2018 Pre-Session Survey

for

Delegate Matt Fariss

The following are important public policy issues which may be considered by the General Assembly during the 2018 Legislative Session. Your opinion is very important to me, so please take a few moments to let me know where you stand on these important issues. If you are undecided on an issue, feel free to leave it blank and should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at -
DelMFariss@house.virginia.gov or (434)821-5929.
Please complete the following:
Title:
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
1. From the following list of issues, which issue do you believe should be the top priority of the Virginia House of Delegates?
Please rank your responses. 1 = Highest Priority, 8 = Lowest Priority.
Highest Priority
Lowest Priority
12345678
Creating Jobs and Growing Paychecks
Making College More Affordable and Accessible
Reducing Congestion
Lowering Health Care Costs
Improving Public Schools
Cutting Wasteful Government Spending
Holding the Line Against Higher Taxes
Fighting Federal Government Overreach
2. From the following list of issues, which issue do you believe should be the top priority of the Virginia House of Delegates?
Please rank your responses. 1 = Highest Priority, 8 = Lowest Priority.
Highest Priority
Lowest Priority
123456
Fostering jobs and economic development
Supporting K-12 schools and higher education
Keeping Virginians safe from crime
Providing health care and other services for those in need
Strengthening Virginia’s transportation system
Protecting the environment
3.  Do you believe state government has a role to play in incentivizing job creation using tax credits and economic development incentives?
4.  Virginia’s dual enrollment standards have been criticized by the legislative watchdog agency. Do you support or oppose legislation that would require all colleges to standardize how they evaluate “dual enrollment” programs that allow students to earn college credit while in high school? 
5.  Do you support or oppose Medicaid Expansion in Virginia? While expansion would enroll up to 400,000 currently uninsured Virginians in Medicaid, it could cost the Commonwealth of Virginia over $1 billion per year, forcing cuts to other key services like education, mental health and public safety.
6.  In order to provide healthcare services in Virginia, a provider must obtain a “Certificate of Public Need” from the state. This is a lengthy regulatory process with significant costs. Some argue that COPN should be repealed, or at the least reformed, 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?
7.  Should the General Assembly be able to repeal or prevent the adoption of a regulation with a majority vote?
8.  In Virginia, theft of an item valued at more than $200 is considered a felony. This threshold was set in 1980 and has not been raised to keep up with inflation. Should this threshold be raised or kept the same?
9.  Do you support or oppose legislation overturning Governor McAuliffe’s executive order banning law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms in state buildings?
10.  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? 
11.  Are there any other issues or areas that are of particular concern to you? Please share your opinions using the space provided below.