Taxes and Spending

As a small businessman, I have had to balance my books, audit my performance, and I never got anywhere by spending my way out of difficulty. This much is true: Government taxes too much – and spends too much. Since 2000, Virginia’s budget has nearly doubled. There is about as much of an appetite in Richmond for cutting spending as there is in Washington – but I intend to change that. As your representative in Richmond, I will work to ensure that state government keeps its spending focused on its main priorities – and ensure that proper controls and audits are in place to prevent waste, fraud and abuse.

Jobs, the Economy and the American Dream

As someone who has been fortunate enough to be successful in my own small business, I want to ensure all Americans have an opportunity to pursue – and achieve – the American dream. This dream can become a reality for more Virginians by pursuing some rather simple priorities:

• Reduce and review all existing government regulations.
• Implement many of Governor McDonnell’s bi-partisan Economic Development and Jobs Creation Commission plan.
• Ensure that tax incentives for companies locating in Virginia are being used and in compliance with their stated objectives.
• Ensure that Virginia maintains its right-to-work status.
• Ensure that Virginia’s higher education system maintains its affordability and level of quality.
• Work towards achievable, affordable and realistic transportation solutions.

Education

I was fortunate to have been appointed to the Board of Visitors of George Mason University by Governor McDonnell. With my experience on the Board, I have learned a great deal about what is required to maintain Virginia’s current standing in higher education.

I am passionate about maintaining our top state schools, and working to keep them affordable for all Virginians. I also want to make sure that our local schools are properly preparing our children for the next step in their education. With record spending in the public schools, lack of money should no longer be used as the “excuse” for poor test grades and proper preparation. I also support the rights of parents as the first educators of their children, and will support and defend those who choose to Home-School their children. The path to the American Dream starts with education.

Life and Family Issues

I believe that life begins at the moment of conception. As such, I am unapologetically pro-life, and believe that state resources should be spent on providing those in crisis with alternatives to abortion – such as adoption, and adamantly oppose any efforts to use taxpayer funds for the purpose of abortion.

I believe that marriage as defined by God is between a man and a woman – and support Virginia’s attempts to keep it as such. I will oppose any efforts geared toward any “re-interpretation”.

Personal Property, the 2nd Amendment and Constitutional Rights

As someone who fell in love with America by reading its Constitution, I believe as our Founding Fathers did that smaller government is indeed the best government. I will be an advocate for property rights and will oppose any and all efforts of the Government to confiscate private property. I believe that the Government closer to the people is more aware and better serves its constituents. As such, I will support all efforts which reiterate and establish the 10th Amendment, and will oppose any state mandates on localities without proper funding and a proper hearing.

As an avid outdoorsman and hunter, I believe in the second amendment and will oppose any and all efforts to restrict gun ownership for the law abiding.

Immigration and English as the Official Language

One of my happiest days was when my family and I became citizens of this great country. As someone who followed the laws I will be an outspoken voice on the issue of illegal aliens. America – and indeed Americans never have opposed immigration to our nation – it’s what has built and made this country great. But America is built on laws, and proper compliance with these laws should be a basic requirement for any who enter here, seeking the American dream.

I also believe that it should be law that English be the official language – and stated as such in code as the only official language of our Commonwealth and our Nation. Anyone seeking to reside in the United States should be required to learn the English language.

Transportation

Even the best education, friendliest business environment and a well trained workforce isn’t enough to bring in and keep America’s best employers if their employees sit for hours in traffic. With longer work days and the advance of technology, loosing time with our family’s because we spend so much time commuting to and from work is no way to advance into the 21st Century, and does not foster a good quality of life.

As your representative in Richmond I promise to ensure that Northern Virginia receives its fair share of transportation dollars and that we implement commonsense and achievable transportation projects that make an actual DIFFERENCE in our quality of life. Widening interstate 66 in a timely and non-invasive manner will be a major focus of my efforts. REAL TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS, NOW!!