 Dear Friends, Virginians, citizens of Fairfax: At 2 a.m. Sunday morning, I pulled into my driveway in Fairfax City in a car stuffed with books, clothes and Senate voting calendars. I'd left Richmond that night after fourteen hours in session. Here's what we did the last day and where we are: Abuser Fees: Are finally dead. The House and Senate had passed two separate versions, incorporating my SB 443, for "repeal and refund" of the notorious fees. Our joint bill repeals the fees, refunds payments made and reinstates the license of those who couldn't afford to pay. On Friday, I was appointed one of three Senate "conferees" to hammer out the final details of the repeal. We met with lawyers from the Attorney General and Supreme Court, and then presented the conference report Saturday to the full Senate. In order for the law to take effect immediately, it needed a 4/5 vote. On the floor, I urged Senators to approve the report. Amazingly, some across the aisle opposed it (despite the blessing of the Republican attorney general). The bill only passed by a vote of 30-10, which meant that the abuser fee law -- one of the stupidest and most unpopular laws ever passed in Virginia -- would stay in effect until July 1st. Hello? Anybody home? After a brief recess, the Republican caucus leader asked for reconsideration of the vote. It was granted. On the second chance, the repeal passed 37-3. It will take effect as soon as the Governor signs it. State Budget: The session has been extended three days to permit the Budget conferees to work out discrepancies between the House and Senate. In my opinion, that agreement is imminent, because there's not really any extra money to argue about. Transportation: The giant sucking sound you heard last week was the money disappearing from last year's Transportation Act. On February 29th, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled the law in violation of the state constitution (If you're interested in the ruling and my analysis, see my post). What now? The Senate position is clear: any new taxes for roads and transit will come from Richmond, not the localities. No more passing the buck. Moreover, those taxes will be uniform and broad-based, not targeted at small businesses or new drivers. A deal with the House on transportation will not happen in the next few days. It will likely require a special session called by the Governor this spring. Either way, Kathy and I will be opening our district office starting this week. You can contact us at (703) 349-3361 or www.fairfaxsenator.com. Or keep tracking our blog at www.oxroadsouth.com. Let us know how we can represent you better. Sincerely,
Chap Petersen Visit us at www.fairfaxsenator.com |
