1. Taxes:
With the Commonwealth facing a $2.9 billion short fall because of wasteful, short-sighted spending by our Governor and state legislators. The solution to our budget crisis is not to require more money from Virginians. The government has shown that they could not manage the current amount of taxpayer money given to them, and until restraint and responsibility is shown in the budget process, taxes should be out of the equation. Cutting taxes and government spending is necessary in order to halt the encroachment of government in the economic lives of citizens.

AFP will be opposing all legislation that includes an increase in taxes or fees, or that takes away money from Virginians in these uncertain economic times. In particular, the Governor’s proposal to increase the cigarette tax by 100 percent. In an effort to distract from his cuts to education and public safety, the Governor is placing the burden where it does not deserve to be, with consumers.

2. Accountable and Transparent Government:
AFP believes that government has a duty to those they represent to be accountable and transparent. Elected officials need to remember that the money they spend is not STATE money; it’s OUR money. That is why AFP will be pushing legislation that makes it easier for citizens to know where and how their money is being spent. AFP believes that is essential that the Virginia State Government stays accountable to their citizens.

One of the ways during the 2009 General Assembly session that legislators can do this is to establish an easy, searchable database where all Virginians can learn how their money is being spent.

Nicknamed "Google for Government," HB 2285 will require the Commonwealth to have a searchable budget database website. This bill, introduced by Del. Ben Cline, last year, was passed in the House but died in the Senate. This year, AFP will take your voice to Senate leaders and urge them to avoid partisanship and do what is right for the Commonwealth.

3. Transportation Lock Box:
AFP believes in "locking" the Transportation Trust Fund.

AFP will be supporting HJ 620: a bill, introduced by Del. Glenn Oder, that will create a lock box for transportation funds that cannot be raided by the General Assembly. Taxpayers deserve the assurance that their tax dollars are being spent on the intended purposes instead of being used in order to pay for other pet-projects.

4. Privatization:
AFP believes that the government should not be involved in enterprises that can be performed by the private sector. Government involvement hinders productivity, and government ownership kills it! History has taught us that when the government trusts the private sector free enterprise flourishes.
Additionally, recent studies have shown that revenues to the state actually increase when government is not the one trying to make a dime.

AFP will be supporting legislation proposed by Senator Mark Obenshain that will privatize the government operated ABC stores.

5. Consumer Choice:
AFP believes in preserving and maintaining free markets to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices. Government is constantly encroaching on consumers' rights and taking away their ability to make decisions. Businesses have the right to decide whether to allow smoking in their establishments or not and consumers deserve to decide which establishments they visit, without the heavy hand of government forcing the answer upon them. AFP believes it is essential that consumer choice is preserved.

AFP will be opposing all legislation that would restrict the rights of private business owners with smoking bans.

6. Efficiency and Effectiveness in Government:
AFP believes that it is needed now, more than ever for our lawmakers to implement more of the recommendations from Governor Wilder's Commission. As of this date, there are dozens of recommendations that have not been enacted. They include a number of ways to cut costs, consolidate agency and department spending and to help Virginia be a more efficient and effective state.

AFP will be supporting legislation that will implement recommendations from the Wilder Commission.