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Legislative e-Newsletter

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

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ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Senator Janet Howell was honored to be named National Child Advocate of 2006 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Janet is the Senate leader in preventing family violence and child abuse. Her efforts let to Virginia's Megan's Law and put information about violent sex offenders on the Internet. Because of her anti-stalking and sexual assault ills, The Washington Post called Janet "a leader in efforts to toughen laws dealing with sex crimes." The Virginia Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Virginia Sheriffs Association, and the Chiefs of Police have all called her Senator of the Year. Jim and Sarah Brady endorsed her because of her leadership for reasonable gun control.

Protecting children and families extends from public safety to health care too. Janet fought for autisism coverage for Virginia families. For years, Janet fought health insurance companies to extend coverage to children with autism. To clearn more about Janet's work for children with autism, click here to download a brochure.

EQUALITY

ON EQUALITY

I have always known no one's rights are secure until everyone's rights are secured.

I was a civil rights worker during the 1960's --and even marched with Dr. Martin Luther King -- because I believe in the innate worth, equality and dignity of every human being.

EQUITABLE TAXES

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ON EQUITABLE TAXES

Virginia is known as a low state tax state. According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Foundation, Virginia ranks 41st among the states in total state and local tax burden when measuring taxes as a percentage of personal income. Virginia is also ranked the Best Managed State by Governing Magazine.

JOB CREATION

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ON JOB CREATION

For Virginians to prosper, Virginia’s businesses must prosper. Since you elected me to the Senate, I have focused on creating a climate in Virginia that will encourage the success of our businesses, large and small. Right now our region’s economy is facing serious challenges. We need to aggressively face the factors hampering prosperity.

I am proud to have helped Virginia maintain our AAA bond rating and be ranked "Best State for Business," "Best Managed State", and "Best State to Raise a Child." But, now, we must work especially hard to keep ahead of other states and compete globally.

LEGISLATION

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For a complete list of legislation authored and co-sponsored by Senator Janet Howell, please click here.

PERSONAL DECISIONS

ON PERSONAL DECISIONS

Government has no place in personal or family decisions. I have consistently supported

the following positions:

• A woman’s right to choose an abortion must be preserved and protected.

• Information about a person’s genetic makeup is private and should not be disclosed without the person’s permission.

• End-of-life decisions are best made by families with advice from physicians and clergy, without government intrusion.

QUALITY EDUCATION

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ON QUALITY EDUCATION

Our Northern Virginia public schools are facing the challenges that come with our rapidly changing society, increasing school-age population, and decreasing revenues. Meeting these challenges is essential for our community and our nation, so that we can fulfill our greatest duty as parents – to secure our children’s future. However, we must acknowledge that the state is under-funding its share of public education by over half a billion dollars a year. We must dedicate substantial additional funds to our public education system. We owe it to our children and our future.

TRANSPORTATION

ON TRANSPORTATION

Nothing frustrates all of us in Northern Virginia more on a daily basis than our transportation mess. Delays in transportation improvements are costing each of us time, quality of life, and money. The Washington Board of Trade documented that congestion already costs the average family over $3000 a year.

Over the years I have been a patron on every significant piece of legislation dealing with transportation. But the real problem is not laws. The real problem is money. We must find a sustainable transportation funding stream of at least $1 billion a year that does not take money from other priorities such as education, healthcare, and public safety.