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2007 General Assembly Election Interview Questionnaire
HearSay with Cathy Lewis ~ WHRV 89.5FM
82nd District
R. R. "Bob" MacIver (D)
http://bobmaciver.com
- Why do you want to be a member of the Virginia General Assembly?
Partisan ideology and party line votes in the House of Delegates are not working for Virginia. They are slowly dismantling the Commonwealth and threatening our future by refusing to fund critical infrastructure and passing the costs of government down to cities and individual citizens. I will be a voice of moderation and reason in the legislature. I believe we can restore trust in government by reaching across the aisle to find practical bi-partisan solutions to the big issues facing all Virginians. I am a moderate, pro-business Democrat, and I believe in sound fiscal management. As a lifelong resident of the Beach and a retired management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, I will bring a worldview, a sense of history and a much needed business approach to the House of Delegates. I am dedicated to providing better leadership and better service to the 82nd District, the city of Virginia Beach and the State of Virginia.
- What is the most pressing issue facing Virginians today? Facing the region?
Gridlock.
At the state level it is in the legislature, specifically, in the House of Delegates. It seems that nothing ever gets done and we have lost our sense of fairness, and working together for the common good.
At the regional level, it is transportation. Transportation is fundamental to our economy in every way. We desperately need to fix the gridlock throughout the area. We must keep the transportation bill in place, but it needs fixing. The new transportation bill tells us clearly that the state refuses to pay for state transportation infrastructure in Hampton Roads and that, if we want roads and tunnels, we must pay for them ourselves. I find that to be outrageous, and it supports my statement about slowly dismantling the Commonwealth. Once we accept that concept of regionally funding state roads, it will be extremely difficult to go back, at least as long as we have a partisan Republican legislature.
- The recently enacted Abusive Driver Fees have generated intense criticism from citizens and lawmakers alike. Where do you stand on the laws and, if you oppose them, how would you replace the transportation funds they were designed to generate?
I oppose the fees because they are unfair and they confuse public safety with funding for roads. If they do their job in reducing aggressive driving and DUI’s, they will not be a sustainable source of funding for roads. I support raising the gas tax to replace the fees. A large majority of voters have told me that they support a gas tax as the easiest and simplest solution. Plus, the gas tax is a user fee. It applies to residents and visitors alike—if you use the roads, you pay for them. I personally don’t like tolls, but if we cannot get the Assembly to approve an increase in the gas tax; I would support a regional gas tax and tolls for new construction.
- What is your view on The Hampton Roads Transportation Authority formed earlier this year?
We are no longer a group of separated communities. We are an integrated region. I strongly support the creation of the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority to establish priorities and manage appropriated funds for regional roads and tunnels. The Authority moves us beyond provincial attitudes and enables us to address important regional issues such as mass transit. Again, I will work to establish state and federal funding for our transportation infrastructure and expect the localities to contribute their share. The Authority is needed to plan, prioritize, justify and oversee transportation projects in Hampton Roads.
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