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Capitol
Column -
January 15, 2008
By:
Delegate Lee Ware
Contact:
David A. Bovenizer (804) 698-1065
Budget Concerns
to Dominate 2008 Session
The 2008 Session
of the General Assembly that convened Wednesday will of
necessity focus on
crafting a budget for the biennium of 2008-2010 that
begins July 1.
This is the one budget that the Governor proposes in
full--in quest of
a "legacy" for his Administration. The Governor wants to
spend $78 Billion,
an increase of $4 Billion over the 2006-2008
budget--despite
the fact that state revenues for the current fiscal year
are expected to be
$641 million below expectations.
The central
components of the Governor's budget are $42 million for
improvements to
the state's mental health system, $55 million for expanding
pre-kindergarten
for "at-risk" four-year-old children, and $25 million for
health insurance
coverage for low-income citizens. To achieve these goals,
some $300 million
would be cut from existing programs, $261 million would
be withdrawn from
the state's "Rainy Day Fund," and $1.5 billion in bonds
would be issued
for new buildings at our colleges and universities.
Overall, the
Governor's budget calls for $3.2 billion in bonded
indebtedness.
The Governor wants also to postpone until mid-summer the pay
raises authorized
for state employees and teachers, scheduled to be 3.0 and
3.5 percent,
respectively.
Many elements of
the budget proposal give me pause and even cause for
alarm.
First, Virginia's economy is slowing--and concerns about a
nationwide and
even world-wide recession are page-one news all over the
world.
Second, to expand an experimental program such as pre-kindergarten
while delaying
salary hikes for state employees and teachers is, to say the
least, robbing
Peter to pay Paul. We can't attract and retain stellar
state workers or
public school teachers without rewarding them for their
labors--and at
least keeping their incomes ahead of the rate of inflation.
Third, the
Governor wants to divert $180 million from the Transportation
Trust Fund.
Fourth, the budget
is based on an expected 6 percent rise in state revenues
during 2009-2010.
That figure is at least twice the more cautious
prediction of
leading economists.
For these and
other reasons, my Caucus leaders have pointedly suggested
that the
Governor's budget "is built on the premise of begging and
borrowing to the
point of being reckless." Though the Governor proposes,
the legislature
disposes, and only the House of Delegates can actually
appropriate
hard-earned tax dollars for state government expenses.
Accordingly, I
fully expect the House to cut the Governor's proposal,
significantly.
And, though the Senate, following Novembers's election, is
controlled by
Democrats, while the House retains a Republican majority, I
expect the
legislature to largely agree on a more prudent budget for the
next two years.
No doubt we also
will revisit and to some extent reform the "abusive driver
fees" that
are a component of the transportation funding bill we passed one
year ago.
Several
organizations, including religious organizations, have combined
efforts to urge
abolition of payday lending businesses in Virginia. I
intend to submit a
bill, as I did last year, to reform rather than abolish
payday lending
businesses. Over a half-million Virginians require small
loans that are not
available from banks or credit card companies. The
amounts are
relatively small, so the comparative cost of loans can seem
exaggerated--until
the actual costs of providing the loan are considered.
The new majority
leader in the Senate, Senator Richard Saslaw, agreed with
me last year, so I
expect the Assembly to approve a thoughtful reform bill.
For the 65th
District I will be carrying several bills, including a bill to
which I attach
supreme importance. This will would establish a felony
charge for
motorists whose elusive driving leads to accidental injury or,
worse, death, to
law enforcement officers in pursuit, as was the case with
Powhatan Deputy
Robbie Green.
I also hope to be
able to expand tax-relief for the elderly and disabled,
and to secure
funding for development of the state park proposed in
Powhatan.
Usually the 140
legislators submit roughly 4,000 bills, and early
indications are
that we will have at least that number when the final count
is available early
next week.
(Delegate Lee Ware
represents House of Delegates district 65, consisting of
Powhatan County
and western Chesterfield. During Session, his office
telephone is
698-1065. His email address is Dellware@house.state.va.us.)
2008 Session - Week 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 18 January 2008
Weekly Capitol Report Column by R. Lee Ware
Contact: David A. Bovenizer
Member, Virginia House of Delegates Tel.: 804 698-1065 (Capitol)
65th District (Powhatan and western Chesterfield)
A Bill of Importance for Powhatan
As the second full week of Session comes to its close, the House of Delegates
is reviewing some 1,400 bills that must be decided by "Crossover Day"
early in the second week of February. My highest legislative priority is
advancing House Bill 113, my bill to stiffen penalties for motorists who, in
eluding a law-enforcement officer, cause, whether directly or indirectly, injury
or, worse, death to the pursuing officer.
The bill is of course in response to the tragic death last year of Powhatan
County Deputy Robbie Green, who died of injuries sustained in an accident that
occurred while he was in pursuit of a fleeing motorist. Deputy Green's father,
Charlie Green, who is a newly elected member of the Board of Supervisors, joined
me on Wednesday of last week in testifying to the bill's merits before a
subcommittee of the House committee on Courts of Justice.
To stiffen the penalty, Commonwealth's Attorney Bob Beasley, who prosecuted
the motorist that Deputy Green was pursuing, has carefully crafted the crucial
language of my bill. If passed, HB 116 would designate fleeing a law-enforcement
officer as "a separate and distinct offense" from the current law
against "disregarding signal by a law-enforcement officer to stop" and
also the charge of "eluding police."
My bill further provides that, "If the acts or activities
violating" current law " also violate another provision of law, a
prosecution under this section shall not prohibit or bar any prosecution or
proceeding under such provision or the imposition of any penalties provided for
thereby." The effect of this legal-language addition to the Code of
Virginia would allow prosecutors to charge motorists whose flight results in
injury or death to a law-enforcement officer with a separate Class 4 felony.
Charlie Green's appearance before the subcommittee provided a poignant
dimension to deliberations that are often dry and difficult. I am deeply
grateful to Charlie and his family and also to the Harrison family of his
widowed daughter-in-law for their constructive and dignified response to Robbie
Green's death in the line of duty. Bob Beasley's counsel and assistance have
been indispensable, and he hopes to be able himself to testify on behalf of the
bill as it advances-as we all hope-through the legislative process.
Numerous constituents have been in touch, and several have been able to
visit, in behalf of scores of the bills already receiving consideration in one
or other of the House's many subcommittees or committees. It was especially
enjoyable to be able to host a young constituent, Christina Bustos, for the
ceremonial opening of this year's Session when Governor Tim Kaine addressed both
the House and Senate. A student in Powhatan High School, and daughter of Marsell
and Tina Bustos, Miss Bustos was able to meet the governor and several leading
members of the legislature.
Other good news this past week is that Powhatan's three new supervisors are
on board in support of the state park proposed for Powhatan. I welcome their
addition to a cause that has engaged many of us for several years. As previously
reported, the governor in his 2008-2010 budget has included $3 million for
first-phase developments of the park. Given that state revenues are running at a
$641 million-plus shortfall at present, preserving this element of the budget is
the great challenge facing supporters as the inevitable "budget
battle" with which Session will conclude approaches. For now, it is
possible for me to report only that the necessary discussions with key leaders
have been held-and further discussions will no doubt occur regularly through
coming weeks. Session is scheduled to conclude on March 8, so probably not 'til
the last hour will we know of a certainty if the funds will be available.
Lee Ware represents the 65th District consisting of all of Powhatan County
and thirteen precincts in western Chesterfield. During Session his office number
is (804) 698-1065. Email address is dellware@house.state.va.us
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DISTRICT OFFICE:
Delegate R. Lee Ware
P.O. Box 689
Powhatan,.Virginia 23139
Telephone: (804) 598-6696
Email: dellware@house.state.va.us
DURING SESSION: CAPITOL HILL OFFICE
Delegate R. Lee Ware
Room 409 General Assembly Building, Richmond, 23218
Telephone: (804) 698-1065
Email: dellware@house.state.va.us
Secretary: Barbara Monroe
Legislative
Counsel: David
A. Bovenizer
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Committee
Assignments:
Agriculture,
Chesapeake
Natural Resources (vice chairman)
Commerce & Labor
Finance |
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