State Senator Mark Herring and VEA Lobbyist Tami Giecek Meet US/Va Government Students

Sen. Mark Herring and Virginia Education Association Lobbyist Tami Giecek met with US/Va Government students including (above) Katherine and Nelson on April 25th, 2007. Herring and Giecek participated in separate question and answer sessions with the students and in between, Giecek lobbied Herring on the VEA's legislative agenda for 2007 as students observed.

Katherine- Do you ever get in arguments with elected officials when they are opposed to what you're lobbying? ANSWER- No you don't get in arguments because you have to respect their difference of opinion.

Cindy- The VEA is against using vouchers; public funds spent on private schools. When you consider how bad some public schools can be and how some children could be very talented in music or drama but never have a chance to realize their talent, why not allow vouchers in some cases? ANSWER- We don't want money taken out of the public school system to help only a few kids. Public schools have to take all kinds of children. Private schools can pick and choose who they want so the best solution is to improve all the public schools.

Ms. Giecek and Sen. Herring briefly explain the lobbying process in Richmond.

Ms. Giecek discussed bills addressing compensation issues for teachers in Virginia counties who do things like drive school buses, coach and other jobs beyond their teaching and whether students should be forced to get parental permission to join school clubs. Sen. Herring was non-committal on the first and opposed to the second, which was the VEA position.

Ms. Giecek and Sen. Herring also discussed the unfairness of certain aspects of the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Allison (left)- Ms. Giecek, what is one thing that you have been happy about since Tim Kaine became governor and one thing he has disappointed you on?

Andrew

Lea- If I own a rooster and Mr. Graney owns a rooster and we want to fight them, why should the state care? We kill millions of chickens every year, isn't that worse? ANSWER- Well you get nutrition from a chicken, which people need. Also the main concern for a lot of legislators was the gambling aspect to it.

Alex (left)- Over the last week we have seen ribbons for those killed at Virginia Tech, "VT" signs everywhere and massive media attention. Why isn't the same being done for all the American soldiers that are killed in Afghanistan and Iraq every week? ANSWER- You have a point and while I oppose the war I support the troops and would be in favor of more recognition like that.

Brianna- Last year Herndon was at the center of the immigration dispute because of the day-laborer site. If you knew illegal aliens were benefiting from a tax-payer supported labor site, would you try to shut it down? ANSWER- If the local government thinks it was necessary to solve community issues then than it is their decision.

Brooke (left)- How much of our tax-payer money do you get paid for being a state senator? ANSWER- I receive $18,000 plus expenses for a small staff.

Brett (center)- Do you think Don Imus should have been fired for his "nappy-headed hos" comment? ANSWER- Yes.

Pete (right)- In light of the recent Virginia Tech shootings, are you in favor of people being able to carry a concealed weapon? ANSWER- Yes, but we obviously need to tighten up who should be allowed to buy certain guns.

Sarah, Natalie and Ira

Zay (left) Since abstinence is the only way to 100% prevent pregnancy and STD's, shouldn't a school be able to teach just that without getting into a mixed message of "don't have sex, but if you do here's a condom?" ANSWER- People should be given information and have them make their own decisions. Government should not be involved.

Zay After 6.5 years of George Bush being president, what your thoughts on him? ANSWER- He is not a good president. He is stubborn. He may go down as one of the worst presidents we've ever had.

Beatriz-

Alex- One issue that you may have to vote on is whether there should be parental notification when their underage daughter is prescribed contraceptive devices. Will you make your decision based on your own family situation or what you think is best for the state as a whole? ANSWER- I support the right of women in general. They are being responsible by seek out contraceptives. If a doctor thinks they are not responsible, he will not prescribe them.

Ryan- Ms. Giecek, how was the VEA's relationship with Sen. George Allen when he was Governor of Virginia?

Ryan- Sen. Herring, do you have any interest in running for Governor? ANSWER- Right now I just want to be a good state senator.

Scott- Don't you think that up to 6 months in jail for a juvenile driving without a license is too harsh? ANSWER- No. We've been seeing kids driving without a license getting caught over and over again and judges could only say "you can't drive until your 18." This may help deter that crime.

Brianna (left) If you suspected that a faith-based social service organization receiving state tax funds (which you voted for) was trying to convert people, what would your reaction be? ANSWER- Many faith-based groups do a great job, we certainly saw that in the aftermath of Katrina. But I think it's wrong to proselytize in a program being financed by tax-payer dollars. I would try to stop it.

Ian (right) Sen. Jim Webb seems to have a tough-guy, unfriendly personality. Do you know him and has he been pleasant to you? ANSWER- I know him and he is friendly. He did seem like he was uncomfortable being a candidate. He may be a little shy. By August and September of last year be became a better candidate.

Nayab- If you were asked to speak at an anti-war rally, would you? ANSWER- As a citizen I would but as a state senator I don't think I should speak on issues that I won't be voting on. When I was on the Loudoun Board of Supervisors I was asked support a resolution supporting the president at the start of the war. I did not support the war, but I did not sign it because I thought it was not appropriate in my role as a supervisor.

Nelson- In February of '06 you voted to prohibit smoking in most buildings. However, if a restaurant owner is willing to allow smoking on his property and the people that work for him are willing to work in that environment and customers are willing to eat there, why should government have a say in that? ANSWER- People that work there, especially if that is the only job available where they live should not have to breathe air that has been proven to be harmful.

Julie- Last January, you voted in favor of the death penalty for the killing of a judge. Have you witnessed an execution and if not do you think you should since you are in favor of the death penalty, at least in some cases? ANSWER- I have never witnessed one but I would. There are some crimes that are so heinous that I think the state should be able to use capitol punishment.

Kevin

Andy

Christina

Political Science Interns- Those that work in DC meet those that work in Richmond. Khadijah, Katherine and Alex

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