AGE: 38
FAMILY: Two children, Nick, 10, and Katie, 8
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 23452, Alexandria, Virginia 22304
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-349-0392
E-MAIL: info@MattMueda.org
WEBSITE: www.MattMueda.org
OCCUPATION: Real Estate
EMPLOYMENT: Long and Foster, Alexandria
EDUCATION: B.A., Political Science (pre-law), California State University, Chico, 1990; Paramedic Certificate, George Washington University School Of Medicine, 1995
QUALIFICATIONS: Presidential appointee in two administrations (Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Transportation); professional firefighter and paramedic; homeland security experience; small businessman; Chairman, Alexandria Sister Cities Committee; traffic solutions specialist
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
My professional background as a first responder (firefighter and paramedic), rising to the rank of lieutenant gives me the experience and perspective to know what is truly needed to ensure these critically important public servants (and law-enforcement professionals) are highly trained and ready to perform their public safety mission in an increasingly dangerous environment.
As Chairman of the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee, I have worked to expand cultural and educational opportunities in our vibrant city. We have facilitated international student exchanges abroad, and have begun private fundraising to expand our activities without burdening the taxpayer.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidate in the race?
My professional experience as a firefighter and paramedic gives me the unique ability to provide leadership in the House of Delegates on issues relating to first responders and homeland security. I will work to ensure our public servants who dedicate themselves to public safety have the training and equipment necessary to be world-class professionals.
Additionally, my professional experience at the Department of Transportation enables me to bring my expertise to the House of Delegates which has been woefully inadequate in solving Northern Virginia's traffic problems. My primary focus will be to find effective and innovative traffic solutions.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
I promise I will never unnecessarily raise taxes on Alexandria's senior citizens and working families when it will result in them having to sell their family homes just to pay their taxes.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
Traffic is the largest problem facing Northern Virginia for 10 years, yet it gets worse every year. It's time to stop promising and actually do something. As a former presidential appointee in the Department of Transportation, I propose:
* Stop raiding the transportation trust fund.
* Make traffic solutions the No. 1 priority for the House of Delegates.
* Comprehensive regional multi-modal solutions include widening both I-95 and I-66 and the beltway, HOT lanes, enhanced public transit including bus rapid transit and Virginia Rail Express, expanded telecommuting opportunities.
We need a dedicated focus and innovative funding solutions such as public-private 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 would support legislation restricting "partial-birth" abortion.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less? What changes would you propose?
Cities like Alexandria actually have a lot more local control and authority than do other localities in Virginia. I would oppose efforts to diminish any Alexandria specific authority or control that benefits our community.
7. In Northern Virginia, property taxes have increased dramatically in recent years. What role should the state play in this?
In Alexandria, our taxes have increased by almost 100 percent over the last five years. This has resulted in a number of lower and fixed-income long-time city residents who have had to move because they cannot afford to pay the taxes. This is unsustainable — we cannot afford to re-double our taxes over the next five years. I support efforts to place reasonable statewide limits on how fast a locality can raise taxes that would preclude yet another doubling of our taxes by 2010.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
In the same way the state legislates parameters for heterosexual couples, the state has a role in addressing the same issues for same-sex couples.
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?
Public-private partnerships are one of the innovative traffic solutions that can work well for the residents of Alexandria. The Dulles Greenway is an example of one project that has brought traffic relief for Loudoun County. I support expanded use of these partnerships to bring traffic solutions to other corridors such as the I-95 and I-66 corridors and the beltway. The critical evaluation of these partnerships to earn my support is whether they serve the short-, mid- and long-term interests of the taxpayers of Virginia.
10. Do you believe that illegal immigration is a problem in Virginia? If so, why, and what should be done?
By its very definition, "illegal" immigration is a problem, but it is primarily a federal problem. I do support efforts to have Virginia declare a state of emergency to obtain federal aid to address this human service and public safety aspects of this problem.