2021 Session Survey Office of Delegate Kirk Cox Step 1 of 14 0% First Name*Last Name*PhoneEmail* Address* Street Address Address Line 2 City State / ProvinceAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code Virginia continues to face budget constraints due to the impact of COVID-19. How should the General Assembly address budgetary constraints?*Raise general or statewide taxes (sales, income, gas, and/or personal property)Increase specific fees to cover actual costs of providing certain public programsCut government spending and streamline programs Schools in Virginia have largely been virtual since March when COVID-19 first hit. The CDC and other authorities say schools should be opened for younger children as soon as possible. Do you think schools should reopen, remain virtual until the 2021-2022 school year, or take a hybrid approach?*Schools should reopen with appropriate safety measures with a virtual option (masks, social distancing, etc)Schools should remain virtual at least until the start of the 2021-2022 academic yearSchools should take a hybrid approach that alternates between in-person and virtual learning Last year, General Assembly Democrats adopted a number of laws making it more difficult for law abiding Virginians to exercise their Second Amendment rights, including putting limits on how many firearms people can purchase in a month. Do you think these laws:*Did not go far enoughWere adequateWent too far Virginia has spent the better part of 2020 in one form or another of COVID restrictions. Businesses closed, limits on restaurants, and other measures have been imposed by the governor. Which statement below best describes your thoughts on these measures?*Lockdowns are necessary for public healthLockdowns are excessive, but people should be required to wear masks in public placesState government should recommend closures and mask usage, but they shouldn’t mandate itState government should trust Virginians to make their own decisions about whether or not to open businesses or wear masks During the 2020 special session, I introduced language to create the READ Fund, which would give parents a share of money from the federal CARES Act to assist parents in purchasing necessary software products, tutoring services, and other resources for students who might fall behind due to virtual education. Democrats blocked the measure twice. Do you support using federal CARES Act money already allocated to Virginia to help parents help their children with virtual education?*I support using CARES Act money to help parents with educational costsI do not support using CARES Act money to help parents with educational costs In the 1990’s, a bipartisan majority of Virginia legislators eliminated parole for violent offenders and now Virginia has the lowest rate of recidivism -- repeat offenders -- in the nation. Democrats now seek to reinstate parole for some of the most violent criminals, including individuals convicted of murder and sexual assault. Should Virginia reinstate parole for all offenders?*Yes, reinstate parole for all offendersNo, do not reinstate parole for all offenders Last year, the Virginia Parole Board released several violent offenders -- including convicted murderers -- without properly notifying their families as required by state law. During the recent special session, Democrats blocked proposals to require the Virginia Parole Board to report on their deliberations unredacted on whether or not to release violent prisoners who still qualify for parole, as they were sentenced before parole was abolished. Do you support or oppose making the Board’s votes and deliberations public?*Yes, Parole Board actions should be made publicNo, Parole Board actions should not be made public A number of Democrats have expressed support for the “defund the police” movement. Do you support or oppose defunding Virginia law enforcement?*Yes, I support the “defund the police” movementNo, I do not support the “defund the police” movement During the recent special session, Republicans introduced legislation that would curb the Governor’s authority to declare states of emergency. I will introduce similar legislation during the 2021 session that would require the General Assembly to convene in order to extend a state of emergency past a 45-day limit. Do you support legislation that would limit the Governor’s ability to declare extended states of emergency?*Yes, limit the Governor’s ability to declare extended states of emergencyNo, do not limit the Governor’s ability to declare extended states of emergency Virginia’s right to work laws ensure that union membership cannot be used as a condition for employment, leaving the decision on whether or not to join a union up to each individual. House Bill 1755 has been introduced to repeal right to work in Virginia meaning that workers could be required to join a union as a condition of employment, along with necessary union dues. Should the General Assembly repeal our long-standing right to work laws?*Yes, Virginia should repeal right to work lawsNo, Virginia should not repeal right to work laws The General Assembly has long sought to make Virginia the most veteran friendly state in the Union. Of the following proposals, which do you support? Mark all that apply.* Exempt retirement pay from taxation for low income 100% service-connected veterans Expand the Commonwealth's Disabled Veteran Passport (free admission to state parks) to include all service-connected disabled veterans Partial tax exemption on military retirement income ($2,500 under 65 /$5000 over 65) if federally adjusted gross income (FAGI) is less than $82,000 Fund a grant program ($50k) to incentivize employers to hire members of the Virginia National Guard or Reserves In 2020, Democrats in the General Assembly passed legislation repealing Virginia’s photo ID law that required voters to show a picture ID when casting their ballot. Should the state legislature reinstate a photo ID law?*Yes, a photo ID law should be reinstatedNo, a photo ID law should not be reinstated In the space provided below, please share any other thoughts you have about issues facing Virginia.CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
