Marchi is Virginia state director for the anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity. A long-time conservative activist, he served on state GOP campaigns and on Capitol Hill before coming to Richmond.
Virginia already has a Republican governor and House of Delegates opposed to raising taxes. Where do you see your role?
At the state level we’re still dealing with a state government that’s too bloated and spends too much money. Just because you have Republicans in control of the house, doesn’t necessarily translate to them spending responsibly. Let’s not forget: It’s Republicans at the federal level that got us into this spending spree of the last few years.
What is your take on the state’s two-year budget?
The best part about the budget that came out this year was that we actually reduced the size of government to 2006 levels. That in and of itself is a tremendous victory for people who believe that government has grown out of control. On the other hand, there is still a lot of work left to do.
How did you get your start in politics?
I started out when I was 12 years old as a grass-roots volunteer for then Del. George Allen, volunteered on a number of campaigns and causes since that time. After college, I went to work on Capitol Hill, and now have the best job a conservative activist could have.
How can you shape legislators’ behavior?
What we can do is what we did when the phone tax came up as an issue … you can turn people out, you can have constituents contact their legislators, which we did. When elected officials hear from those who sent them there, that they are not happy with the way things are going in Richmond, they pay attention and they notice. Citizen activism is something that will change a lot of minds of elected officials.
— William C. Flook
