Scientists & Engineers for America

Creigh Deeds


Creigh Deeds
D-VA


Campaign Contact
Campaign Website
434-202-8931
Northern Virginia Headquarters
2001 N. Beauregard St. Suite 420
Alexandria, Virginia 22311

Biography

DEEDS, Creigh; born, January 4, 1958; Richmond, VA. BA, Concord College, 1980; JD, Wake Forest University School of Law, 1984. Commonwealth's Attorney, Bath County, 1987; Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates, 1992-2001; Virginia Senate, District 25, 2001; Senator, Virginia Senate, 2001-present.

CREIGH DEEDS' RECORD ON SCIENCE


Contents

[edit] Education

  • In his September 27, 2009 essay in the Washington Post, Deeds wrote, "Through my Virginia Forward program, we will provide a 50 percent scholarship for every public college student with at least a high school "B" average who commits to two years of service in Virginia after graduation. We also will provide grants and loan forgiveness to students willing to work or teach in math or science disciplines or high-need areas, such as health care."[1]

On June 27, 2009, Deeds addressed VA Boys State in Lynchburg and spoke about his education plan, saying, "I have a four-year plan to stabilize tuition costs." Noting that over the past eight years, Virginia students have seen their tuition rise 78 percent, Deeds added that he intended to put "a big chunk of money into needs-based financial aid." Deeds also spoke about his energy plan (see Energy below).[2]

Deeds' education plan describes Deeds' intention to "create an additional 70,000 degrees over the next ten years for two and four year programs" by focusing on affordability and accessibility. His plan includes the following specific proposals:[3]

  • Affordability
    • Guarantee loans for college students
      • Up to $4500 for community college students
      • Up to $15000 for 4-year college students
    • Add $40 million per year to the Virginia partnership fund to increase need-based tuition assistance
    • Loan Forgiveness
      • One year of loans forgiven for every three years of work as a teacher in high-need areas
      • One year of loans forgiven for every three years of work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math disciplines (STEM)
      • Two years of loans forgiven for every six years of work as a STEM professional
    • Establish the Virginia Promise Fund to soften tuition increases during economic downturns, with $1 deposited for every $5 deposited in the general rainy day fund
    • Devote $10 million per year to the Governor's Economic Opportunity Fund for job training, focusing on preparing workers for jobs in high-tech areas
  • Accessibility
    • Invest in high-need fields, including STEM programs, by fostering investment by colleges and the creation of public-private partnerships
    • Create the Virginia Energy Technology Research Partnership between colleges and businesses with the goal of bringing jobs in emerging technology industries to Virginia
    • Expand partnerships between high schools and colleges and vocational programs in high schools

On August 6th, 2009, Deeds held a rally with President Barack Obama. At the rally, Deeds spoke on the topic of education, stating, "I strongly support the President's initiatives to expand charter schools--there's no reason Virginia should lag behind on this...We also need to increase teacher pay to at least the national average. We can't expect excellence if we aren't even willing to pay for average....On the issue we're talking about today - education - my opponent [Bob McDonnell] talks about his support for schools, but he has a long record of opposing funding for public education, school construction and pre-K.And just a few weeks ago, my opponent put forward a transportation plan funded by taking at least $5.4 billion dollars away from public education over the next ten years, by his own estimates."[4]

  • Deeds advocates "efficiency audits" in school systems. He cites a savings of $25 million annually by the 33 school systems that have elected to perform audits. [5]

[edit] Energy

  • In his September 27, 2009 essay in the Washington Post, Deeds wrote, "New energy technology is the next big business idea, and as governor I will work to put Virginia at the forefront of this emerging sector. My plan will utilize our natural resources and higher education system, including George Mason University and our community colleges, to build a virtual Energy Research Triangle and create jobs through a mandatory renewable-energy portfolio standard."[6]

On June 27, 2009, Deeds addressed VA Boys State in Lynchburg and mentioned his energy plan. He also spoke about his education plan (See Education above).[7]

In the following video, Senator Deeds expresses his views on energy, recorded on March 13, 2009 at a bloggers' dinner in Arlington, VA.


Senator Deeds' main priorities in environmental policy are to preserve the environment and provide incentives for homes and businesses to conserve energy. Senator Deeds wrote and helped pass Virginia's land preservation tax credit system. Deeds also supported and helped pass legislation that requires all new and renovated state-owned buildings be LEED certified.[8]

Senator Creigh Deeds proposed the SB 1212 legislation, also called as the Clean Energy Financing program. This legislation was later approved by the Virginia Senate, and will encourage households in Virginia to invest in clean energy technology. [9] The full history of the bill may be read here SB1212.

In January 2009, state Senator Deeds was the Chief Patron of SB1215. A bill which was designed to "create a program to provide financial incentives to companies that manufacture or assemble equipment, systems, or products used to produce renewable energy, nuclear energy, or energy efficiency products. To be eligible for a grant, the manufacturer must make a capital investment greater than $50 million and create at least 200 full-time jobs." However, this bill failed in the House Appropriations committee. A full history of this bill may be read here Clean Energy Manufacturing Incentive Grant Fund.


[edit] Renewable Energy

Deeds wants to implement a mandatory renewable standard of 15% by 2020, and 22% by 2025. To do so, he would invest in developing three biomass facilities which would focus on creating green jobs and rural economic development. [10][11]

Senator Deeds also supports sales tax exemptions for residential wind and solar projects, and states that he would allow homes and businesses to sell unused electricity back to utilities, and income tax credits for residential expenditures on energy efficiency equipment.

[edit] Energy Efficiency

Deeds, in his campaign website, asserts that he will establish a 19% energy efficiency standard for individuals, energy companies, and governmental actions by 2025. He would create sales tax exemptions for Energy-Star compliant appliances. He also supports investment in smart-grid technologies.[12]

[edit] Environment

In the following video, Senator Deeds expresses his views on mountaintop removal coal mining at at a bloggers' dinner in Arlington, VA, on March 13, 2009:


  • During an interview with the Virginia Pilot, Deeds stated that if elected as a governor, he will invest in green job grant programs, in tax exemptions to promote wind and solar projects, and in smart grid technology.[13]
  • In 1999, Deeds wrote and passed the Virginia's land preservation tax program, which has served to help protect the Virginia's natural environment.[14]
  • Deeda does not support the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (Waxman-Markey bill)
  • On the federal issue of cap and trade, Deeds has stated, "in a recession, any legislation that is going to cause an energy price increase for consumers, or put Virginia or American businesses at a disadvantage, is not good policy."[15]

[edit] Transportation

  • In his September 27, 2009 essay in the Washington Post, Deeds wrote, "A top priority must be reducing congestion in Northern Virginia. We will do that by improving Metro and mass transit, as well as our road network, including restarting the HOT lanes project for Interstates 95 and 395, improving mobility in the Interstate 66 corridor, upgrading the Fairfax County Parkway, widening Route 28 and addressing traffic issues related to the base realignment and closure process." [16]

Deeds released his economic plan, including plans for Virginia's transportation, on July 20, 2009. The outline of the transportation portion of his economic plan is posted below:

  • Bring high-speed rail to Virginia.
  • Expand traditional freight and passenger rail.
  • Promote smarter land use planning.
  • Strengthen oversight of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
  • Invest in the port and work with military contractors and the Navy.
  • Expand road and rails projects in Southwest and Southside.
  • Ease congestion on the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.
  • a $1,200 business tax credit per teleworker and a $500 credit for each flexible time employee.

More details of Deeds' economic and transportation plan can be found on his campaign website.

[edit] Climate Change

  • Nothing posted to date

[edit] Health

  • "A public option isn't required in my view," said Deeds. "I would certainly consider opting out if that were available to Virginia. We have to find ways to increase competition in order to reduce costs.[17]”
    • Deeds spoke on his thoughts on the healthcare debate. "I agree we have got to find a way to help people keep their insurance and we've got to find a way to help the 47 million Americans that don't have it get it. Now, does that mean I agree with every specific proposal in the different health care bills before Congress? No."[18]

On July 8, 2009, state Senator Creigh Deeds came out in support of President Obama's embryonic stem cell guidelines. The story may be read here from the Star City Harbinger Star City Harbinger news article

In 2005 state Senator Deeds supported SB 1194, now VA code 23-286.1, which authorized the creation of the Christopher Reeve Stem Cell Research Fund. The VA code for SB1194 may be read here Christopher Reeve Stem Cell Res. Fund

[edit] Economy

  • In his September 27, 2009 essay in the Washington Post, Deeds wrote, "Families are tightening their belts, and government must do the same. I will ensure that every dollar in our budget is spent for a compelling reason. Today, the budgeting process begins with what an agency previously received and moves to how large an increase or cut is justified. I will make every program start from scratch and defend every dollar requested. I'll also create a permanent Efficiency Improvement Office, headed by a business leader, to conduct performance reviews of every agency. Texas found an average of $1 billion in annual savings. Virginia can save hundreds of millions of dollars through efficiencies. "[19]

In an August 21, 2009 post to the DailyKos website, Deeds wrote on his plan for job creation, "Because we need to jump-start our economy and create jobs, I’ll provide a tax cut for any business that creates a job in the Commonwealth. Create a job, get a tax credit. It’s that simple. We’ll also help unemployed workers purchase health insurance, and boost investments in job training, tourism, and women- and minority-owned small businesses.[20]"

In an August 21, 2009 campaign speech at George Mason University, Deeds spoke about his plan for the state budget. "I will create a permanent Efficiency Improvement Office, headed by a director appointed from the business community. The office will conduct performance reviews of every agency, beginning with VITA. And we’re going to make sure every dollar in our state budget is spent for a reason...the budgeting process begins with what an agency or program received last year and then a fight breaks out over just how large of an increase is justified. When I am Governor, everyone is going to start from scratch. Every program, every agency will start from zero and must justify and validate every tax dollar they request.[21]"

In an interview with ExecutiveBiz, Deeds stated, "government contracting is key to our economic success. The Department of Defense alone spent over $39 billion last year in Virginia. That’s about 10% of our entire gross state product. The next Governor is going to have to fight hard for Virginia to remain one of the top states for government contracting... we need to...make sure that Virginia remains one of the best states for the federal government to do business in.[22]"

[edit] Research and Research Management

2009 State Senator Deeds supports SB 1338, the state of Virginia's efforts to further develop the state's economy in science and technology. The bill's purpose and history may be read here SB 1338 VA State Legislature

[edit] Technology

  • Nothing posted to date

[edit] Endnotes

  1. ↑ R. Creigh Deeds: My (Specific) Promises to Northern Virginia http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402489.html
  2. ↑ Reed, Ray. "Deeds, McDonnell discuss energy, roads." Richmond Times-Dispatch 27 June 2009. http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS27_20090626-221605/276662/
  3. ↑ Deeds for Virginia. "Better Schools. Better Jobs." http://www.deedsforvirginia.com/files/BetterSchools.pdf
  4. ↑ "Ballroom Filling for Deeds Rally" http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2009/08/ballroom_filling_for_deeds_ral.html
  5. ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/03/AR2009100301421.html
  6. ↑ R. Creigh Deeds: My (Specific) Promises to Northern Virginia http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402489.html
  7. ↑ Reed, Ray. "Deeds, McDonnell discuss energy, roads." Richmond Times-Dispatch 27 June 2009. http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS27_20090626-221605/276662/
  8. ↑ Creigh Deeds' official website. http://www.deedsforvirginia.com/node/62
  9. ↑ http://www.cvillefordeeds.com/legislation-updates/deeds-energy-bill-on-its-way-to-governor-s-desk
  10. ↑ Creigh Deeds' official website. http://www.deedsforvirginia.com/smarterenergy
  11. ↑ Nolan, Jim and Olympia Meola. "Moran rolls out 'aging czar'; Deeds pushes energy plan." Richmond Times-Dispatch 19 May 2009.
  12. ↑ Creigh Deeds' official website. http://www.deedsforvirginia.com/smarterenergy
  13. ↑ Virginia Pilot http://hamptonroads.com/node/511229
  14. ↑ Creigh Deeds' official website. http://www.deedsforvirginia.com/node/62
  15. ↑ Factcheck.org Dueling Ads in VA http://www.factcheck.org/2009/09/dueling-ads-in-virginia-race-part-2/
  16. ↑ R. Creigh Deeds: My (Specific) Promises to Northern Virginia http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402489.html
  17. ↑ Virginia Candidates Clash on Roads, Budget and — Again — College Thesis http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003226704
  18. ↑ Obama agenda figures heavily in Va. gov's race http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNHP4QrNvvCFJXZ6rT63WjHzht2QD99SRQVG1
  19. ↑ R. Creigh Deeds: My (Specific) Promises to Northern Virginia http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402489.html
  20. ↑ What's at Stake in Virginia http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/21/770368/-Whats-at-Stake-in-Virginia
  21. ↑ Deeds Speech at George Mason University http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8rgn1NfgM4
  22. ↑ ExecutiveBiz Interviews Creigh Deeds http://blog.executivebiz.com/executivebiz-interviews-creigh-deeds-government-contracting-is-key-to-our-economic-success/4154
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