Candidate Essay: Kathy Gillette-Mallard

Last week we asked the three candidates for the 48th District Virginia House of Delegates seat to write a sub-750 word essay on why the district’s residents should vote for them on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Here is the unedited response from Kathy Gillette-Mallard (I):

There are some serious issues confronting the citizens of the 48^th District and all Virginians but there are solutions which the incumbent has not addressed.  You should vote for me because, as your delegate:

1. I will seek equitable policies to resolve the crushing $20 billion dollar unfunded liability problem caused by Virginia state employees’ pension plan (VRS).  I will propose a plan similar to  the “Thomas Jefferson Institute of Public Policy” plan. (See “Pension Plan Reform in Virginia” at www.thomas jeffeersoninst.org). I will take on the challenge of finding ways to remove this $20 billion financial “Gorilla” from the room.
2. I will work to cut spending and reduce onerous government regulations to entice new businesses and companies to invest in Virginia.  A business friendly environment is the best way to attract new businesses and keep old businesses.  This in turn creates jobs, expands the tax base and increases revenues in the natural cycle of the free market system.   (See “Research and Development Tax Credit”).
3. I will insist state programs are audited regularly.  There is waste and mismanagement in our state as we learned with the nearly $1 billion fund “found” at VDOT (Performance Audit of Significant Operations of the Virginia Department of Transportation- Prepared by:   Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.- August 2010).  In addition, cost-benefit analyses should be conducted regularly by bill sponsors and patrons if spending is involved.
4. I will support protection of private property rights by voting in favor of the Amendment to the Virginia Constitution to protect private property owners from government eminent domain loopholes such as “Kelo” for purposes outside proper government authority.  The incumbent voted “nay” on this effort to protect private property rights ( see HJ693 Virginia Constitutional amendment; Eminent Domain Reform);  
5. I will encourage development of Virginia’s natural resources, primarily natural gas but oil and coal as well.   New technologies offer safe and responsible development of our natural resources in a clean and responsible way.  Virginia can become a leader in energy production and end our dependence on foreign sources especially from countries which use our dollars to fund terrorism;
6. I will be prudent with your taxpayer dollars when it comes to “green” energy.  We have learned with the Solyndra scandal that investing in “green” energy must be carefully scrutinized.  Wind turbines, which the incumbent supports, destroy waterfowl and will have adverse effects on marine life.  Putting a slew of wind turbines off Virginia Beach (which the incumbent proposes) is a bad idea at this stage of development because we know that wind turbines kill thousands of birds annually. In California, raptor birds in particular are prone to being killed – especially the Golden Eagle.  In Pennsylvania, bat populations have been devastated by wind turbines;
7. I will ensure that privacy in your home is respected and that the “smart meters” which power companies plan to install to replace regular meters are “opt in” devices not ”opt out”.  Smart meters are a major invasion of privacy in our homes and pose health risks.  The incumbent supports monitoring home energy consumption even if it means your privacy is compromised by these meters which emit microwave like EMF/RF frequency on a continuous basis.  (See the following: www.holistichelp.net/blog/smart-meters-are-hazardous-to-your-health-and-violate-your-rights/ Jan. 2011 by Cynthia Perkins).
8. I will support Virginia as a “Right to Work” state.  The incumbent blamed Republicans for the Dulles Rail Phase II contract delays and in a Washington Post op ed,   he grossly misrepresented the issue regarding Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). He is on record supporting PLAs with unions before the Phase II contracts have been awarded. 94% of construction workers in Virginia are non-labor and are merit shop, thus PLAs discriminate against the majority of Virginia’s construction workers.  Brink is on record stating that he is on the side of big labor construction workers from out of state.
9. I will support efforts to elevate the public’s awareness of “human trafficking”.  80 locations in Northern Virginia where human trafficking occurs have been identified, including Ballston Mall.
10. I will work to increase the foreclosure timeline from 15 to 45 days; fight costly cap and trade green home inspections before selling or buying; and require that home titles be recorded in courthouses.

Please email me with questions at [email protected]