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Karen Responds to Your Questions About Important Issues Affecting the 27th State Senate District

Transportation

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?

The use of abusive driver fees legislation to fund transportation is a bad idea plain and simple. Promoting safety on our roads and funding badly-needed transportation infrastructure are separate issues and should be treated accordingly. The abuser fees should be repealed and replaced with a comprehensive transportation package that incorporates a sustained source of funding. The fees were designed to raise revenue, not provide safer roads. It is not a logical statement to relay to Virginias that the repair of our roads depends on habitual and criminal traffic violations. The people of Virginia have voiced a strong opposition to the abusive driver fees. As your state senator I will repeal the abusive driver fees and secure a sustainable source of funding for transportation.

The Budget Process

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?

The predicted budget shortfall means that Richmond must tighten its belt and conduct a more efficient government. We have to protect essential services such as education, police and fire, and provide sustained funding for transportation improvements. As former Chair of the Winchester City School Board I finished projects under budget and ahead of schedule. In the Senate I will use this experience to champion legislation that is fiscally conservative and uses our taxpayer dollars in a resourceful, efficient, and transparent way.

Health Care

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?

As a health professional, I see preventative care as the key to preventing medical related tragedies such as the horrible events at Virginia Tech. Through increased funding to community based health services, we prevent the rising need for residential treatment thereby reducing costs. In the Senate I will work to increase access to free clinics, crisis prevention services, jail diversion programs, and rural mental health care. All Virginians should have access to mental health care regardless of their financial ability. With respect to the tragedies at Virginia Tech, the communication of information related to mental health records should be used only in extreme cases where the safety of the person or those around them is in danger. We also have an obligation in the Legislature to provide the appropriate resources and logistical support to ensure that the proper follow up is conducted pertaining to court mandated treatment.

Smart Growth & Land-Use Planning

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

In the Senate I will champion legislation and principals that promote smart growth, superior schools, and infrastructure that meets our ever-growing needs. It is crucial that the General Assembly approach the issue of growth with an eye to research and to the future. Our region of Virginia is growing rapidly, and now more than ever there is a great demand for housing, schools, and community infrastructure. We must move forward with innovation, ingenuity, and efficiency. I will support comprehensive land use plans that encompass all aspects of a community’s infrastructure and work in concert with business and industry. Building housing near commerce centers, existing schools, and infrastructure can lessen our need for new roads and prevent sprawl. I will also support legislation that enhances access to the Purchase Development Rights Program and conservation easements. By building smart and efficiently, we can reduce costs and enhance the quality of life that all Virginians deserve.

Immigration

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

We must combat the problem of illegal immigration in Virginia. It is an enormous financial burden and the safety of our Commonwealth is at stake. We must be fair but strict; this is a country of laws and they must be followed. Washington has failed to do its job, and we must take action to solve the issue of illegal immigration. If the Federal Government commits the correct funding and personnel, I support the training of our sheriffs, police, and correctional staff to deport illegal immigrants following an arrest. However, we must ensure that our police and sheriffs are not burdened with another unfunded mandate. It is crucial that the Federal Government commit the necessary resources to prevent any further drain on our budget. In the Senate I will support legislation that increases the access of verification technology for our businesses so that there will be no excuse for hiring illegal aliens. We must approach this situation with firmness of will and fairness of action. I have the utmost respect for those who immigrate legally into this country, including those in our own families who came before us. My experience as a professor at Shenandoah University has allowed me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people who have recently arrived in this great nation. We must ensure that those who choose to disregard our laws do not jeopardize the entrance of legal immigrants into this country.

Education

A high quality education system is essential to Virginia’s community. This includes having excellent facilities as well as the best staff in K through 12 and higher education – including 4 year and community colleges. Do you support efforts to adequately fund this priority including increasing general fund appropriations and issuing education bonds?

As a mother whose children attended public schools, as former Chair of the Winchester City School Board, and a professor at Shenandoah University, I know that education is a top priority for all Virginians. As your state senator I will fight for greater access to higher quality education, and better pay for our teachers. Education is an investment that is truly the foundation of our economy. I will make every effort to ensure that our public school system is fully funded so that our teachers have access to every possible resource as they prepare Virginia’s leaders of tomorrow. In the Senate I will sponsor legislation that will increase general funds appropriations to all levels of education. I will fully support the issuing of education bonds.

Environment & Conservation

What role should policy-makers and businesses play in ensuring an environmentally sound region?

In the General Assembly I will support legislation that offers tax incentives for green building and energy efficiency, not mandates that stifle our business community. Also, the members of the General Assembly should partner with the business community to develop smart growth plans. What do you hope will be the response of the Virginia State Corporation Commission in regards to the proposed 500-kilovolt power line extension from Frederick County to Loudoun County, a joint project of Dominion Virginia Power and Allegheny Energy’s Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co. subsidiary? We are all aware that our region of Virginia as well as many others is growing rapidly. However I am not in agreement with the opinion that the way to have the amount of energy we will need is to rely on the building of power lines and continuing our use of polluting coal fired power plants. This moment should be considered a crossroads. Virginia should now take the initiative to become a leader in innovative technologies that fosters energy conservation and maintains the highest standers of environmental protection. I truthfully hope that the response of The Virginia State Corporation Commission will deny approval of the proposed 500-Kilovolt power line extension.

Have a Question You Want Answered?

Email Karen at Karen@KarenSchultz.org !

Karen On The Issues

Karen Schultz is a true moderate. She is a connector that will continue the moderate approach of Governors Kaine and Warner. We are at a crossroads in Virginia. We can move in the direction of moderate common sense government, or we can take the path of partisan, do nothing rhetoric. As your state senator, Karen will fight for a bi-partisan moderate approach to the real problems affecting Virginia.

Increase Access to high quality education: “Teacher of the Year”
“We must increase access to high quality education, it is truly the backbone of our commonwealth.”

• At Shenandoah University Karen was named teacher of the year multiple times.
• As chair of the Winchester School Board, Karen has the real hands-on experience to solve the issues facing all students in Virginia.
• Karen pioneered the service-learning program at Shenandoah University, allowing our students to gain real-world experience while at the same time giving services to the community.

Efficiency and funding to solve our transportation crisis
“Better planning and investment in transportation will ensure a higher quality of life for all Virginians. I will work with a spirit of innovation and smart planning to solve our transportation needs.”

• Karen will fight for a sustained funding source that will adequately support our transportation needs.
• Karen believes we must move forward with intelligence and purpose, and be advocates of smart growth and planning.
• Karen will fight for improved access to metro and bus transit, ride share programs, and communities built with less cars in mind.

Improve Accessibility and Standards of Healthcare
“As a health care professional (respiratory therapist) that has worked in our community hospitals, and as a professor at Shenandoah University School of Pharmacy, I have first hand knowledge of the healthcare crisis we are facing.”

• Karen’s faith has taught her that we have a responsibility to care for those who cannot care for themselves.
• Karen believes that it is unacceptable that cost has become a barrier to health in this great commonwealth and country.
• Karen believes that beyond the moral crisis that healthcare has become, it is also a financial crisis.
• In the Senate, Karen will fight for lower health care costs, tax credits and incentives for employers that offer health benefits, and higher standards of care for the poor and the elderly.
• As a professor in the Bernard Dunn School of Pharmacy at Shenandoah University, and a respiratory therapist, Karen will use her experience and knowledge to pass legislation that combats this crisis with efficiency and cost saving measures.

Battle Illegal Immigration and ensure the legal status of all citizens
“We must combat the problem of illegal immigration in Virginia. The financial burden as well as the safety of our commonwealth is at stake. We must be fair but strict, this is a country of laws and they must be followed.”

• Karen believes that illegal immigration is a serious issue facing our community.
• Karen knows that the federal government has failed to do its job and the citizens of Virginia are paying for their mistake.
• Karen believes that we must crack down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants.
• Karen believes that we must tighten our borders at all cost and do whatever is necessary to end the entrance of illegal aliens into our commonwealth and country.
• Sheriff Lenny Millholland of Winchester City said, “Karen Schultz is the only candidate with a real plan to fight illegal immigration.”

Fighting to protect your 2nd Amendment Rights
“I will protect the rights of Gun Owners, like my husband Gene.”

• Karen fully supports the rights of Virginians to bear arms.
• Karen believes that we do not need any more laws or restrictions on gun ownership or possession.
• Karen supports the rights of all Virginians to hunt and fish; her husband Gene is an avid hunter and a gun owner.

Preserve our Environment
“This is not only an issue of preserving our natural history and beautiful open spaces, it is about the burden of the alternative.”

• Karen believes that we must protect our open spaces by improving access to Conservation Easements and Purchase Development rights programs.
• Karen completely rejects the instillation of a high-voltage power line through Virginia.
• Karen believes that we must reduce our energy demand through innovative tools like energy saving light bulbs and green building.

Real Family Values
“Faith and family guide my life. After 30 years of marriage, and as a church elder, I know that the strength gained from my faith in God has brought me to where I am today.”

• Karen and her husband Gene have been married for 30 years and have 2 children.
• Karen’s faith in God has taught her the importance of serving others in the community.
• Karen is an elder at her church, First Presbyterian in Winchester.
• Karen has a long record of faith-based community service.