Statement of Speaker William J. Howell

- On Unanimous Passage of House Budget Amendments by House Appropriations Committee -   RICHMOND, VA - Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee released its amendments to House Bill 1500, the Biennial Budget bill for Fiscal Years 2011-2012.  After being presented, highlighted and discussed at a 1:30 PM committee meeting, the full committee of 14 Republicans and 8 Democrats unanimously passed HB 1500.

"Like families and businesses throughout Virginia, the state's finances are slowly rebounding after recent economic uncertainties.  I commend the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee for their hard work and thoughtful crafting of this year's budget amendments which are a testament to good fiscal management.  HB 1500 includes many sensible provisions that focus clearly and strategically on funding core services of government while keeping the needs of taxpayers foremost in mind.

"Today's House Appropriations Committee-passed budget is a fiscally responsible package.  One of its main highlights that I strongly support is the $114 million deposit into the state Rainy Day Fund, which puts us half way toward the $228 million deposit required in the next biennial budget.  That's a very sound investment during times that still call for fiscal prudence.  I'm also pleased that the House budget amendments roll back over $4 million of previously authorized fees that hit our job-creating hospitality industry especially hard.  Equally of note, the House budget amendments reduce previously authorized debt by nearly $120 million.  Finally, the amendments further advance the interest of long-term structural balance in state finances by immediately beginning the phase-out this year, not in 2013, of the acceleration of the collection of sales tax revenues for certain businesses.  If agreed to by the Senate, it would result in 98% of impacted retailers not having to accelerate their sales tax remittance.

"Overall, the amendments take a number of major steps forward and I believe they again merit unanimous passage when the full House takes up the House's budget amendments on Thursday, February 10."

Governor McDonnell’s Ronald Reagan Day Proclamation

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following proclamation recognizing February 6th as Ronald Reagan Day in Virginia.  The proclamation can be found at this link: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/2011/RonaldReagan.cfm

 RONALD REAGAN DAY

 WHEREAS, President Ronald Wilson Reagan served with honor and distinction for two terms as the 40th President of the United States of America; winning reelection in 1984 with nearly 60% of the vote and carrying 49 states; and

WHEREAS, in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated President, he faced a disillusioned nation shackled by rampant inflation and high unemployment; and

WHEREAS, during Mr. Reagan’s presidency he worked in a bipartisan manner to enact his bold agenda of restoring accountability and common sense to government which led to unprecedented economic expansion and new opportunities for millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reagan’s commitment to an active social policy agenda for the nation’s children helped lower crime and drug use in our neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan’s commitment to our armed forces contributed to the restoration of pride in America, her values and those cherished by the free world, and prepared America’s Armed Forces to meet 21st Century challenges; and

 WHEREAS, President Reagan’s vision of “peace through strength” led to the end of the Cold War and the ultimate demise of the Soviet Union, guaranteeing basic human rights for hundreds of millions of people around the world; and

 WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan’s inherent love of this country, faith in our people and confidence in freedom, renewed the confidence and vitality of our great nation; and

WHEREAS, February 6, 2011 will be the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's birth and the seventh since his passing;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize February 6th, 2011, as RONALD REAGAN DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

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Bill to enhance cooperation and comprehensive services among agencies

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Foster care measure passes the House Central Virginia- Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) is pleased to announce that House Bill 2036 related to juveniles reentering society from commitment has unanimously passed the House of Delegates.  This legislation emerged from the Commission on Youth’s Study of Juvenile Offender Reentry.  A major finding from this study was that additional planning time is needed for juvenile offenders who are reentering into their community from the Department of Juvenile Justice.  This is especially true for foster care youth who are committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

House Bill 2036 increases the amount of time that a Court Services Unit (CSU) is to consult with the local Department of Social Services (DSS) from four weeks to 90 days services prior to a juvenile’s release from the Department of Juvenile Justice who was previously served in foster care.  These changes are consistent with the development of the juvenile’s mental health transition plan.

In addition, the bill requires the development of a transition plan by the Court Services Units and the local Department of Social Services working collaboratively together.  The transition plan will identify the services necessary for a successful reentry and describe how the services are to be provided.

Speaking to the bill Peace stated, “This legislation is a positive initiative to reduce recidivism rates for juveniles simultaneously under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Social Services and assist in creating a more successful transition to a less restrictive environment. It helps kids and will reduce the cost burdens on the system.”

This bill will allow local departments of social services additional time to investigate whether there can be a safe placement with family members in lieu of returning the juvenile to foster care, to commence a foster care review or a permanency planning hearing, and to initiate the Medicaid application process and assess the availability of other applicable benefits or services.

The Commission on Youth endorsed the measure. The Commission is a bipartisan, legislative commission of the Virginia General Assembly in which Delegate Peace serves as vice-chair.

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.

Governor Announces Mid-Session Revenue Reforecast Numbers

Economic Growth and Uptick in Small Business Hiring and Wages Boosts Revenue Estimates by $152 Million Governor Asks General Assembly Budget Committees to Direct Dollars to VRS Repayment, Rainy Day Fund Replenishment, Initiation of Elimination of Accelerated Sales Tax Policy

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell briefed House and Senate budget committee leaders this morning on the preliminary mid-session revenue reforecast numbers. The meeting took place two days prior to the release of the House and Senate budget documents, in keeping with the Governor’s pledge to speed up release of the data in order to facilitate the work of the committees.

Due to continuing economic growth in the Commonwealth, and our collection experience so far in FY 2011, the revenue reforecast provides for an additional $152 million for the biennial budget. This increase in revenue is based solely on three sources: individual withholding, non-withholding and refunds. Individual withholding has demonstrated notable growth over the past year, increasing by 5.2% versus the official budget estimate of 3.4%. The increase is attributable to a rebound in small business hiring and wages. Virginia’s unemployment rate has fallen from 7.2% to 6.7% since last February.

In addition to his official briefing on the revenue numbers, the Governor also laid out his suggested uses for the new funding. The Governor is asking the General Assembly to make the following allocations:

  • $50 million to increase the reserve for the revenue stabilization fund payments due next biennium from $50 million to $100 million;
  • $37.8 million to eliminate the accelerated sales tax this June for approximately 75% or 6,500 of the merchants currently paying accelerated sales tax (required to be done in full starting in FY 2013);
  • $37.5 million to prepay one-half of the annual repayment to VRS due to the deferral of the employer contributions in the current biennium;
  • $7.5 million (net cost) to defer for taxable year 2010 certain income (I.R.C. §108(i)) from Virginia corporate restructurings (as was done in taxable year 2009); and
  • $19.2 million for other uses as you deem appropriate.

None of the Governor’s recommendations involve spending new revenue on recurring budget items. All are aimed at addressing current one-time funding issues in a conservative and responsible manner.

Speaking about the revenue reforecast and his recommendations, the Governor commented, “Virginia’s economy is beginning to grow again. That is good news for our citizens, businesses and state government. However, this growth is still tentative and incremental. The steps we take in Richmond will play a key role in determining if this recovery will become the kind of long-lasting and foundational recovery that will create the good jobs and economic prosperity we need. With this in mind any increases in state revenue must be budgeted conservatively. That is what I am recommending. This money should not be spent on recurring items, where any increase today would simply lead to pressures to continue that funding level in the years ahead. Instead, this revenue should be directed towards one-time items that strengthen our state’s financial position.”

The Governor continued, “I am asking the General Assembly budget committees to direct an additional $50 million to our Rainy Day Fund, to ensure we remain prepared for any future downturns or exigencies. I have long opposed the policy of the accelerated sales tax, which was put in place prior to our Administration. It is an unfair burden on Virginia’s businesses. For that reason I submitted a budget amendment last year to move up the phase out of this policy from the scheduled 2015 to 2013. Now I believe we can fast track this effort by allocating $37.8 million to eliminate the requirement by this June for 75% of the merchants currently impacted. During this session of the General Assembly I have put forward a broad plan to dramatically reform how we handle VRS funding. Our plan will put $311 million into the system next year and an estimated $4.2 billion in new funding into the system over the next decade, helping us to move forward on closing the $17.6 billion shortfall in the system. I am also committed, as part of our effort to make the system whole, to paying back the $620 million in deferred payments from last year’s budget action as quickly as possible, with interest. This increase in revenue allows us to start this process earlier than anticipated, and I believe we should do so by using $37.5 million for that purpose at this time, ahead of the scheduled repayments.”

The Governor concluded, “Since taking office we have reduced state spending to 2006 levels. We have not raised taxes; instead we have cut the size of government and balanced our budgets responsibly. Our bipartisan work on the budget, together with our work to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow, is having a positive impact on Virginia’s economy. Since last February, the Commonwealth has been home to the fourth greatest amount of net new jobs created in any state. While there is much left to be done, we are seeing signs of economic recovery and job creation in Virginia. Now we must continue to be frugal with taxpayer dollars, focus government on its core functions, ensure a strong and stable state budget, and keep the private sector free and unfettered so that it can create the jobs and opportunities our citizens need and deserve.”

New Kent Student Chosen to Serve as House Page

Central VA- On January 12, Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) welcomed Emily Clarke to service as a Page in the Virginia House of Delegates during the 2011 General Assembly session.

Emily Clarke, 14, is an 8th grader at new Kent Middle School; she is actively involved in her community.  In school, Emily works hard and is on the Honor Roll; her favorite subject is math.  She is a member of the New Kent High School swim team and also runs cross country. 

As for being chosen to represent the 97th District, Emily mentioned "I enjoy spending time with my family.  I miss my school friends but I am enjoying working for the General Assembly.  The thing I miss most about home is sleeping and the best thing about being a page is the paycheck.” 

"Emily is a smart young lady with a bright future," said Peace. "I want to give her every opportunity to have this once in a lifetime experience.  With a few members who were once pages, I wouldn't be surprised to see her in the legislature one day."

Each year the Speaker of the House of Delegates appoints 13 and 14 year-old youth from across the Commonwealth to serve as House pages during the regular session of the General Assembly. These young people assist the members of the House of Delegates, the House Clerk’s staff, and other legislative staff in the daily duties required for the successful operation of the House of Delegates during the session.

The page workday begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. A lunch break is provided. There is no weekend work except for the last Saturday of session. Pages collate bills for filing, deliver legislation and documents throughout the Capitol complex, and perform errands for members and staff of the House of Delegates during each day’s floor session and at committee meetings. Pages are also selected for assignments in specific House offices including the Speaker’s Office, the Clerk’s Office, the Enrolling Room, the Bill Room, the Fax Center and the Governor’s Office. Pages are trained for these assignments during the first two days of their employment. Every effort is made to provide each page with a variety of work assignments. All work assignments are important to the legislative process and should be performed in a professional manner.

While at work pages are under the supervision of the Clerk and Executive Assistant to the Clerk, the Page Coordinator and Assistant Page Coordinator, and two Head Pages who served as pages the previous year. After work pages have approximately two hours of unsupervised free time from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. reserved for eating dinner. It is mandatory that all pages reside at the hotel. There are two chaperons on duty at the hotel from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. each day, Sunday through Friday.

A mandatory study hall is held at the hotel every Monday through Thursday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Certified teachers supervise the pages and help individual students as needed.  Pages are responsible for arranging with their schools and teachers the preferred method of taking tests and exams. For more information or to apply for future sessions, visit:

 http://legis.virginia.gov/1_cap_class/stu_pro/sp_page_pro.html#House

 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.

House Resolution 46 passed the House today

The federal government is a creature of the states - not the other way around (Walter E. Williams January 27, 1995)

CENTRAL VA- Statement by Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) upon the passage of HR 46:

"House Resolution 46 would convey the sense of the House of Delegates that the Congress of the United States be urged to affirm the principles of federalism expressed under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The Tenth Amendment was included in the bill of rights as a protection for the people against federal overreach in the same way the second amendment protects our gun rights or the first our free exercise of religion. It makes it very clear that all duties and rights not given to the federal government are reserved to the people and the States.

In recent years, there has been much concern about how the federal government’s largesse and mandates influence our personal lives, our businesses as well as the business of state governments. These concerns about overreach are justified. My Congressman, the Majority Leader, Eric Cantor recently stated: “Washington has assumed more control over our economy and the private sector through excessive regulations and unprecedented mandates. Our liberty and freedom has lessened as the size and scope of the federal government has exploded.”

In case you may think this is a partisan thing only, I am willing to acknowledge that there has been equal opportunity overreach by the federal government over the past 20 years and it is not solely limited to the recent congressional actions on stimulus, the nationalized student loan program, or government overhauls of industry including an auto-bailout. In fact, there are specific examples of further regulatory concern addressed in the memorializing resolutions on the calendar today and they include potential net neutrality regulation at the FCC among others. Please note that these subsequent resolutions were supported unanimously in committee by both sides of the aisle.

On Friday we unanimously adopted a proactive resolution memorializing the FDA from further unwarranted intrusions into local industries.

HR 46 is a modest effort to communicate the House’s desire to see a return of a proper balance between federal and state government. State governments across the country have introduced resolutions asserting Tenth Amendment protections under the Constitution. Since a version of this resolution was initially introduced, 13 states have passed similar resolutions and last year, HJ125 patroned by Del. Athey passed this house with nearly 75 votes only to fail in the Senate. It is appropriate that this body again affirm the principles of the Bill of Rights that became law when Virginia ratified them on December 15, 1791."

Education Week Ranks Virginia’s Public Education System 4th in Nation

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell commented today on Virginia’s public education system’s fourth place ranking in Education Week’s annual Quality Counts report.  The rankings, which came out earlier this month, are based on four critical areas: the chance for success, K-12 achievement, school finance, and policies related to transitions and alignment.  Since taking office, Governor McDonnell has worked to implement education reform initiatives to expand opportunities for students, passing an ambitious “Opportunity to Learn” legislative agenda during the 2010 General Assembly Session and continuing the efforts this year with proposals to implement a pilot performance pay program and expand access to nonpublic schools for disadvantaged children.              Speaking about Virginia’s ranking, Governor McDonnell commented, “Over the last year we have come a long way in implementing substantive education reform in Virginia.  As the Education Week rankings acknowledge, in these difficult economic times states are looking to find innovative ways to improve education.  Here in Virginia that is exactly what we are doing.  Over the past year we have strengthened our charter school system, set out guidelines for virtual schools, and authorized college lab schools.  We have begun to place a greater emphasis on the high-demand STEM subjects in both primary and secondary education.  This Session we are proposing a pilot program that will provide competitive performance pay grants for hard-to-staff schools to ensure that we are hiring and retaining top-quality teachers. We are also calling for tax credits for corporations that help disadvantaged children gain access to new educational opportunities.  We must continue to provide more options for our young people and parents while ensuring accountability at every level in our public school system.  While we are doing well when compared to the rest of the nation, we still have a long way to go to ensure our students are getting the education they deserve. To get a good job you need a good education, and we are committed to ensuring that every child in Virginia, in every community, has access to the best education possible.”

Information on Governor McDonnell’s K-12 initiatives for the 2011 General Assembly Session is available here: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=564.

For more information about last year’s “Opportunity to Learn” Legislation please visit: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=215.

Education Week’s Quality Counts annual report: http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2011/01/13/index.html.

Peace’s Social Work Legislation Moves Forward in the House

-- Consumer protection measure advances with bi-partisan support -- Central Virginia- Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) is pleased to announce House Bill 2037 has passed full committee with strong bipartisan support and will next be heard on the floor of the House of Delegates.  This legislation simply states that only those professionals with a degree or license in social work may use the job title “Social Worker.”

Speaking to the bill Peace stated, “We must be sure those providing services to consumers are qualified and licensed to supply these services.  Virginians should have the confidence that when they seek help from a Social Worker, they are working with a specially educated and trained expert.”

Social Workers receive specific education and training in the field of Social Work.  This bill protects the employment status and pay grade of those who are currently employed as “social workers,” but do not have a degree or license in social work. T he legislation simply changes the job title, not the job duties.

Multiple stakeholders came together on this legislation and are fully supportive of its intent and goals to ensure quality care for citizens of the Commonwealth. 

This legislation supports the Commonwealth of Virginia’s mission to protect the public by ensuring that those who use the title of social worker are trained and educated in the field of social work.  

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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