Bill Bolling (R)
AGE: 48
FAMILY: Wife, Jean Ann; sons, Matthew and Kevin
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: 7308 Hanover Green Dr., Mechanicsville, VA 23111
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 804-746-9830
E-MAIL: bbolling@mindspring.com
WEBSITE: www.billbolling.com
OCCUPATION: Insurance consultant
EMPLOYMENT: Riggs, Counselman, Michaels and Downes
EDUCATION: BA, Political Science, The University of Charleston
QUALIFICATIONS: Husband and father. Community leader. Sunday School teacher. Served from 1991 to 1995 as a member and Chairman of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. Served from 1995 to present as a member of the Virginia State Senate.
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
In 1998 and 1999 I sponsored legislation to create a children's health insurance program in Virginia. That program is now providing basic health care benefits to 60,000 children in low income families. This program has improved the quality of life for these children and their families. I am very proud of that legislation.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidates in the race?
My experience and my commitment to conservative values. I have served in the Senate of Virginia for the past ten years. During that time I have developed a record of aggressive and effective leadership in state government and a record of fighting for conservative values. I have been recognized as one of the General Assembly’s most effective, most pro-business and most pro-family members. My opponent has no experience in state government. I think that experience in state government is mandatory for someone who would hold the second highest elected office in Virginia.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
I will not support any effort to increase taxes in Virginia. Throughout my service in the Senate I have supported efforts to cut taxes and I have opposed efforts to increase taxes. My opponent has a very different record. During his term of office, real estate taxes in Prince William County have increased by 60 percent. But that’s not all. In 2001 he called Gov. Gilmore’s plan to eliminate the car tax “catastrophic." In 2002 he supported Governor Warner’s sales tax referendum in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, and in 2003 he called Governor Warner’s $1 billion tax increase plan “positive” for Virginia. I am the only candidate for Lieutenant Governor who can be trusted to keep taxes low for Virginia’s families and businesses.
4. What is the biggest issue facing the state? What should be done to address it?
Developing a transportation system for the 21st century. We must dedicate more money for transportation construction, without raising taxes. We must also pass a constitutional amendment to prevent money in the Transportation Trust Fund from being diverted to other government programs. We also need to increase federal funding for transportation projects in Virginia, improve efficiency within the Department of Transportation, and expand the use of public/private and state/local transportation partnerships.
5. Is there any additional legislation in regard to abortion that you would support? Would you make any changes to the current laws and regulation about abortion in Virginia?
I am pro-life. As a member of the Senate I supported parental notification and consent legislation, a ban on partial birth abortion and a prohibition against the use of state funds to pay for abortions. I also support higher patient safety standards for abortion clinics and the fetal pain bill. I believe it is important for us to promote a culture of life in Virginia.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less?
I would support a comprehensive review of local government taxing authority and responsible efforts to find alternative revenue sources to local real estate taxes, which are increasing at such a rapid pace that they are forcing many low and middle income seniors to sell their homes and family farms just to pay the taxes. However, any such reforms must be revenue neutral to local governments and must not in any way result in higher taxes for families and businesses.
7. What do you think about the Dillon Rule, which maintains that localities have only those powers expressly given by the state government?
I am a strong supporter of the Dillon Rule. The Dillon rule promotes consistency of local ordinances from jurisdiction to jurisdiction throughout Virginia. This consistency is an important part of our effort to promote economic development and create a pro-business environment in Virginia.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
I do not support same sex marriages or same sex unions. I support a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages and same-sex unions in Virginia. I am also opposed to gay adoption. These are important cultural issues for Virginia and our nation.