Dear George,

Here are some thoughts stimulated by the latest Democratic Breakfast. Al Weed says that we need to build coalitions between rural areas and inner cities. David RePass says that we need a platform with some bold policy initiatives; education is at at the top of his list.

It seems to me that an issue around which both rural areas and inner cities can unite is a call for Virginia to move away from local property tax-based funding for education and toward a statewide system that provides equal funding for all school districts (with the usual adjustments for disabled and at-risk students, etc.)

Reactions?

Gene Foster (electronic mail, November 19, 2000).