Issues
Steve Hunt"We need leadership in Richmond that recognizes government is there to protect the rights of all to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (equal opportunity, not equal outcomes) resulting in top priorities of security, justice, infrastructure and education... It is time we send leaders to Richmond who are seeking to protect the rights of Virginians through limiting the infringement of governmental control on our personal lives. We need leaders who will represent the people to the government, not become a part of big government."
A. Economy & Job Creation
Governor-elect Bob McDonnell has articulated a strong, market-based agenda to get Virginia's economy back on track. As your next State Senator, Steve Hunt will be an active advocate for this positive agenda.
The Federal government's so-called "stimulus" program ultimately does nothing to restore long-term prosperity. Instead, the resulting trillion dollar deficits and tax hikes will have the opposite effect. Only the free enterprise system can create real jobs.
Steve Hunt believes that government's role in the economy should be to foster an environment where businesses can flourish and expand their work force. This in turn enables a higher standard of living, allowing people to buy homes, afford healthcare and send their children to college.B. Accessible, Responsive Government
Government needs to recognize that it works for the people, not the other way around. In his years on the Fairfax County School Board, Steve was a tireless proponent of more open and accessible government. He would continue this effort at the statewide level, supporting open government measures such as making the State budget and disbursements available for taxpayer inspection online in a downloadable format.
C. Role of Government
Steve believes that government intervention in the economy should be focused on penalizing fraud and preventing practices that harm people, pets and property, not in bureaucrats trying to micro-management industry.
However, government is critical in providing those services which cannot be provided by the private sector. These services include national security, law enforcement and the justice system, infrastructure and public education.
State and local government has a role in ensuring that the most vulnerable among us who cannot care for themselves are protected and in enabling the opportunity for a fulfilling life.
In many cases, government's best use of that role is as an enabler rather than as the service provider of first resort, developing public-private sector partnerships that represent the best stewardship of taxpayer's hard-earned dollars.D. Transportation
Steve has literally studied the DC metro area's transportation system from the ground up - and down. While majoring in civil engineering at Duke, he spent his summers helping build the Metro system.
Steve favors a solutions-focused approach to Northern Virginia's transportation problems. This involves taking in-depth look at alternatives rather than merely throwing taxpayer dollars at a problem. It involves examining potential private sector solutions, utilizing revenue from off-shore oil and gas for transportation, tax credits for business pro-bono road improvements and addressing barriers to telecommuting.
While public transit is an important part of the mix, it's important to recognize the lifestyles of Northern Virginians and the importance of automobile transportation. Most importantly, the Transportation Trust Fund should be for transportation only, and not raided to fund other government projects.
Area costs of living should be factored into statewide allocations of education and transportation funds, to recognize the special needs of Northern Virginia.E. Education
Steve has been involved in Fairfax County's public schools for over 10 years, including serving from 2004 to 2007 as an At-Large member of the School Board. Having first-hand experience in the largest public education system in the Commonwealth, Steve will be an active voice in the State Senate for lay legislation that empowers local school systems in pursuing more effective and consumer-focused programs.
He believes programs should be evaluated for their effectiveness - dollars do not necessarily equal learning. We need to establish measures of effectiveness and foster a competitive motivation to succeed, including tying principal and teach compensation to school and student achievement.
Public education should be more customer-focused, with wider school choice, wider choices of programs to meet student learning styles and pace, and an accelerated learning path for students learning English. While implementation of these policies is a local issue, the enabling legislation is generated at the state level.F. Environment & Energy
Steve supports common sense, science-based protection of the environment, that balances the need for environmental protection with the need for energy independence and economic growth. This means maintaining low energy costs to protect the standard of living for all Virginians, by drilling responsibly for oil and gas off our coastline, the use of clean coal technologies and safety-conscious use of nuclear power. This means fighting federally imposed "Cap & Trade" which would sound the death knell to many thousands of Virginia jobs.
G. Health Care
Steve is committed to fighting federally imposed nationalized health care programs, including the so-called "public option" and any "reforms" that would diminish the patient's right to choose their own doctor. Instead, he favors market-based programs that allow the patient to make decisions. Tort reform is an essential part of making health care more affordable and is an area where the Commonwealth of Virginia can play an active role.
H. Individual and Human Rights
Steve strongly believes in the core principles of the Founding Fathers, that those unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not given to us by government, but should be protected and defended by elected officials. Steve would be a voice for the voiceless, for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Life - Life is precious and should be protected from conception to natural death. This is especially true for the life of the vulnerable; the child in the womb, those unable to care for themselves and the senior citizen in the hospital. Also, an individual has the right to defend his and his family's lives through the right to keep and bear arms.
Liberty - A key to liberty is the right to private property whether land, possessions or funds. Excessive taxes rob Virginians of this right. Virginians' land should be protected in the Constitution of Virginia from government confiscation for commercial use. Also at risk today are the freedoms of speech, worship and assembly.
Pursuit of happiness - Government's role is to ensure equal access to opportunities and a level playing field, not level outcomes. Fairness is equal and appropriate application of the rules, not tying the score.
I. Immigration
Northern Virginia has a richly diverse population, many of whom have come from other countries. Legal immigrants are important contributors to our economy and culture in Virginia. However, illegal immigration continues to be a concern, particularly in the current economic climate. Steve believes we must address the impact of illegal immigrants on Virginia employment through a market-based system.
J. Defending Our Men and Women in Military
A former US Navy fighter RIO trained in the TOPGUN program, Steve knows first-hand the sacrifices made by America's military in keeping our nation safe.
With numerous military bases in Virginia as well as the Pentagon itself, Virginia has one of the largest active duty and retired armed forces populations in the nation. Steve strongly believes that the Commonwealth should do all it can to support our military population, including ensuring that active duty military voters serving overseas do not lose their right to vote and that their votes are counted.
Steve Hunt"When I joined the Navy, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United Stated against enemies foreign and domestic. That oath is as meaningful today as it was when I was flying off of aircraft carriers off the coast of our enemies. I seek to continue my track record of service to country and community by serving in the Virginia Senate to preserve the ideals and values that made this the greatest nation on the Earth and Virginia the greatest state in the Nation."