Delegate Peace Asked to Serve on Committees for the Southern Legislators Conference & National Conference of State Legislatures House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) recently named Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) to a seat on the Human Services & Public Safety Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC). "I am honored that the Speaker has entrusted me with this responsibility and opportunity to represent Virginia and work toward addressing the critical health care needs of our community" Peace said.
SLC's mission is to foster and encourage intergovernmental cooperation among its 16 member states. In large measure this is achieved through the meetings, publications and policy positions of the Conference's seven standing committees. Committee members are appointed by their chamber's legislative leadership and each committee elects its own officers. Through the deliberations of Committee members, the issues facing all Southern state legislatures are considered.
The Human Services and Public Safety Committee has a broad agenda which most typically addresses the challenges states face in the areas of human services and corrections, and policies and programs utilized to meet them. Most recently the Committee has undertaken assessments of Medicaid and reform; the nursing shortage; long-term health care; the Children's Health Insurance Program; and such corrections issues as criminal justice DNA statutes; the aging inmate population; female offenders; sentencing reform and prison staffing in Southern states. Peace is familiar with many of these issues from his service on the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee.
Additionally, Speaker Howell appointed Peace to sit on the Human Services & Welfare committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. NCSL is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.
Finally, Speaker Howell appointed Peace to sit on the joint subcommittee to study the benefits of adopting a single sales factor to apportion the income of multistate corporations for purposes of the corporation income tax. As a member of the House Finance Committee, Peace will work with members and the private sector. This study is a result of House Joint Resolution 177 passed during the 2008 General Assembly session.