Contact: David Poole
www.vpap.org
February 16, 2009
Updated House Candidate List
VPAP has posted the most recent list of Virginia House of Delegates candidates who have filed paperwork with State Board of Elections. These candidates' first campaign finance report will be due by April 15. The name in parenthesis is the name of the incumbent.
F. Seward Anderson, Jr. - House District 14 (D. Marshall)
John Bell - House District 13 (R. Marshall)
Kerry Bolognese - House District 41 (D. Marsden)
Gerald Burch - House District 55 (Hargrove)
Jason Call - House District 90 (A. Howell)
Barbara Comstock - House District 34 (M. Vanderhye)
Craig Ennis - House District 28 (W. Howell)
Olaf Gebhart, Jr. - House District 91 (T. Gear)
Thomas Greason - House District 32 (D. Poisson)
Patrick Hope - House District 47 (A. Eisenberg)
Alan Howze - House District 47 (A. Eisenberg)
James Hyland - House District 35 (S. Shannon)
Mark Jainchell - House District 27 (S. Nixon)
Edyth Frankel Kelleher - House District 35 (S. Shannon)
Esam S. Omeish - House District 35 (S. Shannon)
Dennis Parker - House District 27 (S. Nixon)
Christia Rey - House District 93 (P. Hamilton)
Peter Schmidt - House District 82 (B. Purkey)
Lionell Spruill, Jr. - House District 90 (A. Howell)
Andres Tobar - House District 47 (A. Eisenberg)
Luke Torian - House District 52 (J. Frederick)
Greg Werkeiser - House District 42 (D. Albo)
In addition, press reports indicated the following candidate has announced:
George Schwartz - House District 28 (W. Howell)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Virginia House of Delegates Democratic Caucus on Republicans' Record
HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
February 13, 2009
Contact: Claire Wilker, (352) 445-9000
House Republican Record of Accomplishment
~House Republicans Prove They Can Do Something Well - Kill Commonsense Bills~
Today the House Democratic Caucus released a list of bills introduced by Democratic members that failed to pass the Republican controlled House during the 2009 legislative session. Many of the listed bills were not passed out of committee and some received no hearing at all. It is the prerogative of Committee Chairmen to decide which bills the committee considers and which go unheard.
"The Republican majority in the House of Delegates reminds me of a black hole," said Democratic Caucus Chair Ken Plum, "Good bills go in, but they don't come out. This session Delegates from both parties have introduced a number of bills aimed at improving the lives of Virginians. Unfortunately, for the legislators with a 'D' next to their name, even the best bills seem to enter the 'Party of No' black hole, never to be seen again.
"As we begin the second half of the 2009 session, Democrats are going to continue to work for results for Virginia. I look forward to working with members of both caucuses to solve the problems we face as a Commonwealth, and I urge my Republican colleagues to put politics aside and work across the aisle to keep Virginia moving forward."
Below is a partial list of bills, grouped by category, proposed by members of the House Democratic Caucus that failed to pass the House:
CREATING JOBS AND INVESTING IN VIRGINIA
· HB2439 (Del. Poisson - Ashburn) would have offered tax incentives for businesses hiring honorably discharged veterans.
· HB2374 (Del. Englin - Alexandria) would have given an income tax credit to businesses that create jobs related to renewable alternative energies. Neither one was heard in committee.
· HJ742 (Del. Hall - Richmond) would have established a two year study to develop a strategic plan that aims to reduce the poverty rates, especially in those jurisdictions with rates above the state average.
· HJ727 (Del. Bouchard - Virginia Beach) would have investigated ways to combat homelessness among Virginia's veterans.
FIGHTING FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES
· HB2588 (Del. Englin - Alexandria) would have eliminated the food tax and cut taxes for low income Virginians and small businesses.
· HB2196 (Del. Watts - Fairfax) would have granted an income tax deduction for certified nursing assistants and home health aides who provide Medicare-authorized home health or long-term care services to individuals in their homes. HB2512 (Del. Marsden - Fairfax) would have ensured that Virginia Military Family Relief Fund benefits would not be taxed.
· HB2195 (Del. Watts - Fairfax) would have given tax credits to families who care for a mentally or physically impaired relative.
· HB2343 (Del. Amundson - Fairfax) would have increased the tax credit to families that buy an accessible residence to accommodate a handicapped inhabitant.
· HB2522 (Del. Nichols - Woodbridge) would have allowed employers with fewer than 50 employees to participate in the state health insurance plan.
· HB1903 (Del. Armstrong - Martinsville) would have prevented Virginia merchants from charging unconscionable prices for necessary goods during a shortage.
· HB1997, HB1959 and HB1960 (Del. Bulova - Fairfax and Del. Mathieson - Virginia Beach) would have expanded access to Virginia's Line of Duty act and make sure that public safety employees and their families receive full benefits to cope with the sacrifices they've made for us.
PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS
· HB1093 (Del. Sickles - Fairfax) would have prohibited lenders from making a low document, no document, or stated document mortgage loan unless they verified a borrower's stated income.
· HB77 (Del. Toscano - Albemarle) would have expanded the recordation tax exemption for certain nonprofit providers of affordable housing.
STENGTHENING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
· HB1606 (Del. Poisson - Ashburn) would have granted Virginia veterans who graduated at the top of their class automatic acceptance to in state colleges, was defeated in committee with an unrecorded vote.
· HB2295 (Del. Caputo - Fairfax) would have increased two year college transfer grants, was also left to languish in committee.
BROADENING ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT
· HB2496, HB2301, HB1620, HB1621, HB1894, HB2307; HB1988, HB2110, HB2113; HB1644 (Multiple Patrons) Yet again, the House Republican majority quickly disposed of legislation to expand access to absentee voting and create a nonpartisan redistricting process. Democrats proposed a variety of no excuse absentee voting and early voting measures in order to help assure that working men and women won't be disenfranchised and easy the workload of local registrars. All were defeated in subcommittee.
· HJ677, HJ623, HJ182, HJ628, HJ623 (Multiple Patrons) The GOP majority also squashed efforts to restore voting rights to former offenders who have paid their debt to society.
· HJ702, HB1793, HB1685 (Multiple Patrons) House Democrats patroned several measures to broaden input into the redistricting process through either bipartisan or nonpartisan means - ensuring that voters choose their representatives, not the other way around. Unfortunately, all were again defeated before so much as reaching the House floor.
· HJ668 (Del. Shannon - Vienna) would have directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the legislature and state agences and recommend money saving improvements,.
· HJ676 (Del. Armstrong - Martinsvile) would have directred JLARC to review the effectiveness of the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission in its efforts in meeting its strategic plans and goals. Since its inception, the tobacco commission has never been audited.
MEETING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
· HJ675, HJ704, HJ682, HB2387 (Multiple Patrons) The Republican majority defeated a variety of home energy and conservation measures this session, as well as further efforts to ensure new public buildings are as green as possible.
· HB2157 (Del. Toscano - Albemarle) would have required all biodiesel sold in Virginia to contain at least 2% biodiesel by 2011.
· HB2235 (Del. Shannon - Vienna) would have created a clean energy manufacturing grant program, in order to provide financial incentives to companies that manufacture or assemble equipment, systems, or products used to produce renewable energy, nuclear energy, or energy efficiency products.
· HJ682 (Del. Vanderhye - McLean) would have directed the Virginia Department of Taxation to recommend options for restructuring the residential electric consumption tax to promote energy efficiency while remaining revenue neutral.
February 13, 2009
Contact: Claire Wilker, (352) 445-9000
House Republican Record of Accomplishment
~House Republicans Prove They Can Do Something Well - Kill Commonsense Bills~
Today the House Democratic Caucus released a list of bills introduced by Democratic members that failed to pass the Republican controlled House during the 2009 legislative session. Many of the listed bills were not passed out of committee and some received no hearing at all. It is the prerogative of Committee Chairmen to decide which bills the committee considers and which go unheard.
"The Republican majority in the House of Delegates reminds me of a black hole," said Democratic Caucus Chair Ken Plum, "Good bills go in, but they don't come out. This session Delegates from both parties have introduced a number of bills aimed at improving the lives of Virginians. Unfortunately, for the legislators with a 'D' next to their name, even the best bills seem to enter the 'Party of No' black hole, never to be seen again.
"As we begin the second half of the 2009 session, Democrats are going to continue to work for results for Virginia. I look forward to working with members of both caucuses to solve the problems we face as a Commonwealth, and I urge my Republican colleagues to put politics aside and work across the aisle to keep Virginia moving forward."
Below is a partial list of bills, grouped by category, proposed by members of the House Democratic Caucus that failed to pass the House:
CREATING JOBS AND INVESTING IN VIRGINIA
· HB2439 (Del. Poisson - Ashburn) would have offered tax incentives for businesses hiring honorably discharged veterans.
· HB2374 (Del. Englin - Alexandria) would have given an income tax credit to businesses that create jobs related to renewable alternative energies. Neither one was heard in committee.
· HJ742 (Del. Hall - Richmond) would have established a two year study to develop a strategic plan that aims to reduce the poverty rates, especially in those jurisdictions with rates above the state average.
· HJ727 (Del. Bouchard - Virginia Beach) would have investigated ways to combat homelessness among Virginia's veterans.
FIGHTING FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES
· HB2588 (Del. Englin - Alexandria) would have eliminated the food tax and cut taxes for low income Virginians and small businesses.
· HB2196 (Del. Watts - Fairfax) would have granted an income tax deduction for certified nursing assistants and home health aides who provide Medicare-authorized home health or long-term care services to individuals in their homes. HB2512 (Del. Marsden - Fairfax) would have ensured that Virginia Military Family Relief Fund benefits would not be taxed.
· HB2195 (Del. Watts - Fairfax) would have given tax credits to families who care for a mentally or physically impaired relative.
· HB2343 (Del. Amundson - Fairfax) would have increased the tax credit to families that buy an accessible residence to accommodate a handicapped inhabitant.
· HB2522 (Del. Nichols - Woodbridge) would have allowed employers with fewer than 50 employees to participate in the state health insurance plan.
· HB1903 (Del. Armstrong - Martinsville) would have prevented Virginia merchants from charging unconscionable prices for necessary goods during a shortage.
· HB1997, HB1959 and HB1960 (Del. Bulova - Fairfax and Del. Mathieson - Virginia Beach) would have expanded access to Virginia's Line of Duty act and make sure that public safety employees and their families receive full benefits to cope with the sacrifices they've made for us.
PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS
· HB1093 (Del. Sickles - Fairfax) would have prohibited lenders from making a low document, no document, or stated document mortgage loan unless they verified a borrower's stated income.
· HB77 (Del. Toscano - Albemarle) would have expanded the recordation tax exemption for certain nonprofit providers of affordable housing.
STENGTHENING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
· HB1606 (Del. Poisson - Ashburn) would have granted Virginia veterans who graduated at the top of their class automatic acceptance to in state colleges, was defeated in committee with an unrecorded vote.
· HB2295 (Del. Caputo - Fairfax) would have increased two year college transfer grants, was also left to languish in committee.
BROADENING ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT
· HB2496, HB2301, HB1620, HB1621, HB1894, HB2307; HB1988, HB2110, HB2113; HB1644 (Multiple Patrons) Yet again, the House Republican majority quickly disposed of legislation to expand access to absentee voting and create a nonpartisan redistricting process. Democrats proposed a variety of no excuse absentee voting and early voting measures in order to help assure that working men and women won't be disenfranchised and easy the workload of local registrars. All were defeated in subcommittee.
· HJ677, HJ623, HJ182, HJ628, HJ623 (Multiple Patrons) The GOP majority also squashed efforts to restore voting rights to former offenders who have paid their debt to society.
· HJ702, HB1793, HB1685 (Multiple Patrons) House Democrats patroned several measures to broaden input into the redistricting process through either bipartisan or nonpartisan means - ensuring that voters choose their representatives, not the other way around. Unfortunately, all were again defeated before so much as reaching the House floor.
· HJ668 (Del. Shannon - Vienna) would have directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the legislature and state agences and recommend money saving improvements,.
· HJ676 (Del. Armstrong - Martinsvile) would have directred JLARC to review the effectiveness of the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission in its efforts in meeting its strategic plans and goals. Since its inception, the tobacco commission has never been audited.
MEETING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
· HJ675, HJ704, HJ682, HB2387 (Multiple Patrons) The Republican majority defeated a variety of home energy and conservation measures this session, as well as further efforts to ensure new public buildings are as green as possible.
· HB2157 (Del. Toscano - Albemarle) would have required all biodiesel sold in Virginia to contain at least 2% biodiesel by 2011.
· HB2235 (Del. Shannon - Vienna) would have created a clean energy manufacturing grant program, in order to provide financial incentives to companies that manufacture or assemble equipment, systems, or products used to produce renewable energy, nuclear energy, or energy efficiency products.
· HJ682 (Del. Vanderhye - McLean) would have directed the Virginia Department of Taxation to recommend options for restructuring the residential electric consumption tax to promote energy efficiency while remaining revenue neutral.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Democrats Report House Republicans Pass Budget with $133 Million Shortfall
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009
Contact: Claire Wilker (352)445.9000
House Republicans Pass Budget with $133 Million Shortfall
~Balanced Budget Required by Virginia Constitution~
For the first time in its history, the House of Delegates voted yesterday for a budget requiring deficit spending, violating Virginia's Constitution. The deficit results from an amendment proposed by the Republican controlled House Appropriations Committee, Item 3-1.01 #3h, which proposes a transfer to the general fund of $149 million dollars from a supposed cash balance in the Department of Environmental Quality's Water Quality Improvement Fund.
According to the Commonwealth Accounting and Reporting System, the official system used to track all state expenditures, the Water Quality Improvement Fund balance as of Thursday, February 12th was $137,718,715.00. Bills for projects under this Fund continue to come in on a weekly basis. These projects are already under contract, under construction, and in many cases, nearing completion.
Between now and June 30th the Commonwealth will receive bills for an additional $121 million which it is contractually obligated to pay. The balance in the Water Quality Improvement Fund is expected to be a mere $16 million by June 30th.
"The budget passed by the House yesterday effectively has a $133 million dollar hole in it," said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong. "Including this amendment and passing this budget is highly irresponsible deficit spending. Virginia takes pride in its long tradition of passing balanced budgets as required by our state Constitution. We don't need the practice of deficit spending coming across the Potomac into our Commonwealth."
The budget amendment authorizes the use of bonds to However, every single dollar of bond money has been committed by the Commonwealth in contracts for other projects.
The amendment also stipulates that the transfer to the General Fund will not be made if the Commonwealth receives federal funds from a federal stimulus package. However, based on reports from Washington, it appears that Virginia will only get about $81 million in clean water funding from the federal stimulus package. Even if this money could be used to back fill the raid on the Water Quality Improvement Fund, the budget would still be $68 million dollars short. In addition, federal restrictions prohibit federal stimulus funds from being used for projects already funded and under construction. Therefore, federal stimulus funds could not be used to plug the budget deficit.
Contact: Claire Wilker (352)445.9000
House Republicans Pass Budget with $133 Million Shortfall
~Balanced Budget Required by Virginia Constitution~
For the first time in its history, the House of Delegates voted yesterday for a budget requiring deficit spending, violating Virginia's Constitution. The deficit results from an amendment proposed by the Republican controlled House Appropriations Committee, Item 3-1.01 #3h, which proposes a transfer to the general fund of $149 million dollars from a supposed cash balance in the Department of Environmental Quality's Water Quality Improvement Fund.
According to the Commonwealth Accounting and Reporting System, the official system used to track all state expenditures, the Water Quality Improvement Fund balance as of Thursday, February 12th was $137,718,715.00. Bills for projects under this Fund continue to come in on a weekly basis. These projects are already under contract, under construction, and in many cases, nearing completion.
Between now and June 30th the Commonwealth will receive bills for an additional $121 million which it is contractually obligated to pay. The balance in the Water Quality Improvement Fund is expected to be a mere $16 million by June 30th.
"The budget passed by the House yesterday effectively has a $133 million dollar hole in it," said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong. "Including this amendment and passing this budget is highly irresponsible deficit spending. Virginia takes pride in its long tradition of passing balanced budgets as required by our state Constitution. We don't need the practice of deficit spending coming across the Potomac into our Commonwealth."
The budget amendment authorizes the use of bonds to However, every single dollar of bond money has been committed by the Commonwealth in contracts for other projects.
The amendment also stipulates that the transfer to the General Fund will not be made if the Commonwealth receives federal funds from a federal stimulus package. However, based on reports from Washington, it appears that Virginia will only get about $81 million in clean water funding from the federal stimulus package. Even if this money could be used to back fill the raid on the Water Quality Improvement Fund, the budget would still be $68 million dollars short. In addition, federal restrictions prohibit federal stimulus funds from being used for projects already funded and under construction. Therefore, federal stimulus funds could not be used to plug the budget deficit.
Virginia Speaker of the House on Approval of Budget Amendments
Speaker's Office
Virginia House of Delegates
February 12, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov or williamjhowell.org
Statement of Speaker William J. Howell
– On Bipartisan House Approval of Amendments to the Current State Budget –
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after the House of Delegates gave bipartisan approval – on vote of 88 to 11 – to approve House Bill 1600, Amendments to the current 2008-2010 Biennial Budget:
“Today, the House of Delegates fulfilled its responsibility to balance Virginia’s state spending blueprint by approving a package of fiscally sound amendments to Virginia’s already existing 2008-2010 Biennial Budget. The strong bipartisan support for this plan is testimony to the ability of Chairman Putney and all of the members of the House Appropriations Committee to come together and work cooperatively in doing the people’s business.
“The members of the House have not shrunken from their responsibility, choosing instead to face the difficult budgetary choices brought on by a challenging economic recession. While some might find it tempting to postpone these responsibilities in the hopes of more encouraging news or relief, Virginia’s Constitution and the procedures by which the General Assembly operates compel us to discharge our duties with prudence and pragmatism. The House has done just that, we have done our job and I regret that the Democratic led Senate chose a different course.
“By approving budget changes that protect core services while encouraging an expedited economic recovery, the House of Delegates has adopted a plan that will aid Virginia in hastening a more robust recovery. I congratulate them on their accomplishment and look forward to completing the process of amending the budget on schedule by adjournment of this 2009 Session on February 28.”
Virginia House of Delegates
February 12, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov or williamjhowell.org
Statement of Speaker William J. Howell
– On Bipartisan House Approval of Amendments to the Current State Budget –
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after the House of Delegates gave bipartisan approval – on vote of 88 to 11 – to approve House Bill 1600, Amendments to the current 2008-2010 Biennial Budget:
“Today, the House of Delegates fulfilled its responsibility to balance Virginia’s state spending blueprint by approving a package of fiscally sound amendments to Virginia’s already existing 2008-2010 Biennial Budget. The strong bipartisan support for this plan is testimony to the ability of Chairman Putney and all of the members of the House Appropriations Committee to come together and work cooperatively in doing the people’s business.
“The members of the House have not shrunken from their responsibility, choosing instead to face the difficult budgetary choices brought on by a challenging economic recession. While some might find it tempting to postpone these responsibilities in the hopes of more encouraging news or relief, Virginia’s Constitution and the procedures by which the General Assembly operates compel us to discharge our duties with prudence and pragmatism. The House has done just that, we have done our job and I regret that the Democratic led Senate chose a different course.
“By approving budget changes that protect core services while encouraging an expedited economic recovery, the House of Delegates has adopted a plan that will aid Virginia in hastening a more robust recovery. I congratulate them on their accomplishment and look forward to completing the process of amending the budget on schedule by adjournment of this 2009 Session on February 28.”
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
House of Delegates Republicans Highlight Midpoint Successes
Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia House of Delegates
February 11, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov
williamjhowell.org or vahousegop.com
House Republicans Highlight Success
of Legislative Agenda at Session Midpoint
– Priority Bills to Balance Budget, Boost Economy & Restore Prosperity Advance –
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and House Majority Caucus Chairman Samuel A. “Sam” Nixon, Jr. (R-Chesterfield) today highlighted the many legislative successes so far by members of the Republican Majority Caucus through the halfway point of the 2009 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. The announcement comes at the 2009 session’s midway mark, commonly referred to as “crossover.” By that date, which this year fell on February 10, each house must have acted on the bills filed by its respective members.
“During these trying economic times, Virginians rightly expected their elected state officials to advance practical solutions that will balance the budget without earmarks, hasten economic recovery and restore prosperity to Virginia’s ailing economy,” noted Howell. “House Republicans have delivered real results to the financial challenges citizens are facing. Our aggressive reform agenda sets forth a fiscally responsible approach to dealing with the kitchen-table concerns of Virginia families, businesses and taxpayers. Our strong majority caucus has developed new ideas, received support from Democrats and Independents and achieved House passage of scores of positive reforms.
“House Republicans successfully passed legislation to improve job creation, stimulate economic development, support educators, make higher education more affordable, ensure health insurance coverage for small businesses, ease congestion on Virginia’s transportation system and promote alternative energy development and conservation. Most of these bills garnered overwhelming bipartisan support, producing valuable momentum as these common-sense measures now go to be considered by the Senate of Virginia.”
“Offering practical solutions to Virginia’s challenges is a hallmark of House Republican leadership in the General Assembly,” said Chairman Nixon. “With our Commonwealth confronting the most difficult economic environment in decades, it is essential to build and expand upon our many accomplishments. Our individual legislative solutions, along with the House’s fiscally prudent action on amendments to the 2008-2010 biennial budget without raising taxes, displays the reasoned and comprehensive approach taken by House Republicans this year to help meet Virginia’s challenges. The overwhelming bipartisan support for many items on our agenda underscores the ability of Republicans to govern effectively and responded appropriately to the concerns of Virginians.”
Below is a partial list of measures advanced by the House Republican Caucus – grouped by topic – that the House of Delegates approved by the February 10 midpoint deadline of the 2009 Session.
Economic Recovery & Stimulus
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Expedites five significant higher education capital projects worth $230 million to start construction one year sooner in order to stimulate creation of 3,400 new jobs and advance higher learning opportunities.
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Supports efforts to increase economic development and marketing efforts in Virginia by providing an additional $3 million for tourism to leverage $13.5 million in private sector investments, restoring $500,000 to the Economic Development Partnership, and increasing the deal-closing Governor’s Opportunity Fund.
HB 2575 (Del. Putney – Bedford) Passed House 99-0
Extends by 10 years the successful major business facility job tax credit and expedites the drawdown of those credits over the next two years to help stimulate much-needed job creation in the private sector.
HB 2550 (Del. Cox – Colonial Heights) Passed House 99-0
Provides innovative financing for large, job-creating economic development projects that create over 400 new jobs and invest over $250 million in Virginia communities.
HB 2583 (Del. Merricks – Pittsylvania) Passed House 91-3-4
Retains a portion of state revenue holdings in Virginia financial institutions, increasing their capital holdings by almost $400 million so they can reinvest in local jobs and stimulate the local credit market.
HB 2437 (Del. Byron – Campbell) Passed House 99-0
Allows manufacturers' corporate income tax to be based on sales, phased in by 2013, thereby helping Virginia remain competitive to retain and create approximately 9,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs.
HB 2056 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 97-0-1
Provides economic grant incentives for workforce training programs and facilities to support an advanced workforce training program in Hampton Roads that creates 1,000 new jobs.
Economic Security & Prosperity
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Provides $1.5 million for the Virginia Jobs Investment Program to support training programs for a major automotive supplier that will create 318 new jobs and invest $194 million in Virginia.
HB 1938 (Del. Peace – Hanover) Passed House 99-0
Increases to $2,000 the amount of the livable tax credit for Virginians purchasing a new home or retrofitting an existing residency to improve accessibility.
HB 2262 (Del. Kilgore – Scott) Passed House 99-0
Strengthens the Attorney General’s enforcement authority under the Mortgage Lender and Broker Act to go after predatory mortgage lenders using fraud and deception.
HB 2031 (Del. D. Marshall – Danville) Passed House 98-0
Requires the licensure and registration of mortgage loan originators and establishes licensing procedures and criteria to ensure consumer protection.
HB 2132 (Del. J. Miller – Manassas) Passed House 99-0
Allows localities to cooperate with school divisions to offer residential housing assistance grants and other arrangements to provide affordable housing alternatives to teachers and other educational staff.
HB 2096 (Del. Orrock – Caroline) Passed House 98-0
Encourages charity organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, to build affordable housing by allowing localities to waive building permit and other local fees.
HB 2354 (Del. Landes – Augusta) Passed House 99-0
Allows for the temporary suspension of any mandate on a local government by a state agency if it would help alleviate the localities’ fiscal hardships.
HJ 647 (Del. O’Bannon – Henrico) Passed House 98-1
Increases the amount that can be appropriated to the Rainy Day Fund to strengthen Virginia’s ability to effectively weather future economic downturns.
HJ 640 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 56-43
Protects in the State Constitution Virginia’s Right-to-Work status, a key cornerstone of why Virginia has been ranked #1 in the nation as the best place for business to do business.
Government Reform & Transparency
HB 1634 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 78-14-3
Closes the loophole on fundraising by elected officials while in legislative session in order to eliminate the influence of campaign contributions on the consideration and outcome of legislation.
HB 1883 (Del. Nixon – Chesterfield) Passed House 98-0
Strengthens the transparency and oversight of lobbyist registration by increasing reporting and reforming compliance procedures.
HB 2463 (Del. O’Bannon - Henrico) Passed House 95-3
Creates an Efficiency Review Commission to systematically review every agency of state government to make certain that they are necessary and are performing their work efficiently and without redundancy.
HB 2285 (Del. Cline – Rockbridge) Passed House 99-0
Improves spending transparency through Virginia’s searchable database website to include more information on state revenues, appropriations and expenditures.
HB 2657 (Del. Griffith – Salem) Passed House 99-0
Prohibits the use of the Commonwealth’s publicly owned Executive Mansion for partisan political fundraising events.
Energy Independence & Alternative Resources
HB 2404 (Del. Bell – Albemarle) Passed House 98-0
Creates the Virginia Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation to assist in identifying and administering the development of alternative energy sources to create jobs and promote energy independence.
HB 2531 (Del. Kilgore – Scott) Passed House 87-12
Encourages energy conservation, primarily by businesses, by examining the development of energy conservation and demand-response targets that can be accomplished through cost-effective demand-side management portfolios.
HB 2152 (Del. Rust – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Provides for relief from capacity charges that discourage renewable energy generation without increasing the cost of energy to consumers.
HB 2175 (Del. Hogan – Halifax) Passed House 80-18
Breaks down barriers in the regulation process for completing small renewable energy projects so more projects can be built faster and at a lower cost, helping to reduce electric grid consumption.
HB 2172 (Del. Hogan – Halifax) Passed House 97-2
Streamlines the regulatory process for renewable energy generation projects so they can be connected more easily into the existing electrical grid for aid in addressing overall energy demand through the use of alternative energy resources.
HB 2371 (Del. Nutter – Montgomery) Passed House 98-0-1
Encourages consumer-driven choices for commercial costumers generating renewable power by providing real-time, dynamic energy rates so utilities can bring that renewable power into their overall grid to lower overall costs and satisfy demand.
HB 2268 (Del. Poindexter – Franklin) Passed House 99-0
Expands the definition of renewable energy to encourage new alternative energy projects with greater use of organic, biomass sources to meet rising energy demand.
HB 1633 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 58-41
Directs the royalties from exploration of domestic energy sources that will create local jobs to transportation improvements, Chesapeake Bay clean-up, renewable energy research and home energy assistance.
HB 2001 (Del. Cosgrove – Chesapeake) Passed House 98-0
Expands the eligibility of the Biofuels Production Incentive Grant Program to include advanced biofuels that are made from winter cover crops, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin oil and algae.
HB 2002 (Del. Cosgrove – Chesapeake) Passed House 98-0
Encourages the production of sustainably produced biofuels made from traditional agricultural crops as part of Virginia’s comprehensive energy plan.
Health Care Reform
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Restores the 200 MR Waiver slots cut by Governor Kaine in his budget amendments and funds an additional 200 slots in order to reduce the urgent waiting list for the MR Waiver program.
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Dedicates $1.5 million in additional funding for critical and cost-effective early intervention services for children with developmental delays, including children with autism and autism spectrum disorder.
HB 2024 (Del. D. Marshall – Danville) Passed House 99-0
Reduces the number of uninsured Virginians by allowing small businesses that do not currently offer health insurance to their employees to offer plans with the choice of what mandates to cover.
HB 1598 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 88-0-1
Revises the criteria for issuance of a Certificate of Public Need which will result in increased competition in the delivery of health care services, opening greater access to high quality care.
HB 2044 (Del. Nixon – Chesterfield) Passed House 96-0-1
Creates an advisory committee of health care and technology experts to assist in developing standards for health care information systems that reduce medical errors, reduce costs and save lives.
HB 1853 (Del. Cox – Colonial Heights) Passed House 99-0
Sets out an aggressive goal of eliminating the urgent care waiting list for the home and community-based MR Waiver program that grows by one family within the next 10 years (by 2018-2020 biennium).
HB 2061 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 99-0
Reforms the process for placing juveniles in outpatient mental health treatment services and monitoring those cases.
HB 2557 (Del. Nixon – Chesterfield) Passed House 99-0
Applies any mandate that may be imposed on small businesses to the state employee health insurance plan and requires information on cost and utilization of any proposed mandate.
K-12 and Higher Education
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Expands access and creates more in-state Virginia students by providing $12.5 million for new enrollment at Virginia’s public institutions of higher education and setting aside 70% of those slots for Virginians.
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Lessens the possibility of schools having to layoff younger teachers and helps schools divisions better manage their budgets by establishing a Teacher and Support Staff Enhanced Retirement Incentive Plan.
HB 2464 (Del. Morgan – Gloucester) Passed House 98-0-1
Continues and improves upon the 2005 landmark restructuring of Virginia’s higher education system
HB 1965 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 50-47
Creates an income tax credit for businesses that support public school scholarships for families that decide to send their students to the school of their choice. Part of the qualifying education expenses covered by such scholarships would be services used for children with autism spectrum disorder.
HB 2104 (Del. Janis – Henrico) Passed House 59-39
Provides a grant for families in Virginia with a child who has autism spectrum disorder to use at a private school if their child is demonstrating substantial unmet academic or development progress in a public school.
HB 2018 (Del. Rust – Fairfax) Passed House 72-24
Creates a permanent, perpetual School Construction Revolving Fund to better assist local school districts in financing construction and renovation. Leveraging innovative public-private financing and expertise will help build needed classrooms faster, at lower costs and in a more dynamic way.
HB 2304 (Del. Griffith – Salem) Passed House 98-0
Maintains the one-year period in which anyone aggrieved by a decision on special education program placement, eligibility or other matters made in a due process hearing may appeal to a circuit court. The State Board of Education has proposed decreasing the time-period to 90 days.
HJ 678 (Del. Tata – Virginia Beach) Passed House 95-0
Requests Virginia’s public higher education administration study methods to attract students to the Virginia Community College system for teacher preparation programs.
Transportation
HB 1579 (Del. Oder – Newport News) Passed House 67-31
Increases transportation funding for Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and other regions of the Commonwealth by dedicating a portion of future growth in existing revenue sources so Virginia can reinvest in its roads, rail and transit, increase mobility and strengthen the flow of job-creating commerce.
HB 2066 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 68-29-1
Improves the Public-Private Partnership Transportation Act by streamlining the regulatory process to increase the number of public-private projects that could be built faster and at a lower cost.
HB 2079 (Del. Oder – Newport News) Passed House 65-31-1
Expedites improvements and expansion of two transportation projects critical to Hampton Roads – the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension project and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.
HB 2019 (Del. Rust – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Directs the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to designate corridors of statewide significance in the Statewide Transportation Plan and localities to include them in their comprehensive plans.
HJ 620 (Del. Oder – Newport News) Passed House 99-0
Locks-up from legislative raids the Transportation Trust Fund by an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia so money dedicated and supposed to go to transportation actually is used for transportation.
Environmental Stewardship
HB 2351 (Del. Landes – Augusta) Passed House 99-0
Dedicates a portion of future surplus funds to the Natural Resources Commitment Fund and increases the share allocated from the Fund to the Agriculture Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program.
HB 2168 (Del. Abbitt – Appomattox) Passed House 98-0
Improves the ability to clean up Virginia’s waterways from storm-water nonpoint pollution through a nutrient offset program that allows compliance through offsets in the same tributary.
HB 2165 (Del. Lohr – Rockingham) Passed House 98-0
Makes it easier for Virginia farmers to undertake small-scale conversions of renewable biomass from feedstock produced on the farm for energy production.
HB 2646 (Del. Poindexter - Franklin) Passed House 92-7
Establishes a market-based betterment loan program to address onsite sewage systems or alternative discharging sewage systems in order to reduce threats to public health as well as ground and surface waters.
HB 2565 (Del. Knight – Virginia Beach) Passed House 98-0
Encourages localities to develop lease of development rights, transfer of development rights and agricultural and forestal districts with assistance from the Office of Farmland Preservation.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Protects children from online predators by appropriating $1.0 million to the Northern Virginia and Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces.
HB 2402 (Del. Bell – Albemarle) Passed House 99-0
Combats identify theft in cases where people obtain money, loans and credit through the use of identifying information of another person.
HB 1868 (Del. Janis – Henrico) Passed House 96-0
Increases permanently penalty for underage drinking and driving to a Class I misdemeanor to deter reckless behavior by young people.
HB 2041 (Del. Iaquinto – Virginia Beach) Passed House 91-7
Removes drunk drivers from Virginia roadways by requiring the instillation of an ignition interlock system so convicted drunk drivers will not put other law-abiding Virginians in harm’s way.
HB 1693 (Del. Albo – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Strengthens Virginia’s DUI laws by requiring mandatory jail sentence when a blood alcohol test is done at a hospital
HB 2358 (Del. Gilbert – Shenandoah) Passed House 73-25
Redefines the “triggerman rule” as it applies to capital murder cases to include accessories and principles in the second degree in cases dealing with terrorism and murder for hire.
HB 2638 (Del. Pogge – James City) Passed House 75-22
Expands the death penalty for those convicted of the murder of law-enforcement officers including auxiliary police officers and deputy sheriffs and fire marshals and assistant fire marshals.
Other Improvements to Virginia’s Quality of Life
HB 1732 (Del. Cox – Colonial Heights) Passed House 97-0
Develops and deploys an automated system for the electronic preparation of veterans’ disability claims (similar to “Turbo Vet”) so more of our veterans can receive their disability payments in a timely manner.
HB 1727 (Del. Cole – Spotsylvania) Passed House 99-0
Establishes an interstate compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.
HB 1712 (Del. Janis – Henrico) Passed House 98-0
Conforms Virginia’s absentee ballot laws to similar federal laws to make certain that all absentee ballots from active duty military personnel are counted.
HB 1877 (Del. Cosgrove – Chesapeake) Passed House 97-0-1
Allows law enforcement officers including firefighters, EMS personnel and other first responders to vote by absentee ballot.
HB 2579 (Del. Byron – Campbell) Passed House 62-36
Adds an ultrasound to the information given a woman considering an abortion under informed consent to give better assurance on the gestation age than the current approach of guessing.
HB 2634 (Del. Cline – Rockbridge) Passed House 64-34
Requires that any person, who seeks an abortion past the first trimester, must allow their unborn child to receive anesthesia so that they do not feel the pain that is ending their lives.
HJ 648 (Del. O’Bannon – Henrico) Passed House 97-0
Amends the Virginia Constitution to allow for exemption from property taxes for disabled veterans.
HJ 725 (Del. Bell – Albemarle) Passed House 68-31
Protects private property rights by amending the Virginia Constitution to narrowly define under what circumstances eminent domain powers can used for public use.
Note: This list is not intended to be a complete compilation of all House Republican-sponsored legislation in the 2009 Session. For more details about a bill listed above, please contact the office of the delegate who patroned the measure or click on the bill number, which is linked to the General Assembly’s Legislative Information Service and provides complete information on all measures.
Virginia House of Delegates
February 11, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov
williamjhowell.org or vahousegop.com
House Republicans Highlight Success
of Legislative Agenda at Session Midpoint
– Priority Bills to Balance Budget, Boost Economy & Restore Prosperity Advance –
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and House Majority Caucus Chairman Samuel A. “Sam” Nixon, Jr. (R-Chesterfield) today highlighted the many legislative successes so far by members of the Republican Majority Caucus through the halfway point of the 2009 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. The announcement comes at the 2009 session’s midway mark, commonly referred to as “crossover.” By that date, which this year fell on February 10, each house must have acted on the bills filed by its respective members.
“During these trying economic times, Virginians rightly expected their elected state officials to advance practical solutions that will balance the budget without earmarks, hasten economic recovery and restore prosperity to Virginia’s ailing economy,” noted Howell. “House Republicans have delivered real results to the financial challenges citizens are facing. Our aggressive reform agenda sets forth a fiscally responsible approach to dealing with the kitchen-table concerns of Virginia families, businesses and taxpayers. Our strong majority caucus has developed new ideas, received support from Democrats and Independents and achieved House passage of scores of positive reforms.
“House Republicans successfully passed legislation to improve job creation, stimulate economic development, support educators, make higher education more affordable, ensure health insurance coverage for small businesses, ease congestion on Virginia’s transportation system and promote alternative energy development and conservation. Most of these bills garnered overwhelming bipartisan support, producing valuable momentum as these common-sense measures now go to be considered by the Senate of Virginia.”
“Offering practical solutions to Virginia’s challenges is a hallmark of House Republican leadership in the General Assembly,” said Chairman Nixon. “With our Commonwealth confronting the most difficult economic environment in decades, it is essential to build and expand upon our many accomplishments. Our individual legislative solutions, along with the House’s fiscally prudent action on amendments to the 2008-2010 biennial budget without raising taxes, displays the reasoned and comprehensive approach taken by House Republicans this year to help meet Virginia’s challenges. The overwhelming bipartisan support for many items on our agenda underscores the ability of Republicans to govern effectively and responded appropriately to the concerns of Virginians.”
Below is a partial list of measures advanced by the House Republican Caucus – grouped by topic – that the House of Delegates approved by the February 10 midpoint deadline of the 2009 Session.
Economic Recovery & Stimulus
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Expedites five significant higher education capital projects worth $230 million to start construction one year sooner in order to stimulate creation of 3,400 new jobs and advance higher learning opportunities.
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Supports efforts to increase economic development and marketing efforts in Virginia by providing an additional $3 million for tourism to leverage $13.5 million in private sector investments, restoring $500,000 to the Economic Development Partnership, and increasing the deal-closing Governor’s Opportunity Fund.
HB 2575 (Del. Putney – Bedford) Passed House 99-0
Extends by 10 years the successful major business facility job tax credit and expedites the drawdown of those credits over the next two years to help stimulate much-needed job creation in the private sector.
HB 2550 (Del. Cox – Colonial Heights) Passed House 99-0
Provides innovative financing for large, job-creating economic development projects that create over 400 new jobs and invest over $250 million in Virginia communities.
HB 2583 (Del. Merricks – Pittsylvania) Passed House 91-3-4
Retains a portion of state revenue holdings in Virginia financial institutions, increasing their capital holdings by almost $400 million so they can reinvest in local jobs and stimulate the local credit market.
HB 2437 (Del. Byron – Campbell) Passed House 99-0
Allows manufacturers' corporate income tax to be based on sales, phased in by 2013, thereby helping Virginia remain competitive to retain and create approximately 9,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs.
HB 2056 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 97-0-1
Provides economic grant incentives for workforce training programs and facilities to support an advanced workforce training program in Hampton Roads that creates 1,000 new jobs.
Economic Security & Prosperity
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Provides $1.5 million for the Virginia Jobs Investment Program to support training programs for a major automotive supplier that will create 318 new jobs and invest $194 million in Virginia.
HB 1938 (Del. Peace – Hanover) Passed House 99-0
Increases to $2,000 the amount of the livable tax credit for Virginians purchasing a new home or retrofitting an existing residency to improve accessibility.
HB 2262 (Del. Kilgore – Scott) Passed House 99-0
Strengthens the Attorney General’s enforcement authority under the Mortgage Lender and Broker Act to go after predatory mortgage lenders using fraud and deception.
HB 2031 (Del. D. Marshall – Danville) Passed House 98-0
Requires the licensure and registration of mortgage loan originators and establishes licensing procedures and criteria to ensure consumer protection.
HB 2132 (Del. J. Miller – Manassas) Passed House 99-0
Allows localities to cooperate with school divisions to offer residential housing assistance grants and other arrangements to provide affordable housing alternatives to teachers and other educational staff.
HB 2096 (Del. Orrock – Caroline) Passed House 98-0
Encourages charity organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, to build affordable housing by allowing localities to waive building permit and other local fees.
HB 2354 (Del. Landes – Augusta) Passed House 99-0
Allows for the temporary suspension of any mandate on a local government by a state agency if it would help alleviate the localities’ fiscal hardships.
HJ 647 (Del. O’Bannon – Henrico) Passed House 98-1
Increases the amount that can be appropriated to the Rainy Day Fund to strengthen Virginia’s ability to effectively weather future economic downturns.
HJ 640 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 56-43
Protects in the State Constitution Virginia’s Right-to-Work status, a key cornerstone of why Virginia has been ranked #1 in the nation as the best place for business to do business.
Government Reform & Transparency
HB 1634 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 78-14-3
Closes the loophole on fundraising by elected officials while in legislative session in order to eliminate the influence of campaign contributions on the consideration and outcome of legislation.
HB 1883 (Del. Nixon – Chesterfield) Passed House 98-0
Strengthens the transparency and oversight of lobbyist registration by increasing reporting and reforming compliance procedures.
HB 2463 (Del. O’Bannon - Henrico) Passed House 95-3
Creates an Efficiency Review Commission to systematically review every agency of state government to make certain that they are necessary and are performing their work efficiently and without redundancy.
HB 2285 (Del. Cline – Rockbridge) Passed House 99-0
Improves spending transparency through Virginia’s searchable database website to include more information on state revenues, appropriations and expenditures.
HB 2657 (Del. Griffith – Salem) Passed House 99-0
Prohibits the use of the Commonwealth’s publicly owned Executive Mansion for partisan political fundraising events.
Energy Independence & Alternative Resources
HB 2404 (Del. Bell – Albemarle) Passed House 98-0
Creates the Virginia Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation to assist in identifying and administering the development of alternative energy sources to create jobs and promote energy independence.
HB 2531 (Del. Kilgore – Scott) Passed House 87-12
Encourages energy conservation, primarily by businesses, by examining the development of energy conservation and demand-response targets that can be accomplished through cost-effective demand-side management portfolios.
HB 2152 (Del. Rust – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Provides for relief from capacity charges that discourage renewable energy generation without increasing the cost of energy to consumers.
HB 2175 (Del. Hogan – Halifax) Passed House 80-18
Breaks down barriers in the regulation process for completing small renewable energy projects so more projects can be built faster and at a lower cost, helping to reduce electric grid consumption.
HB 2172 (Del. Hogan – Halifax) Passed House 97-2
Streamlines the regulatory process for renewable energy generation projects so they can be connected more easily into the existing electrical grid for aid in addressing overall energy demand through the use of alternative energy resources.
HB 2371 (Del. Nutter – Montgomery) Passed House 98-0-1
Encourages consumer-driven choices for commercial costumers generating renewable power by providing real-time, dynamic energy rates so utilities can bring that renewable power into their overall grid to lower overall costs and satisfy demand.
HB 2268 (Del. Poindexter – Franklin) Passed House 99-0
Expands the definition of renewable energy to encourage new alternative energy projects with greater use of organic, biomass sources to meet rising energy demand.
HB 1633 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 58-41
Directs the royalties from exploration of domestic energy sources that will create local jobs to transportation improvements, Chesapeake Bay clean-up, renewable energy research and home energy assistance.
HB 2001 (Del. Cosgrove – Chesapeake) Passed House 98-0
Expands the eligibility of the Biofuels Production Incentive Grant Program to include advanced biofuels that are made from winter cover crops, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin oil and algae.
HB 2002 (Del. Cosgrove – Chesapeake) Passed House 98-0
Encourages the production of sustainably produced biofuels made from traditional agricultural crops as part of Virginia’s comprehensive energy plan.
Health Care Reform
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Restores the 200 MR Waiver slots cut by Governor Kaine in his budget amendments and funds an additional 200 slots in order to reduce the urgent waiting list for the MR Waiver program.
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Dedicates $1.5 million in additional funding for critical and cost-effective early intervention services for children with developmental delays, including children with autism and autism spectrum disorder.
HB 2024 (Del. D. Marshall – Danville) Passed House 99-0
Reduces the number of uninsured Virginians by allowing small businesses that do not currently offer health insurance to their employees to offer plans with the choice of what mandates to cover.
HB 1598 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 88-0-1
Revises the criteria for issuance of a Certificate of Public Need which will result in increased competition in the delivery of health care services, opening greater access to high quality care.
HB 2044 (Del. Nixon – Chesterfield) Passed House 96-0-1
Creates an advisory committee of health care and technology experts to assist in developing standards for health care information systems that reduce medical errors, reduce costs and save lives.
HB 1853 (Del. Cox – Colonial Heights) Passed House 99-0
Sets out an aggressive goal of eliminating the urgent care waiting list for the home and community-based MR Waiver program that grows by one family within the next 10 years (by 2018-2020 biennium).
HB 2061 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 99-0
Reforms the process for placing juveniles in outpatient mental health treatment services and monitoring those cases.
HB 2557 (Del. Nixon – Chesterfield) Passed House 99-0
Applies any mandate that may be imposed on small businesses to the state employee health insurance plan and requires information on cost and utilization of any proposed mandate.
K-12 and Higher Education
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Expands access and creates more in-state Virginia students by providing $12.5 million for new enrollment at Virginia’s public institutions of higher education and setting aside 70% of those slots for Virginians.
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Lessens the possibility of schools having to layoff younger teachers and helps schools divisions better manage their budgets by establishing a Teacher and Support Staff Enhanced Retirement Incentive Plan.
HB 2464 (Del. Morgan – Gloucester) Passed House 98-0-1
Continues and improves upon the 2005 landmark restructuring of Virginia’s higher education system
HB 1965 (Del. Saxman – Staunton) Passed House 50-47
Creates an income tax credit for businesses that support public school scholarships for families that decide to send their students to the school of their choice. Part of the qualifying education expenses covered by such scholarships would be services used for children with autism spectrum disorder.
HB 2104 (Del. Janis – Henrico) Passed House 59-39
Provides a grant for families in Virginia with a child who has autism spectrum disorder to use at a private school if their child is demonstrating substantial unmet academic or development progress in a public school.
HB 2018 (Del. Rust – Fairfax) Passed House 72-24
Creates a permanent, perpetual School Construction Revolving Fund to better assist local school districts in financing construction and renovation. Leveraging innovative public-private financing and expertise will help build needed classrooms faster, at lower costs and in a more dynamic way.
HB 2304 (Del. Griffith – Salem) Passed House 98-0
Maintains the one-year period in which anyone aggrieved by a decision on special education program placement, eligibility or other matters made in a due process hearing may appeal to a circuit court. The State Board of Education has proposed decreasing the time-period to 90 days.
HJ 678 (Del. Tata – Virginia Beach) Passed House 95-0
Requests Virginia’s public higher education administration study methods to attract students to the Virginia Community College system for teacher preparation programs.
Transportation
HB 1579 (Del. Oder – Newport News) Passed House 67-31
Increases transportation funding for Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and other regions of the Commonwealth by dedicating a portion of future growth in existing revenue sources so Virginia can reinvest in its roads, rail and transit, increase mobility and strengthen the flow of job-creating commerce.
HB 2066 (Del. Hamilton – Newport News) Passed House 68-29-1
Improves the Public-Private Partnership Transportation Act by streamlining the regulatory process to increase the number of public-private projects that could be built faster and at a lower cost.
HB 2079 (Del. Oder – Newport News) Passed House 65-31-1
Expedites improvements and expansion of two transportation projects critical to Hampton Roads – the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension project and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.
HB 2019 (Del. Rust – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Directs the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to designate corridors of statewide significance in the Statewide Transportation Plan and localities to include them in their comprehensive plans.
HJ 620 (Del. Oder – Newport News) Passed House 99-0
Locks-up from legislative raids the Transportation Trust Fund by an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia so money dedicated and supposed to go to transportation actually is used for transportation.
Environmental Stewardship
HB 2351 (Del. Landes – Augusta) Passed House 99-0
Dedicates a portion of future surplus funds to the Natural Resources Commitment Fund and increases the share allocated from the Fund to the Agriculture Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program.
HB 2168 (Del. Abbitt – Appomattox) Passed House 98-0
Improves the ability to clean up Virginia’s waterways from storm-water nonpoint pollution through a nutrient offset program that allows compliance through offsets in the same tributary.
HB 2165 (Del. Lohr – Rockingham) Passed House 98-0
Makes it easier for Virginia farmers to undertake small-scale conversions of renewable biomass from feedstock produced on the farm for energy production.
HB 2646 (Del. Poindexter - Franklin) Passed House 92-7
Establishes a market-based betterment loan program to address onsite sewage systems or alternative discharging sewage systems in order to reduce threats to public health as well as ground and surface waters.
HB 2565 (Del. Knight – Virginia Beach) Passed House 98-0
Encourages localities to develop lease of development rights, transfer of development rights and agricultural and forestal districts with assistance from the Office of Farmland Preservation.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety
HB 1600 (Del. Putney – Bedford) House to Pass on Feb. 12
Protects children from online predators by appropriating $1.0 million to the Northern Virginia and Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces.
HB 2402 (Del. Bell – Albemarle) Passed House 99-0
Combats identify theft in cases where people obtain money, loans and credit through the use of identifying information of another person.
HB 1868 (Del. Janis – Henrico) Passed House 96-0
Increases permanently penalty for underage drinking and driving to a Class I misdemeanor to deter reckless behavior by young people.
HB 2041 (Del. Iaquinto – Virginia Beach) Passed House 91-7
Removes drunk drivers from Virginia roadways by requiring the instillation of an ignition interlock system so convicted drunk drivers will not put other law-abiding Virginians in harm’s way.
HB 1693 (Del. Albo – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Strengthens Virginia’s DUI laws by requiring mandatory jail sentence when a blood alcohol test is done at a hospital
HB 2358 (Del. Gilbert – Shenandoah) Passed House 73-25
Redefines the “triggerman rule” as it applies to capital murder cases to include accessories and principles in the second degree in cases dealing with terrorism and murder for hire.
HB 2638 (Del. Pogge – James City) Passed House 75-22
Expands the death penalty for those convicted of the murder of law-enforcement officers including auxiliary police officers and deputy sheriffs and fire marshals and assistant fire marshals.
Other Improvements to Virginia’s Quality of Life
HB 1732 (Del. Cox – Colonial Heights) Passed House 97-0
Develops and deploys an automated system for the electronic preparation of veterans’ disability claims (similar to “Turbo Vet”) so more of our veterans can receive their disability payments in a timely manner.
HB 1727 (Del. Cole – Spotsylvania) Passed House 99-0
Establishes an interstate compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.
HB 1712 (Del. Janis – Henrico) Passed House 98-0
Conforms Virginia’s absentee ballot laws to similar federal laws to make certain that all absentee ballots from active duty military personnel are counted.
HB 1877 (Del. Cosgrove – Chesapeake) Passed House 97-0-1
Allows law enforcement officers including firefighters, EMS personnel and other first responders to vote by absentee ballot.
HB 2579 (Del. Byron – Campbell) Passed House 62-36
Adds an ultrasound to the information given a woman considering an abortion under informed consent to give better assurance on the gestation age than the current approach of guessing.
HB 2634 (Del. Cline – Rockbridge) Passed House 64-34
Requires that any person, who seeks an abortion past the first trimester, must allow their unborn child to receive anesthesia so that they do not feel the pain that is ending their lives.
HJ 648 (Del. O’Bannon – Henrico) Passed House 97-0
Amends the Virginia Constitution to allow for exemption from property taxes for disabled veterans.
HJ 725 (Del. Bell – Albemarle) Passed House 68-31
Protects private property rights by amending the Virginia Constitution to narrowly define under what circumstances eminent domain powers can used for public use.
Note: This list is not intended to be a complete compilation of all House Republican-sponsored legislation in the 2009 Session. For more details about a bill listed above, please contact the office of the delegate who patroned the measure or click on the bill number, which is linked to the General Assembly’s Legislative Information Service and provides complete information on all measures.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Virginia State House Republicans Approve Comprehensive Alternative Energy & Conservation Package
Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia House of Delegates
February 10, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov or
williamjhowell.org or vahousegop.com
- Renewable Sources Promoted without Raising Consumer Rates or Business Costs -
- Legislation to Reduce Consumption, Improve Efficiency Receive Bipartisan Endorsement -
In the latest announcement by House Republicans of practical solutions to improve the economic climate in the Commonwealth, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and Delegates Terry G. Kilgore (R-Scott), Clarke N. Hogan (R-Halifax) and John A. Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake) today applauded the final approval of a comprehensive package of legislation that will promote energy conservation and efficiency as well as the development and delivery of alternative energy sources.
The full House passed energy bills put forth by Republicans and Democrats, whose highlights include:
· Helping Virginia conserve 10% or more of its electricity consumption in future years and keep prices competitive through reduced demand and improved efficiency;
· Creating new jobs by breaking down barriers in order to encourage fiscally responsible alternative energy generation;
· Supporting the development of new renewable energy projects across Virginia to ease reliance on foreign oil and other energy sources; and
· Helping to keep energy costs to consumers low without adding business regulations and mandates.
"Encouraging the cost effective development and responsible production of economically viable alternative energy resources in Virginia will help secure our energy independence and reduce our reliance on foreign oil to meet our energy needs,” noted Speaker Howell. “The series of commonsense measures successfully advanced by House Republicans this Session will help address Virginia’s demand for increased energy production in an environmentally sensitive manner. This sensible package of reforms, including partnering with our fine public institutions of higher education and the Tobacco Commission, will create critical new jobs in the alternative energy arena that will make significant progress in alleviating Virginia’s energy needs."
House Bill 2404, patroned by Delegate Bell, creates the Virginia Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation to assist in identifying and administering the development of alternative energy sources to create jobs and promote energy independence. Many of Virginia’s colleges and universities already are pioneering work on alternative energy and will be key partners with the Foundation, along with others. Likewise, private sector experts will be involved in determining the economic impact of individual projects and provide insight into creating a comprehensive alternative energy research and development program for the Commonwealth.
House Bill 2531, patroned by Delegate Kilgore, establishes a meaningful and measurable energy conservation and demand-side management program under the careful direction of the State Corporation Commission. These programs aimed at reducing energy consumption by electricity consumers would be cost effective for the producers while protecting rate payers across Virginia. The legislation does not employ mandates and burdensome regulations that tie the hands of businesses to achieve the same positive results as will occur under this bill.
“With the growing understanding of Virginians for the need to conserve energy use, House Republicans have taken a responsible approach to ensure continued progress in reducing demand,” said Delegate Kilgore, Chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. “My bill recognizes that the private sector has the ability to create innovative products and services to help all consumers conserve. And, the legislation is able to protect consumers from being harmed through increases energy costs during this economic downturn.”
Several bills, including House Bill 2172, House Bill 2175, House Bill 2268, House Bill 2152 and House Bill 2371, break down barriers that currently exist to developing renewable energy projects in Virginia. House Bill 2172 would make it easier for renewable energy projects to connect into the electrical grid in order to share energy resources with Virginia consumers. House Bill 2175 would provide a programmatic incentive for small renewable energy production by streamlining the permitting process. House Bill 2268, patroned by Delegate Charles D. Poindexter (R-Franklin), expands the definition of renewable energy to encourage new alternative energy projects with greater use of organic, biomass sources to meet rising energy demand. House Bill 2152, patroned by Thomas D. Rust (R-Fairfax), provides for relief from capacity charges that discourage renewable generation. House Bill 2371, patroned by Delegate David A. Nutter (R-Montgomery), promotes the use of renewable energy through the development of dynamic rates for larger, nonresidential customers who use the output from a renewable generation facility.
“Virginia has an abundance of natural resources that can be used to develop environmentally-friendly energy and improve our economic situation,” said Delegate Hogan, patron of House Bills 2172 and 2175. “It makes good business sense for the Commonwealth to reduce the burdens of those seeking to produce renewable energy and supply that valuable commodity into the marketplace. These bills foster an improved business climate so the use of innovative alternative energy sources continues, expands and creates new jobs.”
House Bills 2001 and 2002, patroned by Delegate Cosgrove, encourage the use of biofuels as part of Virginia’s overall approach to delivering energy. House Bill 2001 expands the Biofuels Production Incentive Grant Program to include advanced biofuels derived from renewable biomass or algae. House Bill 2002 recognizes and encourages the reliance on sustainably produced biofuels made from traditional agricultural crops and supports the delivery infrastructure needed for statewide distribution of these advanced biofuels to Virginia consumers.
“Expanding the feedstocks used to produce biofuels in Virginia will improve the comprehensive approach we have taken in delivering alternative energy to our citizens and businesses,” remarked Delegate Cosgrove. “Using sustainable sources grown and found in Virginia helps create local jobs in this cutting-edge field. Providing incentives to harness these natural resources stimulates innovation and economic development.”
House Bill 1633, patroned by Delegate Chris Saxman (R-Staunton) dedicates royalties from the from exploration of domestic energy sources that will create local jobs to transportation improvements, Chesapeake Bay cleanup, renewable energy research and home energy assistance.
Virginia House of Delegates
February 10, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov or
williamjhowell.org or vahousegop.com
- Renewable Sources Promoted without Raising Consumer Rates or Business Costs -
- Legislation to Reduce Consumption, Improve Efficiency Receive Bipartisan Endorsement -
In the latest announcement by House Republicans of practical solutions to improve the economic climate in the Commonwealth, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and Delegates Terry G. Kilgore (R-Scott), Clarke N. Hogan (R-Halifax) and John A. Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake) today applauded the final approval of a comprehensive package of legislation that will promote energy conservation and efficiency as well as the development and delivery of alternative energy sources.
The full House passed energy bills put forth by Republicans and Democrats, whose highlights include:
· Helping Virginia conserve 10% or more of its electricity consumption in future years and keep prices competitive through reduced demand and improved efficiency;
· Creating new jobs by breaking down barriers in order to encourage fiscally responsible alternative energy generation;
· Supporting the development of new renewable energy projects across Virginia to ease reliance on foreign oil and other energy sources; and
· Helping to keep energy costs to consumers low without adding business regulations and mandates.
"Encouraging the cost effective development and responsible production of economically viable alternative energy resources in Virginia will help secure our energy independence and reduce our reliance on foreign oil to meet our energy needs,” noted Speaker Howell. “The series of commonsense measures successfully advanced by House Republicans this Session will help address Virginia’s demand for increased energy production in an environmentally sensitive manner. This sensible package of reforms, including partnering with our fine public institutions of higher education and the Tobacco Commission, will create critical new jobs in the alternative energy arena that will make significant progress in alleviating Virginia’s energy needs."
House Bill 2404, patroned by Delegate Bell, creates the Virginia Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation to assist in identifying and administering the development of alternative energy sources to create jobs and promote energy independence. Many of Virginia’s colleges and universities already are pioneering work on alternative energy and will be key partners with the Foundation, along with others. Likewise, private sector experts will be involved in determining the economic impact of individual projects and provide insight into creating a comprehensive alternative energy research and development program for the Commonwealth.
House Bill 2531, patroned by Delegate Kilgore, establishes a meaningful and measurable energy conservation and demand-side management program under the careful direction of the State Corporation Commission. These programs aimed at reducing energy consumption by electricity consumers would be cost effective for the producers while protecting rate payers across Virginia. The legislation does not employ mandates and burdensome regulations that tie the hands of businesses to achieve the same positive results as will occur under this bill.
“With the growing understanding of Virginians for the need to conserve energy use, House Republicans have taken a responsible approach to ensure continued progress in reducing demand,” said Delegate Kilgore, Chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. “My bill recognizes that the private sector has the ability to create innovative products and services to help all consumers conserve. And, the legislation is able to protect consumers from being harmed through increases energy costs during this economic downturn.”
Several bills, including House Bill 2172, House Bill 2175, House Bill 2268, House Bill 2152 and House Bill 2371, break down barriers that currently exist to developing renewable energy projects in Virginia. House Bill 2172 would make it easier for renewable energy projects to connect into the electrical grid in order to share energy resources with Virginia consumers. House Bill 2175 would provide a programmatic incentive for small renewable energy production by streamlining the permitting process. House Bill 2268, patroned by Delegate Charles D. Poindexter (R-Franklin), expands the definition of renewable energy to encourage new alternative energy projects with greater use of organic, biomass sources to meet rising energy demand. House Bill 2152, patroned by Thomas D. Rust (R-Fairfax), provides for relief from capacity charges that discourage renewable generation. House Bill 2371, patroned by Delegate David A. Nutter (R-Montgomery), promotes the use of renewable energy through the development of dynamic rates for larger, nonresidential customers who use the output from a renewable generation facility.
“Virginia has an abundance of natural resources that can be used to develop environmentally-friendly energy and improve our economic situation,” said Delegate Hogan, patron of House Bills 2172 and 2175. “It makes good business sense for the Commonwealth to reduce the burdens of those seeking to produce renewable energy and supply that valuable commodity into the marketplace. These bills foster an improved business climate so the use of innovative alternative energy sources continues, expands and creates new jobs.”
House Bills 2001 and 2002, patroned by Delegate Cosgrove, encourage the use of biofuels as part of Virginia’s overall approach to delivering energy. House Bill 2001 expands the Biofuels Production Incentive Grant Program to include advanced biofuels derived from renewable biomass or algae. House Bill 2002 recognizes and encourages the reliance on sustainably produced biofuels made from traditional agricultural crops and supports the delivery infrastructure needed for statewide distribution of these advanced biofuels to Virginia consumers.
“Expanding the feedstocks used to produce biofuels in Virginia will improve the comprehensive approach we have taken in delivering alternative energy to our citizens and businesses,” remarked Delegate Cosgrove. “Using sustainable sources grown and found in Virginia helps create local jobs in this cutting-edge field. Providing incentives to harness these natural resources stimulates innovation and economic development.”
House Bill 1633, patroned by Delegate Chris Saxman (R-Staunton) dedicates royalties from the from exploration of domestic energy sources that will create local jobs to transportation improvements, Chesapeake Bay cleanup, renewable energy research and home energy assistance.
House of Delegates Republicans Advance Economic Growth Transportation Funding Plan
Contact: G. Paul Nardo
(804) 698-1228
gpnardo@house.gov
February 10, 2009
Recognizing the importance of improving Virginia’s transportation system to help stimulate economic recovery and restore economic prosperity across the Commonwealth, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and Delegates G. Glenn Oder (R-Newport News), David B. Albo (R-Fairfax) and Delegate Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News) today detailed an innovative, reform oriented, and economic growth drive transportation package that will create jobs, ease congestion and improve safety without raising taxes. The House today gave preliminary approval to the funding and reform package, with a final vote expected tomorrow.
Highlights of the 2009 House Republican Transportation package include that it:
Accelerates the issuing of $570 billion in funding authorized by the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007;
Increases future transportation funding for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads by dedicating a portion of growth in existing revenue sources;
Improves the Public Private Transportation Act of 1995, providing a streamlined process to expedite eligible projects, including the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel; and
Constitutionally secures the Transportation Trust Fund.
Major provisions of the legislative package are included in House Bill 1579 that expands a similar plan approved by the House of Delegates during last year’s special session on transportation. Other key components of this year’s transportation package are House Bill 2066, House Bill 2079, and House Joint Resolution 620.
“In proposing this practical solution to the transportation challenges of Virginia’s most congested regions, House Republicans are again demonstrating their commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure,” said Speaker Howell. “Combined with the ability to issue $570 million in bonds authorized as part of the $3 billion package I patroned in 2007, this package positions Virginia to make significant progress in delivering a 21st century network of roads, rail and transit. This transportation infrastructure funding plan, in partnership with efforts on the federal level and through the private sector, will stimulate our economy, create jobs and enhance mobility across the Commonwealth."
In 2007, the General Assembly passed and Governor Kaine signed Speaker Howell’s House Bill 3202, which dedicated new and existing revenue for statewide transportation needs, implemented overdue VDOT reforms, granted expanded tools for localities to combat sprawl and, for the first time, tied land use and transportation decisions. Part of that landmark legislation authorized the issuance of $3 billion in bonds to highway, rail and transit projects. With the successful resolution of legal challenges and the conclusion of prior debt obligations, the first issuance of $570 million is on schedule to be released during fiscal year 2010 which begins July 1, 2009. The infusion of these funds will jumpstart transportation projects across Virginia, improving transportation and providing economic stimulus.
House Bill 1579, patroned by Delegate Oder, dedicates a portion of future revenue growth from economic activity in regions of the Commonwealth with major import and export activity to regional transportation projects. Specifically, the plan calls for:
30% of future growth from the corporate and individual income taxes and sales and use tax in Planning District 8 to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to fund important regional road, rail and transit projects. The plan allows for the generation of up to $600 million annually in new funding for regional transportation initiatives.
30% of future growth from revenues generated by the economic engine of the ports in Hampton Roads for local and regional projects determined by the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization. The plan allows for the generation of up to $300 million annually in new funding for regional transportation items.
30% of future growth from revenues generated by existing and future ports in Front Royal, Richmond and Ellison. The plan allows for the generation of up to $50 million annually for Staunton, Richmond, and Salem VDOT Districts, respectively, for transportation projects selected by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
“Like businesses, Virginia needs to prudently reinvest in capital infrastructure projects to ensure long term economic growth,” noted Delegate Oder, vice chair of the House Transportation Committee and patron of House Joint Resolution 620 to lock up the Transportation Trust Fund from raids for non-transportation purposes. “House Republicans are offering the only solution this session that utilizes this responsible approach to addressing our transportation challenges. As our economic engines in the Commonwealth expand and grow, as we anticipate with our ports and business activity, our most congested regions should be able to capture a portion of that future revenue to build the infrastructure necessary to sustain and maximize ongoing economic prosperity. And, Virginians should be confident that funds intended for transportation improvements are exclusively reserved for that purpose.”
“Our plan allows areas like mine in Northern Virginia to keep a piece of the money generated here to stay here to help solve our transportation problems,” remarked Delegate Albo, a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. “Families in my district are stuck in traffic every day and business cannot move goods and services in a timely manner. This plan would directly address those issues by reducing congestion, increasing safety, and creating jobs. I am hopeful that all delegates and senators representing congested regions and beyond will vote for this commonsense transportation solution that allows us to reinvest in our infrastructure.”
Delegate Hamilton’s legislation, House Bill 2066, streamlines and improves the provisions of the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995. The bill would result in an increased number of opportunities for public-private transportation projects in Virginia as well as hasten the process of bringing those projects to fruition. Delegate Hamilton’s bill and Delegate Oder’s House Bill 2079 include provisions to expedite improvements and expansion of two projects critical to Hampton Roads, the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension project and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.
“House Republicans understand the need for practical and viable solutions to address Virginia's transportation problems,” concluded Delegate Hamilton. “Utilizing future tax revenues generated from economic growth, improving efficiencies that encourage public-private partnerships, and protecting transportation funding for transportation only uses are common sense initiatives that distinguish us from the failed tax and spend and inefficient policies of the past."
(804) 698-1228
gpnardo@house.gov
February 10, 2009
Recognizing the importance of improving Virginia’s transportation system to help stimulate economic recovery and restore economic prosperity across the Commonwealth, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and Delegates G. Glenn Oder (R-Newport News), David B. Albo (R-Fairfax) and Delegate Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News) today detailed an innovative, reform oriented, and economic growth drive transportation package that will create jobs, ease congestion and improve safety without raising taxes. The House today gave preliminary approval to the funding and reform package, with a final vote expected tomorrow.
Highlights of the 2009 House Republican Transportation package include that it:
Accelerates the issuing of $570 billion in funding authorized by the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007;
Increases future transportation funding for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads by dedicating a portion of growth in existing revenue sources;
Improves the Public Private Transportation Act of 1995, providing a streamlined process to expedite eligible projects, including the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel; and
Constitutionally secures the Transportation Trust Fund.
Major provisions of the legislative package are included in House Bill 1579 that expands a similar plan approved by the House of Delegates during last year’s special session on transportation. Other key components of this year’s transportation package are House Bill 2066, House Bill 2079, and House Joint Resolution 620.
“In proposing this practical solution to the transportation challenges of Virginia’s most congested regions, House Republicans are again demonstrating their commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure,” said Speaker Howell. “Combined with the ability to issue $570 million in bonds authorized as part of the $3 billion package I patroned in 2007, this package positions Virginia to make significant progress in delivering a 21st century network of roads, rail and transit. This transportation infrastructure funding plan, in partnership with efforts on the federal level and through the private sector, will stimulate our economy, create jobs and enhance mobility across the Commonwealth."
In 2007, the General Assembly passed and Governor Kaine signed Speaker Howell’s House Bill 3202, which dedicated new and existing revenue for statewide transportation needs, implemented overdue VDOT reforms, granted expanded tools for localities to combat sprawl and, for the first time, tied land use and transportation decisions. Part of that landmark legislation authorized the issuance of $3 billion in bonds to highway, rail and transit projects. With the successful resolution of legal challenges and the conclusion of prior debt obligations, the first issuance of $570 million is on schedule to be released during fiscal year 2010 which begins July 1, 2009. The infusion of these funds will jumpstart transportation projects across Virginia, improving transportation and providing economic stimulus.
House Bill 1579, patroned by Delegate Oder, dedicates a portion of future revenue growth from economic activity in regions of the Commonwealth with major import and export activity to regional transportation projects. Specifically, the plan calls for:
30% of future growth from the corporate and individual income taxes and sales and use tax in Planning District 8 to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to fund important regional road, rail and transit projects. The plan allows for the generation of up to $600 million annually in new funding for regional transportation initiatives.
30% of future growth from revenues generated by the economic engine of the ports in Hampton Roads for local and regional projects determined by the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization. The plan allows for the generation of up to $300 million annually in new funding for regional transportation items.
30% of future growth from revenues generated by existing and future ports in Front Royal, Richmond and Ellison. The plan allows for the generation of up to $50 million annually for Staunton, Richmond, and Salem VDOT Districts, respectively, for transportation projects selected by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
“Like businesses, Virginia needs to prudently reinvest in capital infrastructure projects to ensure long term economic growth,” noted Delegate Oder, vice chair of the House Transportation Committee and patron of House Joint Resolution 620 to lock up the Transportation Trust Fund from raids for non-transportation purposes. “House Republicans are offering the only solution this session that utilizes this responsible approach to addressing our transportation challenges. As our economic engines in the Commonwealth expand and grow, as we anticipate with our ports and business activity, our most congested regions should be able to capture a portion of that future revenue to build the infrastructure necessary to sustain and maximize ongoing economic prosperity. And, Virginians should be confident that funds intended for transportation improvements are exclusively reserved for that purpose.”
“Our plan allows areas like mine in Northern Virginia to keep a piece of the money generated here to stay here to help solve our transportation problems,” remarked Delegate Albo, a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. “Families in my district are stuck in traffic every day and business cannot move goods and services in a timely manner. This plan would directly address those issues by reducing congestion, increasing safety, and creating jobs. I am hopeful that all delegates and senators representing congested regions and beyond will vote for this commonsense transportation solution that allows us to reinvest in our infrastructure.”
Delegate Hamilton’s legislation, House Bill 2066, streamlines and improves the provisions of the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995. The bill would result in an increased number of opportunities for public-private transportation projects in Virginia as well as hasten the process of bringing those projects to fruition. Delegate Hamilton’s bill and Delegate Oder’s House Bill 2079 include provisions to expedite improvements and expansion of two projects critical to Hampton Roads, the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension project and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.
“House Republicans understand the need for practical and viable solutions to address Virginia's transportation problems,” concluded Delegate Hamilton. “Utilizing future tax revenues generated from economic growth, improving efficiencies that encourage public-private partnerships, and protecting transportation funding for transportation only uses are common sense initiatives that distinguish us from the failed tax and spend and inefficient policies of the past."
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