Issues
Keeping Taxes Low for all Virginians
Delegate Scott’s work for local Virginia and concern for consumers is second to none. He has presented and supported bills that assist the smaller businesses of our communities while continuing to promote central Virginia’s culture and encourage competition throughout the state. He was co-patron of estate tax repeal in Virginia for several sessions until it was successful and also co-patroned legislation during the 2006 session which created a sales tax holiday for school supplies, clothing, and footwear.
Supporting Agriculture and Small Business
Delegate Scott understands that small businesses are the core of the economy of the 30th District and the Commonwealth. In the 2008 General Assembly session, he carried successful legislation (HB 728) to make it easier for small businesses and the insurance agents who serve them to shop for health insurance. Agriculture is also a significant contributor to our local economy and remains a major land use. Delegate Scott’s efforts to assist new and growing farm wineries (HB 1399, 2008 and HB 2071, 2009) are part of his commitment to Virginia agribusiness.
Protecting Our Traditional Family Values
While in Richmond, Delegate Scott consistently champions the family values we all share. He respects the sanctity of marriage, continues to vote for responsible pro-life legislation and supports responsible safety in homes, schools, and on our highways. During his second term, Delegate Scott sponsored legislation that keeps our children safe on the road and improves school bus safety . This year he carried successful legislation (HB 2070) to give the parents of twins or multiples input into classroom placement decisions.
Reducing Congestion and Building Roads
Despite promises on the campaign trail not to raise taxes for transportation, the Kaine Administration has repetitively proposed large tax increases as transportation solutions. In both regular sessions and special sessions, Delegate Scott has supported efforts for comprehensive and innovative transportation solutions, including funding for rail and transit. Delegate Scott is recognized by his colleagues for his work to improve Virginia’s revenue-sharing program for highway construction, a key element of transportation progress in our region.
Defending the Virginia State Constitution
One of the most important responsibilities of a legislator is to uphold the Constitution. Delegate Ed Scott understands this and has worked to defend our constitutional rights and voted for laws that secured our communities. In his second term, Delegate Scott voted in favor of restricting the government’s ability to confiscate land under eminent domain thereby increasing the rights of property owners. He supported efforts addressing the challenge of illegal immigration in a practical yet forceful manner including co-patroning legislation which would make federal illegal alien status unlawful in Virginia. In the 2008 session, he co-patroned legislation (HB 470) to give local governments additional tools to deal with loitering in the rights of way of highways.
Improving Education for Our Children
Continuing with his efforts from previous sessions, Delegate Scott has voted to give our local schools full funding for the Standards of Quality, so that our children have the tools they need to succeed. He strongly believes that accountability and reform will be successful for our students so long as the state provides its fair share of funding.
Preserving Our Second Amendment Rights
A member of the General Assembly’s Legislative Sportmen’s Caucus, Delegate Scott knows that it is imperative to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Delegate Scott has been awarded an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for his efforts to preserve our Second Amendment rights.
Caring for Our Pets
A leading member of the House Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, Delegate Scott introduced legislation that protects the health and welfare of our horses and hunting dogs and imposes stern punishment on those who interfere with lawful hunting. His work won the respect of the Virginia Horse Council who named him 2007’s Legislator of the Year for his efforts on behalf of Virginia horses and horse owners and additional recognition by the Virginia Hunting Dog Owners’ Association who also named him their Legislator of the Year.
Preserving Our Rich History
Over the last six years Delegate Scott has worked to preserve regional history in Orange, Madison, and Culpeper counties and secured funds for local organizations including the Montpelier Foundation, the Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield, the Brandy Station Foundation, the Museum of Culpeper History, the James Madison Museum, and the State Theater Foundation.
An Accomplished Leader for the 30th District
An innovative thinker and distinguished leader in the community, Delegate Scott has acquired the reputation in the General Assembly as a tireless worker for his constituents and a thoughtful public servant. By bringing his business background and approach to state government, Delegate Scott has consistently been rated among the leading pro-business members of the Virginia House of Delegates, by Virginia FREE, a non-partisan business and political research organization.
