1. Living Wages and State Institutions: The University of Virginia, a state institution, is the major employer in our district. How, as a member of the legislature, would you deal with the fact that many of their employees receive less than a living wage?

Answer: The University has a major impact on far more than low wage employees -- housing stock, growth management, and transportation needs are just a few. While the Senator from this District must be a spokesman and even cheerleader for the University, he also must work to ensure that UVA plays a more constructive role in our community. In that context, making the University's wage policy part of the campaign will bring public pressure on the BOV to respond to local concerns. I would be happy to do this.

2. Living Wages and Private Employers: Virginia is a right-to-work state. This inhibits workers' ability to organize into unions and removes from our lowest paid workers a vital tool in improving living standards. How would you address private employers who do not today pay a living wage?

Answer: As a businessman and some-time employer I know that good help is scarce if I don't pay a competitive wage. Stable work forces depend on good wages and benefits, as well as healthy and safe work places. I would use the bully pulpit to stress the following:

a. Competitive businesses pay their workers a living wage. (How good is the service provided by low wage workers who must work two jobs to support a family?)

b. Workers' desire to improve their skills to contribute to their employer's bottom line is a direct reflection of their perception of opportunity in that firm.

c. Society as a whole subsidizes firms who do not pay a living wage -- either we pay it in taxes for social programs that fund a security net, or we pay it in, perhaps, higher consumer prices for a big Mac.

d. Finally, a "living-wage" is much more than just a per hour figure (although that is one clear immediate measure) as it includes other cost of living factors: affordable housing, efficient transportation, accessible health care and reasonable child care costs.

A candidate can court the Chamber of Commerce vote and ignore these vital issues or he can work to persuade that same block that progress in this area is vital to their long-term well being. As a businessman I will get a hearing.

Al Weed (electronic mail, November 3, 2001).

Editor's Note: Below is a picture of Al Weed (far right) at a recent Living Wage rally in front of the Marriott in Charlottesville, Virginia.