Just because Clifton's Tim Hugo is running unopposed for state delegate from the 40th House District doesn't mean he isn't campaigning for re-election, or that he cares about the job any less.
Heading into his fourth session in the General Assembly, Hugo's participating in his third race and couldn't be happier.
"IT'S TRULY been an honor to serve," said the 42-year-old Republican. "When I first won, it was like a football-game victory, with the adrenaline. But when I got down there [the state capital in Richmond] and saw on the walls and statues the names of people who'd served before, I realized what an honor and privilege it is."
"You have a responsibility to fulfill," continued Hugo. "I've enjoyed it, and I hope I've made an impact on issues both large and small."
For example, he got a law passed against street racing after a Fairfax Station girl named Katie got hit and seriously injured by one of those speeding cars. Hugo — who also has a daughter named Katie, 7, with wife Paula, along with sons Chris, 5, and Matt, 7 months — said "things like that will always stick out."
Hugo said helping people in their day-to-day lives is a big part of his job. After residents in Centreville's Virginia Run community complained to him about speeding on their main thoroughfare, Pleasant Valley Road, he was instrumental and getting a series of turn lanes put in and the road re-lined.
"We got VDOT involved, had a town meeting and got things done," he said. Hugo also helped a similar improvement be made to Sully Park Drive in Sully Station. Working closely with neighborhood associations and VDOT, Hugo's also gotten potholes repaved in many neighborhoods in Little Rocky Run.
A member of the House Transportation Committee, he noted that he helped get the through-truck bans on Stone Road and a continuation of the ban on Pleasant Valley. He's currently trying to help residents get a trail constructed through a particular neighborhood.
"[Rep.] Tom Davis [R-11th] got them money, but they want to build the trail a little narrower [than Fairfax County standards], so we're working on it with VDOT and the county," explained Hugo.
"I focus heavily on constituent service," he said. "People call and say, 'Can you help us?' and, instead of referring them to someone, I make the call. A pothole in front of your house may be the most important thing to you and, as a delegate, I think it's my job to help the gears of government work for my constituents."
Hugo's also proud of his inroads in the transportation arena. He said that, last year, "We moved the insurance-premium tax that people already pay [from the General Fund] into the Transportation Trust Fund to help alleviate our traffic woes here in Northern Virginia and across the state."
HE SAID this money had been used for other purposes, so he introduced a bill to change things. He noted that it and other initiatives would provide $850 million more in transportation funding for the state. The House passed his bill, but not the Senate, so Hugo plans to bring it up again and hopes to get a constitutional amendment created to that effect.
In education, some community-college students were losing credits when they tried to transfer them to, for example, UVA, Virginia Tech or GMU. "They were wasting time, money and effort and were becoming demoralized," said Hugo. "So we passed a bill [in the last session] saying that the State Council of Higher Education should come up with standards allowing these credits to be transferred."
In addition, worried that Northern Virginia students were "being penalized because of their excellence," Hugo introduced a bill to change the state quota responsible for colleges and universities only accepting a certain number of students from Northern Virginia. Said Hugo: "A man in Clifton told me his son had a 3.9 GPA and a 1400 on his SAT and got rejected from Tech, UVA and William & Mary."
He said Republicans and Democrats alike from the Northern Virginia delegation are uniting on this issue. "We've got to keep pushing the college presidents to accept more in-state students," he said. "I'm a big believer in the squeaky wheel getting the attention, and I'm the squeaky wheel for southwestern Fairfax County."
A member of the House Finance Committee, Hugo said an issue he'll continue working on in the General Assembly is a big one for the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. Called the "True Object Test," it's a bill he got through the House, 97-0, and almost through the Senate and it pertains to government contractors.
"A GREAT deal of Northern Virginia's economy revolves around state and government contractors, and the state is taxing them unfairly," he said. "In the past, services and goods contracts were taxed at different rates. But in the last few years, the state and federal governments have encouraged bundling them into one contract and taxing it all at a higher rate."
Doing so, explained Hugo, works out to a 5-percent competitive disadvantage for Virginia companies versus those from out of state. "What I've been seeing is that Northern Virginia and these government contractors are the golden goose that's been funding the state government," he said. "But by unfairly taxing them, the state is threatening them."
He said Attorney General Jerry Kilgore supported his bill in favor of taxing the true object of these contracts — either the goods or the service, but not both things together. "It's like getting a double tax," said Hugo. "It hits government contractors in Northern Virginia and the Newport News shipyards. And this year, if Kilgore is governor, we'll get this bill passed."
Although unopposed, Hugo has campaign signs up, is doing district mailings and phone calls and is going door-to-door to introduce himself to residents. "It's important not to take anything for granted," he said. "We're running a full-fledged campaign, even though I don't have an opponent."
He wants people to know how much he appreciates being their state delegate for the 40th District. "I'll continue to work hard to earn their trust," he said. "I want to make government work for folks, and I think I can do it. And hopefully, we can make a difference on issues, large and small."
In his private life, Hugo's recently switched jobs, and is now executive director of Free File Alliance, an association providing free, Internet tax preparation to millions of low-income and underserved Americans throughout the country.
He also has lots of loyal supporters. Dan Cruz of Centreville's Gate Post Estates neighborhood said he's impressed with Hugo's commitment to the community.
"Tim takes a personal interest in things," said Cruz. "I've been in Washington for 30 years and have a lot of cynicism for politicians in general, and I just wish there were more Tim Hugos around. He's a great guy, and I'm proud to say I'm a friend of his. He works very hard at what he does and really listens to the community."
Beth Tweddle of Virginia Run called Hugo "completely responsive to concerns of the neighborhood — specifically, on the issue of traffic along Pleasant Valley Road, and also on larger issues like the Tri-County Parkway."
"HE'S VERY easy to work with and very direct, and he's surrounded himself with good people," said Tweddle. "He's just a real, down-to-earth person, and he's been a great voice for our area."
Similarly, Little Rocky Run's Craig Monroe said Hugo's a "hardworking guy" who's made Little Rocky Run's position on its trail system clear to VDOT "so the width and type of trail is appropriate for our community. And he's well-versed in technology and will try hard to prevent the Transportation Trust Fund from being siphoned off for other things."
Added Hugo: "I'm looking forward to next year, and I encourage anybody with problems or concerns about any issues — especially potholes — to give me a call." His number's 703-968-4101.