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Marshall sets out 2010 agenda following Election Day win
Chalk it up to an influx of new residents over the years or an energy gap between Republicans and Democrats, but more people voted for Del. Bob Marshall (R-13th) than any other House of Delegates candidate in Virginia last Tuesday.Marshall, whose district contains precincts in western Prince William County and lower Loudoun County, received 22,982 votes compared to Democrat John Bell's total of 14,472. That total, the largest in Marshall's legislative career, came even after the challenger outspent the nine-term incumbent by a six-to-one ratio.
"If people need help at the state government, I give them help," he said during a phone interview Monday. "If you multiply that times 18 years, that's a lot of people that you've helped."
Going into the 2010 General Assembly session, Marshall said he plans to reintroduce his autism funding bill, a transportation bond bill, and legislation designed to help Virginia spend money more efficiently.
His main goal for the General Assembly is "to get more for the money and the only way you're going to do that is to scrutinize at close range,” the way laws are being funded and implemented, he said.
Marshall talked about meeting a state trooper in Loudoun County on Election Day, who told him his particular unit is paying $150 a month for each computer it uses. That's the type of contract that should be re-examined in order to get a better deal, according to Marshall.
The delegate, known for his conservative social legislation as well as for being a fiscal hawk, is also planning to introduce a bill that would allow Virginia to opt out of Medicaid if a health care bill similar to what the House of Representatives passed Saturday becomes law. He projected it would save the state about $2.3 billion.
To Marshall, the House bill is the equivalent of the federal government playing "Santa Claus" with those who would rely on subsidies to afford health insurance.
He would like the state government to still pick up long-term care for people, such as those in nursing homes. He estimates that cost would be between $1 billion and $1.2 billion. But Marshall would consider Medicaid an unfunded mandate imposed on the state if current health care legislation is ultimately passed into law.
"I wouldn't vote for that bill but if they do that, I'm trying to make the best out of a bad situation," he said.
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