2007 General Assembly Election Interview Questionnaire
HearSay with Cathy Lewis ~ WHRV 89.5FM
 

78th District
Michael L. "Mick" Meyer (D)
http://mickmeyer.com

• Why do you want to be a member of the Virginia General Assembly?
  
  The motto of Virginia Tech is: Ut Prosim, "that I may serve."  My twin sons are  freshmen at Virginia Tech and they suggested the VT motto would be appropriate in my campaign. Chesapeake deserves better representation in Richmond. Our current delegate is out of touch with the real life concerns of the citizens of the 78th District, whether the issue is fair taxation, education, transportation, or the needs of  our small businesses. I believe we have a duty to step up to public service.  I can do a better job of representing Chesapeake in the General Assembly than our current delegate. I welcome the opportunity to serve my fellow citizens by giving them the strong voice in the legislature that they deserve.  Service to God and Country: Ut Prosim.
  
  
  What is the most pressing issue facing Virginians today? Facing the region?
  
  We must address the transportation problems throughout the Commonwealth, and particularly in the Hampton Roads area, before gridlock damages our economic growth and reduces our quality of life.  We need a sensible, equitable plan, not the oppressive one sponsored by the current delegate and with which we are now saddled.

• 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?
  
  The abusive, fines, tolls and fees used to fund the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) unfairly penalize Virginia drivers and are not a reliable, sustainable source of revenue for our transportation needs.  The RTA will create another unneeded, expensive layer of government bureaucracy.
  
  The proven approach to driver taxes and fees is to match the average fines of the surrounding states.  That would be a good place to start.
  
  An additional ten-cent increase in the gas tax will fund our desperately needed transportation requirements.  For the average driver that would mean their annual cost of gasoline would be approximately $50 more per vehicle, a much smaller price to pay than the expenses the RTA will impose on Virginia taxpayers.

• What is your view on The Hampton Roads Transportation Authority formed earlier this year? 
  
  The Hampton Roads Transportation Authority should be renamed the Hampton Roads TAXATION Authority.  It unfairly burdens Hampton Roads with state responsibilities and represents an enormous tax increase for our region. It also brings increased bureaucracy, more costs, additional administrative problems, and will allow toll booths to be placed on any bridge, tunnel or road that is built or improved with HRTA funds.   It also allows for a .1% increase in local property taxes. 
  
  My opponent was one of the main sponsors of the regional transportation authority, House Bill 3202.  We don't need that type of leadership.
  
  I urge voters to use the November 6th general election as a referendum on the regional transportation authority.  We need to vote out of office anyone who supported the HRTA.
  
  Our legislature needs to step-up, do the right thing, and resolve Virginia's transportation problems at the state level. I will go to Richmond to fight against the abusive fees on Virginia drivers and press the legislature to repeal them in January.