1. How does Virginia’s transportation funding formula benefit Loudoun County and what, if anything, should be done to improve the current process?
The current transportation and infrastructure funding formulas need to be updated to recognize Loudoun County’s transportation needs as the county continues to grow rapidly. For instance, it is unfortunate that Loudoun received only one road project from Smart Scale this past year despite there being so many projects in the County that could help alleviate traffic accidents and congestion, especially in fast-growing areas like South Riding, Aldie, and Ashburn. The Smart Scale benefits scores need to take into account the pace of development in certain areas. I would also consider exploring ways to update the formulas to take into account Loudoun County’s income tax contribution so that we are getting more for our tax money from Richmond. The General Assembly should also try to allocate more funding to infrastructure and transportation generally so that transportation funding isn’t such a zero sum game.
2. How would you more effectively align the Commonwealth’s and the County’s sources of revenue with their respective service responsibilities?
Right now Loudoun County gets 30-50 cents of value for every dollar it sends to Richmond. We can do much better, and it starts with ensuring that our tax money is used more efficiently and in a way that demonstrably benefits our community and quality of life. This includes using tax revenue to continue to make investments in essential infrastructure and transportation, improving our schools and public education, investing in job training that will help fill employment gaps, ensuring the health and wellness of our community, and continuing to attract new businesses and make Virginia a great place to work and start a business.
3. With Virginia facing a teacher shortage crisis, what current or future measures will you support that will have an impact on this challenge?
We must continue to raise teacher wages to attract/retain great teachers and compete with surrounding localities and states. We cannot attract and retain good teachers unless we pay them what they’re worth and offer them competitive salaries. Our kids and teachers should be a priority.
4. How can the Commonwealth become a more effective partner in addressing Loudoun’s housing affordability challenge?
We need to allocate state funding for affordable housing and work to incentivize developers to invest more heavily in affordable housing in Loudoun County. We should also amend the Dillon Rule to allow local government officials more autonomy to work with developers on creating affordable housing options in the County.
5. Do you support Virginia’s Right To Work laws? Why or why not? If not, what superior solution would you propose?
I do not support Virginia’s Right to Work laws because they have had the unintended consequence of weakening workers’ benefits and increasing income inequality. Strengthening workers’ rights will help boost the middle class and ensure that we have a great economic climate for businesses to thrive. I believe there needs to be a balance between worker rights and benefits and the ability of employers to build great businesses.
6. Please describe what best qualifies you to hold the office you’re seeking.
Experience matters. I’ve served in every branch of government, including the White House and Capitol Hill. Whether it was increasing access to health care or using technology to solve some of our country’s biggest problems, I have a track record of getting results. I also believe that involvement in the community is crucial as well, because the best legislation comes from people who experience problems in the community first-hand. I’m an attorney and small business owner in Loudoun County, and I’ve served our community tirelessly through my work with the Rotary Club and as a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Loudoun County. As our County grows, we need someone with my experience, leadership, and service to the community to get results for us in Richmond.
Source: BizVotes Candidates Questionnaire
