VA House Democrats

Issues

• Jobs

  Our top priority is ensuring that every Virginian has a job to support themselves and his/her family. One of our goals is to attract new businesses and industries to our state that will create new jobs. Attracting these businesses to the Commonwealth requires us to make investments in the quality of life of our people and our communities including education and transportation.  Our children must be well-educated and well-trained to compete for jobs in the emerging economy, and we must have a transportation system that allows for ease of movement for commerce and for individuals around Virginia. 

  Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and create new jobs every day. Our caucus will continue to support measures that encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of Virginians who own their businesses and create jobs that employ Virginia citizens.

  Our vibrant tourism industry brings new visitors and businesses to Virginia every day. We must continue to promote tourism to Virginia's natural attractions, historic sites, museums and cultural attractions through proactive legislation that includes targeted economic development efforts.

• Education

  We must prepare our children to compete for the jobs of the future, and education is the foundation for their future success. House Democrats have consistently fought to maintain a strong public education system in the Commonwealth, and we will continue to do so. We must make sure our youngest, most vulnerable children have the opportunity to realize their full potential. Early childhood education, including pre-k and full-day kindergarten, ensures that all children, particularly those from low-income homes, are prepared to meet the challenges and rigors of school.

  Our commitment to education does not stop at K-12 education. House Democrats support job training and continuing education programs for adults that provide the skills needed to compete for new well-paying jobs. We want our higher education system to be second to none.

  We are committed to fully funding the needs of our public schools and oppose attempts to take money away from our students and teachers through budget maneuvers and formula gimmicks. With Virginia’s teachers earning nearly $5,350 less than the national average (Congressional Quarterly’s Education State Rankings 2010-2011), Democrats have led the charge to raise teacher pay and ensure funding takes into account the actual costs of education. 

  Virginia's system for lifetime education, from early childhood through adulthood, is one of our most valuable assets. We are committed to preparing our children for the jobs of the future and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to compete in the new economy.

• Transportation

  We have a transportation crisis in Virginia and we must address this issue; but we cannot take money from school children, teachers and police to fund our roads. We are committed to finding methods which alleviate traffic and congestion throughout the Commonwealth and are dedicated to keeping our roads safe and well maintained for the thousands of Virginia’s who use them every day. 

  We will continue to work toward developing plans which meet our current and future transportation infrastructure needs, including finding long-term, stable funding. We cannot pass off an enormous amount of transportation debt to our children and future generations of the Commonwealth.

  Thousands of Virginians rely on public transportation to get to and from work every day. As gasoline prices continue to rise, we recognize the need for additional, accessible, and affordable public transportation for all Virginians.