Vivian E. Watts

I support current Virginia law which is grounded on precedent under Roe v. Wade and which has been proposed as an amendment to the Virginia Constitution by the unanimous support of Democrats serving in the Virginia General Assembly. Since the Dobbs decision denying the right of privacy in making health decisions, I am deeply concerned that even the right to birth control is under attack. Note: Not a single Republican in 2020 voted for my bill to protect FDA approved birth control (such as the IUD of the Pill that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus) from being termed an abortion.

Disagree

Choose not to answer

The Virginia state and local tax structure needs to be modernized to better reflect ability-to-pay, to counter inflation that increasingly shifts the tax burden to middle and low income, to relieve over-dependence on the real estate tax (used in colonial times as a measure of wealth), and to close loopholes that do not reflect current ways of doing business and economic activity.

Unlike the federal government, Virginia must balance its budget. We face un-precedented challenges to continue basic healthcare and nutrition despite severe federal cuts, while supporting public education, public safety, mental health, etc.

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I strongly agree that taxpayer funding should support K-12. I strongly agree community college should be funded by taxpayers to a significantly greater extent than 4-year public higher education. In addition, student financial aid must be strengthened to counter any increase to in-state tuition required by federal funding cuts.

Agree

Freedom of religion is preserved by individuals choosing not to be employed to provide public services that would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs. A business open to the public is obligated to serve the public within the context of community standards regarding obscenity or professional practice.

Very, very rarely. While in hindsight some governments over-reacted during the pandemic, we must not lose the perspective that over one million Americans lost their lives to COVID and over 100 million contracted COVID.

My response starts at C with expansion of government-backed insurance through private insurance providers to specific populations that private insurers will not cover at affordable rates.

To control communicabe disease, with an opt-out for individuals whose health would be compromised by a specific vaccine or for religious objection.

We need to combat all forms of terrorism. In 2023, almost 47,000 people died from gun-related homicide and suicide.

Choose not to answer

The current situation for Palestinians unleashed by the Hamas attacks on October 1, 2024 is far too-complex for me to respond to this question.

Agree

U.S. immigration law has long needed reform, including significantly increasing the number of hearing officers and judges to process asylum cases, legal status of "Dreamers", essential workers, and foreign students graduating for U.S. colleges and universities. Note: Current lack of due process is unacceptable.

Strongly Disagree

Agree

Agree

Strongly Disagree

The Golden Rule; Matthew25:40 (in as much as you have done unto the least of these ...); Matthew 25: 14-30 (Parable of the Talents); married in a white dress, with mutual loyalty and support that has lasted 65 years.

Agree

I would make it easier for physically-disabled to vote (especially seniors), but my focus is primarily on preserving the 2021 changes in Virginia's voting that include access to allow early voting starting 45 days before an election, counting of ballots received Friday after the election if post-marked before the election, same day registration, and no-excuse absentee voting.

Choose not to answer

Critical Race Theory does NOT assert that "the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist." Rather, it is an analytic, legal approach to determine whether a case can be made to document that the results of the way a given institution has functioned has resulted in substantially different outcomes related to the race of individuals.

Yes. I believe that America is strongest when each person's abilities are engaged to the greatest degree.

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This is case-specific. I supported scholarships related to Black students who were denied education for a decade in Prince Edward County, Virginia due to massive resistance to the Court-ordered integration of public schools under Brown v. Board of Education.

B

Disagree

"Liberty and justice for all"

Lean Liberal

A Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly gets little or no attention in the media market of our nation's capitol, as well as, covering Maryland, D.C.. and many local governments.

No

My legislative priorities are mental health, k-12 funding, and tax modernization focused on equity. I love the challenges of inclusive governing that tries to best encompass the long-term interests of those affected. I work hard to stay in touch -- going wherever I'm asked to see problems firsthand and, most importantly, to listen. Over 50% of members of the Virginia House have served less than 4 years and I am committed to learn from them to help them be as effective as possible. To do that, I am determined to stay up to date through extensive reading from many sources and wide media exposure so that my breadth and depth of background remain relevant. Finally, I believe my service has been heightened as much by being raised on a farm and working my way through college, as by serving as Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public. Understanding people's lives must always be what drives service.

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While I agree with the concept of qualified immunity for conduct while on duty, it only works if there is well-developed department policy that reflects prevailing professional standards. Over-generous granting of qualified immunity has resulted from court rulings based on very precise determinations that the facts of a case do not exactly match the precedent of any prior court ruling.

Choose not to answer

I do support increased funding for mental health and community engagement, in part, because it effectively reduces police officers being diverted from law enforcement. However, I do not support reducing police budgets in order fund human needs, given that having well-screened and well-trained officers operating within a structured and adequately staffed system of accountability is essential to the safety of all.

My support of gun safety legislation includes universal background checks, red flag laws, authority to prohibit weapons on posted government property, prohibiting untraceable ghost guns, and an age limit to purchase a military assault weapons.

Agree