Ed. — The following are responses to questions posed by The Independent News to candidates for 82nd District of the Virginia House of Delegates in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Answers to our questions in this series generally are not edited, aside from obvious punctuation issues, spacing and formatting, or for clarity. Our full voter guide is now on stands. Miyares is the incumbent.
GAYLE H. JOHNSON (D)
Residence: Cape Henry Precinct, the North End
Age: 65
Occupation: Property Manager
Education: I graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory with Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts.
Endorsements: Sierra Club, Clean Virginia, Virginia AFL-CIO
Website: gaylej4va.com
Phone: (757) 219 2631
Email: info@gaylej4va.com
Social Media: @gaylejforva on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
What are your specific qualifications for office? As a Class A Contractor and LEED Accredited Professional, I have the expertise and the professional background required to craft common sense policies that will create a sustainable future for our state. I have a lifetime of experience in leading successful organizations, both as the Artistic Director of the internationally-acclaimed baroque ensemble Capriole and as the founder of EcoBuilders of Virginia, a contracting firm focused on energy efficiency retrofits. Trained in music but raised to think like an engineer by my father, my ability to think creatively and analytically has allowed me to find new solutions in all my endeavors.
What, to you, is the most important issue facing your district and how will you address it in office? Recurrent flooding and sea-level rise represent an existential threat to the Tidewater Area. District 82 is surrounded on three sides by water, and a significant portion of homes have been built on low-lying floodplains. Recurrent flooding and sea-level rise are already making it harder for residents to work and lowering real estate values, and it is only going to get worse. I propose a two-pronged solution that: (1) rewards homeowners and developers who invest in cost-effective flood mitigation and (2) builds a clean energy economy that decreases CO2 emissions while creating thousands of good-paying jobs.
What are your three main legislative priorities?
► First, I propose substantial tax credits for homeowners and developers who utilize more effective flood mitigation strategies that absorb storm water runoff onsite.
► Second, I propose legislation guaranteeing that public money, including ratepayer money and tax revenues, will be invested in a clean energy economy, which will decrease CO2 emissions and create thousands of good-paying jobs. Hampton Roads has the opportunity to be the main manufacturer and distributor of offshore wind turbines on the East Coast, but we need to invest NOW.
► Third, I propose legislation that significantly restricts the amount of money political campaigns can raise and spend. Currently, there is no limit to the amount of money political campaigns can raise and spend, which gives special interests a disproportionate voice in our system. I want to make our democracy representative, and I believe putting a cap on campaign spending is a sorely needed first step.
What priority do you have that will help support the agriculture community? How have you (or how will you) work on issues impacting this industry? Virginia’s agricultural sector is a vital partner in building a sustainable future. The climate crisis will seriously impact our farmers, who are already contending with more frequent extreme weather events, changing growing seasons, and water scarcity.
I believe it is the state’s responsibility to help our farmers improve their resilience to these changes, both by rewarding sustainable practices and by investing in sustainable technologies.
I propose providing tax incentives for farmers who utilize practices such as “no-till” farming or the integration of cover crops.
I also propose creating a grant to help farmers who wish to invest in hydroponic facilities. Hydroponics allow farmers to grow crops year round in a controlled environment that is safe from the changing climate and eliminates the need for expensive pesticides. Hydroponic facilities require an expensive upfront capital investment, but can be a more sustainable, cost-effective source of healthy, local produce.
How will you support local efforts to address sea level rise and recurrent flooding? As alluded to above, one of my main legislative priorities is the creation of statewide tax incentives for developers and homeowners to use cost-effective flood mitigation strategies. These strategies include maintaining certain natural features, such as trees and wetlands, utilizing pervious materials that aid water runoff, and integrating storm water management techniques, including onsite storage. Many of these techniques save public money by limiting the need for bigger storm drains, but the initial cost has inhibited their widespread use. Tax credits can change that without mandating costly regulation.
How will you support Virginia Beach in its long term recovery from the May 31 mass shooting, including the needs of survivors? Supporting grieving families and survivors is critical, which includes doing everything possible to ensure this never happens again. I support passing a minimally-invasive Red Flag Law, like HB1763 (2019), which would allow law enforcement to temporarily seize weapons from persons who are a danger to themselves or others. As long as due process is observed, Red Flag Laws are incredibly effective at preventing suicide and premeditated homicide without infringing on our rights.
We must also guarantee access to mental healthcare, especially for survivors and grieving families. Sadly, Virginia is ranked 40th in terms of access to mental healthcare. We must do better.
Do you support efforts to ensure nonpartisan redistricting? Why or why not? I support all efforts to create a nonpartisan committee responsible for redistricting. The current system allows whichever political party is in charge to effectively rig elections, meaning many races end up being unopposed. That is unacceptable because it effectively disenfranchises the supporters of the opposition. Virginia’s legislature has functioned for 400 years, but it is currently failing to truly represent its constituents. I believe that every single political race must be competitive if we ever hope to truly represent ourselves. That means less money spent on political campaigns and an end to partisan redistricting, period.
Do you support access to sexual and reproductive health care, including birth control and abortion access? Give an example of legislation you might support or oppose on this issue. I am a strong supporter of public funding for institutions such as Planned Parenthood that provide reproductive healthcare and services including STI testing and treatment, contraception, prenatal care, cancer screenings, and abortions, especially to low-income women. As a mother, I believe that a woman’s decisions about her own reproductive health are best kept between herself and her doctor. I strongly support efforts to remove unnecessary restrictions on reproductive healthcare, including legislation that would remove the 24 hour waiting period for abortions. I believe that the government should not be mandating an adult’s medical decisions, including reproductive health.
JASON S. MIYARES (R)
Residence: Wimbledon on the Bay
Age: 43
Occupation: Attorney
Military Service/Education Completed: BBA James Madison University; Law Degree William & Mary
Endorsements: Virginia Beach Hospitality Association, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Hampton Roads Business PAC
Website: jasonmiyares.com
Phone: (757) 353-4696
Email: jason@jasonmiyares.com
Social media: @jasonmiyaresfordelegate on Facebook
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I’m a commonsense leader. I believe in smart, accountable government that is responsive to you and watches every penny of taxpayer dollars. As the proud product of Virginia Beach public schools, and with my own daughters being educated in our public schools, for me public education isn’t policy, it’s personal. Opportunity is the pathway for a stronger Virginia and is why I’ve worked to make our schools safe and dynamic where all kids can learn and thrive. I voted to increase funding for Virginia Beach public schools with an additional $45 million just for our local school system.
The Miyares Family fled communist Cuba in 1965, and as such I have a unique appreciation for the greatness of the United States. As a former Virginia Beach prosecutor who has put violent criminals behind bars, keeping our community safe is a top priority.
I believe in strong pro-growth economic policies, a lower tax burden so Virginians can keep more of what they earn, and creating the right environment for business to thrive and create good paying jobs with more opportunities.
Finally, at a time when politics has become coarse and petty, I’m a firm believer that civility is not weakness.
What, to you, is the most important issue facing your district and how will you address it in office? It has been an honor to represent my friends, neighbors and fellow citizens from Virginia Beach in Richmond. I’m a firm believer that when you run on clear principles the voters will support you. Here are the principles I’ve taken to the House of Delegates and will continue to hold as long as I’m in office.
► First, with my own daughters in Virginia Beach public schools, I believe in bringing home more funding for our local schools. Every year I’ve served in Richmond, education dollars for Virginia Beach schools has increased, including an additional $45 million. We also voted for a 5% pay increase for our hard-working teachers.
► Second, I believe in being smart with taxpayer dollars and every year of service we’ve balanced our state budget in Richmond while not raising taxes.
► Third, I promised to tackle the long-term critical issue of catastrophic flooding. This includes legislation encouraging Virginia to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS) which has led to an average discount on flood insurance premiums of 15%. I’m also the author of the Hurricane & Flooding Protection Act, which enables Virginia to work directly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the critical flooding mitigation projects we need to protect our beautiful city.
What are your three main legislative priorities?
► Reducing Flooding & Hurricane Risk. National and regional experts agree that Hampton Roads, along with cities and regions along Virginia’s coastlines and rivers, are at high risk for flooding and a catastrophic storm situation. I have proposed legislation to address this critical issue facing our community and will continue to do so.
► Balancing the state budget in a fiscally responsible manner. Unlike Washington, D.C. which is drowning in a sea of red ink and over $20 Trillion in national debt, in Virginia we consistently balance our budget while investing in the critical state functions of transportation, education, and public safety.
► Continuing to fight to boost funding for K-12 Education. I grew up in Virginia Beach public schools and my own daughters are enrolled in our public-school system, so this issue remains a top priority for my own family. It is critical that our schools and our teachers have the resources they need to educate the next generation of Virginians.
What priorities do you have that will help support the agriculture community? How have worked (or how will you work) on issue impacting this industry? I’m proud to be endorsed by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for my support of Virginia’s farmers and our growing agribusiness. Too often our farmers are the first to be taxed and the last to be considered, and it is critical we have a state government that listens and is accountable.
I will continue to support legislation favoring agricultural interests. This means ensuring our tax code is written that enables agribusiness to thrive and have our regulatory work with farmers and not against them.
It means recognizing that the agribusiness community is one of the critical backbones of Virginia’s economy, and the Port of Virginia’s success is directly tied to how we work with and for Virginia’s farmers.
How will you support local efforts to address sea level rise and recurrent flooding? National and regional experts agree that Hampton Roads, along with cities and regions along Virginia’s coastlines and rivers, are at high risk for flooding and a catastrophic storm situation. In 2017, I sponsored HB2319 which encouraged localities, like Virginia Beach, to participate in the Community Rating System of the National Flood Insurance Program, thereby lowering flood insurance premiums by an average of 15%. HB2319 passed unanimously and was signed by the Governor. I’m the author of the Virginia Hurricane and Flooding Risk Reduction Act, aimed at organizing state government before, rather than after, catastrophic flooding events. I will continue to pursue legislation protecting our community and Commonwealth from the threat of catastrophic flooding and sea level rise.
How will you support Virginia Beach in its long-term recovery from the May 31 mass shooting, including the needs of survivors? The mass shooting at Virginia Beach Municipal was one of the worst tragedies to ever strike our community. Gun violence has no place in our communities, and it is time for us to act.
As a Virginia Beach prosecutor, I am no stranger to violent crimes, no stranger to the hurt and pain felt by victims and their loved ones. During my time in the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, I handled over 600 criminal cases, working tirelessly to protect Virginia Beach families from those that would bring them harm. In the General Assembly, I will pursue enhanced penalties for criminals who use firearms in the commission of their crimes and establish mandatory minimums for perpetrators of gun violence. I understand deeply that putting their attacker in prison is only the first step in healing for victims and their families.
Finally, it is clear that we must keep guns out of the hands of the deeply mentally disturbed and from violent criminals. In order to help reduce the risks of these kinds of tragedies from happening, I introduced new legislation, that would create a Severe Threat Order Protection, which enables law-enforcement to act proactively, while ensuring due process, and prevent those that are “clear and convincing” threats to themselves or others, from obtaining a firearm. This legislation both balances our Due Process Protections guaranteed in our Constitution while at the same time serving as a useful tool for our legal system and mental health experts to prevent the violently mentally ill from obtaining firearms.
Do you support efforts to ensure nonpartisan redistricting? Why or why not? Yes. During the 2019 General Assembly Session I voted in favor of HJ615/SJ306 which would amend the Virginia constitution to create a sixteen-member advisory commission and establish redistricting criteria for congressional and state legislative districts. On February 23, 2019, the proposed amendment passed the Virginia House of Delegates by a vote of 83-15 and the Virginia Senate by a vote of 40-0. To become part of the Virginia constitution, the amendment must be passed again by both houses in 2020 and then must be approved by voters in the November 2020 general election.
Do you support access to sexual and reproductive health care, including birth control and abortion access? Give an example of legislation you might support or oppose on this issue. I’m a big fan of birth control – there is a reason I have three daughters and not thirty! On birth control, I absolutely support expanding access and supported a new Virginia law requiring insurers to cover a 12-Month Supply of Birth Control. On late term abortion, I opposed and will continue to oppose such bills such as Delegate Kathy Tran’s “Repeal Act” which repealed almost all restrictions on late term abortions in Virginia and would have allowed abortion up to the moment of birth. Regardless of where one is on this contentious issue, the vast majority of Virginians do not support abortions in the ninth month of pregnancy. It is an honor to serve and to represent this wonderful community thoughtfully and deliberately in Richmond. My hope is to continue my season of service another two years and respectfully ask for your vote on November 5th.
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