Issues

• Free Market Economics

  As a small businesswoman herself, Patricia knows the current economic uncertainty discourages risk taking that private industry routinely takes and that private industry is economic backbone of our country. It makes no sense to have elected officials - through legislation, Government bureaucrats - through regulation, or committees spurring "economic development", trying to predict and influence - which businesses are needed, which will succeed and which will fail. The free market will do that much more effectively on its own - and more accurately, because the free market system is and should remain the final judgment of success or failure. I want to get government out of the way of the free market forces. This reduces government spending and creates the best economic environment for businesses to succeed.

• Roads and Transportation

  Northern Virginia continues in a transportation crisis. To reduce congestion, Northern Virginia needs new road construction and road improvements. This will cost an additional $1 billion per year- a number that is less than three percent of the state budget! Even when the General Fund (discretionary money) increased and the General Assembly could have allocated significantly to roads without "taking away money" from any program, only 5% of that surplus was spent on roads. We can fully fund our road needs without raising taxes. It's a matter of setting priorities.

• Control taxes and spending

  Virginia's budget has more than doubled in 10 years, while the population has increased only 12%. Patricia will fight to keep government focused on core responsibilities - roads, schools, and public safety. She will work diligently to limit spending and limit taxes, and to prove it, she has signed the "No New Tax" Pledge.

• Political Philosophy

  Patricia is a small government conservative. Government at all levels, including the state, needs to be constrained to the constitutional design. As this recession has shown, our public budgets are unsustainable. While they may be good and caring and generous, they far exceed the constitutional role of government.

• Healthcare: A Crisis of Conscience, Not Care

  Patricia believes that, unlike the Federal healthcare bill passed against the will of the majority of the people, we should concentrate on improving individual choice and accessibility instead of imposing mandates and fines. She believes the government should empower consumers by reducing costly and unnecessary regulations, increasing competition and enabling the market to increase quality and affordability of care.
  

• Traditional Values

  Traditional values such as individual responsibility, private charity, respect for life, religious freedom, and traditional marriage crucial to the moral fiber of our society.

• The Right to Keep and Bear Arms

  The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental Constitutional right. George Washington once said, "The right to keep and bear arms stands only second in importance to the Constitution itself." The Virginia Bill of Rights also defends the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.

  As chair of the Loudon County Crime Commission, Patricia believes in severely punishing violent criminal behavior based on the criminal's actions, not the tools they use, nor their motives. Multi-layer gun control laws only restrict law-abiding citizens from protecting their lives and the lives of their loved ones, but do not stop criminals who are intent on breaking the law! In Richmond, Patricia will protect your right to keep and bear arms.

Are you concerned about an issue you don't see listed? Ask Patricia!