Janet D. Howell* (D)
Office Sought: Va. Senate District 32
Age: 64
Residence: Reston.
Education: BA, government, Oberlin College; MA, international relations, University of Pennsylvania.
Occupation: Virginia state senator.
Web site:http://www.janethowell.com
E-mail address: senhowell@aol.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Virginia Senate, 1992-present; past chairman, Virginia State Board of Social Services; past president, Forest Edge PTA; past board member, County Council of PTAs; past president, Reston Community Association; past chairman, Reston Transportation Committee; past committee chair, Fairfax County Federation of Citizen Associations; past vice chairman, Citizens Committee for Land Use and Transportation Planning.
Why should voters elect you?
"After 16 years in the Senate as well as 18 years as a community leader, I have experience, seniority and drive to move Virginia ahead."
What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
"Our biggest challenge is spending the taxpayers' money wisely, finding economies and investing in our people. Virginia is winning national awards as a well-managed and business-friendly state. In other areas, we have work to do. We are falling behind other states in funding education at all levels. Serious inadequacies are obvious in our mental health system and in other services to sick and vulnerable Virginians. Our funding for the environment and arts are among the lowest in the nation. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I am working across party and regional lines to correct these deficiencies."
What is your plan to address the traffic problems in Virginia?
We made some progress in funding Virginia's transportation needs during the last session. Governor Kaine did a heroic job of improving the convoluted Republican "compromise." However, we must get rid of the "abuser fees" that I consistently opposed. The level of new funding that passed will merely slow the decline of our transportation network, so we need to continue to search for new technologies and expand the use of public/private partnerships. We must pay urgent attention to our bridges, almost 40% of which have known deficiencies. Virginia needs more coordination between our land use and transportation planning. Otherwise, we will never catch up. For regions such as Northern Virginia, more emphasis must be placed on mass transit. Rail to Dulles, preferably under Tysons Corner, is essential to the economic vitality of the region as well as to the quality of life of those of us who live in the corridor.
Do you think current policies governing growth & development in your area are too restrictive, not restrictive enough or just right?
not restrictive enough
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
