Oct 30, 2009  |  By: Jody Wagner  | COMMENTS     

FOR THE LAST eight years, I’ve been proud to work with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to move Virginia forward. We’ve balanced budgets during economic downturns, made record investments in education and built and maintained the best business environment in the country. That’s why the upcoming election is so critical — Virginians have a very clear choice. We can keep Virginia moving forward by electing someone who has made tough budget decisions and who will work hard every day to bring jobs to the Commonwealth or re-elect my opponent, who has had four years and missed all but four meetings of the boards and commissions he serves on as lieutenant governor.

The next administration will take office with one focus above all others: create new jobs and start growing Virginia’s economy. I worked with Sen. Creigh Deeds while I was treasurer and secretary of finance during the Warner and Kaine administrations and we helped to create nearly 200,000 new jobs for Virginians. As lieutenant governor, I will work with Gov. Deeds to attract new high-paying, sustainable jobs to Virginia, in 21st century industries like renewable energy and biotechnology.

As a mother of four, I know each child in Virginia must be prepared to compete in the global economy. With the 2004 budget and the 2008 Higher Education Investment Package, I played a leading role in making the two largest investments in education in Virginia’s history. As lieutenant governor, I will work to raise our high school graduation rates by expanding career-track education, increasing access to pre-K education for at-risk children and by establishing mentorship and internship programs. I will continue my work to make college more affordable and accessible for those students who want to attend, because I believe no child should start their education behind, or finish unprepared.

The next administration must deal with our significant transportation issues. Particularly in the metro areas, our transportation problems are quickly becoming detrimental to economic growth and quality of life. In addition to finding the necessary future revenue streams, we can take immediate steps to get cars off the road and decrease congestion. We must reevaluate how we plan and build our communities, emphasizing public transportation and efficiency. We should do far more to encourage telework and alternative work schedules.

Finally, I am extremely proud of the open, accepting climate we have worked to create in Virginia. Both Govs. Warner and Kaine have taken steps to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. In state hiring, we have upheld the civil rights of all Virginians and made the state more welcoming and open.

As lieutenant governor, I will be focused on creating new jobs, growing the economy, continuing to invest in public education and finding a long-term solution for transportation funding in Virginia.

The lieutenant governor plays a critical role in our state’s leadership team and we can’t afford another four years of Bill Bolling, who has only shown up to 6 percent of his state meetings. Virginia deserves a lieutenant governor that will help move the Commonwealth forward, not take us backwards.