Republican Mark Tate, Middleburg business leader and a founder of Virginians for Sensible Energy Policy (V-SEP), has announced his candidacy for the 27th District State Senate seat. The 27th District includes Frederick, Clarke, Winchester and parts of Fauquier and Loudoun counties.

Tate is a founder of the Virginians for Sensible Energy Policy (VSEP) a grass roots group dedicated to stopping Dominion Power and Allegheny Power from putting a 500 kv power line – with massive towers and high voltage cables - across the 27th District.

According to Tate, "Dominon and Allegheny Power companies don't care about the 19 historic districts, eight civil war battle fields, and four national historic landmarks – or any of our farms or homes that are in their way." "They want cheap coal-fired electricity from Ohio to New Jersey so they can skirt federal clean air standards," Tate continued, "…and they have an army of corporate lobbyists and lawyers exploiting loopholes, making deals, and handing out campaign contributions to get it done. It amounts to an abuse of eminent domain laws."

Tate, a small businessman who co-owns the Coachstop Restaurant in Middleburg with his brother, Mike, is also formerly Vice Mayor of Middleburg, and held elective office locally for 12 years.

On the town council, Tate served as finance committee chairman. During his tenure, growth in municipal spending was held at or under the rate of inflation (adjusted for population), there were no tax increases and the car tax was eliminated in the Town of Middleburg.

"Controlling taxes and spending, is the key to controlling runaway development and unsustainable growth," said Tate. "For politicians in Richmond, however, it is way too easy to subsidize development – and then leave counties and local communities with the bill in terms of services," Tate explained.

"That's why I want to pursue in the State Senate my three-part plan for Growth Relief and Infrastructure Planning (GRIP)." It includes:

• Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) – limits growth in government spending to the rate of inflation plus and adjustment for population growth
• Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances – requires certain infrastructure be in place before development
• Linking Land Use and Transportation – give local governments veto power over development based on road and highway capacity, or force developers to account for transportation needs.

"These tools are what local governments need - at a minimum – to help get a "grip" on over development and its run away costs," said Tate.

Most of our problems coming from Richmond stem from the "politics as usual" status quo, where lawmakers listen to lobbyists and work to protect their self interest and their campaign contributions. My whole career has been as a small businessman, and a local elected official dealing with the day to day concerns of neighbors, families, and other small business owners. I want to go to Richmond with that same perspective.

"I am committed to restoring dignity to this district. When you meet me you'll notice that I don't look, sound, or think like a career politician. And I'm proud of that. I want to carry on the fine conservative tradition of citizen legislator. I intend to be a Senator who will provide effective representation, common sense leadership, and a voice for the values that make our corner of Virginia the special place it is."

My pledge is to work in Richmond to protect families, taxpayers, and land owners from power lines, lobbyists, and that "politics as usual" that got us in this mess.