|
|
|
|||||
|
Three weeks after our adjournment on March 13, 2008, we were back in Richmond again on April 23rd for the Veto Session to address Gov. Kaine's proposed amendments to the budget and various bills passed by the General Assembly. Unlike previous veto sessions, where debates on capital punishment and abortion took center stage, this one went quickly, with the legislature supporting efforts to provide expanded health coverage to newborns born to low-income families and additional dollars for land preservation efforts. We were unable, however, to garner support in two key areas. First, a proposal for a pilot program to provide health insurance for uninsured, low-income employees of small businesses failed on a party-line vote. (House Republicans opposed the measure while Democrats voted for it.) Second, the governor's effort to require new state buildings to be built exclusively to the energy performance standards of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was defeated. You can view my argument for LEED standards during the House debate at http://www.assemblyaccess.com or follow the Assembly Access link on my website at http://www.davidtoscano.com. Again, this initiative was defeated largely on a party-line vote, although some Republican legislators in Northern Virginia supported the measure. It is clear that we supporters of LEED have much to do to educate others of the long term cost savings and environmental benefits of this approach to design and construction. After the Veto Session, we convened a Special Session to pass a six-year Capital Outlay program and a two-year $1.5 billion bond package. This is very good news for higher education and for our region. The plan sets aside funding for planning and/or construction targeted to U.Va.'s renovation of Cabell Hall, the South Lawn project, Central Grounds infrastructure and the IT Engineering Building, and provides additional monies for statewide Community College investments. The bill also invests over $200 million to improve and build mental health facilities statewide. While the bond package debate lasted about 15 minutes, the debate on judicial selection went on for five hours, as House Republicans squabbled with Senate Republicans on judicial appointments to vacancies in Hampton and Virginia Beach. In the end, our Circuit was successful in ensuring the selection of John G. Berry to succeed the retiring Honorable John R. Cullen, but a number of vacancies remain unfilled, prompting me to consider legislation next session providing for a less political selection process. I would welcome your views on this issue. There are still a few spots available for the May 8th and May 29th legislative briefings. Please RSVP to Jenny Hogan at jmhogan1@gmail.com if you are interested in hearing about the General Assembly session. We will be meeting at 4pm at JABA on Hillsdale Road on both days. I encourage you to bring a friend who you think might be interested. It is an honor serving you and I welcome your comments on the key issues facing the Commonwealth. Contact Info (Del. David Toscano, Electronic mail, April 30, 2008)
|
