Greg Galligan (39th Senate District): Exclusive RK Interview

There are two Democrats running for the nomination, Greg Galligan from the eastern end of the district and George Barker from Clifton in the western part (note: Clifton is also the home base of Jay O'Brien).

Note: RaisingKaine has taken no position on who should win this race.  We appreciate that both  George Barker and Greg Galligan have agreed to interviews with RK (Barker's interview was published on January 8)and have thoughtfully answered our questions.
1) Top political strategists generally agree that to defeat an incumbent, you need to do two things. First, you have to convince voters that the incumbent should be booted out.  Second, you have to convince them that you would make an attractive alternative.  Please explain how you would go about both of these tasks with regard specifically to Jay O'Brien.
Jay O'Brien is a Northern Virginia Senator who votes against Northern Virginia's interests.  He voted against hundreds of millions of dollars for NOVA's schools when he voted against Gov Warner's budget in 2004.  He voted against a real transportation plan when he voted against Gov Kaine's plan for comprehensive and sustainable revenue for transportation in 2006.  A Senator who is AWOL on the two most important issues with his constituents will be in trouble come election time.

I can be an attractive alternative for a number of reasons.  First of all, I have always taken on the important fights.  I ran in 2003 when it wasn't easy to be a Democrat.  The Iraq War had just started and the Democrats had lost seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in the previous election.  People want to know that someone has the courage of their convictions - I demonstrated that in my run in 2003.

I also have a compelling biography.  I have always believed in public service and serving my country - my love of country and community compelled me to volunteer and serve in the U.S. Army on active duty as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot for five years.  I defended freedom at home and abroad.  Many residents in the 39th District are military retirees or civilians who work for the defense industry - they will connect with my public service and values.  I believe Jim Webb's military background helped him in his race against George Allen and I believe it will help me as well against Jay O'Brien.

2) Please tell us about your roots in the community, your experience, and your reasons for seeking public office in the Virginia State Senate.
Gov Warner appointed me to the VA Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services Board where I have worked to bring consumer protections and food safety to the forefront of the Department's agenda.  I continue to advise Fairfax County Public Schools on their Health and Physical Education Curriculum and serve as a School Board representative in all land-use and transportation advisory meetings in Lee District.  As the Legislative Director for a Democratic Congressman, I worked to increase education funding and protect jobs.  I was working on Capitol Hill on 9/11. 

I have lived in NOVA for 30 plus years.  I attended both public and private schools in NOVA and attended the College of William & Mary.  I started the recycling program in my high school and was active in the environmental movement as a young adult.  Since leaving active duty with the U.S. Army, I have continued my service with the National Guard which stands ready to respond to natural disasters and conflicts Overseas.

I believe that public service is about changing people's lives and helping people and that is why I am running for state senate.

3) Why should Democratic voters nominate you and not your opponent?
I am someone they can count on to take on the important fights.  Many Democrats passed on the opportunity to challenge Jay O'Brien in 2003 including my primary opponent.  When I asked George Barker why he didn't run in 2003 he told me he didn't think it was winnable then. That kind of thinking would have led a former Navy Secretary not to challenge a probable 2008 Republican Presidential candidate in 2006. The Democratic Party needs fighters who will carry the progressive message when it is not politically convenient to do so.

4) Please describe your political philosophy - progressive, moderate, conservative, or none of the above - and how that philosophy meshes with the 39th District.
I am progressive.  I believe that government service is a high honor and that smarter government can change people's lives and help people.  I believe in investing in our future by protecting our schools and rebuilding our infrastructure.  NOVA is the economic engine of the entire state and I strongly believe that the rest of the state should play a larger part in solving our transportation challenges.  My philosophy of putting NOVA first will resonate with the voters in the 39th District.

5) What, in your opinion, are the three most important problems facing Virginia right now, and what will you do about them if elected?
Transportation.  Many estimates report that NOVA needs to invest $100 Billion over the next decades to keep pace with our growth and infrastructure needs.  If elected, I will fight for a plan that is both comprehensive and sustainable.  We don't need more debt and anti-investment ideologues ruling over NOVA - we need bold leadership that will build a world-class infrastructure system for NOVA.

Education.  Investing in our children will always be my priority.  Jay O'Brien stands with down state legislators that have consistently voted to shortchange our children by under-funding our schools and under-paying our teachers.  As a state senator, I will fight to protect the high quality of our school system by alleviating over-crowding and making sure our children are not just being taught to take a Federally mandated test.

Health care. Senior citizens shouldn't have to make the tough decision between putting food on the table and paying for the prescription drugs they need.  When my father was suffering from emphysema and diabetes he was lucky enough to be able to afford his medications.  Many seniors aren't as fortunate.  When I go to Richmond, I will use the power of the state to negotiate for lower prescription drug costs and I will expand health insurance to as many Virginians as possible.

6) How would you pay for needed transportation investments in Virginia: a) raise the gas tax; b) raise user fees; c) dip into the General Fund; d) borrow; or e) other (please explain)?
I support a comprehensive and sustainable plan to support our transportation challenges in NOVA.  I am opposed to raising taxes on northern Virginians without contributions from the rest of the state and region.  Experts believe that applying a levy on whole sale gas purchases could be shared with the rest of the state and have the added benefit of being paid by residents who live outside of Virginia as well.

I support lowering the tax burden on my constituents through more equitable cost sharing throughout the region.

7) Do you support embryonic stem cell research? Would you favor putting this issue to a referendum of Virginia voters?
I support embryonic stem cell research and believe that Virginia's research centers should become leaders in this promising area of health care research.

8)  What is your position on rail to Dulles, the Tysons Tunnel, and transit-oriented development in general?
I support smart growth.  TOD is a key component to effectively developing NOVA further.  I want to see more walk-able communities with thriving town centers.  Mixed-use development focused on in-fill areas that relies on mass transit is my preference.  I believe a Tysons Tunnel is a far better option provided it doesn't put the entire project in jeopardy.  We need to work together to expand our mass transit options throughout the region.

9) Do you see the Massachusetts universal health care plan as a model for Virginia?  More broadly, do you believe that health care is a fundamental right of all Virginians?
Health care is a fundamental right.  I support universal coverage and having the state play a more aggressive role in bulk-buying of prescription drugs.  I support tax credits for health care expenditures b/c you shouldn't be penalized for trying to keep a loved one alive.

The Massachusetts plan is impressive in its ambition, but I am not wedded to specific means of achieving the underlying goal of universal health care. 

10). What actions do you advocate to fight global warming and to clean up the Chesapeake Bay?  Would you support a strong renewable portfolio standard for Virginia?  How about a "cap and trade" program for Virginia's carbon emissions?  With regard to the Bay, would you support a ban on phosphorus in dishwashing detergent, as Maryland is in the process of enacting?
The state should move immediately to implement policies that clean our air and water.  I want to see tougher rules on fertilizers and make sure large construction sites and golf courses are controlling run-off.  Every effort should be made through the tax code of Virginia to provide incentives for entrepreneurs to develop technologies that will accelerate the transition from carbon-based energy to greener forms, like solar, wind, & bio diesel.

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