Dear Friends, Neighbors, and citizens of Fairfax:
We are entering the last week of the 2010 session. The principal remaining issue between the House and Senate remains the state budget, where the two parties -- as described last week -- are widely apart.
So far, I'm excited to have several major bills pass the Senate and House including SB 110 (the "clean energy" local financing bill), SB 112 (the SAVE Act for natural gas delivery), SB 116 (extending consumer protection laws to churches) and SB 712(authorizing a partnership with South Korea to create an overseas GMU campus).
However, sometimes your best value as a legislator is simply defending your constituents against certain proposals (e.g. the LCI freeze).
One such proposal occurred in HB 1300, which in its original form would have eliminated air quality protections currently enjoyed in northern Virginia. It's a complicated issue (which I detail here), but essentially its passage would have opened the door for more air pollution in the worst air quality area in the Commonwealth.
On March 3rd, with a bipartisan coalition, I was able to amend the bill on the Senate floor to keep the existing air quality protections for northern Virginia legally intact. The vote was 21-19. That was a satisfying moment.
Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.
JCP Notes: We are here until March 13, assuming that a final budget agreement is reached. Until then, you can reach us by phone at (804) 698-7534 or by email at kathy@fairfaxsenator.com. Finally, please check my Assembly blog (or "virtual town hall") at www.oxroadsouth.com. Feel free to leave comments, either positive or negative. The continued feedback is important.
Finally -- Today is the 5th birthday of my son Thomas. The morning of his birth I was speaking to the Democratic Committee in Hanover County. It was a critical point in Lt. Governor nomination contest. I made it back from Ashland just in time to see our "big boy" (10 lbs. 10 oz.) born. I lost the race three months later, but I'll always remember March 5th, 2005 as a great day. Happy birthday Thomas!
Let us know how we can represent you better.
Sincerely,
Chap Petersen
