1. How does Virginia’s transportation funding formula benefit Loudoun County and what, if anything, should be done to improve the current process?

Loudoun benefits from the allocation of state construction and maintenance dollars based on the “smart scale” criteria adopted in the 2013 transportation funding bill. Criteria such as population growth, congestion mitigation and economic impact help Loudoun. However, the most important change in funding that would benefit Loudoun would be for the state to implement a dedicated source of revenue for secondary road repairs. Although these dollars are allocated through a ranked criteria system or smart scale system, more dollars are needed for fast growing communities like Loudoun.

2. How would you more effectively align the Commonwealth’s and the County’s sources of revenue with their respective service responsibilities?

The County has just as many funding responsibilities as the State, but fewer revenue streams to draw from because of the “Dillion” rule. I would propose granting counties the same taxing authority as cities. For example, this would allow the County Board of Supervisors to pass a meals tax without a referendum and increase taxes on cigarettes. I have submitted an “equal taxing authority” bill several times and each year I have gained more support. Counties have been advocating for “equal taxing” authority since I was President Elect of the Virginia Association of Counties in 2011.

3. With Virginia facing a teacher shortage crisis, what current or future measures will you support that will have an impact on this challenge?

I chaired the Subcommittee on Academic Outcomes of the Joint Committee on K-12 Reform. Based on the studies led by this Committee and work done in the Governor’s office, I proposed a bill to enable our colleges and universities to offer a “credentialed” teacher preparation program for K- middle school teachers in four years rather than 5 years (traditionally a four-year degree plus one year of post graduate work has been required to earn this professional credential.) It is also necessary to substantially increase teacher pay. Virginia ranks 35 in teacher pay with Northern Virginia jurisdictions ranking in the top quartile.

4. How can the Commonwealth become a more effective partner in addressing Loudoun’s housing affordability challenge?

Virginia has to play a more active role in addressing housing affordability. I am working to identify a dedicated source of revenue generated in Northern Virginia to fund affordable housing in Northern Virginia. Although the Virginia Housing Development Authority can allocate dollars appropriated by the General Assembly, the GA does allocate nearly enough to address the problem. Local governments need to use development tools such as bonus density, reduced parking ratios, multi family zoning and other things to encourage private developers to create affordable units. Arlington and Fairfax have established dedicated funding streams in their local budgets to provide bridge financing or other funding support to private (profit and non-profit) housing developers. I am also advocating for an expansion of the current federal tax credit program to make dollars available for affordable units. It is very costly for State or local governments to provide on-going subsidies to off-set the cost of housing.

5. Do you support Virginia’s Right To Work laws? Why or why not? If not, what superior solution would you propose?

I believe that Virginia’s “Right to Work” laws must be restructured in a way that does not prohibit a union from asking for dues from non-union members. If negotiated labor agreements related to wages and benefits apply to both union and non-union members, it only seems fair that individuals should be expected to participate in a group that is working on their behalf. I am certainly willing to meet with the business community and labor groups to craft a compromise on this issue.

6. Please describe what best qualifies you to hold the office you’re seeking.

I have represented the 31st Senate District for the last 8 years and have won accolades from the business community, labor groups, environmentalists and women’s groups. In fact, I was just designated a business “hero” from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for my work on the proffer bill. In 2018, I was awarded the Energy Freedom Award from the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.

The residents of Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun would be well served to re-elect me for a third term in the State Senate.

Barbara Favola (D) is an unopposed candidate.
 

Source: BizVotes Candidates Questionnaire