Over the next three months, I will be updating my website with news and background information for this the legislative session in Richmond. I would appreciate getting feedback of any kind from interested readers, especially constituents and supporters. Please use the comments capability provided on the site. If you do not want the comment made public, just note this at the end of your message and we will not post it.
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Constituent Survey Results for February
Posted on March 4th, 20101. What will be the three most important issues you want the Governor and Virginia General Assembly to focus on? (606 Responses) Option Count Percent Transportation 352 58.1 Improving the economy / Job creation 321 53 Education 286 47.2 Balancing the state budget 212 35 Improving access to health care for Virginians 193 31.8 Renewable energy 132 21.8 Immigration 114 18.8 Crime 72 11.9 Housing 22 3.6 Other: Please specify: 47 7.8 2. Virginia’s budget revenues are expected to be about $2.9 billion less than expected by 2012, requiring expenditure reductions. What area(s), if any, do you believe should be spared from any reductions, if possible? (598 Responses) Option Count Percent K – 12 education 348 58.2 Transportation 235 39.3 Police 214 35.8 Medicaid 208 34.8 Higher Education 159 26.6 Health services other than Medicaid 156 26.1 Protecting the Chesapeake Bay 147 24.6 Veterans Services 100 16.7 Economic development programs 100 16.7 Corrections 55 9.2 None 53 8.9 Other: Please specify: 25 4.2 3. The Department of Transportation estimates that to address Virginia’s transportation needs it will cost at least $1 billion per year. To address transportation would you support: (601 Responses) Option Count Percent Raising dedicated transportation taxes or user fees (gas tax, sales tax on cars) statewide to pay for transportation 342 56.9 Raising the sales tax by 1/2 cent statewide to pay fo rstatewide transportation needs 274 45.6 Allowing localities to form regional authorities withthe ability to raise certain taxes to fund regional needs only 237 39.4 Privatizing ABC stores 223 37.1 Redirecting part of the general fund to cover transportation 145 24.1 Delaying any action until the state’s budget picture improves 97 16.1 4. To improve our educational system, I support: (559 Responses) Option Count Percent Raising teacher salaries to attract and keep the best and the brightest 336 60.1 Addressing the problems created by the No Child Left Behind Act 321 57.4 Providing funding to lower class sizes 256 45.8 Providing localities with the flexibility to offer more choices among public schools 206 36.9 Providing localities with the flexibility to create charter schools 168 30.1 Other: Please specify: 55 9.8 5. To increase energy efficiency, would you support or oppose: (615 Responses) Support Oppose A utility rate structure that encourages conservation. 443 72.03% 98 15.93% Mandatory “green building” requirements for new public buildings. 462 75.12% 85 13.82% Tax incentives to homeowners to reduce residential consumption. 465 75.61% 82 13.33% Tax incentives with the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles. 411 66.83% 103 16.75% Additional fees to support energy audits and efficiency improvements. 200 32.52% 243 39.51% Additional fees to increase investments in public transit. 308 50.08% 190 30.89% 6. To address car title lending, do you support or oppose the following: (615 Responses) Support Oppose Cap interest at annual rates of 36% or less. 264 42.93% 83 13.50% Ban car title lending altogether. 254 41.30% 133 21.63% Prohibit car title lenders from charging interest at rates that exceed rates that generally may be charged on regulated consumer loans. 394 64.07% 42 6.83% Do not cap interest rates. 27 4.39% 267 43.41% No changes. 38 6.18% 217 35.28% Leave a reply
