ISSUES
Jobs & the Economy
As the former owner of Stony Creek Pharmacy in Stony Creek, VA, Otto has nearly 20 years of experience in running a business and creating local jobs. In Richmond, Otto has been a tireless advocate for small businesses and will continue to support legislation that helps create more jobs and opportunity in the Commonwealth.
To help lower the cost of living for Virginia families, Otto voted for nearly $4 billion in tax cuts - the largest in Virginia history. By eliminating things like the state portion of the grocery tax, a typical family in Virginia saved almost $1,100. Otto also supported efforts to cut burdensome regulations by 25% which helped small businesses save money and create new jobs.
Education
As a father of two daughters and former assistant professor at Shenandoah University, Otto understands the challenges facing parents, students, and teachers.
During his first term, Otto voted to increase funding for schools and voted to increase teacher pay by 10%. He also stood with parents by supporting legislation that requires parents to be notified when students are assigned explicit material and requires students to be assigned alternate material if parents register objections. He continues to work on common sense solutions to address learning loss to help get our kids back on track. In addition to the things he does while in Richmond, he is known to show up in the audience at school board meetings in the district to keep up with the issues of school administrators and parents. He knows our children are our next greatest resource in the district.
Rural Broadband
Increasing access to rural broadband is a top priority for Otto. If rural areas are going to keep up with other regions in Virginia, we need access to basic infrastructure. To that end, Otto has worked with our electric coops and co-patroned bills to speed up the process of broadband crossing railroad properties which were taking up to 18 months to permit. He’s fought for grants to cover the cost of broadband in just about every county in our district while investigating areas that have received grants that have not been developed.
Healthcare
As a practicing pharmacist for over thirty years, and one of the only two healthcare providers in the General Assembly, Otto knows firsthand that we need to improve healthcare services in our region. Access to quality care is limited, providers lack necessary resources, prescription drug costs are too high, and it is nearly impossible to navigate the health insurance maze for patients and providers alike.
During his first term in 2022, Otto worked with the Virginia Community Healthcare Association passing HB 1162 to protect the federal 340b prescription program that many of our rural healthcare clinics depend on. This action resulted in Delegate Wachsmann receiving the VCHA’s inaugural Torchbearer’s Award. As our Delegate, Otto will continue to fight for patient centered solutions that allow those in our community to have access to the quality and affordable care they deserve, regardless of location.
Hunting & Sportsman Rights
Growing up in Southside, Otto learned at a young age how important hunting, shooting, and fishing are to our rural way of life. Before he was driving Otto had already received recognition as a sharpshooter in the 50 foot and 50 yard categories and remains a member of the Wachsmann Hunt Club. As our Delegate, Otto will always fight to preserve these traditions and oppose legislation that unnecessarily chips away at your rights. He will always be a champion for hunters and the sportsman in Virginia.
Protecting Our Elections
Otto is a leader in working to protect the integrity of our elections process. During his first term, he worked on nationally recognized legislation to prohibit state and local elections officials from receiving private funds for the elections and registrar process. House Bill 205 (aka the Zuckerbuck’s Bill) is one of the few voter integrity bills to pass in 2022. This commonsense legislation prevents our elections from being influenced by outside individuals or groups.
