AGE: 55
FAMILY: Wife Mary Gregerson
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 245, Alexandria, VA 22313
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-349-0566
E-MAIL: info@chrisgregerson.com
WEBSITE: www.chrisgregerson.com
OCCUPATION: Consultant
EMPLOYMENT: Booz Allen Hamilton
EDUCATION: M.S. Technology Management, B.S. Economics
QUALIFICATIONS: Nominated by the Republican Committees of Alexandria City, Arlington, and Fairfax Counties
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
This is the first time that I have ever run for a public office though I did serve my country as a soldier in Vietnam and then as an officer in the Navy. Since retiring from the military I have tutored children at George Washington Middle School, served as the treasurer for my neighborhood association, and have been a board member for Communities in Schools of Northern Virginia, which works to promote community involvement in local schools.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidate in the race?
I have lived here for more than twelve years, first as a renter and now as a home owner so I can sympathize with the problems facing both groups. I am active in the community and have put in the sweat equity to educate those students who are being left behind. I have creative and community based ideas that resonate with all Virginians. If we, as a community are going to send someone to Richmond to represent us, shouldn't that person be one of us?
3. What is the one thing you promise not to do if elected?
If I am elected in November, I promise not to do anything illegal. Right now, I'm one of the few candidates who pays all deductions for their employees. It increases the cost to the campaign, but it's the right thing to do.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
For me, the biggest issue facing my district and several neighboring districts is property taxes. People living on fixed incomes, like retirees, are most at risk. If elected, I will work to limit property tax assessments to 5 percent per year. I will do this while working to put wealth back into the commonwealth by investing state funds in projects that will result in returns for the state coffers. This will allow Northern Virginia municipalities more flexibility in how they resource solutions to their 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 regulations about abortion in Virginia?
I am of the opinion that abortion should remain legal, safe, but rare. I believe that people need to be made aware of all of their options before they make such an important decision. In addition, I believe that children are not adults and that minors should not undergo any kind of operation or procedure without a parent or legal guardian's consent.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less? What changes would you propose?
Virginia's use of the Dillon Rule has meant that businesses operating in one part of Virginia can expect the same laws in any other part. The Dillon Rule has allowed Virginia to continue to be economically strong with the expectation of fair and equal treatment for individuals and businesses across the commonwealth.
7. In Northern Virginia, property taxes have increased dramatically in recent years. What role should the state play in this?
Property taxes are not set by Richmond, they're set by local governments, but as long as Richmond continues to send the majority of our tax dollars to other sections of the commonwealth, property taxes will continue to be the primary method by which local governments raise their revenue. As delegate, I will work to limit property tax assessments to 5 percent per year, while working to keep more of our tax dollars in Northern Virginia. This will be achievable by creating win-win economic scenarios with the rest of the commonwealth.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
Licensing for survival relationships between consenting adults is imperative for Northern Virginia and will be imperative for the rest of Virginia in the years ahead. We need a mechanism as easy to fill out as a marriage application and a license that is as difficult to break for these types of survival relationships.
9. What are your views about public-private partnerships and other mechanisms to privatize Virginia's highway system? What are the caveats you would identify as we move forward with this process?
We need to be creative in how services are provided to the public, ensuring their quality at the minimum cost and risk. Public-private partnerships already exist in many areas. The commonwealth doesn't manufacture the vehicles, tools, and implements used by various servicing agencies. It doesn't provide tele-communications or electrical power. These services exist for the public good with oversight by our commonwealth agencies.
10. Do you believe that illegal immigration is a problem in Virginia? If so, why, and what should be done?
I think illegal immigration decreases wages and technical innovation within the areas that use them for labor, which affects every worker in the commonwealth. In addition, official tolerance of illegal immigration is an insult to the thousands of legal immigrants that have worked for years to become American citizens.
In the main, this is a federal issue and is where the real solution lays. However, the commonwealth needs to work with adjoining states to police and fine businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants.