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Candidates for governor speak about how they will grow economy
Whether through investment in education and research or through tax incentives, all four candidates for Virginia governor said growing the state's economy and attracting new businesses would be a top priority of their administrations.
Democrats Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran, and Republican Bob McDonnell spoke to area business leaders at a April 3 Northern Virginia Technology Council forum. Much of the event focused on higher education, job creation and supporting innovation in the state.
State leaders have lost sight of the relationship between higher education and job creation, according to Deeds, a state senator from southwest Virginia. He wants to invest more in the state's community colleges and four-year institutions.
"You can't compete for the low-wage, low-skill jobs," Deeds said. "You can compete for the smart jobs."
McDonnell, the former Virginia attorney general, said the state has been spending more on higher education in recent years, and he would focus on getting more Virginians into the state's top schools by working in with university presidents.
To bolster the state's economy, McDonnell said he wants to "get rid of some of the regulatory and tax burdens" on small businesses and supports energy initiatives like offshore oil drilling that could create jobs.
"I want this to be the most business-friendly state in the nation for small businesses," he saod.
Tax incentives to get new businesses to locate in Virginia are a key part of McAuliffe's plan to grow the economy.
"I want us to have the best business-friendly state in the country," the former Democratic National Committee chairman said. "I promise you all that I will give you more jobs than any of the other 49 governors."
Moran, a state delegate from Alexandria, said the state must remain a competitive location for business, but that leaders must do more to attract research jobs in field like biotechnology, life sciences and green energy to remain competitive. He said the state should encourage wind and solar electricity production.
"Virginia can be a leader," Moran said. "We truly can connect the dots on energy."
Given the location of the forum, the candidates all spent a portion of their time speaking about transportation, generally saying that an improved infrastructure is an important support for businesses.
"Transportation is No. 1 on the agenda for me," Deeds said simply, although his time to speak ran out before he could offer much in the way of specifics.
"I can't bring you jobs if you're stuck in traffic all day," said McAuliffe, who said that state leaders need to have "an honest discussion about revenue" before the state's transportation problems can be addressed.
Revenue is also the pivotal issue in Moran's transportation plans. "If you can find someone who will fix a bridge for free, let us know," he quipped.
He backs a multifaceted approach – expanding freight and passenger rail service, using public-private partnerships and increasing telecommuting. "Transportation is essential to our future economic growth," Moran said.
McDonnell said the state could get more for its transportation dollars if it focuses on using technology and doing more public-private partnerships, which he said are "vastly underused."
"We need more innovative solutions like the HOT lanes" on Interstate 495, he said.
McDonnell also supports building high-speed rail service to connect Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads.
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