Family Foundation Virtual Lobby Day: Welcome Lt. Governor Bolling!
Lt. Governor Bolling, welcome to The Family Foundation’s Virtual Lobby Day and thank you for keynoting it with this live blog interview. I should say, “Welcome back,” as you’ve been a great friend to the Family Foundation and our blog, participating in interviews in the past. We hope all is well with you and your family. I hope you are ready for some questions — we’ve got a bunch of them.
I’ll start us off: What is going to be the biggest single policy initiative for you and Governor Bob McDonnell in your first year?
Good morning everyone. It is good to be with you this morning. I want to thank The Family Foundation for having me, and for all the leadership you provide to promote a pro-family agenda in Richmond. I have enjoyed working with The Family Foundation throughout my service in state government, and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Q – What is going to be the biggest single policy initiative for you and Governor Bob McDonnell in your first year?
A – Clearly, the two biggest challenges we face right now are 1) getting our economy moving again and creating jobs, and 2) balancing the state budget through spending reductions and not tax increases. We have put forth a detailed Jobs and Opportunity Agenda to help get our economy moving again, and this will be my main responsibility as Virginia’s Chief Jobs Creation Officer. We are working with our colleaugues in the General Assembly to promote passage of this agenda. We are also working with them to explore alternatives for bringing the budget into balance without raising taxes.
Q – It is a prayer answered for many of us that you are serving another term. Many of the Orginazations that work year round as we do with at risk youth and Families need our Elected Officals to remember bills and etc. that would assit these youth and families that are having an even harder time during this recession . Thanks for all yout work to date.You, your Family and staff remain in our prayers.
A- Hi, Dr. Brown. It is good to hear from you. I still remember the great morning we spent with you in Petersburg promoting Project Child Safe.
First of all, thank you for your prayers. I believe in the power of prayer, and I feel daily the prayers that you and so many other people are offering for Governor McDonnell and me. Please keep them coming.
I salute your willingness to work on programs that assist at risk youth and families. I agree that this is an important mission. We stand ready to help support these programs in any way we can.
One thing we will continue to promote is mentoring programs for children who may not have a positive role model in their lives. We think these are very important programs.
Q – Recently our facility was granted a Special Use Permit from the City of Fredericksburg as well as approval from the Virginia Department of Social Services Northern Licensing Office for a Before and After School Daycare. How will your office partner with Faith Based Organizations to address the needs of our children, particularly those with special needs?
A – We are strong supporters of faith based and other private sector programs that seek to address the needs of children. We would be delighted to meet with you at any time to talk about specific steps we could take to help support these programs. As someone who works in this area, I would be interested in hearing your ideas on what we could to help.
Q – We are deeply concerned over the draining of our Social Services, and Medical services by aliens, both illegal, and green card. How does Virginia plan to STOP this theft from American citizens? It is a serious problem seemingly ignored by our government at every level, and it is a tremendous financial burden on our Country’s already enormous debt load! Taking our citizen’s jobs is heinous enough in this time of record unemployment; but to add to that insult by stealing these services when Virginian’s need them more than ever, and backlogging our system, is appalling.
A – I agree this is a significant issue in many states. However, I am pleased to report that several years ago we passed legislation to prevent illegal aliens from obtaining access to most state services in Virginia. There are really only two major exceptions – 1) public education, which we must offer to all school aged children regardless of citizenship pursuant to a U.S. Supreme Court decision; and 2) emergency medical care. This legislation was part of a comprehensive set of proposals we had propsoed to help address the issue of illegal immigration. We continue to be very focused on doing what we can at the state level to address this issue.
Q – Is there any possibility of reviving Virginia manufacturing industries, e.g., textiles, furniture, etc., previously lost to foreign countries or others, via establishment in Virginia of combination employee owned/profit shared/bartering type businesses?
A- This is a great question. Advanced manufacturing is one of the strategic initiatives we have included in our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda. We feel that this can be a major part of our future economic development efforts, particularly in rural parts of our state. While it may be difficult to revive some industries, like textiles and furniture, there are other industries that we will be pursuing aggressively, such as automotive manufacturers and other technologically based manufacturers. Our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda includes a number of specific programs and incentives that are specifically designed to help attract advanced manufacturing projects to Virginia.
Q – I am greatly concerned with the $50 million you and Gov McDonnell are requesting. It appears to be the exact type of market manipulation and spending that harms businesses that grow without Government help. The Stimulus you intend to flood the State with is creating a crushing Federal Tax burden which will of necessity drive unemployment because consumers, investors AND business owners will be unable to recover. Dedicating oil/gas revenue to ANY particular purpose will distort for example transportation build WAY ahead of demand and hence be a waste. I suggest reducing tax liability, dollar for dollar and putting a two thirds requirment to increase entitlement and spending a prudent alternative and one that would produce more jobs (and revenue) then ANY State in the Union. Rural Virginia is already suffering from artificially high energy, labor, real estate and taxes. They have high unemployment BECAUSE of Government. Now it is the urban centers that will finally feel the heat DESPITE HUGH Federal subsidy.
Would you consider American’s for Prosperity’s “Model Budget” that would reduce State Govt by Five Billion? Would you reject the “green” pork and other markets manipulation and usurpation you’re promoting?
A – Our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda is nothing like the stimulus plans that have been proposed in Washington.
We understand that it is the private sector, not the public sector, that creates jobs; but we also understand that the policies advanced by the public sector can make it easier or more difficult for the private sector to create jobs.
We have proposed an investment in proven economic development and job creation programs that seek to spur economic growth in the private sector. For example, we want to invest more in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Tourism Corporation to better enable them to market Virginia as a great place for business and tourism, both domestically and internationally.
In addition, we have proposed investing in tax credits and other incentives to encourage businesses to locate in Virginia and make it more profitable for them to be here.
We want to do everything we can to make it easier for the private sector to create jobs in Virginia, and we want to send the message loud and clear that we want those businesses here.
I am pleased that our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda is being supported by every major business organization in Virginia, and it appears to have widespread bi-partisan support in the General Assembly as well.
Q – Northern Virginia continues to be overrun with large numbers of criminal illegal aliens, their children populate the public schools in the tens of thousands, they fill emergency rooms to the brim in order to get basic health care free, they drive vehicles without licenses or insurance with seeming immunity, local police do nothing on the orders of local Democrat politicians, they hold down jobs in such numbers that some businesses are difficult to work with because no one speaks English with any proficiency. And the State Police do nothing! When is this going to stop? If you are enter the country illegally, you have no right to be in Virginia. Republican politicians have shown great cowardice on this issue.
A – Ultimately, the problem of illegal immigration needs to be addressed at the federal level. We need to make it more difficult for people to come into our country illegally, we need to discontinue programs that reward them for being here illegally, and we need to be more aggressive in our immigration enforcement efforts. Unfortunately, the current composition of the Executive and legislative branches of the federal government will make it very difficult to achieve any meaningful immigration reforms at the federal level.
At the state level, we have proposed a number of initiatives in the past to do what we can to help address this issue. For example, and as discussed above, we have passed legislation to make certain that illegal aliens are not receiving most state services. In addition, we have passed legislation to enact enhanced penalties on illegal aliens who commit crimes in Virginia. Likewise, I have always supported entering into an agreement with the federal government to give the Virginia State Police and local law enforcement agencies the authority to enforce federal immigration laws. Unfortunately, we have been unable to get that legislation approved by the General Assembly.
Q – How is the new assignment of Chief Jobs Creation Officer going? Exactly what types of duties go into this position and how will it work? Is it unprecedented for the Lt. Gov. to take on a cabinet level role? Thanks for all your good work!
A – I am looking forward to serving as Virginia’s Chief Jobs Creation Officer, and I appreciate the confidence Governor McDonnell has placed in me by asking me to serve in this important role and as a member of his Cabinet. As you know, we campaigned as a team and we promised to govern as a team, and we are now keeping that promise.
As Chief Jobs Creation Officer I will be overseeing Virginia’s economic development and job creation programs, which are administered by numerous Secretariats and state agencies.
I am currently taking the lead shepherding our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda through the legislature, and I am very pleased with the broad bipartisan support we have obtained for our legislative and budgetary recommendations.
Once the legislative session is over, I will be working closely with the Governor and our economic development team to identify businesses that might be interested in relocating to Virginia and encourage them to make that move.
I will also be chairing a number of internal and external working groups that will continually assess our economic development programs and strategies and make recommendations for how these programs and strategies can be improved.
We believe that getting the economy moving again and creating jobs is the most important issue currently facing Virginia. We are determined to do everything we can to help create jobs for Virginia’s families and strengthen Virginia businesses.
Q – Do you view the threatened move of an aircraft carrier from Hampton Roads to Mayport, FL as a strategic military decision or political patronage to the Democrats in Florida? Loss of an aircraft carrier group would cost thousands of jobs in Virgina. As Jobs Czar, what can your office do to prevent this from happening?
A – I do not believe that there is any strategic advantage to be obtained from relocating military assets from Virginia to Florida. In fact, I think sound military strategy would result in keeping these assets in Virginia, where they can be readily used to protect the entire East Coast of the United States.
We are currently working with our federal representatives to make certain that all of our military assets remain in Virginia. That includes our carriers and other naval assets, as well as other military assets, like the Oceana Naval Air Station. These assets are not only a critical part of our national defense infrastructure, but they also have a significant economic impact on the Commonwealth.
Q – Thank you for your willingness to serve during these challenging times. What are your thoughts on reducing the hours of a “typical” work week in order to boost employment? I have a feeling that with more entrepreneurs, and more people willing to live within their means, our society may be shifting towards more efficiency and higher productivity, and actually require less folks working “full time” in the traditional sense. I see a major shift of priorities taking shape and believe that when all is said and done, our lives will all be a bit more balanced.
A – Certainly one of the options available to public and private sector employers is reducing the hours that employees work in an effort to minimize job losses. However, I should stress that such decisions should be made by individual employers and not mandated through federal or state policy. Some employers may choose to take this approach, while others may not.
I agree that the economic chalenges we have faced in recent years have caused many families to rethink their priorities, and that is a good thing. In general, I think society is going through a process of resetting its priorities and learning to do more with less. We need to focus more on the things that really matter, like faith and helping a neighbor in need; and less on some of the materialistic things many put great value in.
Q – While it appeared the recent election of Governor McDonnell assured a return to conservative values held by many Virginians, there is now reason to doubt. How is it that Virginia’s Governor is signed on to Obama’s “Council of Governors”? Does that not, at minimum, imply a meeting of the minds? Certainly, many citizens in this Commonwealth do not support Obama, his Socialist agenda, nor the out of control spending. These were all platforms that landed both yourself and Governor McDonnell in office, now we wonder have we been betrayed. What say you?
A – I assure you that Governor McDonnell and I are committed to governing Virginia consistent with the same conservative principles we talked about during our campaign, and I think that is clearly reflected in the policies we have propsoed to date.
As far as the Council of Governors is concerned, it is my understanding that this is a group of Governor’s that President Obama has asked to work with him to strengthen the parternship between federal and state governments on issues relating to national defense and preparedness. It is my understanding that Governor McDonnell has been asked to serve on this Council, but I don’t know if he has agreed to serve on the Council or not.
As we have said many times, we will work with President Obama when we believe the policies he is pursing are right for Virginia. For example, we are working with him to promote Charter Schools, which we also support. However, we will oppose his policies when we think they are wrong for Virginia. For example, we have actively opposed Card Check, Cap and Trade and national health insurance.
Q – Not really a question, but just wanted to urge you to please DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD in the Commonwealth’s new budget.
A – I do not support using state funds to pay for aboritons or to support organizations that provide abortions. That includes Planned Parenthood. In fact, in 2008 I cast the deciding vote in the State Senate to defund Planned Parenthood. Unfortuantely, that funding was subsequently restored by the budget conferees.
Q – First, thank you for your service to Virginia. I am thankful for your re-election. My question: What will you do to promote parental choice for education during this term?
A – One of the cornerstones of my Best Schools, Best Teachers, Best Education program is providing more educational choices for parents and students. This includes promoting Charter Schools; tax credits for parents who choose to send their children to private schools, parochial schools or home schools; and many other forms of educational choice. You can learn more about my Best Schools, Best Teachers, Best Education program by visiting my web site at BillBolling.com.
Let me close by thanking you all again for particiapting in this live blog, and by thanking The Family Foundation for sponsoring this blog. I always look forward to the opportunity to talk to fellow conservatives about the important issues facing our state. If my office can ever be of service to you, please let us know. Onward and upward!
Lt. Governor Bolling: Thanks a million for your valuable time! We know you are extremely busy during General Assembly session, so thank you for answering the concerns of our blog readers. Please thank Randy and Ibby for helping facilitate this interview and for all the help your office has provided our blog since its inception two years ago. Thank you for your service to our Commonwealth and we wish you and your family every success and blessing the next four years.