2016 Session Survey Results
1. What core services provided by the state government are most important to you?
Fostering Jobs and Economic Development
1 – (38.74%)
2 – (27.93%)
3 – (11.71%)
4 – (9.91%)
5 – (6.31%)
6 – (5.41%)
Supporting K-12 Schools and Higher Education
1 – (40.54%)
2 – (26.13%)
3 – (14.41%)
4 – (9.91%)
5 – (3.60%)
6 – (5.41%)
Keeping Virginians Safe from Crime
1 – (30.91%)
2 – (22.73%)
3 – (20.00%)
4 – (10.00%)
5 – (13.64%)
6 – (2.73%)
Providing Health Care and Other Services for Those in Need
1 – (28.83%)
2 – (18.02%)
3 – (20.72%)
4 – (17.12%)
5 – (9.91%)
6 – (5.41%)
Strengthening Virginia’s Transportation System
1 – (19.82%)
2 – (26.13%)
3 – (25.23%)
4 – (16.22%)
5 – (4.50%)
6 – (8.11%)
Protecting the Environment
1 – (32.43%)
2 – (12.61%)
3 – (15.32%)
4 – (15.32%)
5 – (8.11%)
6 – (16.22%)
2. Would you support efforts to reform Virginia’s tax system by eliminating tax credits, deductions, incentives, and preferences in order to lower the overall tax rate?
Yes – (59.62%)
No – (40.38%)
3. Charter schools are unique public schools that operate under a specific charter. They are given more flexibility to operate than traditional public schools, but they still must meet some accountability requirements. They are open to all children, do not charge tuition, and do not have special entrance requirements. Virginia has only nine charter schools, while New York has over 200. Supporters argue that they improve educational outcomes for students, while opponents contend that their outcomes are not consistent. Do you support or oppose a constitutional amendment to encourage the creation of more charter schools in Virginia?
Support – (49.09%)
Oppose – (50.91%)
4. Some officials advocate expanding early childhood education in Virginia by offering universal Pre-K to all children through Virginia’s public schools, which they say improves long-term educational and economic outcomes. Others argue universal Pre-K offers little tangible benefit, would increase class sizes, and would be a costly endeavor for taxpayers. Which of the following best describes your view on early childhood education in Virginia?
Virginia should expand early childhood education by offering universal Pre-K through the public school system – (39.09%)
The private sector and the Head Start program for underprivileged children provide sufficient access to early childhood education in Virginia – (25.45%)
Virginia needs more early childhood education opportunities, but universal Pre-K is not the right approach. Virginia should expand access to private early childhood education providers – (16.36%)
Virginia does not need any additional education opportunities – (14.55%)
Other – (4.55%)
5. In 2012, the General Assembly created a program that allowed businesses to claim a tax credit in exchange for helping fund scholarships to private schools for underserved students. Do you support or oppose expanding this initiative to provide underserved students with access to private early childhood education schools?
Support – (51.40%)
Oppose – (48.60%)
6. How do you feel about the cost of college tuition in Virginia?
College tuition is too high and increasing too fast – (78.38%)
College tuition is okay right now, but increasing too fast – (12.61%)
College tuition is okay right now, and increasing at an acceptable rate – (7.21%)
Other – (1.80%)
7. Do you support or oppose efforts to expand state “Tuition Assistance Grants” to Virginia students who attend private colleges and universities? Tuition assistance grants are awarded to Virginia residents who attend accredited private colleges in Virginia like Eastern Mennonite University. The maximum grant size is currently $3,100 a year for undergraduate students.
Support – (57.94%)
Oppose – (42.06%)
8. Virginia’s Medicaid program is the fastest growing part of the state budget, having grown by 1600% in the last 30 years, and now accounts for over 20% of all state General Fund spending. To combat these rising costs, some lawmakers have proposed hiring an independent auditor to conduct a comprehensive financial and operational audit of Virginia’s Medicaid program. Would you support or oppose this audit?
Support – (77.57%)
Oppose – (22.43%)
9. Do you support or oppose efforts to make common forms of birth control available over the counter?
Support – (80.19%)
Oppose – (19.81%)
10. In order to provide healthcare services in Virginia, a provider must obtain a “Certificate of Public Need” from the Commonwealth. This is a regulatory process that can be costly for providers. Some argue that COPN should be reformed in order to make healthcare more of a free market, which they say would lower costs and expand access. Others argue the COPN process is necessary to control costs, ensure the quality of care and protect the financial viability of hospitals. Which of the following best describes your position?
Virginia should repeal its COPN laws – (16.67%)
Virginia should reform, but not fully repeal, its COPN laws – (50.00%)
Virginia should leave its COPN laws in place as they currently exist – (22.55%)
Other – (10.78%)
11. Would you support or oppose legislation to allow patients and doctors to sign “direct primary care” contracts without government regulation? Direct primary care contracts are written agreements between you and your doctor for specific services at pre-negotiated prices.
Support – (73.52%)
Oppose – (26.47%)
12. Would you support or oppose legislation prohibiting the use of all state government resources to facilitate the resettlement of refugees from states that are officially considered “terrorism sponsors?” This legislation would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to re-settle refugees from Syria, Iran and the Sudan.
Support – (41.82%)
Oppose – (58.18%)
13. Do you support or oppose legislation overturning Governor McAuliffe’s executive order banning law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms in state buildings?
Support – (52.73%)
Oppose – (47.27%)
14. Currently, Virginia does not allow early voting but does have absentee voting, both in-person and by mail. Early voting does not require a reason, but absentee voting does. Some have proposed early voting as a way to ease lines at the polls on Election Day and increase voter participation. Opponents argue that there is no indication early voting increases participation and that the costs of early voting, plus the challenges of keeping the votes secure for a long period of time do not make it worthwhile. Do you support or oppose early voting in Virginia?
Support – (49.53%)
Oppose – (50.47%)
15. Would you support or oppose providing dedicated Veteran Advisors for the Virginia Community College System to provide a “one-stop shop” for veterans returning to college?
Support – (91.43%)
Oppose – (8.57%)