Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

Today, the Health Care Freedom Act passed by an 8-7 vote in the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee.  The Act was contained in three identical bills: SB 311 (Martin), SB 283 (Quayle), and SB 417 (Vogel).

See the release below issued by RPV:

Three identical bills put forward by Sens. Jill Holtzman Vogel, R-Upperville, Sen. Stephen Martin, R-Chesterfield , and Sen. Fred Quayle, R-Suffolk were all voted out of the Democrat-controlled Committee on Commerce and Labor with a bi-partisan majority.

The bills, which you can see at this link to Senate Bill 417, hold that no resident of the Commonwealth will be required to purchase health insurance. A personal mandate is a major part of the Democratic plans being negotiated on Capitol Hill right now.

The bills passed on 8-7 votes, with Democratic Sens. Phil Puckett, D-Russell County, and Chuck Colgan, D-Prince William County, voting with the Republicans. Just last week, Democrats increased their majority on that panel to two seats, making it all the more unlikely that any Republican legislation would be voted out to the Senate floor.

Krystal Slivinski over at the Tertium Quids blog has a pretty good blow-by-blow account of what happened.

All three patrons said they were pleased with the remarkable display of bipartisanship.

“This is an important piece of legislation because it demonstrates that Virginia remains committed to individual rights and freedoms,” said Sen. Fred Quayle, R-Suffolk.  “There are limits to what government can force on citizens and requiring them to maintain health insurance crosses that line.  With the bipartisan show of support the bill received today, I am confident that it will succeed going forward.”

"[Republicans and Democrats on the committee] were willing to pass a bill that is responding to the overwhelming tide of people who are filling our offices to talk about not state legislation, but federal legislation," said Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, R-Upperville. "Anyone will concede that health care has issues. Health care is broken. This really comes down to Federalism, and honoring that there are some issues best left to the states."

“Across party lines, the Senate showed today that Virginians will not stand for any federal mandate to purchase health insurance,” said Sen. Steve Martin, R-Chesterfield.  “Voters are sending messages in elections across the country that they do not want these government mandates.  I am pleased to see that Virginia legislators are heeding the message, as today’s vote clearly demonstrates.”

Bottom line:

If an effort to stop the Democratic effort to take over health care can pass out of Majority Leader Dick Saslaw's committee — with enough crossover votes for passage in the full Senate —just how unpopular is this thing with the people back home?

Wednesday night's State of the Commonwealth address was filled mostly with accolades and expressions of thanks. Very little policy was discussed. Accolades included our reputation as a very well run state. We are proud of these recognitions and they are many. We have led and kept our economy stronger then most states throughout the years with sound fiscal policy. Presently, the jobless rate and inflation outpacing income are the greater problems. Accordingly, we need to focus on that which creates jobs and leaves money in taxpayers’ pockets for paying the household bills. 

One of the outgoing governor's more notable remarks was, "The largest obstacle to solving our transportation needs is a philosophy, espoused by some, that it is always wrong to raise taxes or fees." So, the philosophy that, 'it is better to raise taxes than moderate spending' is not the larger problem? Now the greater obstacle is revealed. It is found in the mistaken belief that whatever we need can be found in your pocket. 

In this session alone we have to resolve a budget discrepancy that has us spending $4 billion more then we should expect to bring in. We will not be raising taxes to close that gap, so get ready for spending reductions. We have to get the budget to position on structural soundness which cannot be done without making the tough choices. 

I anticipate, however that the Democrat controlled Senate Finance Committee will oppose efforts to right size our states budget to establish a more stable structural balance. The Senate has historically always followed the Finance Committee's lead. It is most likely to prefer the tax and fee increases included in the departing governor's budget. 

Fortunately, our incoming Governor, Bob McDonnell, the House majority and the Senate minority will resist such efforts and insist on sound though painful reductions in spending. We are going to be focusing on job creation and reducing government’s size, it's spending and intrusion into your lives. Businesses must be able to be profitable for employment and income to increase. Accordingly, taxes and regulatory intrusion have to be abated. 

I have been increasingly concerned about the integrity of our electoral system. Our election laws leave opportunities for voter fraud that must be closed off. I think all would agree that we want voter will properly reflected in the electoral process. All eligible voters should be encouraged to vote once and in the proper precinct, district, locality and state. But, opportunity for people to vote as others and in multiple precincts must be removed. True identification requirements must be enforced along with other protections. Accordingly, in this session, I have about twenty amendments I am offering to our election law. We have to assure the process' integrity to have confidence in those elected to represent us. 

I am honored to be serving on the Inaugural Committee and having worked on Governor-elect, Bob McDonnell's transition efforts in Health and Human Services. He will be sworn in Saturday, marking the beginning of his term of office. One of the first united efforts you will see from his administration has already been announced. Governor McDonnell, LG Bill Bolling, AG Ken Cuccinelli, the House Majority along with a minority in the Senate fully intends to protect Virginia citizens from any federal requirement to purchase health insurance as a condition of citizenship and residency. 

Additional early focuses will include, job creation, government right sizing and expansion of educational choice and opportunity. 

Thank you for the privilege of serving. I look forward to hearing from you and communicating with you in the weeks ahead. 

Born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, June 15, 1956; educated at Lynchburg Christian Academy; CLU, Insurance Consultant and Securities Dealer; Principal in Martin Financial; member: Swift Creek Baptist Church; Member of House of Delegates: 1988-94.Member of Senate: 1994-.

Contact Information:

Mailing:
P.O. Box 700
Chesterfield, VA 23832

Phone: (804) 790-0127
Fax: (804) 790-1172

Email:
martindistrict@comcast.net

Website:

Visit His Website

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Steve Martin, Fred Quayle, and Jill Vogel
  • GOP Senators Target Health Care – pharmcistselink.com - State Senate Republicans fired their first shot against a federal health care overhaul Monday, getting a key committee's support for legislation declaring that Virginia residents cannot be forced to buy health insurance.

• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Seat Belt Bills Passed by Senate – The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot - The passionate advocacy of Chesapeake Republican Sen. Harry Blevins helped propel out of the Senate on Wednesday his bill to make non-use of seat belts a primary offense.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • CCCA’s future uncertain – Staunton News Leader - It's déjà vu for the scores of employees, patients and mental health advocates waiting to learn the fate of the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.

• Senator Robert Hurt
  • NAACP head to meet with officials on inmate transfer issue – Danville Register Bee - The head of the Pittsylvania County branch of the NAACP will meet with officials from the Virginia Department of Corrections in Chatham next week to discuss the transfer of 1,000 prisoners from Pennsylvania to Green Rock Correctional Center outside Chatham.

• Senator Steve Newman
  • Newman Takes New Step to Block Soering Transfer – The Lynchburg News & Advance ­- Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, is asking the General Assembly to pass a resolution opposing the transfer of convicted murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
  • Committees Certify Bedford Judge – The Lynchburg News & Advance - After some consultation with Del. Lacey Putney and Sen. Steve Newman, two General Assembly committees certified Louis Harrison on Wednesday to be judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Bedford.
  • Panel Hears Testimony on Speed Limit Bill – The Roanoke Times - One small piece of Gov. Bob McDonnell's legislative program is advancing through the General Assembly -- one that will appeal to motorists in a hurry.

• Senator Tommy Norment
  • VA Senate passes bill strengthening seat-belt law – Washington Post “Get There” Blog - The Virginia Senate has passed a bill to allow police to pull over and ticket drivers for not wearing a seat belt.

• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Senate Committee Vote Kills Obenshain’s Voter ID Bill – whsv.com - On Wednesday, Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) questioned the partisan effort of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections to act to ensure the continued integrity of the electoral process in Virginia.

• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Virginia may not want OLF, either – This Old State Blog - It's beginning to look as though legislators in the Commonwealth of Virginia may also take action to oppose the Navy's plans to put a practice jet landing field (the much-maligned Outlying Landing Field that many North Carolinians fought so hard in recent years) in the tidewater area of Virginia.
  • Va. Senate backs tougher seat belt law – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Senators also passed a key piece of legislation that could offer an alternative to localities desperate to raise additional revenues amid reduced funding from the state budget.

• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Sheriffs: Restore Cuts in Budget – The Free Lance-Star - Fewer sheriff's deputies in jails and courts, slower emergency response times, elimination of school drug programs, and limited response to traffic accidents could all be a reality under state budget cuts to law enforcement, sheriffs and police chiefs said yesterday.

• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Va. officials upset by report that feds will delay sale of offshore oil leases – The Virginian-Pilot - Some Virginia politicians reacted with dismay Wednesday to reports that the federal Department of the Interior plans to delay drilling off the commonwealth’s coastline for at least a year.

• Senator William Wampler
  • APCo Hit on Rates – Martinsville Bulletin - Some state legislators told the president of Appalachian Power Co. on Wednesday that if the company doesn’t voluntarily reduce the economic hardships caused by its rate increases, “we have no choice but to act,” according to Del. Ward Armstrong, the House minority leader.
  • Delegate Joe Johnson Says BVU Legislation “On Track” – Bristol Herald Courier - Legislation to create an independent Bristol Virginia Utilities authority is “on track” in the General Assembly, Delegate Joe Johnson said Wednesday.

 Hello Friends,

Wth Governor McDonnell's theme of "Commonwealth of Opportunity," our top priority this session will be jobs and strengthening Virginia's economic position. This week I joined with Governor Bob McDonnell and the other Republican and Democrat Chief Patrons of his legislative package for a press conference. We are going to get some great things done on this front in the coming weeks.

Last year I sent a letter to DC in support of the pending application for drilling over fifty miles off shore. If Virginia's application is approved first (it is the only one pending) we will be well positioned to become the energy capital of the east coast. This is important both for economic and energy resource reasons. In addition, I have been and will continue to support efforts to get another nuclear power facility built and increase the use of clean burning coal found here in Virginia.

Governor McDonnell promised to veto any tax increases and I have already had and taken opportunities to vote "NO" to fee increases intended to replace previously proposed tax increases.

We have been rolling in this office with great legislative successes on your behalf. My Senate Bill 311, which is to protect Virginians from any federal mandate to purchase health insurance, is scheduled for final passage from the Senate Floor this coming Monday afternoon. If federal mandates are passed they would assert federal preemption resulting in a need for our Attorney General to defend our law in US Courts. We will see how that works out but thankfully we have a Lt. Governor who can break a tie if needed, a Governor to sign it and an Attorney General to defend it.

This morning my Senate Bill 59, requiring screening for and testing of probable drug users among our adult TANF recipients (welfare) was reported/passed from committee. It was sent to Finance Committee, creating another hurdle. The bill provides an opportunity for those testing positive to receive treatment offered through VIEW (the states' welfare to work program). If they choose not to do so they lose the benefit attributable to that adult. We provide these taxpayer funds to those in need in an effort to meet the need of some of our most vulnerable children. If it is being misspent in a manner that is harming those children further, we need to know and put a stop to it. I will continue to work towards this end.

At the Governors request I have introduced a bill to double the tax credit (from 15% to 30%) for the purchase of Long Term Care Insurance. For all concerned and the Commonwealth's budget we need to encourage the purchase of these plans.

Much of my legislative package this session relates to the integrity ofthe electoral process, 

making sure those who are eligible and want to vote are allowed to have their vote counted while also eliminating opportunities for fraud. I have had some great success that cannot be expanded on today but I look forward to reporting on it to you next week.

I have received hundreds of visitors in my office this week, done several radio interviews and two TV shows along with a tale-town hall meeting with 17,000 constituents so far this session. I look forward to hearing from you and receiving your input. If there are matters of importance to you, let me know. I want to make sure I consider them. Starting on Monday, Martin Luther King Day, there have been large crowds of visitors to the Capitol.

 I appreciate the opportunity to serve you and I urge you to contact my office with your comments or concerns. We can be reached at district11@senate.virginia.gov or call

804-698-7511.

 Steve Martin 

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Multiple
  • State senate defies health care reform – Roanoke Times - The Virginia Senate took a stand against a key provision of a proposed federal health care overhaul Monday, passing legislation declaring that state residents cannot be forced to buy health insurance.
  • News in Brief: February 2 – The Flat Hat – The Virginia General Assembly is considering a bill that would privatize the state’s government-owned liquor stores.
  • How the historic Senate vote on health care freedom happened – Family Foundation Blog - It’s not hyberbole to say this afternoon’s Senate vote was historic. The legislation it passed in three identically worded bills – SB 283, SB 311 and SB 417 – guarantees Virginians the right to freely choose their health care options irregardless of federal government mandates. It also asserts a notion long ignored but firmly ingrained in the U.S. Constitution. It also shows, from a political perspective, that there are Democrats who understand the small government movement isn’t limited to “swastika-wearing” thugs as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would have us believe.
  • Democrat-controlled VA Senate approves measure opposing federal health care reform mandate – AP - Five Democrats broke with their party Monday to endorse measures that would ban government health care mandates like the one being debated in Congress.
  • Five Democrats help pass proposals to outlaw mandated health insurance – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Breaking with their party and president, five Democrats yesterday helped push through the state Senate a Republican measure allowing Virginians to just say no to compulsory health insurance.
  • Five Democrats join Republicans in voting against mandated health insurance purchases – Washington Post Blog – The debate on the Senate floor today over three measures that would each prohibit requiring Virginians to purchase health-care insurance was vigorous. In the end, five Democrats joined 18 Republicans in supporting the measure.
• Sen. Jeff McWaters
  • Bills would let military members in uniform use HOV lanes – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot - Two local lawmakers are working to give military personnel unrestricted access to high-occupancy-vehicle lanes in Hampton Roads.
• Sen. Steve Newman
  • 70 mph speed limit bill gets early OKs – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot - Lead-foot drivers can start flexing their muscles. A proposal endorsed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to raise the speed limit on Virginia interstate highways to 70 mph won preliminary approval Monday in the House and Senate.
  • Infant homicide bill OK’d with changes – Danville Register & Bee - A bill that would allow infant deaths similar to one in Campbell County to be prosecuted as homicides emerged from its second round in a Senate subcommittee Monday.
• Sen. Tommy Norment
  • Bills on starting the school year earlier dealt blow – Richmond Times-Dispatch – For another year, it looks like high school students might punch a clock instead of boarding a school bus before Labor Day.
• Sen. Mark Obenshain
  • ABC Stores to Vanish? – Richmond.com - One of the issues Gov. Bob McDonnell used to woo November’s voters was the privatization of liquor sales in Virginia. A bill that would accomplish that very feat, Senate Bill 443, was offered on Jan. 13, 2010. On Jan. 22 it passed, 15-0, in the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee and was referred to the Finance Committee.
  • Ag changes eyed – Harrisonburg Daily News Record - Two Rockingham County legislators are pushing to make Virginia's agriculture department only responsible for farm issues, directing the other needs of consumers to the attorney general. Del. Matt Lohr, R-Broadway, and Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, say their effort not only will simplify state government, but will put the commonwealth in line with most other states.
• Sen. Fred Quayle
  • Conservative resistance to health reform infects state legislatures simultaneously – The Examiner - Conservative Republicans across the nation moved Monday to pass legislation which guarantees citizen's health insurance premiums will continue to skyrocket. In a coordinated move, designed to delay and defeat any federal action, Conservative state legislators in thirty states introduced bills which would exempt their constituents from any future federal mandate requiring all persons buy health insurance.
  • Bill would assist landing-field fight – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Lawmakers are considering legislation that could give residents of southeast Virginia a significant boost in their fight against the proposed construction of a Navy outlying landing field.

Senate Republicans cited preserving individual liberty, maintaining choice, and reinforcing the provisions of the constitution in speeches defending three bills concerning health insurance on Monday afternoon. SB 283, SB 311, and SB 417 all passed by a margin of 23-17, and each gained the support of five Democrats in a cross-partisan vote. Senators Fred Quayle, Stephen Martin, and Jill Vogel patroned these bills in response to health care legislation currently being debated in Congress. Although it does not attempt to solve the health care problem directly, their legislation would ensure that Virginians would not be required to purchase or maintain health care insurance.

If signed into law, residents of the state would “not be forced to purchase a product by virtue of being a citizen of these United States,” as Senator Martin explained. Senator Martin also emphasized that residents of the state would be able to make their own decisions about health insurance, rather than being forced into a contract and suffer a loss of individual liberty, which Senator Vogel asserted would be the case without the legislation in place. Majorities in Virginia and accross the country oppose a national health care mandate, and the passage of state legislation in the Senate has brought Virginians one step closer to maintaining their choice in matters of health insurance.

Senate Republicans cited preserving individual liberty, maintaining choice, and reinforcing the provisions of the constitution in speeches defending three bills concerning health insurance on Monday afternoon. SB 283, SB 311, and SB 417 all passed by a margin of 23-17, and each gained the support of five Democrats in a cross-partisan vote. Senators Fred Quayle, Stephen Martin, and Jill Vogel patroned these bills in response to health care legislation currently being debated in Congress. Although it does not attempt to solve the health care problem directly, their legislation would ensure that Virginians would not be required to purchase or maintain health care insurance.

If signed into law, residents of the state would “not be forced to purchase a product by virtue of being a citizen of these United States,” as Senator Martin explained. Senator Martin also emphasized that residents of the state would be able to make their own decisions about health insurance, rather than being forced into a contract and suffer a loss of individual liberty, which Senator Vogel asserted would be the case without the legislation in place. Majorities in Virginia and accross the country oppose a national health care mandate, and the passage of state legislation in the Senate has brought Virginians one step closer to maintaining their choice in matters of health insurance.

We have all been dealing with severe weather conditions and poor road conditions for the past ten days. The Governor declared a state of emergency and the House of Delegates canceled their session on Friday. Consequently, the  and the Senate held a "pro-forma" session with just a couple of Senators in attendance.I was able to meet in my office that morning with representatives from the Pew Charitable Trust, The State Board of Elections, The Attorney General and Legislative Services. Even though the Richmond area escaped the worst of the storm many parts of the state are dealing with the remnants of historic snow amounts.
 
Of course the budget continues to be the biggest issue of the session. The Governor is meeting with leadership of both houses of both parties to reach some agreement. His Finance team is working with House Appropriations and Senate Finance staff to help them identify budget priorities and potential savings and cuts. With such massive cuts facing us one person cannot do it alone and the Governor is working to involve everyone in the process in a deliberative and non-partisan nature.
 
At this point in the budgeting process it is up to the General Assembly to make the necessary cuts to balance this budget. We are seeing no leadership coming from the Senate majority (Democratic), who have stacked the Finance Committee substantially in their favor. They want to be spared making the hard choices so they are criticizing the Governor for not doing it for them. Of course, if he attempted to weigh in more aggressively, making the cuts that if he had made they would criticize him for whatever he recommended making.
 
One of the more controversial bills of this session passed the Senate last week. The Healthcare Freedom Act bill  SB311, Martin was passed by a 23-17 vote when five Democrats joined all Republicans. Virginia is on track to become the first state in the nation to pass such legislation.
 
Virginia's Unemployment Trust Fund is at risk of insolvency by some measures. There are bills pending to address this concern. One measure I voted against today would have Virginia borrowing additional money from the federal government with the caveat that we increase certain eligibility that we have to pay for years to come. This would of course raise the unemployment insurance rate and The Chesterfield and Colonial Heights Chambers of Commerce opposed this legislation.  
 
As always, even in spite of the weather, we have had many groups visiting with us and sharing their viewpoints and opinions and we appreciate all their efforts. This past week we received representatives of teachers groups, nurses, unions, AARP, Jewish Advocacy groups, Catholic Advocacy groups, Virginia Tech students and representatives of the Corps of Cadets and students from John Tyler Community College and so many others.
 
We are now approaching Crossover (February 16th) when each house must complete work on their own bills and then move to review and vote on the bills from the other body. In addition both houses must make the necessary cuts and find the efficiencies that will balance the budget.

Please continue to let me know your thoughts and ideas.
 
Steve Martin
District11@senate.virginia.gov
804-698-7511

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Committee backs bill that would require Internet retailers to collect Va. sales tax – Richmond Times Dispatch - Legislation forcing Internet retailers — including such giants as Amazon—to collect Virginia sales taxes is headed to the state Senate.
  • Va. panel OKs bill to collect tax for online sales – Associated Press - A bill that would force online retailers to pay the same Virginia sales taxes as traditional stores advanced Wednesday from a Senate committee.
• Senator Steve Martin
  • Proposal for bipartisan redistricting panel advances – The Virginian Pilot - Bills that would establish a bipartisan commission to draw boundaries during next year's redistricting and relax the rules for military members voting by absentee ballot advanced out of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee Tuesday.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Bill would keep a physician on duty at CVTC – The News & Advance - A bill that would require a physician to be on duty at all times at Central Virginia Training Center won approval in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.  Sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, the bill meets a concern expressed by parents of residents at the training center, along with some staff members, who were worried that state spending cuts could eliminate a full-time doctor.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Look Ma, no hands – The Publishers Notebook Blog - …on the cell phone anyway, if the Virginia Senate gets its way.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Plans to sell state liquor stores pulled – Virginia Business - A bill to privatize ABC stores was dropped Tuesday by its sponor, Sen. Mark Obenshain of Harrisonburg.
  • Bill to sell ABC stores is withdrawn – fredericksburg.com - One of Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature campaign promises, the privatization of the state-owned liquor stores, appears dead for this session.  Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, was carrying a bill to privatize the ABC stores, but told the Senate Finance committee yesterday that he didn't expect them to pass it.
  • General Assembly notebook: Privatized liquor? Not this time – The Roanoke Times - Legislation that would privatize Virginia's state-run liquor stores won't pass during this General Assembly session, but the bill's sponsor and Gov. Bob McDonnell remain committed to a concept that is critical to the new governor's transportation funding strategy.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Quayle champions children’s safety – Suffolk News-Herald - With summer rapidly approaching, it comes to mind that many children once again will be spending those long, hot days with their families out on the Nansemond or the James rivers, or on any one of Suffolk’s treasured lakes.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Va. Senate favors accepting stimulus jobless funds – Richmond Times Dispatch - Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates will have a second chance to grab the $125 million in federal stimulus funds for unemployment insurance they left on the table last year.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Emmett Hanger, Jr., and Stephen Martin
  • Virginia Greenlights Tax Credits For Environmental Jobs – ipolitics.com - The Virginia Senate just passed Senate Bill 623, providing a $500 tax credit to businesses that create green jobs. Businesses will be eligible to claim the credit for the next 5 years for up to 350 new green jobs.
  • Virginia Senate OKs tax credit to create green jobs – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia senators unanimously approved a bill yesterday that would provide a tax credit to businesses that create green jobs.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Online sales in Virginia could face sales tax – Daily Press - The state Senate Finance Committee agreed that the state should get a piece of the online shopping pie.
  • Concealed Weapons Bill Jumps Major Hurdle – WTVR.com - Gun rights advocates have long fought for the right to carry concealed weapons into bars and restaurants. Governor Kaine single-handedly stuffed the measure in the past, rejecting the bill twice.
• Senator Jeffrey McWaters
  • The states go marching in – Pesky Emotional Republican - While health reform switches to the slow track in Washington, states are moving full-steam ahead on the issue, with more than half of them seeking to pre-empt any proposed federal health reform mandates, such as requiring residents to purchase health insurance.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Legislation seeks to help students succeed – Gainesville Times - Gov. Bob McDonnell says charter schools, online educational programs and college partnerships can boost the performance of Virginia’s public school students – especially those at risk or in underperforming districts.
  • Measure opposing Soering transfer moves ahead – GoDanRiver.com - A resolution urging the federal government to leave convicted murderer Jens Soering in a Virginia prison instead of transferring him to Germany was approved by a Senate committee Friday, but only after two new items of information were disclosed.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • O! Say Can You See? – The General Assembly Grapevine - “The most transparent administration in our nation’s history” says it is about to engage in “unprecedented” televised negotiations over health care reform.  Remember how candidate Obama promised C-SPAN would be there for it all? Well, how brightly is the sun shining in Richmond on state government these days?
  • Gloucester '40' stood up for citizen's rights, honored as Daily Press Citizens of the Year – Daily Press - A constitutional right is the muscle of democracy — stronger, healthier for being exercised.
  • OUR VIEW: Cell phone ban: Now hear this – SWVAToday.com - Talk is cheap and possibly dangerous – at least so say some Virginia senators who passed a bill on Monday that would keep motorists from using their cell phones unless they had a “hands-free” device.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Senate panel defeats death penalty expansion – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Senate Courts of Justice Committee this morning voted down a bill that sought to expand eligibility for the death penalty.
  • Privatization in VA: Not as easy as ABC – The Business Art - As I wrote back in November at the Objective Standard’s blog (my colleague Ivan Osorio also wrote about the topic here), Virginia’s new governor Bob McDonnell showed a very promising inclination toward free markets and privatization, though his rhetoric on the subject may have left something to be desired. Specifically, he floated the idea of privatizing the 300+ state-run liquor stores in order to pay for his transportation plan.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Legislators, advocates rally for child safety online –The Commonwealth Times - Legislators and child safety advocates rallied at the Capitol Wednesday seeking funding for programs that protect children from online predators.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • Senate committee OKs recognition of tribes – fredericksburg.com - A Senate committee yesterday passed three resolutions granting state recognition to Indian tribes, despite protests from members of the Virginia Council on Indians, which said the state was undermining the very process for which it established the council.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Bill to help Roanoke Co. Police with Regional Jail killed in State Senate – WSLS - A State Senate committee killed a bill sponsored by Roanoke County State Senator Ralph Smith (R-22nd) on Friday, that would have allowed jail officers with the same training as sheriff deputies to perform some of the same legal functions.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • OBAMACARE NULLIFICATION: VIRGINIA HEALTHCARE FREEDOM ACT – The PPJ Gazette - The Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act Wins in Both Houses. Twenty-four hundred citizen grassroots activists made their voices heard at the state capitol bell tower on January 18th and the Virginia legislature listened.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Deficit-driven budget battle continues in Richmond – Times News - Legislation that would adversely impact the coal surface mining industry will likely get stripped of any traction in the Virginia General Assembly, utilities may soon have to pay consumers back all of their interim rate increases, and the deficit-driven budget battle continues in Richmond, state Delegate Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, reported on Friday.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Bills would shift fee collection to retailers – The Free Lance-Star - If you use prepaid cell phones, you may soon see a change in the fee charged for E-911 services.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Emmett Hanger, Jr. and Steve Martin
  • Va. Senate OKs sales tax bill for online retailers – Associated Press - A bill that would require global online shopping giants such as Amazon to start collecting and paying Virginia sales taxes won easy Senate passage Tuesday.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Senate OKs 'Amazon' Sales Tax Bill – The Associated Press - Virginia's Senate has approved a bill that would require global online shopping giants such as Amazon to start collecting state sales taxes.
  •  ‘Amazon’ sales tax collection bill clears Senate – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Legislation requiring online retailers to collect Virginia's 4.5 percent sales tax -- the so-called "Amazon Bill" -- easily cleared the Virginia Senate this morning and is headed to the House of Delegates, where opponents hope it falls prey to that chamber's hostility to taxes.
  • Virginia lawmakers aim to loosen firearm restrictions – The Washington Post - A little more than a year ago, Virginia gun owners joined millions of Americans who began stockpiling weapons for fear that Barack Obama would win the White House and push for new gun controls.
  • Save the CCCA - for the kids – Augusta Free Press - God forbid, next winter I slip on the ice, bang my head, and sustain major injury. Our rescue squad right away gets me to Stonewall Jackson Hospital which provides immediate initial care. But the damage is too great for SJH to handle.
• Senator Jeffrey McWaters
  • Bills would move military on HOV lanes – WVEC.com - State lawmakers are considering a bill to let active duty military use the HOV lanes to and from the bases, no matter how many people are in their vehicles.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Bill to prosecute mothers in infant deaths advances – The Lynchburg News & Advance - The House of Delegates gave second-reading approval Monday to a bill, sponsored by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County, that would allow prosecution if someone kills an infant while its umbilical cord and placenta are still attached to the mother.
  • Talk of Charter Schools Raises Questions, Criticism – ABC 13 - Governor Bob McDonnell's proposal to bring more charter schools to Virginia is drawing criticism from area educators.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • VIRGINIA SENATE CONSIDERS “HISTORICAL RACING” BILL – Virginia Thoroughbred Blog - The Virginia Senate will consider a bill to allow historical racing, or Instant Racing as it is known at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.
  • Death penalty expansion had momentum but now lost in limbo... – The Shad Plank - For years Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was the only one standing between the General Assembly and a broader death penalty for Virginia criminals.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Senate panel votes against repealing ‘triggerman rule’ – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Senate Courts of Justice Committee yesterday defeated a bill it had approved in previous years that would expand eligibility for the death penalty.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Watered-down ethics bill heads to Va. House – The Washington Examiner - A significantly watered-down bill to prevent companies from filling campaign coffers while seeking major state contracts passed unanimously in Virginia's Senate on Monday.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Court fee bill to help funding for sheriffs – fredericksburg.com - The Senate yesterday passed a bill that significantly raises civil court filing fees, an effort to mitigate the effect of state budget cuts on sheriff's departments.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Editorial: Time for Civil Redistricting – McLean Connection - The U.S. Census is underway, an every-10-year process that attempts to count every single person in the United States at their home address. From the results of the count come a nearly infinite number of critical decisions.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr. 
  • VA Lawmakers and Residents Speak Out Against Anti-Coal Legislation – Federation for American Coal Energy and Security - Virginia lawmakers and residents vocally opposed the so-called Stream Saver Bill (Virginia SB564) at a committee hearing in Richmond.

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The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Multiple Senators
  • Senate votes for speed limit, handgun bills – The Virginian-Pilot - Bills that would boost speed limits on some Virginia highways, allow handgun owners to lock weapons in their cars and permit those with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into restaurants each gained approval in Virginia's Senate on Tuesday.
• Senators Ryan McDougle and Senator Stephen Martin
  • Panel delays anti-gang bill – Star-Tribune - of a bill to increase the penalty for the use of e-mail, text messages or other electronic transmissions by criminal street gangs.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • More school cuts loom – NewsVirginian.com - Area schools superintendents were digesting news Wednesday of Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s proposed $731 million in additional cuts to K-12 education for the next two years, but said the news from McDonnell can’t be positive.
  • ‘Amazon’ bill headed to the House – Richmond BizSense - Amazon has a history of avoiding state sales taxes, and Virginia’s online
    sales tax bill is something they’ve seen before.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Senate OK’s bill against infanticide – Gainesville Times - In December, a Campbell County woman ended the life of her newborn baby by suffocation. Because the baby’s umbilical cord had not yet been cut or the placenta detached, the woman has not faced any criminal charges or other legal consequences.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Dealing with Guns and Drugs – Richmond.com - This year’s General Assembly session, convened on Jan. 13, is a budget year session. Meaning that, according to schedule, it will run two months. A total of 2,640 bills have been presented for consideration this year.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Lawmakers divided on furlough proposal for state workers – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Lawmakers are divided over Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposal to save state jobs by forcing those who have them to take 10 days of unpaid vacation over the next two years.

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Senator Martin's Legislative Update

February 25, 2010

The following is the Finance Committee Chairman's overview remarks concerning the amendments the Committee adopted to former Governor Kaine's budget bills (SB29 and SB30). The Senate will be voting on these bills today. I will be comminicating further with you on this and other matters over the next two days.  

Senate Finance Committee Recommendations on SB 29 and SB 30
Senator Charles J. Colgan
February 21, 2010 

Before we begin, I want to thank the members of the Committee for their work this year. As I said at the first committee meeting of the year, our task this session has been to make sure, at the end of the day, that we have made the best choices among what is a series of painful, difficult decisions. I can tell you that the budget before you is a result of healthy, strenuous debate about those choices.

The subcommittee reports that you will hear today reflect the varying priorities and concerns of the members of the Senate, and the diverse regions which they represent. This Committee has put in long, hard hours to achieve two central goals - first, to minimize the negative impact of budget cuts on jobs in the Commonwealth. We can't return to prosperity unless we keep people working.

Our second goal was to minimize the negative impact of this budget on services that we provide for children and our most vulnerable citizens. The subcommittee reports that you will hear this afternoon achieve those goals. As you know, we are dealing with an unprecedented budget shortfall that exceeds $4.5 billion. Last December, Governor Kaine presented us with a balanced budget to address this shortfall. To avoid making deeper cuts in core services, he proposed eliminating state funding for the car tax relief program. After much deliberation, we concluded that now was not the right time to eliminate this aid to our local communities.

But this choice was not without consequence. It left us with a gap of $2.0 billion to close, which is no easy task, especially when we are looking at spending cuts on top of those in the budget as introduced, and on top of what we have already had to cut the last two years.

The proposed budget before you closes this gap, but in a way that attempts to minimize further impact on our core services, and reduce further job loss. To do this, our budget employs the strategy recommended by Governor McDonnell related to employee retirement funding. For two years, we would pay less than the expected contribution rate to the Virginia Retirement System for state employees and teachers. This action results in two-year savings to the state of over $500 million, plus savings to local governments of another $500 million.

We did not make this decision lightly. The Senate has long worked toward full-funding of the board-approved VRS rate recommendation. However, we weighed this short-term action against the longer term damage and
job losses that would occur from further reductions to our core services. We believe that with prudent management of our debt and changes to the long term cost of our retirement programs, this action alone will not tarnish our reputation with Wall Street. This funding strategy, combined with a boost in resources from examining revenue sources and user fees, helped minimize the additional cuts we would need to make to core services in order to balance our budget. In public education, the net reduction is $133 million for the biennium – a figure considerably lower than the $730 million figure we heard last week. A key feature of our public education recommendations is how we handled the Composite Index of Local Ability-to-Pay (known by many as the "LCI"). The introduced budget "froze" this factor for FY 2011, much to the consternation of the Northern Virginia localities. When Governor McDonnell proposed unfreezing it - with NO "hold harmless" component -- we heard from other areas of the state. To alleviate some of the unprecedented stress on local budgeting, we recommend unfreezing the LCI in FY 2011 and providing a full hold harmless for all school divisions in both years of the biennium. We were also able to moderate our reductions to health and human
services programs. The proposed budget for HHR restores funding for Virginia's free clinics, community health centers and the Virginia Health Care Foundation to preserve access to health care and dental services. Finally, the budget identifies a number of reductions to provider rates and eligibility that will not go into effect if Congress passes a six-month extension of enhanced Medicaid funding.

Our recommendations with regard to the Compensation Board will have considerable impact on localities across the Commonwealth. Proposed budget cuts to the local officers would have resulted in the layoff of over 500 local employees. Most of these would have been deputy sheriffs, who protect the lives and property of our citizens every day. Many others would have been from those who staff our Circuit Courts and prosecute criminal offenses - further weakening public safety. Layoffs among employees of the three local financial officers funded by the Compensation Board would weaken local finances at a critical time. For these reasons, we recommend a net restoration of $182.3 million for support of locally elected constitutional officers, and $20 million in support of local police. For our public colleges and universities, we recommend no additional
reductions in FY 2012. And, we recommend restoring the $18.8 million in auxiliary balance reversions proposed in SB 30. We rely on these institutions for workforce training and to produce the teachers, engineers, and entrepreneurs that stimulate Virginia's vibrant economy.

I should also note that our budget includes $72 million in economic development incentives designed to help stimulate our economy and lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs. The Senate has passed a total of fourteen economic development bills, ranging from green jobs tax credits to major business incentives that will attract new businesses to the Commonwealth and spur the creation of new job opportunities.

Finally, we are pleased to endorse the proposal of a 3 percent bonus for our hard-working state employees.

In conclusion, I have observed a great deal over my 35 years in office. While this economy presents huge challenges, we may be beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Commonwealth and its leaders demonstrate every day that we can deal with adversity. I am confident we will meet the current challenge, working together in the Commonwealth's best interest. Before we turn to the subcommittee reports, I want to again thank each member of this Committee for the outstanding job that you have done in bringing together our budget recommendations, especially in this challenging environment.

Please contact my office with your comments and concerns. 

Sincerely, 

Steve Martin

804-698-7511