local government vis-?-vis the state? Do you believe in delegating more power to the localities, or keeping it more in Richmond?
A. I believe that we should delegate more power to our localities so that they have the tools to deal effectively and creatively with local concerns. Our local governments, as direct service providers, face unprecedented challenges ? many of which are mandated by the state. Virginia does have a responsibility to establish consistency on some issues (for instance, basic levels of environmental protection). However, I believe that it is time for the State to re-examine its relationship with local governments and find ways to allow greater flexibility at the local level creating a useful balance.
Q. Which one issue are you most passionate about and why?
A. This is a tough one because there are several issues that I feel passionately about. It can all probably be wrapped up into ?quality of life,? which depends on addressing a number of issues. Education is absolutely critical to our quality of life and plays such an important role in shaping our children as they grow up to become caring, productive adults. I had the benefit of great public schools (Laurel Ridge Elementary, Robinson High School, College of William and Mary, Virginia Tech), and I want to make sure that my two children (ages 6 and 8) have the same great opportunities afforded by a quality education. At the same time, a safe community, a transportation system that works, and a healthy, clean environment are also critical to quality of life. I do get very passionate about environmental issues, and have spend my professional career working to solve some of our most pressing issues ? including how to restore the Chesapeake Bay as well as our own backyard streams. I spent a lot of time enjoying nature as a child, and particularly playing around Rabbit Branch and Royal Lake near my home in Kings Park West. My passion reflects these wonderful childhood experiences, but also a very deeply held belief that our children inherit the earth, and that we must leave it a better place than we found it.
Q. Can you give us some reasons why people should vote for you instead of your Democratic opponent, Janet Oleszek? What makes you the strongest candidate to hold onto this seat for the Democrats?
A. Fairfax deserves a hard working Delegate who will listen and bring people together to solve a range of issues ? and I believe that I have the experience, skills, and vision to be that Delegate. Janet is a good person who has a great deal of experience on educational issues. What I bring to the table is experience working with our State and local elected officials on a wide range of critical issues. This includes protecting our environment as an elected member of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, fighting consumer fraud as member and former chair of the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission, supporting those who have suffered a traumatic brain injuries as a member of the Brain Injury Services Board of Trustees, and working to keep my community safe by establishing a local National Night Out crime prevention program.