Politics & Government

Q&A: Sen. Janet Howell, 32nd Senate District

Howell is running against Patrick Forrest in the 32nd Senate District election Nov. 8

Sen. Janet Howell (D) and Patrick Forrest (R) are vying for the 32nd District Senate seat, which will be decided Nov. 8. Patch sent in the same questionnaire to each candidate. The following are Howell's unedited responses. Forrest did not return answers for the questionnaire.

Local Editors Ask Local Questions

Q: What are you going to do to ensure smart growth in Reston? With the Metro coming and the development likely to go with it, there is lots of talk traffic and population will grow faster than the infrastructure. What can you do at the state level to make sure Reston continues to be a livable community and not urban gridlock?

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As the premier planned community in America, Reston must stay true to its dream.  Fortunately, much planning is going on with both Reston and Fairfax County stakeholders, including many Reston residents.  Without question, the development will be "smart growth" and "transit oriented." The land use decisions will be made by Fairfax County.   I have voted for various bills to permit Fairfax County to better balance growth and transportation.

The worrisome factor is that the state has virtually no money for needed traffic improvements. I have written Governor McDonnell and asked him to support the Silver Line and related transportation needs commensurate with the $895 million he has committed to two projects in Tidewater.  It is the right thing to do. To date, he has not committed any funding for Phase II or to hold down tolls. 

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I have consistently voted to increase funding for transportation by supporting revenue streams that do not take funds from other core services.  The majority in the House of Delegates has rejected all such efforts.  We urgently need a new revenue stream of $1billion a year for transportation projects statewide. The stakes are very high for Reston.


Q: While federal and state funding could help reduce the projected toll road increases, that funding is also needed for other major projects, namely Tysons Corner. The project is largely underfunded by the state, and as it stands, much of the costs of the region's future "economic engine" will fall on taxpayers’ shoulders. How will you balance these two funding needs? And how do you envision the cost of Tysons being split between federal, state and local agencies, residents and developers?

The sad fact is that the state does not have sufficient transportation funds to pay for essential projects.  We are currently taking money from the construction budget to pay for maintenance.  Despite bi-partisan efforts in the Senate to increase transportation revenues, the majority of the House has flatly refused any increases.  So we have resorted to borrowing for long-term bonds.  Our bonding capacity is now exhausted.  In the near term, the prospect of much state funding for Tysons is dim.  In the longer term, assuming passage of some additional revenue for transportation, we would have a strong claim for funding.

The Tysons business community will be big beneficiaries of the Silver Line and transit-oriented development.  They should be major contributors to the traffic and pedestrian improvements.  Right now the Planning Commission is working on how the costs will be allocated.  I encourage broad community involvement in the process.  The McLean Citizens Association has been a very constructive participant in these discussions.


Q: The northern part of Oakton is new to the 32nd District. From talking with its residents, what have you determined are their priorities? How do you plan to fulfill those needs?

Oakton residents share many of the same concerns as the rest of the 32nd District.  They want their quality of life protected.  They want quality educational opportunities for their children from pre-K through graduate school.  They expect their tax dollars to be spent wisely.  They want state government to promote new jobs and retain existing ones.  They are demanding the state fund transportation priorities. Most recognize that will mean increased revenue dedicated to transportation. They support programs to help the needy and sick. They expect their neighborhood to be safe and support funding for public safety. Increasingly, they are concerned about protecting the environment.  They are disgusted with the political gridlock in Washington and do not want it happening in Richmond.

I share the same priorities.  As a Senate budget negotiator, I play a major role in setting the funding priorities. Education at all levels will always be my top priority. I am the lead negotiator for public safety and have been able to force the House to increase funding for local police. For twenty years I have worked across party and regional lines to solve Virginia's problems and will continue to do so.  Our most pressing issue is we must develop a sustainable new revenue stream of at least $1 billion a year for transportation that does not take funds from education, public safety, and other core government priorities. 


Q: With a large LGBT community, Arlington has an interest in where candidates stand on gay rights: In Virginia, there is no statewide law to protect people from workplace discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. Where do you stand on this issue? Also, would you be in support of gay marriage in Virginia? Why or why not?

I strongly support adding sexual orientation to our state anti-discrimination statutes and also support allowing local governments to do so. Discrimination should not be tolerated in our state.

Having been married for 45 years, I know how marriage can deepen a relationship. I support gay marriage in Virginia.  Unfortunately, we now have a constitutional amendment, which I opposed, that prohibits both same-sex marriage and civil unions.

General Questions

Q: Gov. Bob McDonnell has talked of making Virginia colleges more available to Virginia students and adding the resources necessary to ensure that more students graduate in four years. Do you agree? If not, why not? If so, what would you do to support it?

The Governor and the General Assembly are working together to increase by 100,000 the number of college and university students in our public and private institutions over the next fifteen years.  This is doable.  However, we must make certain all the degrees are based on rigorous academics -- we cannot permit meaningless degrees.  Much oversight will be required. Often overlooked are technical degrees which must be a major part of the plan. 

Our community colleges are a major part of our system of higher education.  They provide much needed access for students of all ages and backgrounds.  Northern Virginia Community College is bursting at the seams.  They are running classes seven days a week from early morning to late at night. We need to increase their classroom space.  

Fortunately, the higher education initiative is prioritizing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiatives.  Our state and nation have been lagging in these crucial areas.

Having college slots available is not enough.  Higher education must also be affordable.  Tuition charges have increased as state support declined with the economy.  As a budget negotiator I have fought this trend. 


Q: Would you propose any changes to state law that would make it easier or safer for pedestrians and cyclists at crosswalks? Virginia is a "yield state," which means drivers are required to yield, but not stop, for people in crosswalks. Would they support making Virginia a "stop state"?

In order to protect pedestrians and cyclists, I do support making Virginia a "stop state." Frankly, the bill has been proposed many times and did not pass since the rural legislators oppose it.  So, I also support having this requirement only in urbanized areas like Arlington and Fairfax.


Q: Last session, the House of Delegates passed the Repeal Amendment, which would have given states the authority to repeal any federal law or regulation. The bill quickly died before getting to the floor of the Senate. What do you think of such an amendment? Would you support it if it reached the floor?

I oppose the Repeal Amendment.  Were it to pass, any federal law or regulation would be repealed if the legislatures of two-thirds of the states voted to do so.  It would give the same weight to small states as to large ones. States with small populations would have more influence than states with large populations. It is a very bad deal for a populous state like Virginia.  Under the proposal, a number of small, mostly rural, states could outvote large states and repeal federal laws or regulations we Virginians want.  It is basically a variation on "nullification" and would severely upset the relationship between states and the federal government.  That is why it is a priority for the Tea Party.  Also, part-time state legislatures, like ours, do not have the time or resources to second guess the whole federal government. Voters can do that at the ballot box!


Q: What long-term solutions are you advocating for commuting issues on Interstate 66? How will it be paid for?

More mass transit is the only solution for the I-66 corridor.  Whether that should be Bus Rapid Transit or rail is so far undetermined.  Most people would prefer rail, but it is unlikely to be economically feasible anytime soon. 

Short term fixes are underway.  A major Active Traffic Management System is being installed from Arlington to Haymarket.  This will improve safety and incident management. It will also inform drivers of the conditions ahead. Pavement is being rehabilitated from the Beltway to Route 50.  Some spot improvements are being made in Arlington and engineering is underway for others. 

A major multimodal study is being conducted and should be complete by next May.  It will provide guidance for future action.

However, funding will have to be provided by all stakeholders at all levels of government.


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