Gary Reese (R)
AGE: 60
FAMILY: Wife, Carol; children, Alan and Shelley
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: 11928 Bennett Rd., Oak Hill, VA 20171
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-476-4505
E-MAIL: del_reese@house.state.va.us
WEBSITE: www.delegatereese.org
OCCUPATION: Attorney
EMPLOYMENT: Patterson and Reese, Attorneys at Law
EDUCATION: BA, College of William and Mary; JD,University of Virginia School of Law
QUALIFICATIONS: House of Delegates, 2002-Present; Member of House Education, Courts and Counties, Cities and Towns committees; Chairman of House Education's Teachers and Administrators Committee; Member of State Disabilities Commission, State Housing Commission and Northern Virginia Transportation Commission; Member of Fairfax County School Board, 1992-2001; Chairman of School Board's Budget, Facilities, Policy and Legislative committees; President of Franklin Middle School PTA; Distinguished President of Arlington Optimists; Distinguished Service Award, State PTAs.
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
As a delegate, my top public service accomplishment must be shared between two: the Taxpayer's Budget Bill of Rights that will create a transparent budget process and document starting next year. And the incorporation of my Transportation Priorities and Funding House Joint Resolution into the House's transportation plan, bringing together state-wide transportation priorities with the necessary funding.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidates in the race?
Experience and effectiveness. Ten years on the Fairfax County School Board and four years in the House of Delegates has given me the experience and knowledge to be a very effective delegate, and I have used that effectiveness to address some of our most difficult problems: transportation, budget reform, long term health care and education.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
I will never mislead my constituents and I will never be controlled by outside groups. I believe that each delegate must exercise his or her independent judgment.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
Transportation. My Transportation Priorities and Funding initiative recognizes not only the need to improve transportation state-wide, but also the need to find funding sources to meet those needs. It gives us a chance to put together the necessary coalition of needs to get the job done. We have identified at least $35 billion in available resources and Northern Virginia's needs must be at the top of the priority list.
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?
I have supported all restrictions on abortion and view abortion as the taking of a human life. There may be some additional legislation needed to assure that, as long as Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, women who avail themselves of abortion are guaranteed the best possible medical treatment.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less?
Unfunded mandates from the state and federal governments, coupled with limited funding sources, have placed a heavy burden on real property owners. I supported giving localities the right to increase their cigarette taxes. Unrealistic limits on entertainment, transient occupancy and other taxes need to be examined.
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 keeps Virginia from becoming a crazy quilt of laws and regulations. While I have been in the House, the state has responded favorably to most requests from localities. Most of these requests come through the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee of the House, on which I sit.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
The state has an important role in the legal recognition of relationships since these relationships have not only a moral impact, but also and impact on so many aspects of contracts, domestic laws, adoption laws, etc. I have consistently supported pro-family legislation.