John Mason (R)
AGE: 70
FAMILY: Wife, Jeanette; three children and two grandchildren
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: 3845 Farr Oak Circle, Fairfax, VA 22030
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-272-7468
E-MAIL: john@masonfordelegate.com
WEBSITE: www.masonfordelegate.com
OCCUPATION: Transportation consultant
EMPLOYMENT: Part-time with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
QUALIFICATIONS: Military service, civic responsibility and community service provide the demonstrated leadership, competence, energy and enthusiasm.
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
Aside from 21 years of service in the U.S. Army (with two tours in Vietnam), my "top" public service accomplishment is 12 years service as the mayor of the City of Fairfax, providing the highest quality services in the region with the lowest tax rates in Northern Virginia.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidates in the race?
In one word — experience. I have a demonstrated track record of two decades of public service in the region — council member, mayor, leader on regional transportation issues — and very active in community service — American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Fairfax Symphony, Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
My commitment will always be to represent the residents of the 37th House of Delegates district and will never allow special interests in Richmond or party politics to dictate my positions on issues.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
Without a doubt, it's the transportation challenge and increasing congestion. Our Washington region has been cited again this year as having the third worse congestion in the country — and worsening. With the anticipated growth in the region, there is no simple answer. Congestion relief must come from a mix of capital projects (e.g., additional lanes, alternative route opportunities, extension of Metro rail) and improved operations of the transportation system (e.g., synchronized traffic signals, improved incident management, improved and timely information about road conditions and alternatives, etc.) At the same time, we must improve regional coordination of land use planning, taking into account "smart growth" principles and being cautious about where density is allowed. The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority already exists; let's give it the resources needed to start solving the problems.
5. Is there any additional legislation in regard to abortion that you would support? Would you make any changes to the current laws and regulation about abortion in Virginia?
Reducing the number of abortions will not happen through piecemeal legislation that will only serve to drive the industry underground, putting the lives of women at risk. It can only be done by promoting a culture of life that means changing people's attitudes toward abortion and providing realistic alternatives to abortion for women faced with an unplanned pregnancy. I will support legislation that promotes additional resources for realistic abortion alternatives for women in crisis so that they can weigh all the alternatives and see that abortion is not the only realistic option in many cases.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less?
The challenge for local governments is the narrow base upon which they must rely for revenue, resulting in over reliance on property taxes. This is compounded by using Northern Virginia as the financial "well" for much of Virginia's needs, redistributing our revenue to south of the Rappahannock, while imposing unfunded mandates. Consideration needs to be given to broaden the options for revenue generation. For example, the Moss, Morris, and Gilmore commissions recommended that the state share its income tax with local government.
7. What do you think about the Dillon Rule, which maintains that localities have only those powers expressly given by the state government?
The Dillon Rule may have served its purpose. In this day and age, however, it's hard to believe that Fairfax County, with population and budget larger than half a dozen states, needs to apply the "Mother, may I" principle to its governance. Consideration should be given to broadened charters for cities and counties that are mature and able to address their own concerns without oversight from Richmond.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
It is an appropriate role for the state to determine such status. For Virginia, the current view that marriage is defined as a union between one man and one woman is the correct one.