AGE: 44
FAMILY: Married to Lisa for 20 years, father of two sons
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 540, Oakton, Va. 22124
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-973-3930
E-MAIL: jim@jimhyland.com
WEBSITE: www.jimhyland.com
OCCUPATION: Attorney
EMPLOYMENT: Greenberg Traurig Law Firm
EDUCATION: J.D., George Mason Law School; B.A., George Washington University; James Madison High School
QUALIFICATIONS: Life-long resident of Vienna; Two decades experience working for persons like Senator John Warner and Kay Bailey Hutchison; President, Friends of the Oakton Library; Author of major legislation to reduce the Marriage Penalty Tax.
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
I drafted the first bill in the U.S. Senate to eliminate the Marriage Penalty Tax and authored legislation to raise more funds for cancer research by creating the Semi-Postal Breast Cancer Stamp. I also serve as president of the Friends of the Oakton Library.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidate in the race?
I am a life-long resident of Vienna and Oakton, and a graduate of our public schools, like James Madison High School, unlike my opponent who moved to our district two years ago specifically to run for office. I have nearly two decades of legislative experience, working for U.S. Senators Warner and Kay Bailey Hutchison. I want to put that experience to work fighting for Northern Virginia's interests.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
I will not sell out Northern Virginia and continue the "Richmond rip off." We need a delegate that will stand up for Northern Virginia. My opponent voted to raise taxes and none of it was devoted to transportation, which is an insult to our region. Further, our school funding increase from Richmond, as a result of the tax increase, was just about 1 percent of our entire school budget.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
Increased traffic congestion and growth. I have a seven point specific plan to tackle traffic issues. I believe that we can inject $1 billion into transportation, by leveraging the coming surplus and doing this without raising taxes. The funds will be used on key bottleneck projects throughout Northern Virginia. I will also oppose zoning changes, like MetroWest, that are too dense, and defy the concerns of the citizens.
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 oppose abortion. I support legislation that would require abortion clinics to abide by the same standards as hospitals. Also, I oppose giving prescriptions to minors without parental permission.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less? What changes would you propose?
We need to concentrate on reducing spending and bureaucracy in Fairfax County. I plan to appoint an Inspector General for Fairfax County. Lastly, my opponent, Steve Shannon, despite promising otherwise during the last election, actually voted against Del. Chap Peterson's bill in the General Assembly that would have allowed Fairfax County to raise cigarette taxes just like cities, and this could have reduced property taxes.
7. In Northern Virginia, property taxes have increased dramatically in recent years. What role should the state play in this?
The state will have to step in if the county continually refuses to lower property taxes. Fairfax County has allowed a 75 percent increase in property taxes in five years. That is too much. I have a five point plan to reduce property taxes, focusing on controlling spending by Fairfax County, increasing our state share of education and transportation funds and protecting senior citizens.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
I support traditional marriage and would oppose legalizing same-sex marriages.
9. What are your views about public-private partnerships and other mechanisms to privatize Virginia's highway system? What are the caveats you would identify as we move forward with this process?
I oppose selling the Dulles Toll Road that could lead to yet another toll increase, but I will consider supporting other public-private partnerships for new roads that can help ease traffic congestion.
10. Do you believe that illegal immigration is a problem in Virginia? If so, why, and what should be done?
Illegal immigration is a major problem. I oppose Fairfax County's decision to use nearly $400,000 of tax funds for day labor sites. These funds could have been used to reduce property taxes. Unbelievably, my opponent voted against a bill that would have barred our colleges from "knowingly" admitting illegal immigrants. I disagree with that vote, because it also gives illegal immigrants in-state tuition.