Governor McDonnell Ceremonially Signs School and Campus Safety Legislation

– 12 New Laws Will Improve the Safety and Security of Those That Attend School in Virginia –

MIDLOTHIAN – At an event at Robious Elementary School in Midlothian, Governor Bob McDonnell today signed 12 pieces of legislation designed to make Virginia’s schools and campuses safer.

Speaking about the signing, Governor McDonnell remarked, “In response to the appalling and tragic murders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, I issued Executive Order 56 on December 20th of last year in order to establish a multidisciplinary taskforce to comprehensively review school and campus safety in Virginia. As a result of the Governor’s Taskforce on School and Campus Safety’s diligent work, and in partnership with the General Assembly, we have identified practical solutions to greater ensure the safety of those who attend, and those who serve on, Virginia schools and campuses.”

“It is so important that we are doing everything in our power to provide a safe learning environment in our schools and on our campuses,” continued Governor McDonnell. “With this legislation, we are continuing to make it a priority to protect our children and those who have taken on the responsibility of caring for them. The legislation I am signing today will help make schools and campuses in Virginia safer and will provide for training and resources our educators, first responders, and mental health professionals need in order to provide the safest school environment possible. I applaud the excellent work of community leaders, elected officials and policy experts who served on the School and Campus Safety Task Force. While the important work of the task force will continue, because of these measures, Virginia children will be safer and our schools will be more secure.”

In addition to the legislation signed today, Governor McDonnell this year identified strategic budget investments to improve school and campus safety. Including increased funding for school resource officers and mental health services such as psychiatric and crisis response services, mental health first aid training, and a comprehensive statewide suicide prevention program.

“I was honored to serve on the school and campus safety task force, and I’m proud of this legislation that came as a result of the task force’s recommendations,” said Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. “These measures will help ensure our schools are safer and that our children can be focused on their education.”

“The bills signed into law today by Governor McDonnell are commonsense measures to ensure the safety of our students and the adults who serve them,” said Delegate T. Scott Garrett. “These efforts will help improve our ability to identify threats and prevent incidents that could harm our students.  We will also enhance the tools available to education officials and first responders to keep schools and campuses safe.  I am honored to have played a role in their passage.”

“The Governor’s Taskforce on School and Campus Safety brought forward many excellent recommendations on a number of issues critical to the health and safety of Virginia students,” said Senator George L. Barker. “Because of legislation signed today Virginia will have improved mental health care coordination so that students in need will be better served and enforcement will be better equipped to address threats. I applaud the work of the Task Force and thank Governor McDonnell for his leadership on this paramount issue.”

School Safety Legislation Signed Today:

 

  • HB1871 (McClellan) –  Defines “bullying” in the Code of Virginia and requires each school board to include in its code of student conduct policies and procedures that prohibit bullying.
  • HB1864 (Robinson) - Clarifies a school may deal with school-based offenses through graduated sanctions or educational programming, unless a delinquency charge is filed after a school principal reports certain acts to the local law-enforcement agency.
  • HB2343 (Sherwood) – Creates a special fund to provide grants to localities, subject to local match, for facility upgrades in order to improve security.
  • HB2344 (Cole) –  Requires each school superintendent to establish a violence prevention committee and threat assessment team similar to those required for Virginia's public institutions of higher education. The legislation also provides that school systems must annually collect and report quantitative data to the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
  • HB2345 (Yost) – Directs the Departments of Criminal Justice Services, Education, Behavioral Health and Development Services, and State Police to develop a model Critical Incident Response training program for school personnel and those providing services to schools.
  • HB2346 (Ransome) – Requires each school division to designate an emergency manager to coordinate school preparedness within the division.  It also mandates that schools conduct a lockdown drill once each semester.
  • HB2347 (Ramadan) –   Facilitates the sharing of juvenile law enforcement records by the principal of the school to threat assessment teams.
  • SB1376 (Martin) – Expands current Virginia law by extending civil immunity to any person who reports in good faith, information that an individual poses credible danger of serious bodily injury or death to one or more students, school, personnel or others on school property.
  • SB0899 (Reeves) - Bumper stickers on school buses. Authorizes local school divisions to place decals on the rear of school buses noting that the buses stop at railroad crossings.
  • HB1609 (Hugo) and SB1342(Petersen) - Provides that the governing board of each public four-year institution of higher education shall establish written memoranda of understanding with its local community services board or behavioral health authority and with local hospitals and other local mental health facilities in order to expand the scope of services available to students seeking treatment.
  • SB1378 (Garrett) - Provides that a person who engages in the "strawman" purchase of a firearm, where he purchases a firearm with the intent to resell or transport with the intent to resell outside of the Commonwealth to any person he knows is prohibited from purchasing a firearm, is guilty of a Class 4 felony and shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year.

 

Specific Budget Items

 

  • Item 139, #14C – This amendment includes an additional $1.3 million to finance the debt service payments on $6.0 million in equipment notes issued by the Virginia Public School Authority for the security equipment grant program, consistent with the legislation. The debt service payments for the security equipment grant program will be supported by the $1.3 million made available in the Literary Fund as a result of the additional general fund appropriation. The debt service is based on a repayment schedule of five years and the $6.0 million in bond revenue will support grants of up to $100,000 per school division each year.
  • Item 314, #3C - This amendment adds funding to provide a comprehensive statewide suicide prevention program effort. It provides $500,000 from the general fund the second year for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to implement a statewide program of public education, evidence-based training, health and behavioral health provider capacity-building, and related suicide prevention activity in collaboration with the Departments of Health, Education, Veterans Services, Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and other partners.
  • Item 315, #2C - This amendment provides $600,000 from the general fund the second year to provide mental health first aid training and certification on how to recognize and respond to mental or emotional distress. Training will target school personnel, clergy, health professionals, community agency personnel, military and veteran service organizations and advocates, and other first responders and “gatekeepers” who have extensive public contact. Funding will be used to cover the cost of personnel dedicated to this activity, training and certification, and manuals and certification for all those receiving the training. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 12-hour interactive course that teaches the risk factors and warning signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. MHFA builds an understanding of how these illnesses affect people, provides an overview of common treatments, and teaches basic skills for providing help to someone who may be experiencing symptoms.
  • Item 315, #4C – This amendment provides an additional $900,000 in FY2014 for psychiatry and crisis response services for children requiring mental health services. The introduced budget added $1.0 million from the general fund the second year for children's mental health crisis services. The 2012 General Assembly added $1.5 million the first year and $1.8 million the second year from the general fund for child psychiatry and children's crisis response services.
  • Item 393, #1C - This amendment provides $202,300 to the Department of Criminal Justice Services in the second year from the general fund for the development of a model critical incident response training program for public school personnel and for the development of a model policy for establishing threat assessment teams in public schools. These provisions are contained in House Bills 2344 and 2345, which were recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on School and Campus Safety.
  • Item 393, #2C - This amendment provides $1.3 million from the general fund the second year to fully restore general fund support for the school resource officer incentive grant program. The general fund amount is equal to the level of general support provided during fiscal year 2002, which represented the largest historical general fund support for the program. The amendment also states that the Department of Criminal Justice Services will prioritize the provision of grants to localities requesting school resource officers or school security officers in elementary, middle, and high schools where no such personnel.

 

Virginia is Approved to Begin Offering Coordinated Healthcare for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees

Agreement Will Provide Better Care at Lower Costs for Virginians

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Virginia has been approved to implement a new healthcare initiative, the Medicare-Medicaid Enrollee (dual eligible) Financial Alignment Demonstration, aimed at coordinating care for more than 78,000 Virginians currently enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.

            The new initiative, recently branded as Commonwealth Coordinated Care, will coordinate care for individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements and are served currently by both Medicare and Medicaid. Commonwealth Coordinated Care is designed to be the single program accountable for coordinating the delivery of primary, preventive, acute, behavioral, and long-term services and supports for this population.

The goal of this initiative is to provide Virginians high quality health care and supports coordinating the Medicare and Medicaid benefits into a single person-centered program. Through this effort, taxpayers will see greater savings through the delivery of cost-effective and appropriate treatment and services for some of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens.

“I applaud the work of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, which has worked tirelessly with stakeholders and the federal government in order to achieve this milestone,” said Governor Bob McDonnell. “We have long known that the efficiencies and benefits of coordinating Medicare and Medicaid services are far reaching. Most importantly, some of Virginia’s most vulnerable adults will now benefit from a program where their health care and long-term services and supports are better coordinated. This enhanced care model will improve and sustain the health of beneficiaries while allowing the state and federal government to realize cost savings as a result of increased care management.”

Upon taking office, the governor committed to ensure that Medicaid operates as efficiently as possible. For years, the department has struggled with how best to manage and finance the care of those receiving both Medicare and Medicaid. Securing the federal agreement to launch Commonwealth Coordinated Care is a significant victory for these beneficiaries and the Commonwealth.  It aids the department’s ability to better structure and coordinate services tailored to the health, behavioral health, and long-term service needs of Virginia’s most vulnerable adults.

Efficiencies gained through this program are expected to yield financial savings to Virginia. DMAS budget forecast for state fiscal year 2014 included $11.3 million in general fund savings. These savings assumed a January 1, 2014 implementation date as well as a 50 percent match rate. Due to timing of the DMAS forecasting process, the savings were estimated before the agreement with CMS was reached which laid out the rate setting methodology and cost savings sharing agreed upon for the program. These factors may alter the initial forecast which will be updated in the next budget cycle.

Medicare and Medicaid were originally not designed to work together, yet there are more than 78,000 Virginians who currently participate in both programs and will now be eligible for Commonwealth Coordinated Care.

Under the existing structure, Medicare-Medicaid enrollees must use three separate ID cards for Medicare, Medicaid and prescription drugs, have three different sets of benefits, receive bills when they should not, and are routinely frustrated over challenges in understanding which plan pays for which services. By choosing this voluntary program, individuals will have one ID card for all aspects of their care, a 24 hour/seven day a week toll-free number for assistance, person-centered service coordination and case management, and one appeals process.

Secretary of Health and Human Resources, William A. Hazel, MD. said, “For many years, the Commonwealth has been working toward this significant reform opportunity. We view this achievement as a testament to the willingness of Virginia’s Medicaid providers and interested health plans to work collaboratively with the department to implement innovative models of care. DMAS is always working towards the development of more effective and efficient service delivery opportunities. This program has the potential to be one of the most significant to date. I am grateful for the governor’s consistent push to ensure that Medicaid operates more efficiently and am proud of the leadership of the department in developing and obtaining federal approval for this demonstration. I am confident that participants in this demonstration will have better health outcomes while the state will achieve associated cost savings.”

Under Commonwealth Coordinated Care, Virginia and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will enter into a contract with health plans for the delivery of coordinated services and supports to enrollees. Eligible individuals include older adults and individuals with disabilities, including those receiving long-term services and supports, and who live in designated regions around the Commonwealth. The regions include the areas surrounding: Central Virginia/Richmond, Charlottesville, Tidewater, Roanoke and Northern Virginia.

Since 2011, DMAS has actively engaged stakeholders to advise the agency in their development of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and program.  Virginia is the 6th state in the nation to finalize a MOU with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for delivery of a coordinated care program.

Commonwealth Coordinated Care begins in January 2014, and will continue through December 31, 2017.  Congressional action will be needed in order for the program to continue beyond 2017. A rigorous evaluation will be conducted throughout the demonstration period.

 

Virginia Posts 2.2% Revenue Increase in April

– April a Significant Month for Revenue –

RICHMOND — Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that April revenue collections increased by 2.2 percent over the prior year. April is a significant month for revenue collections, because, in addition to regular revenue collections, final payments for tax year 2012 and the first estimated tax payment for tax year 2013 were due from corporations April 15. On a year-to-date basis, total revenue collections rose 4.1 percent through April, ahead of the annual forecast of 3.6 percent growth.

The revenue increase in April was primarily driven by a 5.5 percent increase in net individual income tax collections, which included a 7.0 percent increase in individual income tax withholding tax revenues. Sales tax revenues were flat in April and slightly trail the annual estimate of 4.1 percent. Year-to-date collections of corporate income tax have fallen 8.2 percent, lagging the estimate of a 4.5 percent decline.

Adjusted for the accelerated sales tax program, total state revenues grew 3.8 percent through April, slightly ahead of the forecast of 3.4 percent growth.

“April is a significant month for economic indicators and tax collections,” said Governor McDonnell. “While positive numbers in April make March’s revenue declines look less ominous and speak to our overall economic recovery in Virginia, the trends still dictate the need for a conservative economic approach and caution going forward. We have much more work to do before economic prosperity and security are the norm for all Virginia families. Virginia’s unemployment rate is the lowest in four years, the lowest in the Southeast, and the second-lowest east of the Mississippi, and we have added over 160,900 net new jobs since February 2010. Overall increases in revenue and reductions in unemployment are signs that Virginia’s fiscally responsible management is making a positive impact on our economic recovery. Still, more than 225,000 Virginians are unemployed and the sequester is threatening up to 200,000 additional jobs in Virginia. We have much more work to do to get Virginians back to work and to continue growing our economy.”

The April revenue numbers are available at this link: http://www.finance.virginia.gov/KeyDocuments/RevenueReports/FY2012-2013/2013ReportsList.cfm

Governor McDonnell Asks College Presidents and Boards to Help Limit Future Tuition Increases

In Letter to Presidents and Boards, Governor Writes: “I remain very concerned about the affordability of post-secondary education for the young people of Virginia… I need your continued innovation and leadership in holding down in-state tuition and fee increases.”

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued a letter earlier this month urging college presidents and boards to voluntarily keep in-state tuition increases for the upcoming fall semester to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index. Virginia colleges and universities worked closely with the administration last year to hold tuition increases to an average of 4.1 percent, the lowest average tuition increase in a decade. Virginia's colleges and universities are currently determining tuition rates for the upcoming school year.

In the letter, the governor writes, “…Last year I asked for your help in making higher education a more affordable option for Virginia students by keeping increases for in-state tuition and mandatory fees low. After a decade plus of nearly double-digit tuition increases and mounting student loan debt, the cost of higher education is on the minds of parents, students and policymakers. …

“With the support of the General Assembly, we were able to invest an additional $47 million in higher education on top of the $350 million in new money I requested and the General Assembly approved over the past three years. These significant new investments will help create greater access and affordability in higher education, and support our goal of an additional 100,000 degrees over the next 15 years with a focus on STEM-H disciplines.

“Even with this progress, I remain concerned about the affordability of post-secondary education for the young people of Virginia. I need your continued innovation and leadership in holding down in-state tuition and fee increases.  I ask that you make every effort to keep in-state tuition and fee increases for the fall semester to the rate of inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index, after taking into account institution-specific state budget actions, and considering any unavoidable cost increases for FY14.  I recognize that each institution has a different mission and goals that must be taken into account when making these decisions. Some institutions are considering innovative tuition policies to create greater predictability by establishing guaranteed tuition for a students’ four-year program, while others are evaluating differential tuition policies in areas where the actual cost to provide the degree is higher (STEM), and graduates in these same programs have greater average earning potential. I encourage you to evaluate these and other tools that keep access affordable and tuition lower.  I ask you to continue to aggressively pursue recommendations from internal and external reviews for cost savings, and in implementing the reallocation of resources’ policy embodied in the budget.”

The full letter is available here: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/utility/docs/letter%20to%20BOV.pdf

Delegate Peace Helps Celebrate Hanover DMV Select Five-year Anniversary and Mobile Office Service

Delegate Praises Accessible Government Services Available in Hanover County

Central VA—Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) joined Hanover leaders to celebrate two milestones for residents in Hanover County.  On Wednesday, April 10, Delegate Peace headlined a ribbon-cutting event at the Hanover DMV Select located in the Hanover County Courthouse complex.  The ceremony celebrated the Hanover DMV Select’s five-year anniversary and highlighted continued 2013 bi-monthly DMV 2 Go mobile office service.

DMV 2 Go complements services already provided by the Hanover DMV Select operated by Scott Harris, Commissioner of the Revenue, and Scott Miller, Treasurer.  The 57 DMV Selects throughout the state provide an alternative to visiting a full-service DMV customer service center.  DMV Selects are in convenient locations where customers may otherwise have to drive long distances to get to a customer service center.  From Hanover, the closest full-service DMV offices are in North Henrico or Richmond, both of which could be more than a 30 minute drive for some residents.

DMV Selects process a number of transactions including vehicle titles and registrations, license plates, and transcript requests.  DMV Selects do not issue driver’s licenses, learner permits or ID cards, and that’s where DMV 2 Go comes in.  The handicapped-accessible full service mobile office provides all DMV transactions including applying for and renewing driver's licenses and ID cards.  Road and knowledge tests are available, and applicants may get their pictures taken and complete vision screenings.  Veterans can also apply for Virginia’s veterans ID card.

“DMV is working to streamline programs and increase efficiencies in the delivery of services to citizens across the Commonwealth,” said Delegate Peace.  “With great services like the Hanover DMV Select and the DMV 2 Go mobile offices, the Virginia DMV has become a standard for the nation that other states strive to mimic.”

DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb said, “These services for residents in Hanover County were made possible through our great partnerships with legislators like Delegate Peace, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the General Assembly.”

DMV 2 Go has been providing supplemental services at the Hanover DMV Select on the second Wednesday of every other month since June 2012.  The mobile office is scheduled to return to the Hanover Select on June 12, 2013.

Delegate Chris Peace, second from left, celebrates the five-year anniversary and DMV 2 Go mobile office service at the Hanover DMV Select.  Also pictured from left:  Rhu Harris, County Administrator, Scott Miller, Treasurer, Scott Harris, Commissioner of the Revenue, and Richard D. Holcomb, DMV Commissioner.

Delegate Peace Receives a Grade of A from State Chamber for Support of Business

-- Peace Scored an A rating on 2013 Business Legislative Report Card

-- VA Chamber of Commerce Names Peace a strong pro-business legislator --

Central Virginia – Each year following the General Assembly Session, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce develops a Legislative Report Card based on the priorities and expectations of Virginia's business community. The Legislative Report Card recognizes legislators for their support on initiatives that will help move Virginia forward, and additionally provides analysis of a legislator's support for the business community's priorities.

Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-97th District) was very pleased to be informed that this year, based on his voting record, he has received a grade of "A" from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.  Peace’s voting record indicated strong support for the business community's priorities. This award marks the second year in a row Peace has earned such a distinction.

"This rating reflects my belief that low taxes create opportunities for job creation and economic growth. We need a smaller government for a stronger economy, but I strongly believe that there is much more work to be done to make this vision a reality. To improve our community’s quality of life and sustain Virginia’s economic recovery, government must lower the burden on taxpayers and respect individual liberty. For these reasons, I am pleased with this positive score,” commented Del. Peace

According to their website, the mission of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce is to be a non-partisan, business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory and political arenas to act as the catalyst for positive change in all areas of economic development and competitiveness for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Please visit the Chamber website: http://www.vachamber.com/

Statement of Governor McDonnell on Virginia Port Authority Votes

Statement of Governor McDonnell on Virginia Port Authority Vote to Restructure Business Operations and to Decline Private-Sector Proposals to Assume Operations of the Port

RICHMOND—Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement after a vote by the Virginia Port Authority to restructure its business operations and to decline private-sector proposals to assume operation of the port.

“Today, the Virginia Port Authority Board completed its review of private proposals to assume operations at the port, pursuant to Virginia’s Public-Private Transportation Act, as well as a proposal to significantly restructure the current operations and organization of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and Virginia International Terminals. The VPA has determined that the Commonwealth should focus on the major restructuring the current operations, organization, strategy and leadership and to end the unsolicited proposals under the Public-Private Transportation Act. I thank them for their work and in following my directive to conduct a thorough review of all prudent proposals and to do what is right for the taxpayers.

“In the coming days, the Secretary of Transportation and I intend to review the letter and materials sent to me by VPA Chairman Fralin regarding the board's action. After that review is completed, I will issue a statement regarding my position on the board’s actions.

“As I have stated for some time, I appointed a board with the experience and ability to review and make an independent assessment of the merits of the pending proposals. The board has now made that assessment. I created a brand new board with one mission: make the port operate more effectively and profitably, and make it the best on the East Coast.

“The board has completed significant operational and management improvements in the port in recent months. The Secretary of Transportation has worked closely with the board to enable them the flexibility, information, and support to improve business operations, enhance marketing and attract new investments. This has already resulted in increases in port volume. Working closely with the General Assembly, we have also passed legislation that will improve port business practices that recognize it is an economic engine for the region and the entire Commonwealth, and to increase membership on the board to reflect that recognition. By providing the port powers of an industrial development authority, the port is better positioned to reform, to grow and the additional leadership on the board will help guide it through that process.

“We all share the goal of ensuring that taxpayers receive the best possible return on investment in Virginia's world-class port facilities, and that the Port of Virginia assumes its place among the top shipping facilities in the country.”

 

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OUR DELEGATE, CHRIS PEACE, ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID

Principled conservative, Fighter for the Middle-Class, Family Man

CENTRAL VA –Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-97th District) announces his intentions to seek re-election and continue his commitment of faithfully serving the people of Hanover, New Kent and King William Counties. In a prepared statement on www.chrispeace.com, Peace said “I am running for re-election to be a voice for principled conservatism that gets results for working families. Virginians deserve leadership committed to the taxpayer and respecting of individual liberties. Serving the people of the 97th district in the Virginia House of Delegates is a tremendous honor that I take very seriously.” On March 11th, Peace filed all the necessary paperwork to be on the June primary ballot.

In just a short time in office, Delegate Chris Peace has proved to be an effective, thoughtful and respected legislator serving on the prominent Appropriations, Health Welfare and Institutions, and General Laws Committees. “As a member of the budget committee, I am proud to have been part of turning $6 billion in shortfalls into three consecutive years of surpluses totaling $1.4 billion, without a tax increase,” said Peace.

In his endorsement of Peace’s re-election, T. Scott Harris, Hanover Commissioner of the Revenue, stated, “I am extremely proud of the manner you have represented our County over the past eight years.  Your commitment and hard work have been admirable and quite frankly energizing to me.  I am happy to endorse your candidacy and whole heartedly support your efforts.”

Speaking about the announcement Delegate Chris Peace stated, “As a Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly, I have honored my commitments, but I strongly believe that there is much more work to be done to make a smaller government and a stronger economy a reality.  To improve our community’s quality of life and sustain Virginia’s economic recovery, government must lower the burden on taxpayers and respect individual liberty.”

Jane Ladd, Chair of the New Kent Republican Committee reflected, “I have had the pleasure of working with our Delegate over the past eight years. Chris Peace has continued to stand strong for Republican principals, regardless of the pressures from his surroundings.  He has proven to be a man of his word.  Because of his integrity, I am honored to stand by his side for his re-election.”

Over the years, Peace’s voting record has earned him an A+ Rating from the National Rifle Association, 100% scorecard from Virginia Society for Human Life and the Family Foundation, A ratings from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and previously endorsed by Virginia Farm Bureau. He has also been presented awards for his legislative work by the Virginia State Police Association, Virginia Sherriff’s Association and the Virginia Retail Merchants Association.

Sally Pearson, King William Commissioner of the Revenue writes about the recent session: “Thank you for everything you did during the last General Assembly session and all that you do for King William County.  We are blessed to have such a fine representative.  Thank you for your support and friendship.”

Peace, a Virginia lawyer, consults for Smithfield Foods, Inc. and has taught legal studies as an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.  An avid history buff, Peace serves as the executive director of Historic Polegreen Church Foundation, a historic preservation non-profit foundation, and established the Road to Revolution State Heritage Trail to honor America’s founding heritage.

Peace received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampden-Sydney College, earned his law degree from the University of Richmond, and is a member of numerous statewide organizations and non-profit boards.  Along with their two children, Chris and Ashley make their home in Old Church and attend a local Episcopal Church. A full biography and other legislative information are found at www.chrispeace.com. 

Conservative Advocates Rank Delegate Chris Peace the Most Conservative Legislator from Hanover

-- Peace Scores High Marks Statewide on 2013 Session Votes with Two Independent Organizations --

Central Virginia – Two 2013 General Assembly session scorecards, recently released, revealed that Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-97th House District) maintains one of the most conservative voting records in the state and the most conservative of Hanover’s representatives. Peace was ranked statewide in the top 10 by Tertium Quid and in the top 15 by the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation.   

Tertium Quids released the first score card, where Peace scored an 85%.  Each session, Tertium Quids monitors a number of important bills covering a variety of issues.  Such issues include government spending and fiscal concerns, taxes, private property rights, voter fraud, and transportation.  At the end of the session, they report how legislators vote on these matters.  According to their website, “Tertium Quids is an independent, nonpartisan, issue advocacy organization that promotes legislative efforts to expand individual opportunity and free markets, while reducing the size, role, and cost of government in Virginia.”  To access the full scorecard:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/130171242/Tertium-Quids-2013-Scorecard-for-Republicans

Also released was the 2013 Legislative Scorecard from the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation (VTPP) on which Peace scored an 89.4%.  The VTPP website emphasizes their mission as, “a statewide tea party federation of local, non-partisan patriot groups established to advance and strengthen the Founding principles and God-given rights predicated in the U.S. and Virginia Constitution.  Our mission is to encourage and facilitate citizen participation in the political process and empower all citizens with a voice and influence in demanding Constitutional governance.”  To access the full scorecard:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/130174382/VTTP-House-Scorecard-2013-v2

Delegate Peace, speaking about the report cards, said "I have always maintained a principled legislative record which protects constitutional rights, works to limit government spending, guards private property rights, protects our democratic process by safeguarding against voter fraud, and creates a climate for more jobs and a stronger Virginia economy. It is vital to carefully consider any vote on measures which may substantially affect the residents of the 97th District."

 

Virginia Agricultural Exports Reach All-Time High in 2012

~Value Exceeds $2.6 Billion; Up Almost 12% Over 2011’s Previous Record~

New International Marketing Initiatives, Investments Facilitating Export Deals, Expanding the Commonwealth’s Global Presence

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that agricultural exports from Virginia reached a new all-time high of $2.61 billion in 2012, shattering the previous record set last year by almost 12 percent.  The Governor’s announcement came during his keynote remarks at the fifth annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade in Richmond.  The conference runs through Friday.

The Commonwealth previously reached a record level of agricultural exports in 2011, when more than $2.35 billion in products were shipped into the global marketplace from Virginia ports.  The 2011 figure was a six percent increase from 2010.  Agricultural exports, which also include forestry products, have grown in value by approximately 17 percent since 2010.  The growth in agricultural exports comes despite a continued slow economic recovery worldwide.

Speaking about record setting agricultural exports, Governor McDonnell remarked, “The decision in 2010 to fully integrate agriculture and forestry, Virginia’s two largest industries, into our administration’s economic development and jobs creation strategic planning continues to yield solid results for Virginia’s overall economy and expand our global presence. Agricultural exports, which generate approximately $1.40 in-state for every $1.00 shipped out, have reached all-time highs in two of the past three years, producing more revenue for our producers and everyone along the business chain from farms to our ports, and creating more good jobs all across Virginia. With the trade offices we’ve established in key global regions and new ones we’ll open this year, as well as the trade missions we will conduct later this year, I expect to see Virginia agricultural exports continue to grow, and good jobs continue to be created here at home. Our recently passed transportation bill will also help ensure that Virginia continues to have the modern and well-funded road and rail network necessary to get our goods from producers in the Commonwealth to tables all across the world in the decades ahead.”

Virginia’s strong position in the global marketplace is enhanced by a number of factors, including: quality producers, agribusinesses, and exporters; an excellent sea, air, and land port system; and a diversified portfolio of export markets and products.  Top export products in 2012 included:  soybeans; soybean meal; lumber, logs, and wood products; unmanufactured leaf tobacco; soybean oil; wheat, corn, barley and other grains; pork; animal feed; processed foods and beverages, including wine; animal fats and oils; wood pellets; cotton, seafood, and raw peanuts.

Virginia’s top three export markets in 2012 were the same as 2011, albeit in different order.  China, by far, is Virginia’s top agricultural export customer with exports totaling more than $638 million in 2012, up from $304 million and the second spot in 2011.  Agricultural exports to China, largely driven by soybean and grain shipments, have increased by almost 230 percent since 2010 when $194 million of goods were shipped there from Virginia.  Canada holds the second spot with exports totaling more $205 million in 2012.  Morocco, after being Virginia’s top agricultural export destination in 2011, is now third with approximately $139 million in goods purchased.

Virginia’s other top export markets, along with values shipped rounded to the nearest million dollars, include:  Switzerland, $122 million; Turkey, $94 million; Saudi Arabia, $90 million; Indonesia, $82 million; Vietnam, $82 million, Venezuela, $67 million; Cuba $66 million; Mexico, $61 million; Japan, $53 million; Egypt, $52 million; Ireland, $49 million; Taiwan, $43 million; Russia, $42 million; Malaysia, $41 million; Hong Kong, $39 million; Chile, $38 million; Poland, $37 million; Italy, $37 million; Tunisia, $35 million; Jamaica, $34 million; Georgia, $32 million; Germany, $31 million; and India, $28 million.

Some key points from this year’s Virginia agricultural export study:

  • The export commodity showing the largest percentage growth was wood pellets, which saw a more than 800 percent increase from 2011 to 2012.  Exports grew from almost $4 million to approximately $35 million, largely driven on new sales to the European Union.
  • The export value of soybeans more than doubled between 2011 and 2012, from $327 million to $734 million. A significant portion of this growth is attributable to the McDonnell administration’s efforts to find new customers in the global marketplace.
  • The Commonwealth saw key growth in areas where the Governor’s agricultural export initiative focuses resources and attention:  China, India, Mexico and other Latin American countries, and several countries in Europe.
  • Virginia’s agricultural exports to China increased by more than 100 percent from 2011 to 2012.  In fact, approximately 15 percent of Virginia’s agricultural export trade in 2012 was with China.
  • Exports to India grew from $5 million in 2011 to $28 million in 2012.  Most of the growth was associated with new sales of soybean oil and lumber, logs, and wood products.
  • Exports to Mexico grew by more than $20 million, with new business in poultry and pork.
  • Exports to Cuba reached an all-time high of $66 million. Virginia is now the second largest U.S. agricultural exporter to Cuba.
  • Peanut exports grew from about $6.5 million to approximately $17 million, largely based on new trade into the European Union.

“The new all-time record for agricultural exports demonstrates the importance and benefits of the Governor creating a clearly defined strategic plan for the Commonwealth’s two largest industries and allowing them to take advantage of new opportunities,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore.  “In addition to the strategic plan, the relatively small investments in the global marketplace called for by the Governor and supported by the General Assembly are helping to facilitate deals between our agribusinesses and foreign purchasers.  By expanding dramatically our global footprint, Virginia has never been better positioned than we are now to build on these successes and capture new export opportunities in the future as demand grows.”

In 2010, Governor McDonnell implemented a strategic plan to grow the state’s agricultural and forest product exports.  Working in close partnership with Virginia’s producers, agribusinesses, and exporters, Secretary Haymore and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) Marketing and Development staff focus on retaining strong market presence in mature and established markets like Canada, China, and Japan, pursuing new opportunities in emerging markets such as India and Mexico, and developing business in unconventional markets, such as Cuba and Venezuela.  Secretary Haymore and VDACS staff also work with state government partners, including the Secretariat of Commerce and Trade, the Virginia Port Authority, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to find more export opportunities.

To supplement the strategic effort, the Governor secured new international marketing funds from the General Assembly over the last three years for VDACS to open agricultural trade offices in India, China, Latin America, and the European Union, all regions that contain some of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.  Later this year, Virginia will open an agricultural trade office in Canada.  VDACS has had a trade office in Hong Kong for more than 20 years.

Since taking office in 2010, Governor McDonnell led overseas trade missions to Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Japan, China, South Korea, Israel, and India.  These missions and the work of VDACS’ new international marketing staff with Virginia’s private sector exporters have resulted in almost $500 million in new agricultural exports from Virginia so far.  Gubernatorial trade missions for 2013, including one to China and Japan in April, are being planned now.

The Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade is co-hosted by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Tech, and VDACS.  In addition to Governor McDonnell, the conference is scheduled to feature presentations from, among others, Ambassador Mike Moore of New Zealand; Ambassador Islam Siddiqui, Chief Agriculture Negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative; Dr. Charles Steger, President of Virginia Tech; Rodney Oliver, Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority; Mike McClendon, East Coast President, Lineage Logistics; and J.B. Penn, Chief Economist, Deere and Company.  VDACS international marketing staff also will be present to meet with current and prospective exporters.

Agriculture and forestry are Virginia's largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $79 billion annually:  $55 billion from agriculture and $24 billion from forestry.  The industries also provide approximately 500,000 jobs in the Commonwealth according to the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.

 

 

Governor McDonnell Announces Virginia College Partnership Laboratory School Planning Grant Awards

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the winners of the 2012 Virginia College Partnership Laboratory School Application Planning Grants.  Eligible applicants were public institutions of higher education that operate a teacher education program approved by the Virginia Board of Education. After a long review process, the following institutions were awarded grants to help establish a college partnership laboratory school:

  • Emory & Henry College ($200,000)
  • University of Virginia ($300,000)

Administered by the Office of the Secretary of Education, the planning grants for planning partnership laboratory schools are designed to enhance teacher education and training as part of the Governor’s “Opportunity to Learn” agenda to improve K-12 education and will provide more flexibility, innovation and autonomy outside the traditional public school system. In addition, the grants help expand educational options for Virginia students.

All grant awards were made to public institutions pursuant to existing statute. However, as part of “Opportunity to Learn” the law was amended to promote greater flexibility and provide more choice for students by allowing both public and private institutions of higher education to establish a college partnership laboratory school in partnership with one or more local school boards.

“Institutions of higher education are partnering with local school divisions to drive reform at the local level, and now these grant winners can empower their school leaders to pursue innovative ideas where they have the greatest impact: in the classroom,” said Governor McDonnell. “The College and University Partnership Laboratory School planning grantees have shown tremendous leadership though developing plans that will transform the learning environment and enable students to receive a personalized, world-class education.”

Secretary of Education Laura Fornash remarked, “The Laboratory School Planning Grants program is designed to help our grantees plan methodically. It allows them to create more than buildings but genuinely dynamic engines of education and change. These grants invest in the vision of compelling projects that will ultimately benefit not just the students that will attend the school, but the entire Commonwealth as well.”

“The education program at Emory & Henry has a proud history of working with communities and school systems across that state to enhance elementary and secondary education through innovative teacher training and creative approaches to improving student performance,” to Dr. Rosalind Reichard, president of Emory & Henry said. “We dedicate ourselves to this work out of our enduring belief that quality education at all levels has the power to transform lives.”

A distinguished panel of individuals from higher education, local school districts and the business community reviewed each of the applications. Decisions about award amounts took into consideration a number of factors including the amount of available funds, the number of applications recommended for funding, and the amounts requested in the recommended applications.

College partnership laboratory schools are public schools established by contract between the governing board of a college partnership laboratory school and the Board of Education. Legislation proposed by Governor McDonnell and approved by the 2010 General Assembly (HB 1389 and SB 736) and the 2012 General Assembly (HB 577) allows any public or private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth with an approved teacher-preparation program to establish a college partnership laboratory school.

For more information about the grants, visit: http://www.education.virginia.gov/.

The Session: "A Message from Governor McDonnell"

Following the conclusion of the 2013 General Assembly session I’m so pleased to be able to report to you that the overwhelming majority of our 2013 legislative agenda passed with strong bipartisan support. 88% of our agenda was approved by the General Assembly. That means over the course of our four General Assembly sessions in office, 87% of our legislation was passed into law. That could never have happened without your support and hard work advocating for our common-sense conservative agenda. And I want to personally thank you for all that you’ve done to make this success possible.You already know about our transportation legislation. It was an historic moment for Virginia. Republicans and Democrats came together to find common ground, make hard decisions, and finally get the first major transportation funding package passed in 27 years. National conservative pundit Jennifer Rubin wrote about that victory: “…pragmatic conservatism produced one of the most successful legacies of any governor in recent memory.” I certainly appreciate the kind words. More than anything I appreciate the fact that Virginians finally have a transportation funding plan that will get them to work and back quicker, save them money that is currently being wasted by sitting in traffic, and help our private-sector job creators to continue to expand and create the good paying jobs our citizens need. Last year CNBC dropped Virginia to #3 in their rankings of “Best States for Business.” And they specifically and directly cited an ongoing lack of transportation funding as one of the chief reasons. That’s unacceptable. Virginia must have a strong and robust economy where all our residents can find good paying jobs. This bill helps ensure that will remain the case. It was a critical piece of our ongoing work to bring more jobs to Virginia. But that was just one bill. We had so many others this session, and I wanted to take an opportunity to share some of the other highlights with you. *   The game-changing "All Students" K-12 education reform agenda generated numerous successful bills focusing on increasing teacher pay, improving the ability to reward good teachers and increasing accountability for poor performing teachers, establishing the Governor's Center for Excellence in Teaching and the Governor's Academies for Excellent Teaching, bringing Teach for America to the Commonwealth, creating transparent school report cards to provide parents and educators with clear A-F grading measures, reducing red tape for local school divisions, supporting teacher innovation and staffing, guaranteed long-term support for students to achieve key learning milestones in reading and mathematics to strengthen their education, helping students stuck in chronically failing schools by creating a turnaround entity to ensure schools dramatically improve and reach accreditation, providing parents with more public school choice, and continuing to recognize that excellent teaching is key to a great education. This legislation moves us closer to our goal of ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to learn from a great teacher in a great school, regardless of her zip code. *   We continued to make major higher education reforms and investment to prepare Virginians for top jobs, boost job-creating research and innovation, make college degrees more affordable for students, and advance our goal (now in statute) of having 100,000 more Virginians earn degrees over the next 15 years, and investing an additional $31 million in higher education, in addition to the $350 million in new money we put into the system over the last 3 years, to make college more affordable and accessible for Virginia students. It has worked, and last year we saw the lowest average yearly increase in college tuition in more than 20 years. *   Our Taskforce on School and Campus Safety met with a sense of urgency during the 2013 legislative session to discuss recommendations to improve the security of Virginia’s schools and college campuses. After reviewing the Task Force’s recommendations, we sent down several legislative initiatives that were well received by the General Assembly. The General Assembly passed legislation to create threat assessment teams in schools, require lockdown drills in schools, improve the school safety audit process, and increase the penalty for those who perform “straw purchases” of firearms. *   Building on our achievements over the last three years to make government more efficient and effective, we enacted several measures to make government leaner, eliminate red tape and relieve mandates on localities. This session, we passed legislation to merge agencies in order to deliver better services to our citizens and small businesses, eliminate and merge boards and commissions, and cleared the way to repeal even more unnecessary regulations. *   The Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development agenda focused on ensuring Virginia remains the best place in the United States in which to start and run a business. This legislation will make it easier for the private sector to create jobs, and easier for Virginians to get training in the skills necessary for those jobs. By improving the online Business One-Stop system, making the Commonwealth friendlier to entrepreneurs, and making sure that students graduate from our K-12 and college systems career-ready, we will continue to expand jobs and opportunity. Perhaps most importantly, we have a community of entrepreneurial individuals who, in spite of the very real risk of failure, put their energy and sweat and savings into creating opportunities for themselves and others. Virginia is an incubator for good ideas and we have the right tax, regulatory and business climate for entrepreneurs to turn those ideas into job-creating businesses. While this was the last General Assembly session of our administration, we did not take it easy! Instead we put forward perhaps our boldest and most far-reaching legislative agenda since we came to Richmond. We laid out bold initiatives to lay the foundation for Virginia's future economic growth and spur job creation. We proposed historic legislation to permanently address Virginia's longstanding and long-neglected transportation funding crisis, enhance K-12 education by ensuring that every student receives a world-class education regardless of zip code or socioeconomic status, and place the Commonwealth on sound financial footing. We continued to reduce our unemployment rate, now the 2nd lowest east of the Mississippi, and the lowest in Virginia in the last four years. Our aggressive agenda enjoyed bi-partisan support in the General Assembly, and garnered support from business groups, industry leaders, teachers, educators and citizens all across Virginia. We have demonstrated our continued focus on the issues that impact every Virginian. We got results. We passed policies that help the private-sector create good-paying jobs, increase Virginians access to higher education, further improve our high-quality K-12 education, build a transportation system that serves its users and saves motorists time and money currently wasted sitting in traffic, make government smaller and smarter, help our veterans here at home, and ensure our citizens are safe and secure. You played a key and crucial role in making all this happen. Thank you, again, so much for all that you do for Virginia. Together, we are building a true “Commonwealth of Opportunity.”

Chairman Putney Announces Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission Appointments

Virginia House of Delegates Appropriations Committee Chairman Lacey E. Putney (I-Bedford) announced Sunday the House appointments to the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission created to oversee the implementation of Medicaid reforms in the Commonwealth. Chairman Putney appointed Delegates Steve Landes (R-Augusta), Jimmie Massie (R-Henrico), Beverly Sherwood (R-Frederick), John O'Bannon (R-Henrico) and Johnny Joannou (D-Portsmouth) to the Commission.

"These appointees will be responsible for ensuring that Medicaid reforms are fully and completely implemented in Virginia," said Chairman Putney. "I am confident they will do a terrific job for the people of the Commonwealth."

Delegate O'Bannon, a practicing physician, said it was necessary to ensure patient-centered, cost-saving reforms were in place before further consideration was given to Medicaid expansion.

"Medicaid is the fastest growing item in the state budget, and Medicaid expansion without significant reforms could wreck Virginia's finances," said O'Bannon. "We need to make sure that patient-centered, cost saving reforms are fully implemented before we think about moving forward. I look forward to serving on the Commission."

"I have serious concerns about the costs of Medicaid expansion," said Delegate Massie. "Reforms are the first step toward making sure Virginia does not get stuck with a big bill if and when the federal government breaks its promise to pay it. I have been around long enough to know there is no such thing as free money from the federal government and no such thing as a bigger program that costs less and works better."

The Medicaid and Innovation Reform Commission is made up of ten voting members, five from the House and five from the Senate of Virginia. This commission will make a determination on the status of reforms as laid out in HB1500. A majority of members from both the House and Senate is required to determine if the reforms have been implemented in a manner that meets the criteria established in the budget.

Peace Remarks and Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on General Assembly Passage of Historic Transportation Legislation

I voted against the transportation tax increase contained in the conference report for House Bill 2313. Unfortunately, the bill passed and will become law pending amendments by Governor Bob McDonnell. The legislation will raise the state sales tax, car tax, regional sales tax, vehicle and tangible personal property taxes, vending machine tax, heavy equipment tax, recordation tax on commercial, industrial and residential real property sales, hotel tax, hybrid vehicle tax, and diesel fuel tax. And what is worse, there is no guarantee that all of the money raised will actually go to roads. Let’s face it. Transportation will always be with us. Consequently, massive taxing and spending in uncertain economic times is not the answer. Several alternatives to these untimely tax increases include prioritizing a greater percentage of the sales tax to transportation recognizing it as the core service of government it is. Further, we could dedicate more of our budget surpluses to road funding. We can also reform the Commonwealth Transportation Board to better reflect the Urban Crescent by adding an additional representative for the Richmond Region and other high traffic areas. In fact, I carried legislation to do just that. Finally, “locking up” the Transportation Trust Fund against diversions to other purposes is vital. Again, I voted no on House Bill 2313 but the bill passed in the proverbial “left” hand lane.

Although I wasn’t pleased with the overall transportation plan, the elimination of tolls was a bright spot in the bill. Del. Dance and I amended the bill to include that provision. I’m pleased that we were able to send a clear message that imposing tolls on I-95 south of Fredericksburg was a bad idea, and more importantly, that the Virginia General Assembly will now serve as a barrier to tolls on this important transportation corridor.

It is an honor to serve as Delegate from the 97th District.

Delegate Christopher K. Peace

Statement from Governor McDonnell:

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today following final passage by the House of Delegates and the State Senate of a comprehensive long-term transportation funding and reform package for Virginia.

“This is a historic day in Virginia. We have worked together across party lines to find common ground and pass the first sustainable long-term transportation funding plan in 27 years. There is a ‘Virginia Way’ of cooperation and problem solving, and we saw it work again today in Richmond.

“Most Virginians and Americans are tired of the politics of dysfunction and inaction that we see in Washington. They prefer cooperation and results. They want elected officials to advocate for their principles and then find ways to work together to get things done and improve their daily lives. We do that in Richmond. For several decades now transportation loomed as an issue that seemingly could not be solved. Lines were drawn and debates droned on as motorists sat in traffic. Today we have shown a path forward, a path past the old political arguments and endless posturing that threatens the economic prosperity and competitiveness of our state and nation.

“Every year, Virginians have been paying a hidden transportation tax. The Texas Transportation Institute found that our failure to approve new transportation funding, and the resulting congestion, cost every motorist in Northern Virginia $1,400 a year; every driver in Virginia Beach $877 a year; and every commuter in Richmond $581 a year. For nearly three decades, Virginians have paid a high price for our inaction on transportation. Their commutes have gotten longer as political positions got more and more rigid and unyielding. And that is a tax in and of itself. With this bill, gas prices will be reduced, and we will reduce our historic reliance on the gas tax which is in a long-term decline. Today we have stated unequivocally that transportation is a core function of government, by moving $200 million in future general fund dollars, and another $200 million from anticipated changes to federal law, to transportation. And we will allow Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads the resources they have long requested to address their pressing, local transportation needs. Through tax reform, general fund dedication, and economic growth, we will build a 21st century transportation network.

“Over the past three years, we have cut spending, audited and reformed VDOT, authorized new bonds, used surpluses, issued new public-private partnerships for toll roads, created the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank, and dedicated two-thirds of all undesignated surplus funds to transportation. We have used every tool provided by law to leverage scarce dollars. Yet those actions were not sufficient to meet the mobility, economic development, and quality of life needs of the people of Virginia. Today, we fixed the problem.

“This is a compromise bill. It had to be. Neither party controls Richmond outright. The House is Republican, the Senate is split 20-20, and the Lieutenant Governor cannot vote on transportation funding.  On an issue like transportation funding, regional differences and needs are just as important as partisan affiliation. If we were ever going to fix this problem, and improve our citizens’ quality of life, a compromise had to be fashioned.

“Virginia’s economy depends upon a modern transportation system. Without good roads, rail, transit and bridges we cannot attract the new businesses that will create the good-paying jobs our citizens need and deserve. A continued failure to dramatically improve transportation would leave the Commonwealth less competitive economically, shrink our tax base and endanger our well-earned reputation as the best state in the nation in which to do business. In fact, just last year CNBC dropped Virginia to third in its well-recognized annual ranking of ‘Best States for Business’, in large part because of our repeated inability to properly fund transportation. We plummeted from 10th to 33rd in the specific category of ‘Transportation and Infrastructure.’ That is unacceptable. I ran and was blessed to be elected on a pledge to make Virginia a jobs-magnet, and do everything I could to help our state attract more employers so our citizens could get the good jobs they need and deserve. This transportation plan helps us do that. Conservatives believe we must grow our economy by allowing the private sector to thrive and create. We believe in paying as you go and in not running up high levels of debt. That is how you create new revenue. But that can’t happen if we don’t provide private-sector job creators with the infrastructure they must have to be successful.

“This vote is an important moment for Virginia’s economy, Virginians quality of life, and our political system. We have demonstrated that in Richmond we cut the rhetoric and we get results for the people. We have found ways to move from sound bites to solutions. We have passed, on a bipartisan basis, the first major new sustainable transportation funding and reform bill in Virginia in 27 years. I thank the over 60 percent of legislators in each chamber who voted for this bill and I thank Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton and his team and the many individuals and groups all across Virginia who have advocated tirelessly for this legislation from business to labor, and local government to technology. Specifically I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Speaker Bill Howell, Majority Leader Tommy Norment, Majority Leader Kirk Cox, Delegate Chris Jones and all of the conferees. With this vote, we have made Virginia more economically competitive, improved our business climate, helped the private sector to create more jobs in the years ahead, and helped families spend more time together and less time in traffic. I look forward to receiving the bill in the days ahead, and, as with every piece of legislation we receive, conducting a thorough policy and legal review of the legislation for any amendments that may be appropriate.”

 

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Transportation Conference Report

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement following agreement by a legislative conference committee on a comprehensive long-term transportation funding plan for Virginia. If passed by the full General Assembly, the bill will mark the first time since 1986 that Virginia has enacted a comprehensive transportation funding and reform measure. “It has been 27 years since we have enacted a long-term, sustainable, comprehensive transportation funding plan for Virginia. During those nearly three decades of inaction we have witnessed congestion worsen and the quality of life of our citizens decline.  Just this month, the Texas Transportation Institute released a new study finding that our growing immobility has made the Northern Virginia/Washington region America’s most congested area. Virginia Beach is America’s 20th worst. Richmond, the 60th. The inability of Virginians to move quickly around their neighborhoods and cities comes with a major financial price tag. The Institute estimates our congestion costs drivers in Northern Virginia $1400 a year. It costs drivers in Virginia Beach $877 per year and drivers in Richmond $581 per year. The bipartisan failure to address our transportation needs for almost three decades has cost every citizen of this state thousands of dollars, and countless hours of time that could have been spent at home and at work. This year, we have finally worked together, across party and regional lines, to fix this quality of life issue.

On January 8th, when we launched our effort to fix transportation, we laid out three broad goals. First, we called for decreasing Virginia’s reliance on the steadily decreasing transportation revenue source of the gas tax. As cars get significantly better mileage, and more Americans choose more alternative fuel vehicles, it is an inescapable fiscal reality that the gas tax is no longer a dependable, long-term sustainable source of transportation revenue. The plan agreed to today achieves that goal. By eliminating the current form of gas tax in Virginia, the amount Virginians will pay at the pump will be reduced by an estimated 6 cents per gallon. That means Virginians filling up a 15 gallon tank will save .90 cents each time they go to the gas station. If they fill up once a week they will save almost $50 a year. In total, it is estimated that this change will save motorists $272 million in fiscal year 2014 alone.

Second, we made clear that future transportation funding in Virginia must be much more closely tied to the existing sales and use tax, which tracks economic activity. The agreement reached today does that by matching a reduction in gas taxes with an attendant, slight .3%  increase in the sales tax, with the new revenue going to transportation. This change in funding mechanisms will allow future transportation revenue to grow in tandem with the economic prosperity of the Commonwealth. Every Virginian relies on and benefits from our transportation system. Tying transportation funding to a tax that every Virginian pays is a common-sense move. In addition, the sales tax is a less regressive tax than the gas tax.

Finally, we stated that transportation is a core function of government. The responsibility of state government to provide for roads and rail is equal to our responsibility to provide world-class schools for our children and public safety in our communities,. That means transportation must be treated like a core function of government, and it must share in our growth in general fund revenues to a greater extent than currently structured. This conference report will generate almost $200 million per year in year five in new general fund money for transportation, and nearly another $200 million in new general fund money from collecting the existing state sales tax under an anticipated federal law. This is a recognition that transportation is vital to the future prosperity and economic well-being of the Commonwealth, and it must be treated as such. It makes transportation a priority in Virginia’s budget.

The statewide component of this plan is revenue neutral in the first year for nearly all Virginians. This innovative tax reform bill provides critically needed new funding for our transportation system through the utilization of tax reform and the general fund.  The bill also includes regional self-help provisions that have long been sought by legislators and local government officials in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, the two most congested regions of the Commonwealth.

In my State of the Commonwealth Address, I said we must not end this session of the General Assembly until we had fixed transportation. This bill accomplishes that. I also promised that in any comprehensive plan there would have to be, by simple legislative necessity, components that not everyone would like. That’s the nature of a comprehensive piece of legislation that must pass a diverse legislature. This bill certainly, depending on the philosophy of each individual legislator, does that. But the important thing is we now have the comprehensive transportation funding plan that has eluded Virginia for 27 years. Now it is time to vote.

As the conference report heads to a final vote in the General Assembly, this is our collective opportunity to join together, as Republicans and Democrats,  to solve one of Virginia’s most intractable and longstanding problems. This is a moment to find common ground and get results for the people of Virginia. It is why they have sent us here. Not to argue and posture, but to cooperate and solve problems. With the approval of this transportation plan we will strengthen Virginia’s economy, help create thousands of good paying jobs, and improve the lives of every Virginian in every city and county. I urge the members of the General Assembly to approve this bill. Following that vote our office will conduct a thorough legal and policy review, as we do with any piece of legislation, and make any amendments we may deem appropriate.”

 

Governor Bob McDonnell Sends Letter to President Urging Immediate Action to Stop Sequester

RICHMOND—Governor Bob McDonnell sent the following letter this morning to the President, and Virginia's congressional delegation, calling for immediate action to prevent the implementation of the sequester. In the letter the governor writes:

"I write today to respectfully request your immediate attention to address the potential devastation that looming cuts to defense due to sequestration will have on national security and on the economic well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth. As we all know, the defense, and other, cuts in the sequester were designed to be a hammer, not a real policy. Unfortunately, inaction by you and Congress now leaves states and localities to adjust to the looming threat of this haphazard idea. While Virginia has fought its way to the lowest unemployment rate in the southeast at 5.5 percent and has seen three years of state budget surpluses, the unprecedented uncertainty caused by Washington's fiscal policies is making it harder for families, businesses, and the Commonwealth to plan for the future.

The automatic sequestration reductions mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 are already having a significant adverse effect on the Commonwealth. When fully implemented, they could force Virginia and other states into a recession.  Sequestration-mandated reductions will be implemented with no regard for relative national priorities.  These reductions will have a potentially devastating impact in the Commonwealth, with the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions at the greatest risk."

The governor concludes:

"Under governors of both parties, the Commonwealth has long been noted for its fiscal stewardship, sound management, and as a premier location for business and economic development. In order to mitigate the negative impacts as effectively and as quickly as possible, and to ensure a continued robust economy in Virginia, it is critical that you lead Mr. President, and that you work with Congress to come together in the best interests of the nation, and produce the necessary legislation to avoid the disastrous effects of this ill-conceived policy. I know that you promised in your third debate of this past campaign that sequestration will not happen. Now is the time to deliver.

I urge you to repeal this blunt and unnecessary instrument and embark on the shaping of a responsible legislative alternative to meet our nation’s fiscal crises."

The full letter can be read here: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/utility/docs/20130218105401171.pdf

 

Commonwealth Posts 19.5 Percent Revenue Gain in January But Economic Uncertainty Remains

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that total general fund revenue collections rose by 19.5 percent in the month of January. The increase was fueled in large part by an additional deposit day which helped boost individual withholding payments by 17.5 percent for the month. Further, with the Internal Revenue Service’s delay in opening the federal electronic filing program, Virginia saw a corresponding postponement in state refund activity in January.  Individual nonwithholding payments rose by 42.7 percent in January as the fourth estimated payment for tax year 2012 was due January 15, 2013.  However, sales tax receipts registered an increase at 0.2 percent reflecting deteriorating consumer confidence and softer retail sales during the holiday season.  Sales tax collections, adjusted for the partial repeal of the accelerated sales tax program, have grown 2.1 percent year to date and are now trailing the forecasted growth of 3.2 percent. January is a significant month for revenue collections On a year-to-date basis, total revenue collections rose 6.2 percent through January, ahead of the annual forecast of 3.6 percent growth. Adjusting for the accelerated sales tax program, total revenues grew 5.8 percent through January, ahead of the adjusted forecast of 3.4 percent growth.

Speaking about the new revenue numbers, Governor McDonnell remarked, “Virginia’s economy continues to slowly recover. Our unemployment rate has fallen to a four-year low, and state revenue collections are increasing. This is progress, and it is testament to the bipartisan work we’ve done in Richmond to help create a positive economic environment for our private sector job creators. More Virginians are working, and that is having a positive impact on the Commonwealth’s bottom line.

The Governor continued, “However, while these numbers are positive, there is still tremendous uncertainly ahead. Sequestration is a direct threat to our economic recovery, and to the jobs of thousands of Virginians. The President and Congress must come together to ensure that sequestration does not take effect; it would have a devastating impact on our state. At the same time, we must ensure our actions at the state capitol add to the financial health and vitality of our statewide economy. Over the past three years we’ve made government more efficient and effective, while investing in the core functions of government. That fiscal restraint, combined with the setting of spending priorities, has helped make college more affordable and accessible for our students, improved our transportation system, and brought major new employers to Virginia. Now, this session, we must continue our efforts. Virginia’s economy depends on Virginia’s transportation system. It is time to put in place the long-term funding plan necessary to ensure that we have a 21st Century transportation system that will help our economy continue to grow, and our citizens to find the good-paying jobs they need. This is our opportunity to get that done, and I urge all legislators, from both parties and all regions, to work with us in the weeks ahead to make it happen.”

The January revenue numbers are available at this link: http://www.finance.virginia.gov/KeyDocuments/RevenueReports/FY2012-2013/2013ReportsList.cfm