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2007 General Assembly Election Interview Questionnaire
HearSay with Cathy Lewis ~ WHRV 89.5FM
 6th District
Nick Rerras (R)
http://www.nickrerras.com
- Why do you want to be a member of the Virginia General Assembly?
As your Senator, I have eight years experience working to ensure better schools, safer neighborhoods, lower taxes, and a cleaner environment. As a result of our hard work, Virginia has been rated the “Best Managed State in America”. I served as the chief sponsor of a constitutional amendment to lower your real estate taxes by 20 percent, and I sponsored legislation to cap real estate tax increases to no more than 5% a year. People should not be taxed out of their homes. I have also worked diligently to improve our schools and my own kids attend our public schools. I also supported a record $500 million dollar towards cleaning-up the Chesapeake Bay.
- What is the most pressing issue facing Virginians today? Facing the region?
Virginian: Education and transportation
Region: Transportation, education, and real-estate
- 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 abuser fees must be fixed as soon as possible. I will co-sponsor legislation this January that makes sure that out-of-state drivers pay these fees. I am committed to ensuring the abuser fees are fair and apply to all drivers. The General Assembly never proposed excluding out-of-state drivers from abuser fees. It was in the Veto Session that the Governor amended the transportation bill and removed the out-of-state drivers.
I support repealing many of the abuser fees except for those that apply to drunk drivers and the most dangerous driving offenses. These tough on drunk driver fees will help make our communities safer.
- What is your view on The Hampton Roads Transportation Authority formed earlier this year?
I am committed to improving both our regional and our statewide transportation plans. I support finding alternative funding for the proposed grantor’s tax increase, which makes home ownership more expensive. The good news is that the transportation funds raised by the HRTA stay in our community. Our regional plan brings $200 million a year in new additional road money to the region to reduce traffic, improve road safety, promote economic growth, and greatly improve hurricane evacuation. These plans are the most significant investment in our transportation system in decades.
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