67th District candidates take on taxes, transportation, government funding at forum
By Layla Wilder
lwilder@timespapers.com
10/20/2005
Times Staff Photo/Layla Wilder
Chuck Caputo
Taxes and government spending were the big issues discussed when the three 67th District candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates squared off at a forum on Oct. 13.
Independent Chuck Eby, a Libertarian; Democrat Chuck Caputo; and Republican Chris Craddock answered questions from a crowd of about 200 people at Westfield High School in Chantilly, whose PTSA organized the forum.
For an hour and a half the three candidates were asked about their positions on a number of subjects. But, no matter what the candidates were asked, they repeatedly returned to the issues of taxes, government spending and state funding in most of their answers.
Caputo, 67, a resident of the Oakton area of the 67th District for 36 years and a former executive in the Defense Information Systems Agency, called himself the “sensible center” in the race.
“We need to protect the quality of life here in Northern Virginia, and we need to work in a bipartisan fashion to make sure we are getting adequate funding,” Caputo said.
“I know the community,” said Craddock, 26, a Chantilly resident and Chantilly High School soccer coach and youth minister who was raised in Fairfax County. “I want to represent our community by taking care of needs while making sure taxes don't go up too high,” he said.
Eby, 49, a resident of Northern Virginia for 37 years, lives in Fair Lakes and is a software manager of a large defense company. He said he is in the race to give voters a choice to vote for a smaller, less evasive government.
Craddock would like to impose his morals on his neighbors while Caputo wants to raise government spending, according to Eby.
“That leaves a big space for me in the middle of the spectrum,” said Eby, who consistently spoke for giving money and responsibility for change to the local citizenry.
Budget surplus
Eby said he would give the budget surplus in Virginia back to the people.
“I would cut a refund check before our representatives in Richmond can find a way to spend it,” Eby said.
Caputo said that just because there is a surplus does not mean there are unpaid bills in the drawer.
“It's the responsibility of the House of Delegates to look and decide how the money will be allocated,” he said.
Craddock said he does not want to hold on to money needlessly but noted there are things that need some funding, like transportation and education.
“We need to make sure we spend our money where we most need it so we don't overcharge taxes year after year and get away with it,” Craddock said.
Education funding
Caputo said public education should be fully funded from kindergarten through college, adding that he strongly opposes vouchers for private schools.
“I will never support vouchers to take away money from public education at a time when we need to support public education,” Caputo said.
Eby disagreed. He supports school vouchers for private schools and school choice so states have less of a burden to fund public education, he said.
“That's the only win-win situation,” Eby said. “I don't see how throwing money at the problem is going to help.”
Craddock said his plan to improve education includes recruiting, rewarding and retaining good teachers.
“Every time we raise taxes and send more money south, we get less money here,” Craddock said. He said he would work at seeking ways to get local money to local teachers.
Craddock said he also favors vouchers for private schools.
Area traffic
The three candidates agreed that the area's congested road infrastructure is a major problem, but they disagreed on how to fund solutions.
If elected, Caputo said he would support extending Metrorail to Dulles International Airport, keeping a dedicated transportation fund for the area and consolidating land-use and transportation issues. He also said he would work to consider the needs of the rest of the state.
“We are not going to do anything by ramming our needs down the throats of the delegates,” Caputo said.
Although he supports keeping a lock on the area's transportation fund, Craddock said he wants to formulate a plan that will keep more money in Northern Virginia.
“The last thing we need is another Virginia delegate to fight for the needs of other people in the state besides the people here,” Craddock said. “We need to work to put the money where the problem is.”
Eby said he thinks the state needs to consider more public-private projects.
The Public-Private Transportation Act allows private entities to enter into agreements with public parties to improve the transportation infrastructure, he noted, saying “we need to move more of those road projects to the private sector.”
Abortion
Toward the end of the forum, the candidates briefly moved from education, taxes and transportation to answer questions on abortion.
Although he is against abortion of any kind, Eby said he does not believe government should ban it.
“I don't feel like I should use the powers of government to deny access to people who want an abortion,” Eby said.
Caputo said he would consent to abortion to protect the life of the mother. “I am extremely against partial-birth abortion except for out of respect for the life of a mother,” he said. He did not address the issue of choice at the forum.
Craddock said he would oppose all abortion. “Liberty starts with the protection of life,” he said.
©Times Community Newspapers 2005