Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy supports candidates who are fiscally responsible, socially progressive, and work to generate broad grassroots support in the campaign. Our endorsement as the local Democracy for America Meetup group could be an important factor in demonstrating local grassroots support, in order to become a DFA nationally-endorsed candidate.
Below are the responses we received to our questionnaire from candidates.
If you arrived here from another site, you may also wish to check out our comprehensive page about the Virginia 45th Delegate District race, and post in our forums about the 45th District race.
Why are you running? What are your goals in office?
I started running because I have a five-year-old son, Caleb, who will grow up in Virginia, and I'm afraid for his future if the Republicans in the House of Delegates have their way. Over the course of this campaign, I've grown even more convinced that we have to come together to fight for change. I recently met a woman who cancelled her health insurance only to find out that she needs surgery and now she's facing bankruptcy. I met two fathers who are afraid the state will take away their sons because these fathers happen to be gay. I met a mother who had to give up custody of her daughter so her daughter could get the mental health services she needs. This is a moral emergency, and these people need our help. As a military officer and an activist, I have spent my entire life fighting for what I believe in, even when it meant putting my safety, my career, or my reputation on the line. I'm not stopping now. With fresh energy and fresh ideas, I know that together we can move Virginia towards a better future. I will fight unabashedly for progressive policies to strengthen our communities, defend our values, and invest in our future. The details of my comprehensive, progressive agenda are at www.davidenglin.org. Even beyond that, my goal is to build the grassroots and build the party from the ground up so we can reach beyond this safe Democratic seat, help other Democrats get elected, and, over the long haul, change the face of the General Assembly.
What are the top three issues that you are running on?
We need to make housing affordable to ensure strong, vibrant, diverse communities where people enjoy good quality of life. We need to fix and fund education so teachers and schools have what they need for our children to learn and grow. We need to lower the cost of health care so people get the services they need without risking financial ruin or overburdening small businesses. We also need to fix Virginia's transportation system and to stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians, women, immigrants, and other minorities, which are under attack in Virginia's General Assembly. I see the many issues we all care about as interconnected - it's not as simplistic as only three issues, it's about how we approach the constellation of social and fiscal policy concerns. We need to stop thinking in two or four-year electoral cycles and start taking the long view and thinking about how policies will effect people, families, and communities over the course of their lives.
How are you socially progressive and fiscally responsible?
I have fought for gay rights, women's rights, and the rights of immigrants and minorities my entire life -- even as a liberal military officer stationed in George Bush's Pentagon. My website, www.davidenglin.org, contains the details of my progressive stances on a wide range of specific issues. I am deeply concerned with social justice, and I believe that progressive values like freedom, equal opportunity, and tolerance are traditional American values. This concept is central to my fight for a progressive future for Northern Virginia. I also believe that if we are not fiscally responsible, we won't have the resources we need to support progressive policies over the long haul. Republicans tend to embrace a knee-jerk, anti-tax dogma that would ultimately cut services to the people who need them the most and burden our children and grandchildren with debt. That's both fiscally irresponsible and morally wrong. Budgets are not mere policy tomes -- budgets are moral documents through which we decide whom we lift up and whom we leave out, whom we benefit and whom we burden. We need to set aside dogma when it comes to raising or lowering taxes and focus on honest accounting, balanced budgets, and doing what makes sense for the future of Virginia.
What role will grassroots organizing play in your campaign?
My campaign -- our campaign -- is an entirely grassroots-driven effort devoted to bringing people together from all backgrounds and all walks of life to fight side-by-side for change. Each week, dozens of new grassroots volunteers put their personal energy into our campaign because they know that every email they send, every phone call they make, every door they knock on, every letter they write, every voter they turn out carries us another step forward to that time when the mundane prose of day-to-day life in our commonwealth is equal to the beautiful poetry of our highest ideals. Winning this election will only be the beginning, as we harness the fresh energy of this diverse grassroots organization to empower regular people to fight for the future.
How would Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy's support help in your race?
Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy shares my devotion to building and energizing the grassroots so together we can fight for change. One of the great privileges of running for office has been the opportunity to be surrounded by a growing circle of people who believe in their own power to move us forward in the direction of our highest ideals. Your support will help me engage a whole new group of grassroots activists so we can continue to build a movement that will reach beyond this safe seat and eventually change the face of Virginia politics. Morover, I am the grassroots candidate running against a number of older, entrenched party candidates with access to money from corporate lobbyists, so your support will be especially important to draw attention to our massive grassroots effort, helping to attract volunteers, money, and publicity.
What policies would you have for the environment and public transit in Virginia, particularly in our area?
We have a moral obligation to future generations to fight for a safe and healthy environment. I will fight for new incentives for individuals and businesses to purchase fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles. I will fight to give local governments the power to shut down power plants and industrial facilities whose emissions threaten public health, such as the Mirant plant on the Alexandria waterfront. I will fight to expand recycling programs and for new incentives for small businesses to conserve energy and reduce pollution. I will work with Northern Virginia's local governments to support responsible development policies that balance quality of life with long-term environmental concerns.
We need to strengthen transportation in Northern Virginia -- especially public transit -- to improve quality of life, ease traffic congestion, and sustain our economy. This year's $850 million transportation package failed to include what Northern Virginia needs to pay for our share of the Washington-area Metro system, and it focused primarily on one-time expenditures. We need to explore additional dedicated revenue sources for transportation, and we need to amend the Virginia constitution to lock up the Transportation Trust Fund. This will make sure money for education and social services doesn't get diverted to big-ticket transportation projects, and it will create more predictable transportation resources that will allow for smarter transportation investments over the long haul.
Moreover, I will fight to ensure our transportation investments serve the needs of our economically diverse community. For example, roads and Metrorail are critical, but many low-income residents rely more heavily on buses. We must make sure our transportation system empowers people at all income levels to pursue economic opportunities and to enjoy a good quality of life, which will also make our communities socially and economically stronger. We should also explore and support creative new transportation ideas, such as internet-empowered car sharing (e.g. "Zipcar" and "Flexcar"), that can integrate with public transit and reduce parking, traffic, and pollution.
How long would you intend to serve as delegate (seek re-election) if given the opportunity?
My son, Caleb, is in kindergarten. By the time he graduates from high school, I want him to graduate into a Democratic Virginia. I would continue to serve in this office for as long as I am an effective advocate for my constituents, for as long as I have the energy and courage to fight without fear for progressive policies and values, and for as long as I can continue to harness the power of this safe Democratic seat to build the grassroots, build the party, help other Democrats get elected, and take back Virginia from extremist Republicans.
(Optional) What would you choose to file as your first piece of pre-filed legislation if elected, or what legislation would you have liked to file this past session? Are there particular bills you would have co-sponsored or opposed?
I would file pre-file legislation allowing Virginia to join the I-Save-RX program (www.isaverx.org). Developed by the State of Illinois, and open to all Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri and Vermont residents, the I-SaveRx program offers a safe, simple and affordable way to purchase prescription medication at savings of up to 50 percent. This is something we can do right now to improve people's lives, so that no Virginian has to choose between putting food on the table, paying the rent or being able to afford the medicine they need. We need to do a better job as Democrats promoting new policy ideas, informed by our progressive values, that will make a real difference in people's daily lives, and this is a perfect example. When Virginians who have typically voted Republican see that Democrats are making their lives better -- making housing more affordable, investing in education, reducing the cost of health care, improving transportation, protecting public health and safety -- the tide will start to turn.
I would have strongly opposed all of the regressive anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-immigrant legislation offered this past session.
Why are you running? What are your goals in office?
I have been committed to a lifetime of public service. I got started with the PTA in my neighborhood. I tried to change things as an activist. Didn’t get far. I got angry and ran for School Board. I have now been re-elected as Arlington School Board Chair to my second term. I feel that I am both a trail-blazer and a coalition builder, and this is what I bring to the current race. This is why I’m running for Delegate in the 45th District. With almost 30 years as a community activist in this District, I have been driven to make positive change in people’s lives.
I’m running for the House of Delegate seat because I want to continue the inspiring work that Marian Van Landingham has done for the last 23 years. My goal is manifold: make sure we protect our vulnerable citizens, we maintain excellence in public school education, that we secure a dedicated Emergency Response plan and radio bandwidth for the District, and make sure we get our fair share of resources and tax dollars back to the District.
What distinguishes me from the other candidates is I am the only candidate with a track record of working effectively with a diverse set of elected officials across the state, including Republicans. My campaign is about building coalitions across the state – and getting to compromise without compromising my progressive values and ideals. I’ve proved I can do this in the past, and I want you to send me to Richmond to continue this work we’ve started together.
What are the top three issues that you are running on?
The three top issues I am running on involve people, infrastructure and the environment. I think it is very important to protect our vulnerable communities – such as the elder population and the mentally disabled. I also think we need to pay attention to the infrastructure that supports our community and District – for instance: we need a dedicated revenue stream for the Metro. And the environment – we need to protect natural parkland like Westgrove Park. We also need to make sure polluting entities, such as the Mirant coal-burning plant in Alexandria, are closed once and for all, and make sure Mirant does its due diligence in cleaning up after itself.
How are you socially progressive and fiscally responsible?
In terms of being socially progressive, my work for the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) community has been one of the most significant. I have helped make sure socially progressive ideas and lifestyles are embraced in our community. The Partisans Group – a GLBT political organization – several times before, has endorsed me. I have voted to hire and promote gay and lesbians, voted to make sure we have GLBT representation on advisory groups, voted for curriculum and textbooks that give good and thorough information to our students about sexuality. This last is probably the most controversial and includes one of the few times I have had to differ with some colleagues with whom I usually agree. As School Board Chair, I have worked with organizations to promote anti-bullying of students in our schools, particularly teens.
In 1996, I saw a front-page article in The Washington Post: Arlington Public Schools Capital Fund short $25 Million. Bringing fiscal responsibility and accountability to our schools was a primary part of my campaign for school board. Today Arlington schools have clear high standards for all, strong accountability systems, and our construction program is well run (in other words, no cost over-runs.)
What role will grassroots organizing play in your campaign?
Grass roots organizing is an integral part of my campaign. We have a volunteer network that helps us get our message and events out to voters across the District. These amazing volunteers are not only the driving engine of my campaign – they are the people that keep me motivated to keep moving on to win this race.
How would Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy's support help in your race?
Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy’s support would help me win this election. Should you choose to endorse me, it would be a boon to me, since I could reach a larger network of very motivated Democrats in the area. I was so impressed with the energy and motivation of Dean for America members, and I would be honored to have your support and endorsement.
What policies would you have for the environment and public transit in Virginia, particularly in our area?
I am committed to making sure areas like Westgrove Park, in the southern part of the district, is preserved from development. Westgrove is a perfect little park to save in its natural state. It can help maintain and restore the integrity of Dyke Marsh, and is a unique part of our national forest system. We need to encourage smart growth that puts dense housing hear public transportation, much like planners have done in parts of North Arlington. As I mentioned before, we need a dedicated revenue stream to fund our Metro Rail and Bus systems, and that we make sure we maintain and increase funding for public mass transit in order that we alleviate the terrible traffic in our area. We also need to allow localities more local control to enact zoning laws and to have true bargaining power when negotiating with developers. We need to encourage pedestrian traffic with smart development, road design and sidewalks for walking.
How long would you intend to serve as delegate (seek re-election) if given the opportunity?
I will serve as long as people ask me back, and as long as I can demonstrate to others and myself that I am an asset and an agent for positive good in our District and our community.
(Optional) What would you choose to file as your first piece of pre-filed legislation if elected, or what legislation would you have liked to file this past session? Are there particular bills you would have co-sponsored or opposed?
There are many bills I would like to file, and two other important issues I would like to address through legislation are immigration and New Americans’ rights, and healthcare, particularly health care insurance for children. We need to pass legislation that addresses the need for our Federal Immigration and Naturalization Services to address the backlog of documentation to grant citizenship. Many New Americans are not illegal – they are just in legal limbo due to the inertia of various federal agencies.
I also think that address the healthcare crisis in our state and district is important. We need to make sure that the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is funded and that the word gets out to citizens, which we can address through legislation. This is a great program that focuses on volunteer physicians in combination with the Healthy Families program, which teaches young mothers hoe to care for their babies.
Had I been in the House of Delegates last session, I would have vehemently opposed Marriage Affirmation Act (House Bill 751) because it not only bans any gay relationship, but it also prohibits private contracts between couples! And that could hurt all of us, gay or straight.
Why are you running? What are your goals in office?
I am running because Marian Van Landingham is not running and I am concerned about the direction that the Republican majority in the House of Delegates is taking, focusing on divisive social issues such as sexual orientation and dress style rather than the issues that are critical to Northern Virginia, such as state support for public education and transportation needs (both for roads and transit) as well as needed local government authority. I am also running because I am the only candidate with experience in the House of Delegates. I served in the House from 1976-1980 and retired. I was not beaten. I received the Outstanding Legislator award of the Virginia Young Democrats for my service. If I am re-elected, on the day that I am sworn in, I will have four years of seniority over every other newly elected Delegate.
My goals in office are to once again be an effective, responsible and accountable legislator to work for all the citizens of the 45th District in obtaining the state actions needed to meet the particular needs of Northern Virginia including aid to public education and transportation. An important goal is to support Govern Tim Kaine in advancing his legislative program.
What are the top three issues that you are running on?
Three top issues (among several others) upon which I am running are: (1) state aid for public education; (2) transportation (providing a dedicated revenue source for regional needs); and (3) obtaining necessary local authority to reduce the impact of real property tax assessment increases. I would measure support for these issues by the actual increase in state funding support for public education and passage of legislation patroned by me or by others which I supported by which achieves the other legislative goals.
How are you socially progressive and fiscally responsible?
I am socially progressive as demonstrated by my service as Chairman of the Resolutions Committees of The Alexandria Democratic and 8th District Democratic Committees, protecting civil and equal rights and supporting the fiscally responsible budget initiatives of Governor Warner.
What role will grassroots organizing play in your campaign?
Grassroots organization will be both an effective medium for discussion and communications with supporters and political voters as well as a means of encouraging participation by those with no previous community and political action experience.
How would Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy's support help in your race?
The support of Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy would be helpful in my race by helping me to reach out to and learn from both its members or participants as well as future members and participants.
What policies would you have for the environment and public transit in Virginia, particularly in our area?
My advocated policy for the environment would be to encourage and subsidize conservation policies in land development and green construction. The new addition for the James Duncan branch of the Alexandria Public Library is being constructed with a green roof that will yield energy conservation benefits. This construction was authorized by the Alexandria Library Board, of which I am a member. I was a founding member of the Northern Virginia Conservation Council.
My policies for public transit include support for the extension of rail transit to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County as well as support for a dedicated revenue source for regional transportation needs.
How long would you intend to serve as delegate (seek re-election) if given the opportunity?
I will serve as long as I can best serve the needs of the citizens of the 45th District. In this regard, the fact that the 45th District has a record of support for Democratic candidate would be relevant.
(Optional) What would you choose to file as your first piece of pre-filed legislation if elected, or what legislation would you have liked to file this past session? Are there particular bills you would have co-sponsored or opposed?
If elected, probably the first piece of legislation I would file would be a bill that would authorize local government in the 45th District to grant homeowners relief from excessive property taxes resulting from repeated assessment increases. I would have opposed House Bill 751 in the 2004 session which imposed what, in my judgment, are unconstitutional prohibitions on agreements between individuals of the same sex.
Why are you running? What are your goals in office?
I was a younger man when I first heard the slur, “the People’s Republic of Northern Virginia.” That was eleven years ago when I was a Legislative Assistant in the General Assembly, and you might think that things have changed for the better. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Even today, the current leadership in Richmond treats our community like second-class citizens.
But Northern Virginia is not alone in being treated poorly. The General Assembly, as it is currently composed, has exhibited intolerance to various groups of citizens, undocumented persons, and gays and lesbians to name a few. As a former prosecutor, and as someone committed to the premise that the law should benefit all citizens equally, I object to the Richmond status quo.
I am running to promote two obvious solutions: one long term, and one more immediate.
In the long term, we have to elect more Democrats. The bottom line is that with a 60-38-2 split in the House, we are not going to produce sensible legislation until we produce a sensible majority. We have to help Tim Kaine reach out to the vast electoral middle, and win our majority back one vote at a time.
In the short term, we need to get off of the defense and get back on offense. Governor Mark Warner developed the winning strategy: reach out to those in the “Sensible Center,” and build winning coalitions. In this crowd of well-intentioned and capable candidates, I alone enjoy the experience and the commitment to get the job done.
What are the top three issues that you are running on?
The Commonwealth must opt out of "No Child Left Behind."
Education is the answer to problems associated with gang violence.
Economic development and social justice are mutually supportive.
How are you socially progressive and fiscally responsible?
Government needs to set goals and then fund them honestly and fully. In doing so, it needs to avoid presuming to make decisions about our personal lives that we are fully capable of making ourselves.
What role will grassroots organizing play in your campaign?
This campaign is about a plurality of committed persons dedicated to give strength to a voice for social justice and fiscal restraint. These persons are the grass roots.
How would Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy's support help in your race?
Passion feeds passion.
What policies would you have for the environment and public transit in Virginia, particularly in our area?
Promoting affordable housing initiatives lowers polution by reducing comute times.
I support widening I-66 if funding can be done honestly, and in a way that does not dilute scarce resouces otherwise directed to k-12.
How long would you intend to serve as delegate (seek re-election) if given the opportunity?
As long as necessary to fulfill the goals identified.
(Optional) What would you choose to file as your first piece of pre-filed legislation if elected, or what legislation would you have liked to file this past session? Are there particular bills you would have co-sponsored or opposed?
Why are you running? What are your goals in office?
I am running to offer a strong voice for Democratic values and principles in Richmond. Our party is at a crossroads, both in the Commonwealth and throughout the country. Disproportionate numbers of women, minorities, and the working poor do not vote. In fact, it is the groups who democrats have fought for so passionately that are not convinced the democratic party represents them. I think this is a disturbing trend -- that these Americans and Virginians are turning to the Republican party, who has not historically represented their interests.
We have an opportunity in the 45th district to not only provide excellent representation for our residents but to offer to the State party a strong, credible voice on the critical issues facing the Commonwealth.
My goals are to improve the relationships we have with our Republican colleagues in Richmond. We must do better for the citizens of the Commonwealth than to become mired in polemic politics, exemplified by "droopy drawers" legislation, and budget standoffs. And to do that, I bring a different approach. My work as a business owner for the past 8 years, working with Fortune 500 firms like Marriott International, has taught me how to negotiate with both strength and diplomacy. When you're in business, hired by a top US company, you must deliver results. And our Republican counterparts in Richmond understand that. Like Mark Warner, I will use my business experience to work with the Republicans in a way that gets results for Virginia ---for transportation, education, and the environment.
At the same time, I want to offer young people and women and girls a model for what they can achieve. We know that role models are critical for the development of self and the setting of ones goals. We should not be so surprised, then, we hear that 16 million single American women did not vote in the 2000 Presidential election. We need women in elected office to not only work on legislation to promote political involvement but to do outreach into their districts, talking with young women and girls about their own political participation. We have too few women in the General Assembly in Richmond and we are losing a tremendously influential one in Marian van Landingham. I believe strongly that we need balance in the General Assembly and that this seat is one of our best opportunities to ensure we get closer to attaining it.
What are the top three issues that you are running on?
It’s difficult to pick only 3. My top priorities are improvement in the area of transportation, human rights, education, and healthcare.
Transportation – we need to increase the total funding pie for transportation. While northern Virginia gets a fair share of the total pie, the pie is just not sufficient to address our complex needs. At the same time, we need to ensure that we are not just improving and building roads to funnel additional growth in areas where that growth is unwelcome or cannot be sustained. We need to invest a greater portion of transportation dollars in public transportation. We also need to look more closely and consider more seriously mixed use development. Arlington has several great examples of combined residential and commercial properties that are Metro accessible and within walking distance of community venues. In Alexandria, Dash buses and Metro are synchronized to shuttle residents to and from the trains, easing traffic on the main thoroughfares. My plan for the 45th is to work with the local jurisdictions in supporting the smart plans they already have in place and in garnering additional resources from the State where necessary.
I believe strongly in a regional approach to many of the issues we need to address in Richmond. Transportation will be just one area where I will consult with the area Council of Governments, each of our local jurisdictions, and transportation experts, whether academic or corporate, to find comprehensive and efficient solutions to our needs.
Public-private partnerships are another vehicle that I have used and feel would be productive to use to address some of the issues we face in Richmond. In my own experience, serving on the Mass Mutual Women’s Advisory Board, we were successful in securing $100,000 from Capital Financial Partners, Mass Mutual, and the Community Business Partnernship to create the first Financial Education Center for Women Entrepreneurs. These types of partnerships bring together the best of government and corporate America, achieve joint objectives that benefit the community at large.
How are you socially progressive and fiscally responsible?
I re-started NARAL Virginia after it was defunct for many years. About 5 other Board members and I, along with seed money from NARAL worked very hard to increase the presence of the pro choice movement in Virginia. Choice has been under severe attack in this State and it has been a grave concern. Evidence of the success of NARAL VA, along with Planned Parenthood, who has been a stalwart for women’s health and reproductive choice, is that there were not any anti-choice bills passed in the 2005 General Assembly.
My background in progressive politics reaches to the Braun for Senate campaign in 1994, the Year of the Woman, (remember that one?) I researched and wrote Carol Moseley Braun’s women’s issues statements and position papers, dealing with choice, fetal tissue research, health, equal pay, and so on.
Fiscal responsibility is learned in a working class home. Dad was a butcher and while we were comfortable, I started working at age 15 to earn the money for extra clothes and entertainment. I understand the value of money and the hard work required to earn it. When we a public officials have the public trust and are spending the hard earned money of the working people of Virginia, then we are stewards of that money and are responsible for allocating it in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
What role will grassroots organizing play in your campaign?
Grass roots organizing will play the same role as it does in my work as a community activist. I reach out to other community organizations and activists to find areas where we can work together to have an even greater impact on the community. This is more effective than other methods in reaching disenfranchised groups. Rather than my walking through Latino communities with an interpreter, for example, I work with community leaders who are already working with individual members of this community. These organizational links are more effective in creating coalitions and encouraging political participation than approaching residents as an “outsider.”
The Democratic Party, in Virginia and elsewhere, will benefit from these linkages, as it did during the Civil Rights Movement, when churches served crux of organizing activity.
How would Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy's support help in your race?
The support of committed progressive democrats would assist my campaign in the very important task of voter outreach. As I mentioned above, there are distinct groups of disenfranchised voters and disaffected voters who need to hear the message we are delivering – that the Democratic Party represents their interests.
What policies would you have for the environment and public transit in Virginia, particularly in our area?
I support policies that are a result of regional collaboration, comprehensive study, community participation, and fiscal responsibility. The areas of the environment and public transit are no exception.
We need to be vigilant about our precious natural resources – open, green space, the Chesapeake Bay, our State and local park systems. I support funding for the restoration of the Bay, the enforcement of environmental laws, conservation of open space, and our State and local parks. In our area, Four Mile Run and other tributaries need special attention. They are widely used by the community and often suffer from the polluting effects of every day use. I would encourage greater public eduation on the role of citizens in maintaining the beauty of our parks cleanliness of these Bay tributaries.
In the area of transportation, as I stated above, we need to find the investment dollars for public transportation. Road improvements are certainly necessary in some areas but I am not convinced that road widening, as proposed for I-66, does anything more than encourage more drivers to use this artery. Transportation data show that historically increases in major roads does not alleviate traffic. The Washington metropolitan area is just too strategically important to the region’s economy to not have an adequate public transport system leading to the suburbs and exurbs. There are few other metro areas of comparable strategic importance that lack this basic infrastructure.
How long would you intend to serve as delegate (seek re-election) if given the opportunity?
I will serve as long as my constituents feel I am effectively serving the 45th. As I mentioned in a candidate debate, if my country called me into duty, as, let’s say, Ambassador to France, I may have to consider making the sacrifice and ship off to Paris. But very reluctantly, of course! But seriously, I will serve until I am no longer an effective advocate for the 45th district or the Democratic Party.
(Optional) What would you choose to file as your first piece of pre-filed legislation if elected, or what legislation would you have liked to file this past session? Are there particular bills you would have co-sponsored or opposed?
My first prefiled legislation would have to be one that negates the harmful effects of HB 751, the bill that prevents two non married people from entering into a contract that “resembles marriage.” HB 751 is a very damaging piece of legislation. If we cannot guarantee human rights in the Commonwealth we have failed as stewards of the public trust. I would very much liked to have filed legislation this session that countered 751. Legislation I would have liked to have submitted this year would have dealt with an expansion in the availability of mental health services. I believe mental health should have parity with other health coverage given the known positive correlations between mental and physical health. The fact that we continue to diminish and undervalue mental health care contributes to the many tragedies we witness -- school shootings, teen suicides, domestic violence, and so on. In many of these cases there have been signs that the individuals involved needed mental health care. We need to work with health care professionals, insurance companies, and other legislators to help raise awareness of these needs and identify cost effective ways they can be addressed.
Why are you running? What are your goals in office?
I am running for the House of Delegates to both defend our community in Richmond and to promote those causes that are so important to us. I have personnally witnessed how dangerous the Republican attacks are on our newest immigrants, gays, women's reproductive rights, local control, our public schools, healthcare, and the environment. I want to go to Richmond to ensure that our children and grandchildren, that every Virginian, is treated fairly, justly, and that we maintain our quality of life. I am running because I believe that the issues are too important to send someone to Richmond who does not know the job. I have been a community leader for more than two decades, and have worked in Richmond for ten legislative sessions. I have more than nine years of experience working on constituent concerns and solving problems.
In addition to what I have stated above, I intend to provide the best constituent service and representation possible and to not forget why I am in office and who put me there. I intend to have regular office hours in the three localities I represent.
What are the top three issues that you are running on?
Education, the environment and civil rights.
How are you socially progressive and fiscally responsible?
I consider myself socially progressive and the work I have done, as a community leader for over two decades is a testament to my progressive philosophy. I have stood up and spoken out for children in need, women's equality, the GLBT community, our newest immigrants, and our seniors. I have supported the Governor's approach to balance the budget and maintaining our AAA bond rating. I applaud Tim Kaine for his proposal to provide tax relief for homeowners and will work with him to get his constitutional amendment through the General Assembly. During the last Session I would have voted for measures such as Delegate Bob Brink's proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed localities to forgive the first 100,000 of assessed value on one's home for personal property or real estate taxes. I would also look at adding an additional bracket to the State Income tax.
What role will grassroots organizing play in your campaign?
I have been part of Alexandria's grassroots politics for over two decades. It is grass roots organization that helps us win elections. Not surprisingly, grassroots is playing a significant role in my campaign. The campaign has volunteers of all ages helping me get out the vote. We have been knocking on doors, meeting voters at small coffees, and attending community meetings and events.
How would Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy's support help in your race?
Your organization can help my campaign by providing volunteers, money and help with the issues.
What policies would you have for the environment and public transit in Virginia, particularly in our area?
Among the top priorities are air quality, the closing of the Mirant plant and other coal burning plants, cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, increased funding for mass transit, funding for the purple line and more green space.
How long would you intend to serve as delegate (seek re-election) if given the opportunity?
I would like to serve as long as I can do so effectively and as long as I have the support and confidence of my constituents.
(Optional) What would you choose to file as your first piece of pre-filed legislation if elected, or what legislation would you have liked to file this past session? Are there particular bills you would have co-sponsored or opposed?
I would consider working with Del. Jack Reid on a clean smoke stack bill. His bill and Del. Marian Van Landingham's bills did not make it out of committee this past session. It is going to take a coaltion of concerned citizens, legislators and others to make this happen. I want to lead that effort.
However, since drafting requests deadline for pre-filing has been about December 10 and the election is November 8 I don't know that I would pre-file any other legisaltion. I would want to have input from my constituents and review their recommendations very carefully before submitting my drafting requests. I would still be able, if the rules of the 2006 Session are similar to the last two sessions, to introduce 5 bills after the pre-filing period, although I would not be limited to the number of drafting requests. I know that an organization such as yours would encourage the new Delegate of the 45th to get input from the voters.
There were over 3000 bills drafted during the last session, 2938 were introduced, and 1610 passed both the Senate and House. Of those, I am certain there were dozens I would have co-patroned and dozens I would have opposed. I would have co-patroned - The Clean Smokesstacks Bill (Reid), The Clean Streams Bill (Pollard), the repeal of HB751 (Van Yahres), and the Constitutional Amendment on Real Estate taxes (Brink). I would have opposed all the anti-choice bills, the traditional marriage license plate, the constitutional amendments on traditional marriage, the anti-immigrant bills, and the gay adoption bill.