How will you prevent Virginia from becoming two states, one of "haves" and one of "have nots"?

Virginia Business
October 2005

Kaine: We must continue to work to ensure that all Virginians have the opportunity to participate in the success of the commonwealth. We took an important step toward that goal with the tax fairness in budget reform, cutting income taxes and food taxes. I have proposed a detailed plan to provide tax relief to promote more affordable housing. The basis of continued economic success is founded in the educational opportunity we provide to the next generation of Virginians. Budget reform was able to make an historic investment of $1.5 billion in education. As governor, I will continue to ensure that we create a highly skilled work force for Virginia through prioritizing education and higher education opportunities for all Virginians.

Kilgore: As governor, I am going to create a Commonwealth of Opportunity through honest reform. I am proposing better pay for better teachers so that our children get a better education to be able to compete and succeed. We must also invest in our transportation system to keep people and commerce moving. In addition, I am proposing an initiative to make health care more affordable and accessible by using information technology to enhance patient safety, cut waste and lower costs. I also would establish tax credits for families and employers for long-term care insurance; commit an additional $20 million over four years, in conjunction with investment from the private-sector insurers and health-care providers, to the Virginia Health Care Foundation to establish additional community and rural health centers in Virginia's underserved areas. And I would work with the federal government to educate Virginians about, encourage the purchase of and expand the use of health savings accounts.  These proposals will benefit all Virginians.

Potts: The best way to ensure that all Virginians share in the prosperity I see in Virginia's future is to attract industries that rely upon a diverse work force. As I stated previously, encouraging industries that rely heavily upon the most highly educated workers alone would do little to provide opportunities to thousands of skilled laborers with families throughout the commonwealth.