Peace Consumer Protection Measure a Success
-- Business License Bill to go to Governor --
CENTRAL VA – One of the consumer protection bills introduced by Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) this session has passed both the House and Senate. The measure will now be sent to the Governor for his consideration. House Bill 713, aka the BPOL bill, requires any contractor applying for or renewing a business license in any locality to furnish prior to the issuance or renewal of the business license either (i) satisfactory proof that he is duly licensed or certified as a contractor or (ii) a written statement, supported by an affidavit, that he is not subject to licensure or certification as a contractor or subcontractor. The bill also prohibits any locality from issuing or renewing a business license unless the contractor has furnished his contractor license or certificate number or evidence of being exempt licensure as a contractor.
The Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) tax is a tax on businesses for the privilege of engaging in business at a definite place of business within a Virginia locality. The measure or basis of the BPOL tax generally is the gross receipts of the business. The BPOL tax is a tax on gross receipts, not net income. Under current BPOL law, any locality may charge a license fee in an amount not to exceed:
• $50 for any locality with a population of 25,000 and greater
• $30 for any locality with a population smaller than 25,000
The locality may not assess a license tax on gross receipts upon which it charges a license fee. Additionally, the locality may not impose a license tax on a business with gross receipts:
• less than $100,000 in any locality with a population greater than 50,000
• less than $50,000 in any locality with a population of 25,000 but no more than 50,000
Peace stated, “This bill is a consumer protection bill which was brought to me by a resident of the 97th District. Homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors to perform work may expose themselves to unnecessary liability. Work performed by an unlicensed contractor is not secured by a warranty. Homeowners and businessmen lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the mental stress, to uncertified/unlicensed contractors and craftsmen posing as contractors.’
Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to his third term representing the 97th District of the Virginia House of Delegates. The District includes parts of Hanover, Caroline, King William, King and Queen, Henrico, Spotsylvania Counties and all of New Kent County.
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Del. Kirk Cox Floor Speech on House Budget Bill
Job Creation Off Shore Exploration Bill on way to Governor
-- Measure Passes House and Senate --
CENTRAL VA – Passed by a vote of 69-28 in the House and 32-8 in the Senate, House Bill 787 is on the way to the Governor’s desk for signature. Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) was delighted to co-patron HB 787. Passage of this measure makes it the policy of the Commonwealth to support oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production 50 miles or more off of the coast of Virginia.
“The development of Virginia’s offshore energy reserves would mean thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue. It is vital in the economic times that legislators take steps to create jobs and implement revenue generating policies,” asserted Peace. “This action brings with it tremendous opportunity for our Commonwealth to begin investments that will reduce reliance on foreign sources of energy, while also helping to strengthen our economy.”
A recent study on the issue, produced in 2005 by a professor at Old Dominion University, estimated that offshore natural gas production off of the Virginia coast would, over a 10-year period, likely create 2,578 new jobs, induce capital investment of $7.84 billion, yield $644 million in direct and indirect payroll, and result in $271 million in state and local taxes. The numbers were based on a conservative projection of the possible cubic feet of natural gas existing in the targeted area offshore.
By signing this bill into law, Governor McDonnell fulfills one of his campaign pledges to support such measures which will help us move toward energy independence and create jobs to get our economy moving again.
Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to his third term representing the 97th District of the Virginia House of Delegates. The District includes parts of Hanover, Caroline, King William, King and Queen, Henrico, Spotsylvania Counties and all of New Kent County.
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Statement of Chairman Lacey E. Putney
-- on State Budget Amendments to be Voted on Today by Full House of Delegates --
RICHMOND, VA – As the entire Virginia House of Delegates began considering amendments approved earlier this week by the House Appropriations Committee to House Bill 29, the current state budget, and House Bill 30, the state budget for the next biennium (Fiscal Years 2010-2012), Committee Chairman Lacey E. Putney (I-Bedford) initiated the floor debate with opening remarks.
“I believe that the budget before us today strikes a sensible balance between meeting the core commitments that we as politicians like to talk about and the burden placed on the taxpayers who must foot the bill,” said Chairman Putney. “For those who believe that a different course should have been taken, I would say that everyone had the opportunity to vote for a tax increase in January. If you voted your conviction back in January, then today’s vote is not about being against education or health care, but rather it is a fulfillment of your intention to adopt a budget within the tax resources that we have all already agreed upon. … As we begin to debate today the actions of the Appropriations Committee I am sure that there will be disagreements on specific budget cuts. But to disagree and to not offer alternatives is merely an exercise in politics, rather than fiscal stewardship. … House Bill 30 represents the rising of the budget phoenix. By doing the right thing today, our budget will be structurally more balanced so as the economy recovers we can begin to make new investments and enjoy growing levels of opportunities and prosperity.
Chairman Putney’s complete remarks on the Floor of the House follow:
“Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
“Today we consider the Committee amendments to House Bills 29 and 30. Not only will we consider the budget, but we will engage in a little debate. Debate is healthy. Debate is the essence of the legislative body and a democratic government.
“This past Sunday, the Appropriations Committee reported out amendments to HB 29 and 30. House Bill 30 represents the spending plan for state government for the upcoming two fiscal years.
“To say this was an unusual Session would be an understatement. As I stated in my remarks on Sunday, crafting this year’s budget represented the perfect storm. Think about it, we had Governor Kaine leaving office and Governor McDonnell transitioning into office, and we had what amounted to a $1.9 billion inherited deficit to address.
“Economic reality also dictated that if the $1.9 billion in Car Tax relief is not restored by the General Assembly, then local governments will saddle taxpayers with paying 100% of the cost of the personal property tax. Imposing such a steep financial burden on working families and anxious taxpayers already grappling with job losses and economic uncertainties makes absolutely no sense.
“In my 49 years as a member of the House, I have not seen a budget situation this bad. The nation’s economy is in the worst shape it has been since at least the early 1980’s recession. While Virginia is faring much better than just about any other state, the stark new economic reality is that the Commonwealth’s projected general fund revenues for the next two years will be at the level of 2006.
“While Governor Kaine and the General Assembly worked hard to balance the budget over the last two years, the fact is that almost two-thirds of the $6.3 billion already wrung from the current budget were one-time actions, meaning that the budget was structurally out of balance. I am not being critical of our previous actions to balance the budget; however, I would merely state that the inevitable is now before us. We no longer can rely on just the easy one-time fixes for the challenges facing Virginia. Though we certainly did not seek these circumstances, we must seize this opportunity to enact sensible, long-term structural reforms in state spending that can make the best state in America even better.
“As I look back at how we balanced the 2008-10 biennial budget, what stands out the most is that approximately one-third of the budget – which would include public safety and higher education – has seen cumulative reductions of nearly 20%, with higher education alone taking reduction nearing 30%.
“On the other hand, the other two-thirds of the budget – health and human services and public education – has largely been “held harmless” and spared deep reductions. I would also note that these two areas of the budget have also seen the greatest spending increases since 2004. Clearly, in developing the 2010-2012 biennial budget, economic reality dictated our looking closely at this portion of the budget.
“Of course, the fundamentally important decision to restore Car Tax relief was made early in the Session when the House of Delegates on January 21 unanimously rejected Governor Kaine’s 17% increase in the statewide income tax (House Bill 1155). This key vote made clear our shared commitment to approving a state budget that will hasten economic recovery without exacerbating the burden on Virginia’s taxpayers, working families and job-producing small businesses.
“As we begin to debate today the actions of the Committee I am sure that there will be disagreements on specific budget cuts. But to disagree and to not offer alternatives is merely an exercise in politics, rather than fiscal stewardship.
“Indeed Mr. Speaker, House Bill 30 represents the rising of the budget phoenix. By doing the right thing today, our budget will be structurally more balanced so as the economy recovers we can begin to make new investments and enjoy growing levels of opportunities and prosperity.
“Specifically, the Committee budget does the following key things:
1) Mitigates cuts to law enforcement and public safety, since these activities are among the primary responsibilities of government;
2) Invests in job-creating economic development;
3) Minimizes the impact of cuts on the health safety net;
4) Provides school divisions maximum flexibility in implementing education budget reductions; and
5) Establishes a substantial reserve to replenish the Rainy Day Fund and help ensure a more structurally balanced budget going forward.
“I know that not everyone shares my belief that the budget before us meets all of the core needs of the Commonwealth. However, I believe that the budget before us today strikes a sensible balance between meeting the core commitments that we as politicians like to talk about and the burden placed on the taxpayers who must foot the bill.
“For those who believe that a different course should have been taken, I would say that everyone had the opportunity to vote for a tax increase in January.
“If you voted your conviction back in January, then today’s vote is not about being against education or health care, but rather it is a fulfillment of your intention to adopt a budget within the tax resources that we have all already agreed upon.
“I am reminded of the quote that ‘Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.’ I guess the budget equivalent of that saying would be that everyone wants a balanced budget, but nobody wants to cut it.
“Frankly, Mr. Speaker I am very proud to deliver these amendments to the state budget.
“Hopefully, you and the members of the House will agree and will so indicate through your actions today.
“Mr. Speaker, as my good friend Vince Callahan liked to say, ‘There is no such thing as a perfect budget. In good times, we don’t spend enough; in bad times, we cut the wrong programs.’
“I hope you will accept our Committee’s recommendations.”
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Media Advisory: HUB Zones
CENTRAL VA- Today in the General Laws Committee’s subcommittee on FOIA/Procurement, my colleagues and I will hear testimony on Senate Bill 658 which deals with HUBZones. This legislation is supported by Governor Bob McDonnell. The Governor’s office, including Secretary of Administration Lisa Hicks Thomas have worked closely with the Department of General Services and others to ensure that the HUBZones established will promote small businesses in areas of the Commonwealth that have historically and consistently been underutilized. In our district the HUBZones include a majority of Caroline County and parts of Henrico County. This legislation would fulfill the Governor’s campaign promise to grow the economy in areas that have been hardest hit during this downturn. "I appreciate, especially in these tight economic times that must not lose focus on renewing prosperity in Virginia. Along with balancing a $4 billion shortfall to right-size and make government more efficient," noted Del. Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) we must focus on bringing new jobs to our state which will be the ultimate way to sustained recovery."
HUB zone “means an area in Virginia as determined by the United States Small Business Administration pursuant to relevant federal law. For purposes of determining HUB zone locations for inclusion in programs established to facilitate the participation of small businesses, a public body may rely upon the accuracy of the information made available by the United States Small Business Administration.”
There is 1 HUBZone in Henrico currently qualified by the Federal Government. SB658 will establish a HUBZone program for Virginia and give contractors in those affected areas an ability to compete for state contracts. You can see all of the HUBZones identified by the Federal Government here: http://map.sba.gov/hubzone/hzqry.asp?scope=-79458927%7C38003385%7C482.077379485597%7C212.220469644108&command=zmin&zoomrect=377%7C207%7C0%7C0&panshift=&mapimage.x=377&mapimage.y=207
To learn more about SB 658 visit http://leg6.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?101+ful+SB658S1.
JOBS & OPPORTUNITY LEGISLATION PASSES HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Economic Development and Job Creation are Priorities for 2010 Session
CENTRAL VA – The House of Delegates partnered with Governor Bob McDonnell to place a priority on creating a positive climate for job creation in Virginia by investing $46 million in the state budget over the course of 2011 and 2012. The House passed an Economic Development Package to only reinvigorate programs proven to be effective in returning on investments made.
"Yes, we face a difficult budget cycle, but especially in these tough times we must have the foresight to invest in our future prosperity," said House Appropriations Chairman, Del. Lacey E. Putney, I-Bedford. "Growing the tax base through job-creating business development is the key to Virginia's long-term economic recovery."
"I appreciate, especially in these tight economic times, that all of my colleagues worked hard to be fiscally prudent and make targeted investments for long-term dividends and renewed prosperity in Virginia. Of course, we had to balance a $4 billion shortfall in order to right-size and make government more efficient." noted Del. Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville). "But we also focused on bringing new jobs to our state which will be the ultimate way to sustained recovery."
Included in this House Economic Development Package are targeted investments to the Governor's Opportunity Fund (GOF) and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). The GOF are discretionary funds available to the Governor to secure a business location or expansion project for Virginia. Grants are awarded to localities on a local matching basis with the expectation that the grant will result in a favorable location decision for the Commonwealth. VEDP’s mission is "To enhance the quality of life and raise the standard of living for all Virginians, in collaboration with Virginia communities, through aggressive business recruitment, expansion assistance, and trade development, thereby expanding the tax base and creating higher-income employment opportunities." These targeted measures will attract jobs and businesses to Virginia by offering economic incentives and promoting Virginia in the business world.
Also of great importance to the package of legislation is House Bill 1381, the MEI (MEGA) Site Planning Fund patroned by Del. Ward L. Armstrong (D-Martinsville) which helps Virginia develop the "site ready" big tract sites needed to bring larger businesses to Virginia.
House Bill 803, sponsored by Del. Charles Poindexter (R-Glade Hill) and co-patroned by Del. Chris Peace allows a $500 income tax credit for the creation of "green" jobs. Each taxpayer is allowed a credit for up to 350 new green jobs and may qualify for the Enterprise Zone Grant program if the job is located in an enterprise zone.
Also co-patroned by Peace, and included in the package, is House Bill 624 introduced by Del. Terry Kilgore (R-Gate City) which amends the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit to reduce the number of qualified full-time jobs required to be created to 50. In enterprise zones or economically distressed areas, the base or threshold is lowered from 50 newly created jobs to 25.
Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst) introduced House Bill 861 to attract more of the Motion Picture Industry to the Commonwealth. It provides refundable income tax credits to any motion picture production company with qualifying expenses of at least $250,000 with respect to film production in the Commonwealth. Total credits allowed for any biennium cannot exceed $10 million. Delegate Peace joined Cline and Governor McDonnell in support of this measure.
Finally, Del. Sam Nixon (R-Chesterfield) and Del. Chris Peace patroned House Bill 523 that grants an income tax exemption for any gain taxed as a capital gain for federal income tax purposes that is related to a qualified investment of a new technology and science start-up business.
Investment in tourism, small business, biotechnology, and Virginia's wine industry are at the forefront in the Economic Development Package passed on Sunday. Tourism, which returns five dollars to the Commonwealth for every one invested, will receive an increase in funding of $3.6 million in each of the next two years by allocating funds to the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Increased incentives for small businesses, which are responsible for 70% of the new jobs created in Virginia, were also part of the package.
Amendments include proving $1.0 million to recapitalize the Virginia Small Business Authority's capital access fund, $1.0 million over the biennium to improve the business one-stop program making it easier to navigate the red-tape of licensing and permitting, and $6.5 million over the biennium to expand Virginia's oldest business incentive, the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides company-specific training in grants to new and existing businesses of all sizes.
The biotechnology and sciences industry will receive an increase in funding to encourage home-grown bioscience companies to stay in Virginia and create more jobs, moving Virginia forward with investments in green, clean, and alternative technologies. Included in the amendments is $3.0 million for the Center for Innovative Technology's (CIT) Gap Funds, which will underwrite critical first financing for new early-stage companies.
Virginia's wine industry has made Virginia the sixth largest wine-exporting state, increasing jobs and tourism throughout the Commonwealth. Included in the Economic Development Package was House Bill 588, sponsored by Landes and co-sponsored by Del. Chris Peace, which appropriates funds from the current Wine Liter Tax to the Virginia Wine Promotion Fund, helping create jobs and attract tourists to Virginia.
Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to his third term representing the 97th District of the Virginia House of Delegates. The 97th District includes parts of Hanover, Caroline, King William, King and Queen, Henrico, Spotsylvania Counties and all of New Kent County.
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Governor Bob McDonnell Announces Statewide Pothole Blitz
Directs Virginia Department of Transportation to Focus on Pothole Repair in March
Motorists Encouraged to Report Roadway Hazards on www.VirginiaDOT.org
RICHMOND —Governor Bob McDonnell today directed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to focus efforts during March on patching the thousands of potholes giving motorists bumpy reminders of the hard winter Virginia has endured. This winter’s repeated historic blasts of snow, ice and rain coupled with colder-than-average temperatures have resulted in a proliferation of potholes on Virginia’s roads.
Following the Governor’s directive, VDOT will make pothole repair its top priority between March 1 and March 31. The agency will use state crews and contractors to conduct a pothole blitz aimed at quickly identifying and repairing roadway hazards. VDOT is also asking for citizen’s help to identify potholes as they form to speed repairs.
Speaking about the effort, Governor McDonnell noted, “VDOT’s top priorities are motorist safety and emergency response. Potholes are a roadway hazard and a nuisance for every person driving our highways, that’s why we’re declaring a Pothole Blitz this March. We are going all-out to repair these pavements and make traveling safer and more comfortable for Virginians.”
How Potholes Form
Potholes form when moisture seeps into pavement, freezes, expands and thaws. This cycle weakens the pavement. The weight of traffic loosens the pavement, and over time the pavement begins to crumble.
A winter of heavy snow or rain and several freeze-thaw cycles may result in a bumper crop of potholes in the spring. Crews have been working throughout the winter to patch the worst potholes, but pavement repair efforts have been hindered by repeated snowstorms and the frequent freeze-thaw cycle that is creating potholes faster than crews can repair them.
Patching operations are prioritized by pothole severity and location, with some severe potholes on high traffic roads being filled within 24 hours, and most potholes on higher traffic roads being repaired within four days.
Work crews are assigned a series of routes and repair all potholes as they progress through the routes. On multiple-lane roads, the work is generally accomplished as a mobile operation one lane at a time. Repairs are made with both cold and hot mix asphalt depending upon the temperatures and the availability of materials. Hot mix is the preferred material as it is more permanent, but it is not effective until temperatures are consistently over 50 degrees.
Some areas and types of pavements may require more extensive repairs. In these cases, crews will make temporary repairs immediately and will schedule more extensive reconstruction work at a later date. VDOT has budgeted $45.8 million for asphalt and concrete patching for fiscal year 2010 (which runs from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010). Despite budget challenges, VDOT has not cut back on pothole repair because it is considered a safety program.
How Citizens Can Help
“Motorists traveling across Virginia know best where the worst potholes lie. We want citizens to help us identify potholes as they form so that VDOT crews can quickly be dispatched to make repairs,” McDonnell said. “VDOT crews, state police and contractors report potholes as they travel for their duties. This March, we are asking for citizen’s help to identify these hazards. All Virginians can be a part of this Pothole Blitz so we can work together to improve everyone’s safety and comfort as they travel through our great Commonwealth.”
To report a pothole, citizens should visit www.VirginiaDOT.org or call VDOT’s Highway Helpline at 800-367-7689 (ROAD). TTY users, call 711.
VDOT repairs potholes on state-maintained roads only, which include interstate highways and most primary and secondary roads. Local governments are responsible for repairing potholes on city streets as well as on roadways in Henrico and Arlington counties. If citizens see a pothole on a city street or an Arlington or Henrico County road, they should contact their local public works agency.
Safe driving tips, pothole patching videos, and other useful information on potholes is also available on VDOT’s Web site at http://www.virginiadot.org/info/faq-potholes.asp.
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Peace Statement on Passage of Delegate John A. Cox's First Legislation
"I congratulate my colleague Delegate Cox (R-Ashland) on the passage of his first piece of legislation. House Bill 384 passed the Senate of Virginia unanimously today. This legislation will streamline filing of taxes for many Virginians. The bill will no longer require individual taxpayers who file amended returns because of a change or correction in their income tax owed to another state to have previously claimed a credit for the tax owed to such state."
Budget Comparison: House to Senate
Americans for Prosperity Offers Mixed Reaction to General Assembly's Budget Recommendations
-Limited government organization calls on Senators to embrace House recommendations- RICHMOND– The Virginia chapter of Americans for Prosperity today applauded the House of Delegates while blasting the Senate as legislators unveiled their plans to close a more than $4 billion budget deficit.
"Virginia taxpayers should be pleased with the recommendations offered today by the House Appropriations Committee. They have made tough choices that will lead to long term budget reform in Virginia.
We think the House budget is one of the best budgets Richmond has produced in more than a decade and we're also glad that many of AFP-VA's budget recommendations found their way into the House plan," said Marchi.
Marchi pointed out that the house plan still includes some fee increases and pork-barrel spending but that they are preferable to what the Senate has offered.
"Senate leaders from both parties deserve nothing but scorn for raising taxes on hardworking Virginians in these tough economic times. The ammendments presented today by the Senate Finance Committee are an insult to any Virginian who pays taxes. We send our Senators to Richmond to act as responsible stewards of our hard-earned money. Today, they have failed us."
Nearly three weeks ago, Delegates Ben Cline (R-Lexington) and Brenda Pogge (R-James City) joined Marchi at a capitol press conference to unveil AFP-Virginia’s "Commonsense Model Budget." The model budget provided an overview of where cuts might be made. Copies of the model budget were distributed to all legislators as well as the administration in hopes they would be used as an extra tool in forging through the tough choices that naturally come with cutting the pork in government.
Contained in the House plan was AFP-VA’s recommendations to roll back Medicaid income eligibility for some programs and freeze others. AFP-VA's call for the consolidation of disability service agencies and reductions in museums and cultural entities also made the list.
Marchi said the fight is not yet over though: We will hold accountable, any Delegate or Senator who attempts to erase this deficit by raising taxes on hard working Virginians.”
AFP-VA's model budget can be viewed here:
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 960,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 30 state chapters and affiliates. More than 55,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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RTD Sunday Commentary: "10th Amendment Protects the People"
Peace Joins House Republicans to Highlight Success of Legislative Agenda at Session Midpoint
EDUCATION: 97th District Comparison of Population and Funding
Over the last 10 years, the General Assembly has increased the Commonwealth's funding for public education by almost 60% (58.9) – from $3.7 billion in FY 2000 up to $5.9 billion in FY 2010 (as adopted during the 2009 session). Furthermore, if one includes the $365.2 million federal stimulus funding budgeted in the 2009 session for FY 2010, the total funding for FY 2010 increased by almost 70% (68.7) over FY 2000. Over the last 10 years, student membership only increased by 7.2% . So, while funding increased by 60%-70%, the number of students increased by less than 10%. Clearly, the Commonwealth has invested significantly more than population growth and more than inflation when times were good. Remember, too, that prior to last year, public education was held harmless while other state agencies and services were reduced during several rounds of budget cuts .
While Governor Kaine's FY 2010 introduced budget (HB 29 for the current fiscal year that ends on June 20, 2010) for public education does include a decrease to last year's adopted budget, that proposed funding is still 51.9% higher than the FY 2000 funding.
For the next two-year budget (HB 30) that begins July 1, 2010 and ends June 30, 2012, the state's estimates indicate deeper declines in state revenues because of the lingering effects of the worst economic recession in over 70 years or since the Great Depression. That means that education simply can no longer be held harmless to balance the state budget without a job-killing tax increase.
Given that additional cuts to state spending were included in Governor Kaine's two-year budget AND even with the proposed reductions, it's worth noting that:
- For FY 2011, K-12 spending of $5.7 billion is 53.4% higher than the FY 2000 level - while student membership is estimated to only increase by 8.1%.
- For FY 2012, K-12 spending of $5.8 billion is 55.4% higher than the FY 2000 level - while student membership is estimated to increase by 9.0%.
However, in order to avoid tax increases to the already struggling taxpayers and working families of Virginia, the new biennial budget spending (to which amendments will be offered by the House and Senate on Sunday, February 21) will have to be reduced further and state agencies will realize additional decreases. However, keep in mind that because of the federal stimulus requirement for a 'maintenance of effort', the public education budget will be funded at least to the FY 2006 level in FY2011. In many jurisdictions in my district those levels approach 2008 levels.
The data contained in our spreadsheet spans "Total Student Population" from 2002 - 2003 to 2009 - 2010 as opposed to the 10 year span detailed in our statewide analysis.