Patricia B. Phillips

Office sought: District 33 Senate
Party: Republican
Age: 52
Residence: Sterling
Web site:
http://www.phillipsforsenate.com
E-mail:
patricia@phillipsforsenate.com

Occupaton: President, Phillips Resources, a nutritional consulting company.

Education: BS, nutrition, Drexel University.

Elected offices/civic activities: Member and past board member, American Commodity Distribution Association; founding member, Capital Roundtable for Women in Foodservice; steering committee member, Concerned Women for America of Virginia; member, Omicron Nu honor society, Loudoun County Republican Committee, Potomac Falls Anglican Church and School Nutrition Association; former chairman, Loudoun County School Health Advisory Board.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why should voters elect you?

A: I have practical experience building collations and a thorough understanding of federal, state and local government. I will be a true "citizen legislator."

Q: What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

A: The most pressing problem is congested roads. Virginia is one of four states with centralized road construction and maintenance. Virginia has failed to fulfill its responsibility to build needed roads. We should not pit one part of the state against another because of funding needs. Northern Virginia is the economic engine that funds a major part of the state tax revenue. We need adequate roads to keep the economic engine well oiled and running efficiently. If the state will not fulfill its obligation, I will work to transfer the responsibility with funding sources to localities.

Q: What is the appropriate role for state and local government in enforcement of federal immigration laws, and how do you view the current debate in Loudoun on the issue of illegal immigration?

A: It is senseless for state or local law enforcement to ignore federal laws when suspected criminals are found to be in the country illegally. All government, federal, state and local and their agencies, should uphold the rule of law – meaning that laws apply equally to all people. If some law enforcement and government agencies ignore laws, than then our whole system of law enforcement is weakened. Instances of breaking our immigration laws should not be treated differently than any other federal law. For example, if local police suspect counterfeiting of U.S. currency when they book a suspected criminal for another offense, they aren’t going to just ignore it and say, "Well, it’s not a state law." The very economic and social structure that made the United States the “Land of Opportunity” will be eroded if illegal immigration is not curtailed. It is right and appropriate for local government to limit non-lifesaving services to legal aliens and citizens only. Government should be focused on the rule of law and let private charities meet the needs of individuals, legal or illegal, as they deem appropriate.

Q: Do you plan to push for any legislation involving land-use policy or the impact of new development on roads and schools?

A: Land-use should be determined by local governments. I object to state government interference with such decisions. It makes sense that the same governing body approving new development should also be responsible for the road networks and public facilities to support such development. Therefore I would transfer to local governments some of the road construction and maintenance responsibilities, along with needed funds, rather than have the state government or unelected officials involved in local land use decisions.

Q: Do you see the need for changes in the state's mental health treatment system (including any changes in state laws) as a result of the shootings at Virginia Tech?

A: We need to focus on enforcement of the laws and regulations concerning mental health that we already have in place. It appears we need to provide adequate funding for the proper oversight, treatment and tracking to assure that the public is protected from mentally ill patients. I would want to examine our laws to make sure we have not been so protective of the patient’s rights and privacy that we have put the public at risk as a result.

Q: The state is facing a budget shortfall because of revenue projections that did not pan out. What areas of the budget do you think need trimming, and what areas would you try to protect from cuts?

A: I would welcome the opportunity to prioritize Virginia’s state budget. First we need to focus on the core responsibilities of state government: Public safety, roads and transportation, and education. Clearly more money needs to be allocated to roads and mental health. Education has enjoyed significant budget increases in every budget for the last decade and it is reasonable to keep education spending steady while we adjust the budget to address other needed priorities. There are over 300 non-state agencies that are receiving funds from Virginia. These should be a first place to consider as discretionary spending that can be trimmed. Additionally, we may need to prioritize spending within certain budgets; for example the $35 million to subsidize the Port Authority could be redirected to road construction.

Q: Do you think the General Assembly should make any changes in the abusive driver fees it approved this year? If so, what changes do you favor?

A: Yes. I wrote a guest editorial in April 2007 explaining the negative consequences of having law enforcement collect revenue from “abusive drivers.” I would propose to repeal the measure as an inappropriate way to raise funds for transportation.

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?