AGE: 73
FAMILY: Widowed, five children, 14 grandchildren
CAMAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: 6220 Nelway Drive, McLean, VA 22101
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-356-1925
OCCUPATION: Retired editor and publisher
EDUCATION: Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service; American University, Graduate School, Journalism
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
I have served in the House of Delegates since 1968, the second longest tenure since Virginia’s General Assembly was established in 1619. I chair the House Appropriations Committee and also serve on the Commerce and Labor and Rules Committees. Other legislative assignments include: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation (Co-Chairman), Study Committee on Cleanup of Chesapeake Bay (Chairman), Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (former Chairman), Higher Education Study Committee (Vice Chairman), Southern Legislative Conference, Council of Virginia’s Future, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Council of State Governments, plus other bodies.
2. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
I will not introduce nor support any legislation or amendments to the budget that exceed our resources, something that seeks to have been forgotten during the current campaign.
3. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
Transportation. I was the chief sponsor of the Transportation Act of 2000. However, the resources did not materialize to support this ambitious program and this blueprint under which VDOT operates had to be significantly scaled back. The failure of the 2002 referendum which I supported also stagnated funding highway construction and mass transit in Northern Virginia. I serve on the board of TYTRAN and as Vice Chairman of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association and was the sponsor of legislation giving Fairfax County the ability to meet their obligation on rail to Dulles. I will be working closely with the new (whomever that may be) and the General Assembly to direct new funding to address our mounting transportation problems. All monies must flow through the Appropriations Committee.
4. Is there any additional legislation in addition to abortion that you would support? Would you make any changes to the current laws and regulation about abortion to Virginia?
Virginia should operate within the most narrow confines of Roe v. Wade, ensuring that facilities involved meet the strictest standards to safeguard the women’s health. Partial birth abortions should be banned in Virginia.
5. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less? What changes would you propose?
Counties should have the same taxing authority as cities.
6. In Northern Virginia, property taxes have increased dramatically in recent years. What role should the state play in this?
Some type of cap should be imposed on annual increases in assessments, which have reached astronomical proportions.
7. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
Any group of individuals should be free to enter into contractual relationships. I also adhere to Webster’s definition of marriage as being the "legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife." The state should not tamper with this bedrock of civilization.
8. 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?
Public-private partnerships, particularly in the area of transportation, are valuable tools but not a panacea. They should be utilized selectively and cautiously, keeping in mind the public responsibility of government and taxpayers’ dollars.
9. Do you believe that illegal immigration is a problem in Virginia? If so, why and what should be done?
Immigration is the responsibility of the federal government and the commonwealth is not equipped to carry out the duties of the INS. Conversely, the state should be cautious in the expenditure of state funds for the benefit on illegal aliens, keeping in mind that there are many children involved.