Issues
Transportation, our biggest problem, is Senator Barker’s top priority. Leaving our transportation needs unaddressed is damaging our economy and our quality of life. We sit in traffic as more than $1 million a day is “stolen” from construction to cover our maintenance budget shortfall. A transportation leader before being elected, George hit the ground running. read more >>
Here in Northern Virginia we take pride in the caliber of our public schools. Our children have benefitted from the school systems we have in Fairfax and Prince William. Many of our high schools are nationally ranked, and our students are afforded a wide range of educational opportunities. Virginia also is recognized for outstanding public colleges and universities, from the community college system to premier universities. Senator Barker is not content to rest on our accolades, and is working hard to continue to improve our educational system. read more >>
Senator Barker wants to ensure that our communities meet our needs and allow us to maintain a high quality of life. He is working with the General Assembly and local officials to promote policies that keep our communities safe and enjoyable places to live. read more >>
Barker is putting his professional health care expertise to work for us. Serving on the Education and Health Committee and the Joint Commission on Health Care, George is working to control health care costs, improve quality and outcomes, and make health care accessible for Virginia families. His knowledge on issues, ranging from long-term care to mental health to community health centers, is helping the Senate plan for better health care for all Virginians. read more >>
Protecting our environment is one of Senator Barker’s top priorities. He is an avid supporter of energy conservation. Leading by example, and encouraged by state tax incentives, George installed solar panels in his home when it was built in 1983. These panels, which are still operating, have saved him money in energy costs and also reduced the negative effects of greater energy usage. Senator Barker wants to continue to find ways to help others conserve energy and reduce their greenhouse emissions. He is fully supportive of the Virginia Energy Plan, which set a goal for the Commonwealth to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by the year 2025. Governor Kaine has established a Commission on Climate Change to help accomplish this goal, which is tasked with preparing a Climate Change Action Plan. Senator Barker is eager to see the recommendations from that commission, and is prepared to work to put these recommendations into action.
As a long time Board member of the Occoquan Watershed Coalition, George understands the benefits of maintaining substantial tree covering in Fairfax County and of limiting runoff and other pollution in the Occoquan Reservoir, a major source of drinking water. As state senator, Barker has been engaged with environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club and the Piedmont Environmental Council, in an effort to further initiatives that address important environmental concerns.
When ice glazed over the roads on February 12, tens of thousands of Northern Virginians missed an opportunity to vote in an historic Presidential Primary. Stuck on interstates, ramps, bridges, and even local roads, they called the State Board of Elections hoping to hear that poll hours were being extended, as they were in Maryland, which kept voting open until 9:30 pm. Unfortunately, Virginia law does not provide a mechanism to allow the polls to stay open in such an emergency.
To address this deficiency in the state code, Senator Barker introduced legislation that would allow a judge to extend polling hours in an emergency. George believes it is important for Virginia voters to have confidence that an emergency will not keep them from being able to cast their votes this November. Although this bill passed the Senate, it was defeated this year in a House committee. Senator Barker plans to revisit this issue again next year.