As we conclude this week of meetings, it is apparent to everyone that we are heading into the final stretch of the 2011 General Assembly Session. The days are very long as we all are working overtime to ensure the final passage of our bills through both chambers. Sometimes it is as easy as simply accepting changes made by the other chamber, or it can be as hard as having a conference committee work out a compromise version of the bill that suits both chambers. One of the more significant bills heading to conference appears to be the Governor’s Transportation Funding Plan (HB2527). If this ends up in conference, I hope to be asked to serve on that conference committee so I can insure the bill remains a strong proposal for funding transportation projects in Virginia.
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Crossover week at the General Assembly is always a busy week. Crossover, which marks the midpoint of the Session, is the day when all bills that have passed the House are sent to the Senate for their consideration and vice versa.
We started off this week with a marathon nine-hour floor session - the longest floor session this year. Thursday also saw an extended floor session as we debated proposed changes to the current biennial budget. By the time Friday rolled around, many legislators were ready for a chance to go back home to their districts to be with their families and constituents.
Spotlight On: A Tale of Two Budgets
The biggest issue before both the House of Delegates and State Senate this week was the state budget. In the House, we have approved our plan to revise the state budget, and the State Senate has approved their plan. When one compares the House and Senate budgets, it is clear that there is a vast difference in the approach each body took to meet the long-term needs of Virginia. While the House listened to the voters who told us to put fiscal discipline first, the Senate has chosen to spend beyond our means.
On the House side, our primary objective was to restore fiscal discipline by limiting new spending, reducing the amount of authorized debt, setting aside money in the state Rainy Day Fund, and reducing the burdens on small businesses.
In particular, the House budget sought to address the overall structural imbalance by rolling back the accelerated sales tax for 98% of affected retailers, increasing our reserve payment to the Rainy Day Fund by an additional $64 million above the required $50 million payment, and reducing the state’s authorized debt by $120 million. The House budget has reduced or eliminated funding for a number of programs such as public broadcasting.
In contrast, the Senate budget spends every dollar available and more with almost $335 million in deficit spending as we enter the next biennium. Specifically, the Senate budget:
- Does not reduce the accelerated sales tax for a single retailer
- Provides only an additional $20 million payment into the Rainy Day Fund, $44 million less than was approved in the House budget
- Authorizes nearly $700 million in new state supported debt, including nearly $300 million to pay for the construction of a new government building in Richmond
When you add it all up, the Senate’s budget equals more spending, more debt, and no relief for Virginia small businesses.
As both budgets have passed their respective chambers, it is now up to members of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees to work together to put forward a final budget that both the Republican-controlled House and Democrat-controlled Senate can agree upon.
Visitors
Some of the visiting groups this week included members of the Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors, the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board, Girl Scout Troops and 4-H groups. However, with such a heavy emphasis on extended floor sessions that are typical of Crossover week, the number of visitors to the General Assembly dropped off this week. While the number of visitors has dwindled, the enthusiasm of those who do visit always re-energizes me and reminds me that I am here to serve you.
Closing
As always, Jesica, Carol and I are here to serve you. We want to hear what you think about the legislation pending before the House and we are glad to help you in dealing with state government agencies. Our office can be reached at (804) 698-1094 or via the email at DelGOder@house.virginia.gov. If you are planning to visit Richmond during Session, I encourage you to visit me in Room 505.
Thank you again for allowing me to serve as your Delegate.
As we approach crossover day the pace at the General Assembly has reached a sprint as we work to complete action on all House Bills. Crossover, which falls on Tuesday, February 8 this year, is the last day that the House of Delegates can act on a House Bill. On Wednesday, all bills that have passed the House will be sent to the Senate for their consideration, and we will begin to consider all Senate Bills that have passed the Senate.
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The wintery weather here in Richmond wasn’t enough to stop us from doing the people’s business this week. Among committee meetings, presentation of bills to committees, longer floor sessions, and the number of groups that are visiting us, the days seem to be flying by very quickly now that we have gotten into the thick of the 2011 General Assembly session. In this week’s newsletter, I would like to highlight the House’s passage of the Repeal Amendment, the progress of my legislative proposals, and some of the visitors who stopped by the General Assembly Building this week.
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This was a very significant week as I began the next step in my career as Chairman of the ABC/Gaming Subcommittee of the House General Laws Committee. This influential Subcommittee hears bills related to alcohol, gambling, church and church related activities, cemeteries, veterans affairs, state symbols and various other issues. This is a wonderful opportunity to have legislative oversight on issues important to me and the constituents I represent. I still remain Vice-Chairman of Transportation and maintain leadership roles as a result of my seniority and experience on the Committee on Counties, Cities and Town and the Housing Subcommittee. I am pleased to report that the first bill to pass the House of Delegates was a bill I introduced (House Bill 1426) to provide relief to taxi cabs in Virginia who were subject to overregulation regarding taxi cab markings. Although a simple bill, all issues that affect small business are important and we must do all that we can to reduce overregulation of government practices on small business. HB 1426 is quickly proceeding through the Senate and it should be before the Governor next week. Although the final number of bills will not be known until late Friday, the House of Delegates is well into the process of evaluating and holding hearings on the over 1,300 House Bills and Resolutions that have been introduced for this 46 day “short” Session. I am pleased to report that we have fewer bills introduced this year thanks to an important rules change put in place by House Republicans. During short sessions, a Delegate can introduce a maximum of 15 bills. This is a practical, Republican sponsored rule that allows us to give more thoughtful consideration to the bills and resolutions that are before us during the short time we are here. Although most bills are still being debated in committees, several important measures have passed the House of Delegates and I would like to bring them to your attention.
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Newport News, VA & Richmond, VA: When the 2011 General Assembly Session began this week, we hit the ground running. For three delegates – Delegates Roxann Robinson, Tony Wilt, and Greg Habeeb – Wednesday marked their first day representing their respective districts on the House Floor. We also heard Governor McDonnell outline his priorities during his State of the Commonwealth Address on Wednesday evening. After hearing from Governor McDonnell, we went to work to do the people’s business. All bills before the House of Delegates were assigned to a specific committee and those committees have begun to consider their bills. To track the progress of any bills, visit the General Assembly’s website at http://legis.virginia.gov. In addition, I will be keeping you up to date on the latest news from the General Assembly through these weekly updates.
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