Dear Friends, Virginians, citizens of Fairfax:

The circus is here in Richmond.  No seriously.
 
Just across Broad Street at the Richmond Coliseum, the entertainers from Ringling Brothers have set up shop and are parading around elephants, clowns, and beautiful women shot out of a cannon. 
 
Meanwhile, the General Assembly does its own high-wire act.
 
Over the past year, we have wrestled with our state budget while revenues spiraled downward.  The latest economic numbers from January 2009 showed the largest decline in retail sales and withholding taxes since Virginia starting keeping these statistics.
 
Faced with that reality, the Governor initially recommended an unprecedented $400M reduction in funding for local school divisions, along with a companion reduction of $400M for Medicaid providers which include our doctors, hospitals and nursing homes.  This is on top of cuts we made in 2008.  Thousands of jobs, along with the care of our elderly and children, were at risk. 
 
Then, like a trapeze performer who grabs the swinging bar, the Senate grabbed a hold of the Federal stimulus package.
 
On Wednesday, February 18, the Senate laid out its own budget which used the new Federal funds to restore funding to the 2008 levels in K-12 education and most basic health services.   This budget passed 36-4 with strong bipartisan support.  I voted "yes." 
 
This restoration does not include any new programs.  In fact, it continues many of our agency reductions.  Nor is it a "long term" fix of any means.  Rather its purpose is to keep Virginia's economy and institutions stable in this time of uncertainty.
 
There is room for thoughtful criticism of the stimulus package.  Let it happen.  But one thing is certain to me -- we will not reject Federal help to Virginia to prove an abstract political point.  Our job in Richmond is to look out for the welfare of Virginia and keep our citizens working.  We cannot afford to keep losing jobs.
 
I believe the Senate budget keeps Virginia working. 
 
JCP Notes:  A few notable events in Richmond this week.  First, the Assembly has passed SB 1105 which bans smoking in public restaurants except under limited circumstances.  The vote was 27-13.  I voted "yes."   
 
Second, my proposed constitutional amendment (SJ 332) to permit tax exemptions for "green buildings" passed House Committee this morning and will get a final floor vote next week.  If it passes, I will bring it back in 2010 for a second Assembly passage and then it will go to the statewide voters. 
 
Third, the State Senate defeated the House in our annual basketball game to benefit the VCU Massey Cancer Center.  I played guard for "the Senators," whose team did include a couple of ringers.  In a twist of fate, I had no basketball shoes in Richmond so the Governor let me borrow his.  Perhaps relatedly, I threw up some truly awful shots during the game but, hey, we won.
 
My Chief of Staff Kathy Neilson and I will be returning to Fairfax in early March when the legislature adjourns sine die.  Til then, you can contact us in Richmond at (804) 698-7534 or www.fairfaxsenator.com.  Or you can make positive or negative comments at my Assembly blog www.oxroadsouth.com. 
 
Let us know how we can represent you better.

Sincerely,

Chap Petersen