Scott Lingamfelter

Infobox State Representative
honorific-prefix = Col.
name = L. Scott Lingamfelter


state_delegate = Virginia
district = 31st
term_start = 2002
preceded = Jay Katzen
succeeded = Incumbent
birth_date = Birth date and age | 1951 | 3 | 27
birth_place = New York, New York
party = Republican
spouse = Shelley Elizabeth Glick
children = Amy, John, Paul
residence = Woodbridge, Virginia
alma_mater = Virginia Military Institute, University of Virginia
occupation =
profession =
committees = Appropriations; Education; Militia, Police and Public Safety
religion = Anglican
website = http://www.va31st.com
branch = United States Army
serviceyears = 1973-2001
rank = Colonel
battles =
awards = Bronze Star, Legion of Merit

L. Scott Lingamfelter (born March 27, 1951 in New York, New York) is a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates (31st district) [ [http://www.va31st.com/ Delegate Scott Lingamfelter] ] , a position that he has held since 2002. He serves on the Appropriations, Education, and Militia Police and Public Safety committees [ [http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/ff235251ec74280685256b0500683c1c/7d861e67cc1ef324852570d2005e9e83?OpenDocument Bio for Scott Lingamfelter] , Virginia Online Legislature.] . Prior to his political career, Lingamfelter served as a United States Army colonel.

2007 campaign

Lingamfelter is running against Bill Day, a part-time psychotherapist [ [http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=18110849&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506066&rfi=6 Day challenges Lingamfelter for 31st District delegate's seat] , Fauquier Times-Democrat, Don Del Rosso, 03/21/2007.] , in the 2007 general election which is scheduled for November 6 [ [http://dayfordelegate.org/ Day for Delegate] ] . Day began sending out mass mailings shortly after Labor Day introducing himself to the voters, and in October began sending out negative advertisements against Lingamfelter, accusing him of being aligned with southern Virginia Republicans who were failing to address northern Virginia traffic congestion.

Issues

Toll roads

Lingamfelter is a supporter of toll roads, having introduced a bill allowing tolls on any Virginia interstate highway, with the proceeds being set aside to " [p] ay or finance all or part of the costs of programs or projects, including without limitation the costs of planning, operation, maintenance and improvements incurred in connection with the toll facility provided that such allocations shall be limited to programs and projects that are reasonably related to or benefit the users of the toll facility" [ [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=071&typ=bil&val=hb2314 HB 2314 Tolls; provides for imposition and collection thereof for use of any component of Interstate system] ] ; this is a position for which he has been attacked by Day in campaign literature as a contradiction of his self-portrayal as a fiscal conservative. Lingamfelter believes that tolls are a logical way to link road use with road financing. He defended his decision by saying, "We need to build some roads, okay?" [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/13/AR2007011301206_2.html Transportation Needs Intersect With Cultural Divide] , The Washington Post.] He also pointed out that tolls capture revenue from out-of-state travelers [ [http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN%2FMGArticle%2FMJM_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193169931&path=!news Va. could charge tolls on interstate] , Lillian Kafka, Potomac News, Feb. 13, 2007.] . Lingamfelter's toll bills require the use of automated toll collection.

Despite the criticism, Lingamfelter's website calls attention to the toll bills, saying, "Virginians who travel throughout the country pay tolls in other states which go to make necessary improvements to the highway systems within those states. Travelers who come to our Commonwealth leave behind no money as they pass through—money that could go to relieve congestion and improve the conditions of Virginia’s roads. This bill would enable the collection of tolls in Virginia that will go back into improving our roads" [ [http://www.va31st.com/legislation/index.htm House Bill 2314- Tolling bill] , Delegate Lingamfelter, Working Hard For You In Richmond.] .

Abusive driver fees

Lingamfelter supported the enactment of the Virginia abusive driver fees. After citizens began protesting the fees (which do not apply to out-of-state drivers), Lingamfelter initially defended the fees, in an opinion piece in the Fauquier Times-Democrat and Potomac News [ [http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN/MGArticle/WPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351980339 Setting the record straight on abusive drivers] , Scott Lingamfelter, Potomac News, July 13, 2007.] . However, he changed his position in the face of a growing political firestorm, sending mailings to signatories of the online petition against the fees explaining his reversal [ [http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352147331&path=!news!opinion Blowing in the wind] , Potomac News, July 29, 2007.] . Day has sent mailings to voters criticized Lingamfelter for supporting the fees in the first place, describing them as "abusive driver taxes," a reference to the revenue-generating purpose of the fees.

Immigration

Lingamfelter accused Day of being insincere in his opposition to illegal immigration [ [http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352761361&path= Immigration, transit top 31st District issues] , Amanda Stewart, Sept. 15, 2007.] . Lingamfelter opposes providing state and local governmental services to illegals. Day focuses more on sanctions for employers of illegals, saying that this issue comes down to jobs.

Personal issues

Lingamfelter also pointed out that while Day describes himself as a licensed counselor and avid hunter, Day's counseling license actually has expired, and he has not had a hunting license in the past 15 months. Day responded that he let his counseling license expire in order to devote himself to the campaign and that he has switched to fox hunting and fishing [ [http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab6.cfm?newsid=18903679&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=507594&rfi=6 Day, Lingamfelter raise voting record, resume issues] , Don Del Rosso, 10/10/2007.] .

References

External links

* [http://www.va31st.com Official website]
* [http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/a7b082ef6ed01eac85256c0d00515644/53dcf43b76e46ad28525738a0052b634?OpenDocument Virginia House of Delegates: Bio for L. Scott Lingamfelter (2008 session)]
* [http://www.vpap.org/candidates/profile/home/25058 Virginia Public Access Project: L. Scott Lingamfelter]