Issues

Transportation and Sprawl

The Richmond region and Virginia need sensible transportation solutions. I pledge to work closely with local government planners, business and civic groups, VDOT, VDRPT, and all citizens to improve our existing systems to cut traffic jams, repair and improve roads and bridges in a timely manner, and increase alternatives to automobiles. Safety, efficiency, and choice must be the guiding principles.

We must:

• Focus on repairing and improving existing roads. Repaving and bridge repairs and replacements should not be delayed.

• Safe bicycle routes and walking paths or sidewalks should connect all developed sections of the region.

• Mass transit - GRTC lines should run wherever there is local demand and need. I support rail, both freight and passenger; we need improved passenger rail from Richmond to Northern Virginia. I also support the planned Trans-Dominion Express (TDX) which would connect Richmond west through Lynchburg, Roanoke, and on to the Tennessee line at Bristol. This line, which would run on existing tracks, would help tie Southwest Virginia through Southside to the Richmond region. With commuter stations in Chesterfield and Richmond it could be a great amenity for our area.

Much of Chesterfield has already been built up and many Powhatan residents want to protect their piece of paradise by keeping it country to the maximum extent possible. Keeping southwest Chesterfield as farm and forest is an important and realistic goal. Development along 360 and 60 in Chesterfield, Powhatan, and Amelia should be planned so as not to cause more congestion.

My opponent has been unwilling to grapple with the problems of suburban growth. In an interview posted on his website, he speaks of Powhatan having to do something about transportation, as if he were removed from the process. The people and officials of all three localities in the 10th need to know that, as your state senator, I see helping to solve your local problems as my job. I will work closely with local government and citizens to both craft and respond to legislation that affects the quality of life and the economy in Powhatan, Chesterfield, and Richmond. I would certainly never do what my opponent did; sponsor a bill written by a lobbyist that ties the hands of localities looking for the best way to deal with growth.
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Virginia Energy Policy

Reducing fossil fuel and nuclear dependency is the best way for the Richmond region to cut its energy costs. A commitment to conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy will produce these benefits:

• Less money leaving the region for fuel.

• Jobs created in energy audits and retained in building and remodeling.

• Jobs selling efficient vehicles and repairing older models.

• Passenger rail and mass transit for those who want it.

• Road renovation jobs that improve safety and smooth traffic flow and add bike and walking lanes.

• Jobs in solar, wind, and biomass.

• Improved air quality.

There are politicians in Virginia, such as my opponent, trying to talk us into offshore oil drilling as if that would cut gas prices. It would have the smallest effect, and that only briefly. They want to mine uranium in our backyard (less than 80 miles from Powhatan, and upwind.) Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) and uranium are limited resources. Virginia’s four nuclear plants will all reach their 40 year age limit this decade. Any new ones would cost a fortune, as would new coal plants, and all that would be added to our rate base in addition to the fuel cost. Existing power plants can power the energy transition. I acknowledge the costs and challenges of renewable energy. It is a challenge we can meet. Offshore wind, medium-sized solar projects, and comprehensive waste management can capture energy resources readily available. We should not build more nuclear or coal-fired generating plants. We should not drill off-shore for oil and gas and we should keep the ban on uranium mining.

Conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy will make Virginia self-sufficient with the work of Virginians and do it with much less pollution than further investments in uranium or fossil fuels. Why wait? There is not just one best way to get to self-sufficiency but we need to get going "putting people to work doing what needs to be done."

Whatever you believe about global warming and climate change, we need to move beyond fossil fuels anyway, because of their increasing scarcity and expense. But despite what some say, global warming from burning fossil fuels is real. Carbon dioxide from the air was taken up by plants millions of years ago and this carbon became part of coal, oil, and gas. When we burn them, the carbon dioxide goes back into the air. In the last 300 years, since coal mining started, carbon dioxide has gone up from .027% to .038% and goes up more each year. This small percentage traps more of the sun’s heat in the atmosphere. All the effects of climate change are still being documented but we do know the sea level is rising from the warmer and expanded ocean and the melting ice.

About Virginia coal mining: About 18,000,000 tons of coal are mined each year in Virginia, in the area joining West Virginia and Kentucky. Despite the coal, the area is not prosperous overall and coal is often the only business around. As state senator from the 10th District I would represent our interest which is to use no more coal than necessary. As a Virginia state senator, I would have a responsibility to all citizens. Investments to diversify the coalfields economy and especially to develop its renewable resources like wind and hydro are something I would support. I also support stronger measures to prevent environmental damage when coal is mined and burned and when the ash is disposed. Currently Virginia coal gets a tax credit subsidy that costs $41 million a year. My opponent said he disagreed with it but does nothing to end it. I would vote to eliminate it and get the $41 million back for Virginia taxpayers. Then when he (as a member of both the Transportation and Finance Committees) put together the transportation bond package funding was included for a “road to nowhere,” the Coal Fields Expressway. This road would go from Virginia through West Virginia and would serve no one but the coal mining industry. Eminent domain would be used to condemn citizens’ property to allow mining of coal otherwise not available. We in Powhatan, Chesterfield, and Richmond will be looking for money for schools while the bonds for this marginal highway are being paid off.

Coal has been central in the Industrial Revolution and developing an advanced economy. American coal mining began in the 1740’s in the heart of the 10th District in Midlothian. Those who have mined coal and continue to do so deserve our respect for their hard and often dangerous work. Successful coal entrepreneurs like the Masseys and the McGlothlins have given a lot to the Richmond region. But we cannot allow coal to be the tail that wags the dog of the Virginia economy.
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ABC Privatization

I oppose selling off the Commonwealth's ABC stores. The system has worked well for a long time. The ABC provides important revenue to the state. Pricing and availability issues can be handled inhouse.

If the stores were privatized, the state would still have the problem of regulating and policing the retail stores. The clamor for more retail outlets and more advertising would be incessant. The current system is the best for protection of public health and safety and for a steady and necessary income stream to the Commonwealth.
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Virginia Coal Policy

Coal provides a large percentage of Virginia’s energy needs and a majority of its electricity. Virginia has a large coal industry and in fact America’s first coal extraction began in the heart of the 10th District in colonial times. Yet depending on coal for future energy needs is not a responsible policy, and it is imperative that we reduce our need for coal fuel.

Coal is a finite resource. Mining coal, particularly surface mining, is destructive of land, wildlife, and water quality. As the easiest reserves are mined, those remaining become ever more expensive to extract, despite advances in mining technology. Former Congressman Rick Boucher, a firm friend of coal interests, said three years ago that Virginia had ten years of profitable mining left. Burning coal produces air pollution, which is not entirely removed by required smokestack scrubbers. The disposal of the ash and other coal combustion byproducts is a problem that is not properly addressed in Virginia or Federal regulations. Coal burning releases more carbon dioxide per amount of heat produced than either oil or natural gas, so it is a large contributor to the global warming problem.

A responsible Virginia coal policy would address the need to reduce demand for coal for electricity and a prosperous post-coal future for the southwestern coalfields. Virginia should:

• Cease permitting new coal-fired electricity plants, such as the proposed Cypress Creek plant in Surry County. This expensive source of new pollution in a densely populated area should not be added to Virginia ratepayers' bill.

• Reduce electricity demand through systematic efficiency and conservation programs, which would include pricing to discourage excessive consumption.

• Increase renewable electricity production in Virginia with tax incentives, payments to producers, and/or a Renewable Portfolio Standard, by which utilities are required to generate a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. Virginia should take the lead in developing the smart grid and energy storage technologies of the future.

• End the coal credit program by which the Commonwealth pays coal producers if their coal is bought and burned in Virginia. This program costs Virginia about $40 million/year.

• Issue a moratorium on new surface mining permits until a rational policy is developed that will protect the post-coal future of southwest Virginia. This should be coupled with programs to develop renewable energy in the coalfields. We need to use reclaimed land for food, fuel, and timber production, as well as for livable communities, wildlands, and parks. Southwest Virginia ridgetops are good locations for wind power, and there are existing dams that need to be used for hydroelectric power.

We have heard the well-funded naysayers that want us to continue the coal-dependent status quo, which will lead to ever-higher prices as the coal runs out. Our campaign will give them incentive to amplify their efforts. However, the responsible course of action is to begin work now to invent the future that will benefit the entire Commonwealth.
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Virginia Waters

Water is a special interest for me. I have been a plumber since 1985. In the late 90’s I began learning about water pollution and how to prevent it. I began canoeing at that time and have had a chance to paddle some of Virginia’s and the Southeast’s great rivers.

Virginia’s natural resource agencies have dedicated and knowledgeable personnel. However, the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, which includes the James and Appomattox, has missed two deadlines to complete its work. The Bay was supposed to be clean by 2000. The new deadline is 2025, and this effort is off to a bad start. More study groups and delayed action instead of using what is known to hold polluters accountable. The Chesapeake Bay may be the most studied water body in the world, but it is still not clean.

The livelihood and recreation of many Virginians depends on the Bay. Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and all Virginia waters is vital to our future.

Water supply problems are increasing. Water tables in Tidewater are dropping. Population is growing in the Richmond region but there is no additional water in the James, Appomattox, or Swift Creek. Water law in Virginia assumes there is plenty of water, but we need to ensure there is enough.

Assuring safe, legal access to water for swimming, fishing, and boating is important for Virginians’ enjoyment of the outdoors.  Our natural resources agencies would like to provide this but have not had dedicated funding. Lack of progress on this relatively low-cost and very popular program has been frustrating and should be rectified.

Several Virginia legislators have worked to solve Virginia’s water problems, but my opponent has not been one of them. His words do not match his voting record. As your state senator I will be dedicated to solving Virginia’s water problems in a fair and efficient manner. I ask for your vote and promise you no one will be more devoted to taking care of our water resources than I.
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Vision for Richmond: A World Class City & Suburbs

Just as the James River was the logical place to begin the English settlement leading to the founding of our nation, so our unique place, friendly hard-working people, and tradition of entrepreneurial excellence can lead the way to bringing full employment, successful innovation, opportunities to grow wealth, healthy lifestyles, and the full range of cultural and recreational enjoyment.

The goals most of us share are:

• Quality education opportunities for everyone

• Straightforward rules and permitting to ease setting up and running business

• Transparent accountable government that uses our money wisely

• Support for police, firefighters, and rescue

• Medical services second to none

• More corporate and university R & D

• Support and publicity for our historical and cultural places

• Clean water in the James, Appomattox and Chesapeake

• More parks, trails, and water access

• Up-to-date infrastructure – roads, bridges, utilities

• Stopping sprawl and keeping the country country

• More food from local farms

• Easing congestion with smart development

• Building the smart grid for electricity

• Energy conservation

• Developing the region's solar energy potential

• Safe biking and walking throughout the region

• Comprehensive mass transit coupled with air & rail connections

We owe so much to all those who have been working hard already on these goals. Nothing in this outline is especially different from what cities around the world are trying to do. The Richmond region is well-situated to take advantage of its potential.
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Civil Liberties & Law Enforcement

I believe in individual rights and civil liberties. If no one is being harmed then a law is probably not necessary.

I strongly support law enforcement and the judiciary, and will do my best to see this essential work has the personnel, the pay, and the other resources needed to do an effective job of catching and prosecuting criminals and keeping society secure. I also support fair laws, fairly administered, and the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Once a person has served his or her sentence, and avoids further violations, the restoration of civil rights should proceed quickly.

The freedom of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people to make their own choices should be respected. Virginia should not have a law against gay marriage.

Women must have the ability to make their own healthcare decisions. The government should not be intervening in the most difficult decision a woman might face. Those decisions should be made by a woman in consultation with her family, her doctor, and, if she chooses, her faith counselor.  This is consistent with not only American ideals of individual freedom, but with what the Supreme Court determined in Roe vs. Wade.

All thoughtful and ethical people want to foster a culture where people are not pressured into relationships they would not otherwise enter. The reduction of unwanted pregnancies is a goal we all share. For the state to force a woman who does not wish to be a mother to be one is repugnant to me.

Consider the proper role of the government, and why our country’s founders specifically excluded placing an individual or the state under the control of any one religion.

In the 1770’s several American colonies, including Virginia, were emerging from a state monopoly by a particular denomination. Back in Europe the nations were dominated by one Christian denomination or another. That system had emerged from a century and a half of wars fought in the name of religion. Before those wars one particular denomination had a monopoly on all public religious thought and practice, and did not hesitate to enforce religious obedience with police powers and the military.

Our country’s founders rightfully considered coercion to a particular religion wrong. Faith is freely chosen by a free mind, free of pressure from other people, chosen without offer of material reward or threat of material loss.  In America, all of us are free to believe our faith as we see right and true, as articulated by a famous Virginian, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's Statute of Religious Freedom is codified in Virginia law.
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Gun Rights

I agree with and support the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms. This amendment was added to make sure the government could not prohibit gun ownership. In both Massachusetts and Virginia the first military actions of the Revolutionary War were prompted by British attempts to seize American arms. The Second Amendment was written to make sure that government could not do by law what the British government tried to do by force.

With freedom comes responsibility. Gun owners should be adult citizens, of sound mind, and to have had their gun rights legally restored if they have been lost through criminal conviction or other reasons. It is the responsibility of anyone who conveys a gun to another to be sure that person is legally qualified to own a gun.

Hunting is a great tradition in Virginia, providing food and sport for many. Hunting plays an essential role in wildlife management. I will work with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to improve and enhance opportunities for licensed hunters in the Commonwealth.
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Vote for David Bernard for State Senate

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