Today
at noon the New World's oldest legislative body will convene for its
391st session.
The
issues have changed somewhat since the first Burgesses convened in
Jamestown in 1619. They made some good decisions (promoting
self-government) and some terrible ones (permitting the slave trade in
Virginia). Today we carry on their original mission to
represent the citizens of Virginia.
The
original Burgesses established parliamentary procedures that
survive to this day in the language we use and protocols we observe. For
example, Virginia legislators today debate issues without facing each
other. Rather questions are asked and statements made to the
Speaker. Thus all debate is concentrated on that central figure who, as
in colonial times, has sole authority to permit members to speak.
As your
Senator, I try to speak for you. One way I do that is by filing
legislation which reflects our priorities. Yesterday, I filed eighteen
(18) bills. See them at
leg1.state.va.us. The bills fit my goals for the
2009 session. Here they are:
1.
Jobs, jobs, jobs: Our #1 priority in Richmond is creating new jobs
to jump-start our flat economy. Every job and every business has value,
but some sectors are critical due to recent events. For example, we
must position Virginia to maximize Federal research grants
from the new administration, as well as nurture "next
generation" industries for long-term growth. The energy and
environment sectors will create jobs if we make Virginia a friendly
climate. Therefore, I am sponsoring
SB 1124 and
SB 1125
which establish state tax credits for clean energy production and creation
of "green jobs" in Virginia. Passage of these bills will cost
us very little money now but will show that Virginia is open for business in
the 21st century.
2.
Efficiency: No amount of investment will succeed if our state
continues its wasteful ways, particularly in energy usage. This is not
just an environmental issue; it also causes higher taxes and electric
bills for working people. To curb this trend, I have three
specific proposals.
SB 1126 sets a target for our utilities
to reduce per capita energy consumption for all Virginians to 90% of
current usage by 2022.
SB1127 requires the state to (i) construct
new buildings according to LEED standards, and (ii) purchase 20% of their
energy from renewable sources. It also streamlines our procurement by
permitting the Governor to contract directly with energy-saving auditors to
save us money.
SB 1128 enables geothermal technology to come
to market so homeowners have a lower-cost heating option. All these bills
will save us in the long term.
3.
Transparency: There is not enough public knowledge about the state
budget. We need to treat our citizens like shareholders who are due an
annual report of their investment. Therefore, I am co-sponsoring a
bipartisan bill
SB 936 to put all state expenditures on-line
for easy viewing and research. I am also sponsoring a companion bill
SB 1129
to permit local governments to do the same.
4.
Elder Care: The Governor has proposed a drastic cut in Medicaid
which is a life-line for frail and elderly Virginians that cannot afford
private nursing care. That's one way to balance the budget. Here's
another way: my
SB 1133 takes the estate tax, which is on a hiatus until
2011 in Virginia, and brings it back for estates over $5 million, exempting
farms and small businesses.
The resulting revenue is nearly $100
million, which can be doubled with Federal matching funds. That money
can restore these programs and ensure that our parents and grandparents
live the last years in the dignity they deserve. Having seen my
Grandmother's last years and the struggle we've had with my mother-in-law
since her stroke, I feel strongly about these programs and our duty to
restore them.
5.
Sentencing Reform: Governor Kaine has accurately focused on the
long-term cost of incarceration in Virginia. Criminals need to be
punished, but the punishment should be proportional. Right now, our
prison costs are too high -- among the highest in the U.S. -- and our
budget can't sustain it. My
SB 1136 seeks to update our
sentencing laws, while my
SB 1135 requires our Parole Board to
actually consider the applications before they reject them for pre-1994
felons. Again, I'm not advocating anyone's release. But let's give
the system some flexibility and thus save taxpayer money.
6.
Transportation: Transportation is and remains the paramount issue
north of the Rappahannock River. With the economy lagging and our
Transportation Trust Fund depleted, it is harder to achieve a consensus on new
state projects. That may change rapidly depending on a Federal
stimulus package. Regardless, I will be cosponsoring two
bills -- not yet numbered -- which shift funds for new state projects in
northern Virginia and also adjust our gas tax collection to create more revenue,
without actually raising taxes. I am also sponsoring
SB 1137
which clarifies which NoVA localities can supplement their
own transportation budget with taxes collected locally.
So
that's where we begin from. I am neither predicting success nor failure
on these efforts. But they will part of the legislative mix once the
gavel falls....
Thank
you to everyone who came to my Business Leaders' Breakfast in Tysons
Corner on January 9th. We had nearly 100 attendees and a very good
exchange of ideas. Many thanks to the indefatigable Jenn
Robinson, my community relations coordinator, who organized the event and put
together the program.
On
Saturday, January 24th, I will have two town halls: at Fairfax City Hall
(10:00 am) with Delegate David Bulova and at Vienna Town Hall (1:00 pm)
with Delegate Steve Shannon. Please come and share your comments and
questions. All are welcome.
In
the meantime, please feel free to contact us in Richmond at (804) 698-7534
or by email at kathy@fairfaxsenator.com.
You can also check my website www.fairfaxsenator.com or make comments (pro or con
welcome) on my Assembly blog www.oxroadsouth.com.
Let
us know how we can represent you better.
Sincerely,
Chap Petersen
Visit us at
www.fairfaxsenator.com.
