Arlington residents are short-changed by a state policy that spends Northern Virginia tax dollars in other parts of the state while ignoring long-standing local transportation issues. Lawmakers fund programs that push travelers to public venues rather than improving existing infrastructure. Enhancing existing infrastructure would provide citizens with choices that fit their transportation needs while still reducing congestion long-term.

Solutions:

• Expansion of I-66. Rather than pushing through a solution that disregards environmental and neighborhood concerns, expansion of I-66 should be managed in a cooperative manner. Done right, the I-66 expansion will lower traffic congestion and reduce the carbon emissions that result from congestion. Aaron will introduce legislation that instructs Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to appoint an assistant district administrator to collaborate with local residents, public transit officials, and public safety officials to institute noise and congestion reduction measures as part of the expansion within the existing VDOT owned Right of Way.
• Modernize the Metro. Right now too much money is spent on administrative costs for the metro and not enough on maintenance and upgrades. Federal involvement is needed to help restructure how the Metro is funded. Under the current funding system, metro officials are unable to do long-term planning for infrastructure and upgrades because they don’t know how much money they have to work with in the future.
• Right here, right now. While future transportation planning is very important, we can’t ignore existing road congestion and transportation safety issues. Urban planners and traffic engineers need to resolve current problems before allocating resources to potential issues that may not manifest for years or decades. Aaron supports legislative action that establishes a concrete process for auditing transportation safety.

While the American health care system is the best in the world, we are faced with costs that continue to rise at alarming rates and consume an ever-greater portion of our household budgets. Business as usual in health care is not an option. While some support plans that force us to choose between quality and access, Aaron supports a fundamental change in how we approach health care that will allow everyone to maintain quality care and extend access. As a community we must choose to provide affordable, critical access to quality health care. This is possible by retaining what works in the current system while encouraging innovation and cost-effective medical breakthroughs.

Solutions:

• Untangle the mess. The first step toward health care reform is to untangle the bureaucratic mess that prevents current programs from serving the people they are meant to serve and from functioning in an efficient manner.
• Decrease state-level regulatory costs. This action would help Northern Virginians that buy their own insurance to get a better deal for themselves and their families. Updating outmoded tax policy will facilitate greater access to more affordable health insurance by allowing small businesses and associations to join together to obtain group coverage. Aaron supports legislation that allows the formation of local health insurance options because they will be more cost-effective and more efficiently managed than large-scale, one-size fits all plans.
• Increase competition. Individuals and businesses should be able to purchase the best deal in health insurance anywhere in the United States. A consumer-driven market will lower costs, promote innovation, expand choice, and increase access to medical care. A vibrant free market will encourage research and innovation that, in-turn, will provide better access to new medical technologies.

Virginia lawmakers must create realistic budgets that live within the state’s means. Financial strength and stability sends a strong signal to entrepreneurs that Virginia is, open for business! A sound financial footing allows both citizens and businesses to have confidence that Virginia can provide the type of environment in which they can flourish.

Solutions:

• Live within our means. This means that the Commonwealth of Virginia should do what every responsible person does—pay their bills and stay out of debt.
• Fund needs before wants. Most of us recognize the need to pay the rent or mortgage before going in debt for an expensive vacation. States, just like households, need to use commonsense in setting budget priorities.
• Allow the free market to function. Simply taxing large and small businesses is not the way out of the current budgetary shortfall. Any tax imposed in business increases the cost of operations and is directly passed on to consumers. This results in a higher cost of living for Arlington residents.

Government transparency not only puts integrity back into the governmental process, it invites honest discussion between lawmakers and citizens.

Solutions:

• Truly listen. Aaron pledges to include voters in public policy discussions that impact their lives and livelihood. Representatives should listen to their constituents through ongoing conversations about the issues as they arise, rather than just during the election season.
• Public access. Put all budgets, expenditures, and contracts online for public access. Provide comprehensive, searchable, citizen-friendly access to all information.

In times of trouble, the citizens of our nation and state depend on our Armed Forces for help. Those who answer that call, whether active-duty, guard or reserve, have earned our respect and support.

Solutions:

• Support higher education. Exempt a certain amount of taxable income for full-time students using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This would benefit both the student and the school. And it would encourage veterans to put down roots in Virginia.
• Turn military expertise into civic leaders. Aaron will continue, through personal outreach and public education, to promote the tradition of transitioning the military leaders of today into the business and civic leaders of tomorrow.
• Keep our promise. Ensure that all Virginia Veterans have access to VA hospitals, health care and the other services they have earned.