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to repeal what he considers a regressive state tax — the tax on food and non-prescription drugs. As lieutenant governor, he supported an $800 tax break for blind Virginians and elderly Virginians and a tax break for pensioners in the private sector.
Labeling Coleman’s plan for a cap on real estate taxes “reckless”, Wilder said, “it sounds good, but what does he [Coleman] give them [the localities] in place? Nothing.”
Before casting a vote on a tax cap, Wilder said he awaits a report from the Brickley Commission, a special finance subcommittee to study the problem of escalating property tax and its burden on home owners.
To combat drugs and crime, the Democratic candidate has proposed stiffer penalties for those convicted of drug dealings and advocated the “life without parole” bill in capital murder cases. As a state senator, Wilder introduced successful legislation outlawing the sale of drug paraphenalia.
Addressing the traffic concerns of the state, Wilder stressed the need to continue with the 2010 plan created Gov. Gerald L. Baliles’ administration. He criticized Coleman’s concept of a regional transportation authority as another layer of bureaucracy. Wilder, who served as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said he will work with U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb (D-Va.) to release federal funds paid by Virginians in gasoline taxes for transportation improvements.
In addition, he vowed to upgrade the Department of Transportation to cabinet level. Wilder supports user fees, pledge bonds, privatization and other innovative methods to finance road construction in Northern Virginia.
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