Virginia General Assembly Delegate Rich Anderson of the 51st district met with western Prince William County residents in a town hall meeting Saturday to discuss his initiatives, their concerns and the legislative agenda in Richmond.
Anderson began the meeting, explaining that he supports an alternative approach to Gov. McDonnell plan to remove the gas tax and instead increase the food and general retail tax to generate revenue for the road and other transportation funds.
Anderson understands the gas tax has remained flat, and has thus decreased revenue for Virginia. While the price of gas has risen substantially over the years, the tax remains at 17.5 cents per gallon.
However, he does not want to raise prices on food, which is already taxed at 2.5 percent.In fact, he suggested possibly even eliminating the food tax.
“I would at least like to discuss,” Anderson said, who had said last week, “the real work would be done in conference.”
On the Farm Bill, which would allow farmers to hold agriculture-related businesses, such as farmers markets, on their property, Anderson said he believes it is a good bill. He liked that it requires government, rather than the farmers, to bare the burden of proving that the land is not being utilized for agricultural purposes.
Anderson also responded to questions about the possibility of creating new districts as senate republicans had voted to do Jan. 21. Anderson said he was caught off guard by the senate vote on Jan. 21.
“None of us knew this was taking place,” said Anderson, and found out when the PotomacLocal.com editor contacted his office.
However, Anderson said he does not think the bill will proceed.
“My feeling is I don’t think you’ll see anything happen,” Anderson said.
While Anderson said districts created in 2011 are not as compact as they should be, he is not in favor of redistricting in a way that does not have bipartisan support.
The bill displeases Democrats because the newly proposed districts place them at a disadvantage. They would also likely have the Constitution on their side, if they were to fight it, especially since lawmakers just redrew Virginia senate and house districts in 2011.
He also explained how a redrawing of districts could draw some representatives right out of their districts, if they no longer lived within the new boundaries.
Supervisor Wally Covington, who attended the meeting, said he did not like the current districts because it divides Prince William County into nine different districts, which makes it confusing for people to identify their representatives. Covington also said he thinks the districts are too gerrymandered, which takes away a person’s ability to choose between viable representatives.
“We have the most fixed precincts I’ve ever seen since I’ve been voting,” Covington said.
Del. Anderson agreed that redistricting has caused some confusion. It has been difficult for him to introduce himself to the people of Nokesville. He said when he was knocking on doors to campaign ¾ of voters said they thought Del. Bob Marshall was their representative.
Anderson said he is dedicated to the people of Nokesville and Prince William’s rural crescent, and while districts are configured in a strange way, he likes representing the people of Nokesville.
“I like this configuration better. You come out here to a more pristine area. There is a decidedly different idea on development out here. The last thing I would want to see is the nature of Nokesville and Brentsville change dramatically,” Anderson said.
He said that while his residents in Lake Ridge and Occoquan have different concerns, he is able to meet the needs of people in both regions.
In a short interview following the meeting, Anderson said he votes fairly conservatively, but retains a great relationship with representatives on both sides of the aisle.
He assured his constituents at the meeting that the Virginia General Assembly is not bitterly bipartisan, saying, “We’re not Washington, D.C.” He told the audience that Republicans and Democrats consider each other friends, even as they have different opinions on the issues.
“The American public has a cynical view of all things political, residing from a few people who did things wrong, or do it for their own reasons,” said Anderson, but explained that he believes the members of the General Assembly spend hours of their time to serve their state and do what they feel is right.
Anderson said it is not a job he sought but when a friend, a former elected official, recommended he serve, he said he thought of it as a continuation of his military service.
While turnout was low at the Nokesville town hall, Anderson said he would like to encourage more participation and wants to hear from his constituents.
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