Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

With the 2010 General Assembly session upon us, I thought that it would be beneficial to provide you with a brief update on the overarching theme of the session, the budget.  With a $4.2 billion dollar shortfall to make up, the budget will be at the forefront of all debate.  Prior to his departure, Governor Tim Kaine introduced his budget that includes the caboose bill amending the FY 2010 budget and the new biennial budget for FYs 2011-2012.

Governor Kaine's proposals include a combination of spending reductions and revenue enhancements that have caused widespread concern.  The most notable and controversial of his proposals is the repeal of the car tax and a subsequent one percent increase in the state income tax.

Last night, in his State of the Commonwealth Address, newly inaugurated Governor Bob McDonnell made it clear that the legislature faces an unprecedented fiscal challenge, but through innovation and investments in economic development, workforce training, and transportation, we will be able to lead Virginia through these challenging times.  The Governor noted there will be reductions, consolidations and the possible elimination of state agencies and non-core services to close the shortfall.  The Governor stressed that we cannot turn around our economy by taxing Virginians more; and that he will veto any bill or budget that raises taxes.

I have provided a brief summary of legislative action that is included in Governor Kaine's budget proposal, since this will be the starting point for the budget debate.  A more detailed summary of Governor Kaine's budget can be found at:  Kaine Budget.

Clearly, much of Kaine's budget will be changed throughout the legislative process.  However, further cuts are inevitable and we must find productive and creative ways to cut costs while attempting to preserve those core services that make Virginia the best state in which to live, work and raise a family.  I look forward to working with Governor McDonnell to find solutions to make up the shortfall and preserve our quality of life.

Summary of Introduced Budget

Spending Reductions:

Ø  K-12 Education

o   Reduced funding for administrative and support staff in schools and central offices based on a funding ratio for such positions

o   Provides funds to localities for employee health insurance based on the number of employees insured - not the total number of employees as is current practices

o   Delays scheduled change in composite index of local ability to pay for one year. 

Ø  Higher Education

o   Further cuts proposed

o   Proposes that reductions to two-year schools be smaller than those to four year schools

o   No cuts to financial aid

Ø  Public Safety

o   Local sheriffs' departments with law enforcement responsibility and police departments will face 20% cuts

o   Commonwealths' Attorney's and Clerk's offices will face over 16% cuts

o   Postpones two new trooper schools in biennium

Ø  Health Care

o   Medicaid reductions of $419 million that limit Medicaid services to individuals and reimbursements to health care providers

o   Temporary freezing of certain waiver programs to include those for intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, day support, elderly and disabled, and Alzheimer's

o   Reduction or elimination of some Medicaid services in FY 2012 including physical, occupational, and speech therapy and lower caps on the hours of respite care for the needy

o   Cuts to non-state partners including free clinics and the Virginia Health Care Foundation

Ø  State Employees

o   664 layoffs and elimination of 1,879 vacant positions on top of layoffs and eliminations already announced

o   No pay raises in 2011 or 2012; no additional furlough days

o   VRS contributions

§  Commonwealth currently pays entire employer and employee share of retirement contributions

§  Propose that all state employees pay 1% of their salary as their share of VRS contributions in FY 2011

§  Increases to 2% of salary in FY 2012 and beyond

§  Retirement age for newly hired state and local employees increases from 50 to 55

Ø  Transportation

o   Continued cuts at VDOT to reduce staff and streamline

o   CTB 6-year plan focused on maintenance - not new construction

Ø  Local Government

o   In addition to those items already listed above that impact local governments, additional changes included

o   Commissioners of Revenue and Treasurers Offices will have funding responsibilities lie completely with local government - save for the salary of the Constitutional Officer

o   Language encourages localities to consolidate functions and seek savings

Revenue Enhancements

Ø  Car Tax

o   Discontinue the allocation of $950 million per year to localities for car tax relief - redirecting that money to other general fund purposes

o   Proposes legislation to completely eliminate car tax and impose a 1% "surcharge" on income taxes in Virginia with 100% of the revenue going to local governments in exchange for them agreeing to not impose a personal property tax

Ø  Dealer Discount

o   Eliminates Dealer Discount for retailers

o   Estimated to provide $120 million annually

Ø  Public Safety Fund Fee

o   Adds a 0.5% fee on property and casualty insurance premiums

o   Revenue deposited into Virginia Public Safety Fund - proposed to raise $22 million in FY 2011 and $44 million in FY 2012

o   Fund is used to pay for:

§  STARS maintenance and counter terrorism

§  Sheriff's offices for law enforcement and court security

§  599 funding

Ø  Line of Duty Program Fee

o   Provides a $0.18 fee increase for each line assessed the E-911 fee

o   Revenue to be deposited into the Line of Death and Health Benefits Trust Fund - proposed to raise $18.6 million in FY 2011 and $20.3 million in FY 2012

o   Fund used to pay for

§  Death and disability health benefits to beneficiaries and eligible dependents

§  Program's estimated $199.0 million unfunded liability

Ø  Recordation Fee

o   Provides a $10 fee increase on every deed on which recordation tax is applied

o   Revenue deposited in VA Natural Resources Commitment Fund and used for agricultural best management Practices cost-share program

Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Tommy Norment. 

Article Content

Born in Richmond, Virginia, April 12, 1946; educated at James Blair High School, Williamsburg, Va.; Virginia Military Institute (B.A.); Marshall Wythe School of Law (J.D.); attorney with Kaufman & Canoles; member: Bruton Parish Church; Member of Senate: 1992-.

Contact Information:

Mailing:
P.O. Box 6205
Williamsburg, VA 23188

Phone: (757) 259-7810
Fax: (757) 259-7812

Email:
senatornorment@widomaker.com

Website:

Visit His Website

Senate Democrats today exercised an extreme power grab when they passed a committee resolution reducing Republican clout on a number of influential committees.  The committee assignments were altered as a result of the changes in the membership of the Senate following the elections of Sen. Ken Stolle as Virginia Beach Sheriff and Sen. Ken Cuccinelli as Attorney General of Virginia.

The new committee assignments change the make up of the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee from 9 Democrats and 7 Republicans to 9 Democrats and 6 Republicans as the seat vacated by Sen. Stolle was left unfilled.  On the Courts of Justice Committee that vets judges and handles matters related to criminal and civil law, the make up was changed from 8 Democrats and 7 Republicans to 10 Democrats and 5 Republicans.  The seats vacated by Stolle and Cuccinelli were filled by Democrats Don McEachin and Chap Petersen.  The Commerce and Labor Committee that addresses business and utility issues moved from 8 Democrats and 7 Republicans to 9 Democrats and 6 Republicans.  The seat vacated by Sen. Stolle was filled by Democrat Creigh Deeds.

The Rules of the Senate require proportional representation so that the party controls the same percentage of seats on committees that they control in the chamber.  Based on this committee resolution, Democrats control four more seats than they are allotted under the rules of the Senate. 

A number of Republican Senators expressed their distaste with the actions of the majority while the resolution was being considered on the Senate floor.  A video showing the highlights of these speeches by Senators Tommy Norment (James City), William Wampler (Bristol), and Mark Obenshain (Harrisonburg) is attached.

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.

As we progress through the 2010 General Assembly session, I want to update you on some of the legislation I have introduced.  These common sense bills will have a direct impact on public safety, transportation, and government transparency.

I hope you will take the time to read through the descriptions of the bills below and if you desire to read them in their entirety, you can Click Here

Summary of Introduced Legislation 

Public Safety:

SB 517: Cell phone use while driving:

*This bill came to light after reports from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration regarding the prevalence of traffic fatalities due to the use of cell phones while driving.  The report concluded that the use of cell phones by drivers has caused approximately 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents in 2002.

The bill provides that:

1.       Between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 cell phone use in a moving vehicle without hands free device is prohibited as follows:

a.       Secondary Offense;

b.      Civil fine of $50 for the first offense; and $100 for a second offense in one year period;

c.       No points

2.       Starting July 1, 2011, the prohibition will change to:

a.       Primary offense;

b.      Traffic infraction;

c.       $100 fine first offense, $200 for second offense; and

d.      Appropriate number of points will be applied

SB 518: Primary enforcement of safety belts at check points:

*This bill was brought to me by local law enforcement officers who were unable to fine an individual at a checkpoint for not wearing their safety belt.

The bill allows for primary enforcement of safety belt requirements when violations are observed by law-enforcement officers at traffic safety checkpoints.

SB 523: Chinese Dry Wall:

* While we wait on the federal government to make a final determination that Chinese Drywall is in fact a "defective" product, it is clear that residents of Hampton Roads and the surrounding areas are being adversely affected as a result of living in homes with Chinese Drywall.

This bill:

 1. Allows localities to apply for funds from the Virginia Disaster Response Fund for the repair and removal of hazardous materials in dwellings. The existence of the hazard would have to be certified by the local governing body, and the payments would be made through the local governing body to the contractor, not to the homeowners.

 2. Allows the state or local government to utilize the existing code authority to seek reimbursement for this work.

 Ethics:

In the wake of recent events involving Virginia's conflict of interest laws, I have introduced the following bills to ensure that legislators are held accountable and maintain the trust of their constituents.

SB 512: Conflict of Interest disclosure of government employment:

The bill requires a member of the General Assembly to disclose in his or her annual disclosure of personal interests any salary and wages in excess of $10,000 paid to him or her or immediate family members for employment with a state or local government or advisory agency.

Ethics Study Committee (bill number not yet assigned):

This study resolution establishes a one year joint committee of the General Assembly and the Senate and the House Ethics Advisory Panels to evaluate the adequacy of current law in spelling out ethics rules, defining improper behavior, and providing for the proper disposition of complaints alleging that the General Assembly Conflict of Interest Act has been violated.

SB 524: Ethics Review Panel:

SB 524 ensures that the State Ethics Commission will have the power to police conflict of interest laws, including the ability to investigate perceived conflicts of interest, and will have access to sufficient information (subpoena documents, witnesses, financial reports).

 A majority of the officials will be nominated by those outside of the legislature (AG, judges, etc.).  The commission will be non-partisan and no current or former legislators will be permitted to serve as members.

SB 514: Compensation during regular session extension:
*In recent years it has become increasingly common for the General Assembly to continue past the scheduled adjournment dates.  If lawmakers are unable to get their work done on time it should not be at the expense of the tax payers of Virginia.

SB 514 specifies that members of the General Assembly receive neither per diem allowance nor mileage reimbursement if the session is extended beyond the scheduled date for adjournment sine die.

Budget:          

SB 515: Budget Bill Requires House Appropriation and Senate Finance to provide reports:

*Often the final budget is negotiated by fewer than a dozen legislators and they are the only ones with a working knowledge of what they include in the budget.  This bill will bring much needed transparency to this process.

 Requires the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee to issue reports concurrently with the budget conference report that specifically identify (i) any non-state appropriation, (ii) any item in the conference report that was not included in the Budget Bill(s) as passed by either the House or the Senate, and (iii) any item that represents a piece of legislation that failed during that session in either chamber.

Transportation:

Transportation remains crucial to the economy and quality of life for Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth as a whole.  Virginia must maintain adequate funding for our roads if we are going to remain the best state in which to live, work, and raise a family.

SJ 137: Transportation Trust Fund Lock Box:

*I have introduced this bill in the past in hopes of protecting the funds that have been allocated specifically for transportation.

This bill requires the General Assembly to maintain permanent and separate transportation funds to include the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, Transportation Trust Fund, Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund, and Priority Transportation Fund. All revenues dedicated to transportation funds on January 1, 2011, by general law, other than a general appropriation law, shall be deposited to the transportation funds, unless the General Assembly by general law, other than a general appropriation law, alters the revenues dedicated to the funds. The amendment requires funds be appropriated only for transportation systems and projects. The General Assembly may borrow from the funds for other purposes only by a vote of two-thirds plus one of the members voting in each house, and the loan or reduction must be repaid with reasonable interest within three years. The amendment also limits the use of general and other non-transportation funds for transportation purposes except for certain debt service payments.

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 Members
  • Students go on the “Road to Richmond” – William & Mary News - The day began in the cold, wee hours of a January morning outside the Sadler Center.
  • Chamber of Commerce members support business-friendly proposals – WHSV-TV – The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce made its presence known in Richmond Wednesday at the annual Virginia Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Day at the Capitol.”
  • Education secretary discusses charter schools, pre-k – Virginian-Pilot & Ledger-Star – Virginia's new secretary of education, Gerard Robinson, fielded questions from lawmakers Wednesday on pre-kindergarten programs, charter schools, and lengthening the school year, among other topics.
  • Lawmakers look to keep APCo rates in check – Lynchburg News & Advance - State lawmakers are looking into ways to keep Appalachian Power Co. rates in check.
  • Senate clears way for easier absentee voting – WY Daily – It would be easier to vote absentee in Virginia under a bill approved by the Senate.
• Sen. Harry Blevins
  • Seatbelt bill “clicks” with Senate – Gainesville Times – The Senate has passed a bill making failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense in Virginia.
• Sen. Emmett Hanger
  • Senate tax bill targets short-term rentals – Harrisonburg Daily News Record – A bill designed to allow counties to levy a transient occupancy tax on single-family homeowners who rent their homes or rooms for short periods of time passed the Senate on Thursday. Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, introduced the bill, which now goes to the House of Delegates.
• Sen. Robert Hurt
  • Hurt co-sponsors legislation to prevent U.S. government from interfering in state issues – Franklin News-Post - State Sen. Robert Hurt has co-sponsored two bills in the General Assembly that incorporate Tenth Amendment issues and are supported by Tea Party activists in Virginia.
  • Senator Robert Hurt’s weekly update – Martinsville Chronicle - The first full week of the 2010 General Assembly here in Richmond has now concluded.  The week began with the Governor McDonnell’s first State of the Commonwealth address and the ended with committees getting fully underway in reviewing and taking action on individual legislation.  In addition, because of the recent special elections of two new senators, Senate committee assignments were completed. 
• Sen. Ryan McDougle
  • Buckle up for new zero tolerance, zero discretion – Newport News Daily Press – Barry Fletcher had just purchased a '93 Chevy van and was on his way to get it inspected when he hit a routine traffic stop in Saluda in Middlesex County, just up the road from the courthouse.
• Sen. Steve Newman
  • Newman’s speed limit bill again ok’d by committee – Lynchburg News & Advance - Even a second trip through a Senate committee wasn’t enough to slow down a 70 mph speed-limit bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg.
  • Measure would oppose Soering transfer to Germany – Roanoke Times – The Virginia Senate could soon join Gov. Bob McDonnell in formally opposing the transfer of convicted double-murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
• Sen. Tommy Norment
  • Students try luck at lobbying – The Flat Hat – While most of the campus slumbered early Tuesday morning, a group of College of William and Mary students braved the cold and headed to Richmond to lobby Virginian politicians.
• Sen. Mark Obenshain
  • VA Conservative Caucus details agenda – Richmond Times-Dispatch – They call themselves the Virginia Conservative Caucus -- they're essentially Republicans in Republican clothing.
  • Conservative Caucus announces 2010 agenda – Rockbridge Weekly & Alleghany Journal – The Virginia Conservative Caucus, a group comprised of conservative legislators from the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, held a press conference this afternoon to announce their legislative agenda for the 2010 General Assembly session.  The Conservative Caucus, co-chaired by Delegate Ben Cline and Senator Mark Obenshain, approved an agenda Tuesday morning that outlines their position on priority legislation introduced this session.
  • Faith and Freedom: “In God We Trust” License Plates – Family Foundation Blog – Last year, pro-life Virginians won a tremendous victory when the General Assembly passed legislation creating “Choose Life” license plates. This year, there is opportunity to create  an “In God We Trust” license plate.
  • Budget rhetoric intensifies – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – On the subject of Virginia's recession-racked budget, any bipartisan pretense has officially vanished.  Sen. Edward Houck, D-Spotsylvania, was the latest legislator to jump into the fray Thursday with a blistering speech on the Senate floor targeting Gov. Bob McDonnell's approach to reducing state spending.
• Sen. Fred Quayle
  • Hampton Roads lawmakers oppose tolls on 2 bridge-tunnels – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – Most Hampton Roads lawmakers didn't take too kindly to the proposal from a Northern Virginia colleague to put tolls on two Hampton Roads bridge-tunnels.
  • Richmond’s detour over health care – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot - Congress is clearly capable of mucking up efforts to reform the country's health care system without assistance from state legislators in Virginia.
  • Put all options on the menu – Roanoke Times – Under a bill that passed the Virginia Senate this week, counties would be permitted to levy a meals tax in an amount local leaders think appropriate.
• Sen. Frank Ruff
  • Farmers ask legislators to support property rights, oppose estate tax – Mechanicsville Local – More than 100 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation leaders asked their representatives to oppose reinstating Virginia’s estate tax, to oppose any legislation that would limit property rights and to support animal care that is science-based and allows production agriculture to remain in business.
• Sen. Ralph Smith
  • Smith calls for 72-hour budget review – Bearing Drift Blog – State Senator Ralph Smith (R-Botetourt) has introduced legislation (SB5) that would require the budget to be posted online for 72 hours before a vote could be taken.
• Sen. Jill Vogel
  • Republicans defend health care freedom bill – NBC 29 News - The state Senate could vote as early as Friday to make federally-mandated health insurance illegal. 
  • Bills on guns, seat belts, schools – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – A bill that would allow school divisions to start classes before the Labor Day holiday squeaked through a Senate committee Thursday on an 8-7 vote.
  • The Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing . . . – Loudoun Times-Mirror – OK, let’s get a couple of things straight about Frank Wolf. The GOP Congressman from the 10th Congressional District is a veritable legend. In a time where politics is viewed as a fulcrum for inaction and sclerosis - Wolf delivers, and does so with magnanimity, dignity and respect. Perhaps, the best Virginia Congressman in our lifetime.
• Sen. John Watkins
  • Report: Big job growth needed to reverse recession – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – Virginia must add nearly 12,800 jobs per month for the next two years to return to pre-recession employment levels, a Richmond think tank projected in a report released Thursday.

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.

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 Tommy Norment, Jr., Mark Obenshain, and Ralph Smith
  • UPDATE:  The Sordid Tale of SB504, Courts of Justice, Ed And Health And Re-Referal – The Family Foundation Blog - Clerical error or not, Senate pro-abortion advocates had their way with SB 504, Senator Ralph Smith’s (R-22, Roanoke) coerced abortion bill in the full Senate Courts of Justice Committee committee this afternoon. Despite a valiant effort by committee member Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26, Harrisonburg) to hear the bill in the full Senate Courts committee, the ultimate result was a 9-6 vote to re-refer SB504 to Senate Education and Health and essentially assure its demise. Also noteworthy, were Senators Tommy Norment (R-3, Williamsburg) and Roscoe Reynolds (D-20, Martinsville) for their vocal support of SB 504.
• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Law Would Mandate Seat Belts – EmporiaNews.com - Failing to wear a seat belt would be a primary offense in Virginia under a bill being sponsored by Delegate William K. Barlow, D-Smithfield.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Land of Opportunity? – The Daily News Record - A bill by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, to make it easier to establish farm-related tourist businesses on farmland is expected to gain final Senate approval today. The amended bill would establish a task force to develop recommendations by Nov. 1 on the best way to allow these businesses to operate on property zoned for agricultural use.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Newman: Using generic drugs under Medicaid could save Va. $20 million – The News and Advance - One of the less obvious practices many state legislators employ in most years is the budget amendment, which is Virginia’s equivalent of earmarking government funds for special projects such as local museums and the like.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Obenshain Road Funding Bill Dies – wsvaonline.com - Not much has happened in the General Assembly in the past couple days, but Harrisonburg Senator Mark Obenshain is lamenting the death of one of his bills.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Funding sought to fight online sexual predators – Gainesville Times - In 2002, 13-year-old Alicia Kozakiewicz was kidnapped by a man she met online. He locked her in a cage in his Virginia townhouse, raped and tortured her, and even webcast images of his captive before police rescued her.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • Virginia Farm Bureau leaders take ag story to legislators – Southeast Farm Press - More than 100 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation leaders asked their representatives to oppose reinstating Virginia’s estate tax, to oppose any legislation that would limit property rights and to support animal care that is science-based and allows production agriculture to remain in business.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • No Health Coverage For Autism In Virginia – Cleveland Health Insurance - Health insurance companies in Virginia are not required by law to cover medical care for children with autism. Virginia families have fought hard for a state bill which would require the children to be covered, but recently the bill was killed in the state Senate.

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.

• Senator Thomas K. Norment, Jr.
  • Virginia Senate approves ban on drivers talking on cell phone unless using handsfree device – Associated Press - The Virginia Senate has passed a bill to ban talking on a cell phone while driving unless using a hands-free device.  Sen. Thomas Norment's bill passed the Senate 25-15 Monday. It would phase in penalties for drivers who take their hands off the wheel to hold a cell phone.
  • State Senate passes bill that would ban cell phone use while driving – wtkr.com - The Senate has passed a bill banning talking on a cell phone unless you have a hands free device.  Unlike the texting ban, this ban is very enforceable.  It is not unusual to see people talking on their cell phone while driving.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Sale Of ABC Stores Won't Happen This Session – The Associated Press - Legislation to sell state-owned liquor stores and devote the proceeds to transportation won't pass this session.  Sen. Mark Obenshain effectively withdrew his measure Tuesday to divest the state of its Alcoholic Beverage Control stores.
  • States Look to the Bottle; Some Lawmakers Seek to Privatize Liquor Stores, Distribution to Lift Budgets – The Wall Street Journal - States suffering through tough times are reaching for a tonic.  Lawmakers in several states with tight control of liquor sales are considering legislation that would shift the job to private industry, saving money and raising revenue.
  • Senate backs placing gays under anti-bias policy – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Senate today passed an anti-discrimination bill that would add sexual orientation to existing anti-discrimination policies in state hiring.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • General Assembly notebook: Bill on Explore Park advances – The Roanoke Times - The authority that oversees Explore Park would have six months to come up with a plan for using the site under legislation that cleared a state Senate committee Monday.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Stuart's wood waste energy bill killed – Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star - A Senate committee has killed Sen. Richard Stuart's bill related to using wood byproducts to create electricity.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Bills to divert funds from offshore drilling to transportation, other sources advance in Va. – The Associated Press - Efforts to divert funds received from possible offshore drilling for oil and gas off Virginia's coast are moving forward in the General Assembly.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Senate advances measure on federal unemployment money – The Virginian-Pilot - Legislation that would make Virginia eligible for $125 million in federal unemployment stimulus dollars advanced out of the Senate on Monday, nearly a year after the legislature rejected a similar proposal.
  • Senate reopens unemployment benefits debate with bill to access stimulus dollars – The Washington Post - It was one of the hottest political topics in Virginia last spring -- and now it's back.  The Virginia Senate today approved a bill that make changes to the commonwealth's unemployment insurance program which would allow the state to access $125 million in federal stimulus money for unemployment benefits.

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.

• 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.

• Multiple
  • Democrats in Va. Senate vote down two budget-related bills backed by governor – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Senate Democrats are directly challenging Gov. Bob McDonnell over the budget, denying him a bigger say in spending and rejecting as "fantasy" the prospect of reaping cash for roads from offshore drilling.
  • Va. Senate committee approves concealed-guns legislation – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's drinking establishments soon may be open for business to a new clientele -- people carrying concealed guns.
  • Lawmakers Green Light Gun Law Bills – NBC29.com - State lawmakers have given the green light for several controversial firearm measures. They are measures that were vetoed in years past. But with a new governor, there is a good chance they will become law.
  • Key Senate committee passes bills to allow concealed guns in Va. Bars – Canadian Business - Gun owners could take concealed guns into more places, including bars, and renew their permits by mail under bills that passed a key Senate committee on Wednesday.
  • State Senate defeats bills on offshore drilling, changing budget timeline – Richmond Times-Dispatch - There were two major setbacks today in the Virginia Senate for Gov. Bob McDonnell, with the Democratic majority defeating legislation endorsing offshore drilling for oil and gas and changing the budget timetable to give McDonnell a freer hand in spending.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • State senate passes bill that would require online retailers to charge 5 percent sales tax – wtkr.com - Some Virginia lawmakers want you to pay taxes when you buy online.  They say they want to level the playing field for businesses in Virginia.  With a vote of 14 to 1 the State Senate Finance Committee passed a bill that would require certain online retailers to collect the sales tax on purchases made in the commonwealth.
  • Va. Senate panel OKs move to tax online shopping – The Virginian-Pilot - A Virginia Senate panel clicked "send" on legislation that would require Internet retailers to collect sales tax on in-state transactions by affiliated online merchants.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Hurt Sponsors Jobs Bills – ResistNet.com - Vowing to work with Gov. Bob McDonnell and state legislators to promote economic development in Southside Virginia and across the state, State Sen. Robert Hurt has sponsored a major business facility job tax credit bill that is part of McDonnell's legislative package.
• Senator Jeff McWaters
  • Milestone for McWaters – PilotOnline.com - Freshman Sen. Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach, got a small thrill and a round of applause Wednesday when he watched fellow senators pass his first bill out of the chamber.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Newman sponsors McDonnell education bills – News & Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell announced legislation Wednesday that would create charter schools and two other new ways to educate children, with Sen. Steve Newman sponsoring them in the Senate.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Bill banning cell phones while driving goes to Virginia House – 7Bends - Every day, you look around and see people driving vehicles while on their cell phones, not paying attention. It’s not just a few drivers here or there, but the rule rather than the exception.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Virginia looking at Obenshain’s proposal to privatize liquor stores – 7Bends - Last year, Virginia celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of its state-run liquor stores, called “ABC stores.”  This week, a bill (SB 443) introduced by Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) designed to privatize Virginia’s ABC stores was passed by indefinitely by the Senate Finance Committee to provide more time to work with the Governor to refine the proposal.
  • The slow slog toward school choice – Tertium Quids - Gov. McDonnell and a host of notables gathered yesterday to introduce his package of education reforms. They center on making it somewhat easier to create charter schools in the commonwealth, a remedy for the current, counter-productive, charter law.
  • Bill to Give Voter Rolls to Comm. of Revenue Advances – wsvaonline - A bill introduced by Harrisonburg Senator Mark Obenshain that gives commissioners of the revenue access to voter rolls for determining residency for personal property tax purposes has passed the Senate and will move on to the House of Delegates.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • From the Desk of state Sen. Frank Ruff – The News & Record - As the 2009 session began the news media reported that Chesterfield County Schools would have to layoff about 500 employees if the state didn't give them more money.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Bill to raise fees for suits advances – The Free Lance-Star - The Senate Finance Committee has approved Sen. Richard Stuart's bill to increase court fees to raise revenue for sheriff's departments and commonwealth's attorneys.
  • Wood waste bill dies in Senate – Biofuelswatch.com - On a vote of ten to four, the Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources committee of the Senate has declined the bill which was suggested for putting a cap on the total number of wood chips & similar lumber waste which power companies were allowed to burn as fuel and add towards their renewable portfolio standard.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Virginia Senate kills bill on offshore-drilling profits – The Virginian-Pilot - The Democratic majority in Virginia's Senate killed for the year legislation from Virginia Beach Republican Sen. Frank Wagner that would dedicate future offshore drilling royalties to the state general fund, a coastal energy research consortium and to localities for transportation fixes.
  • Senate Dems kill Va. gov's proposal to divert offshore drilling royalties to state services – The Washington Examiner - The Virginia Senate on Wednesday killed Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposal to allocate royalties from possible offshore oil and gas drilling to pay for Virginia's government services, calling it a "fantasy."
  • Va. Senate Kills “Royalties for Roads” Legislation – Bearing Drift - Yesterday, there was a heated debate in the Virginia State Senate about legislation that would decide how the Commonwealth would spend the royalties from drilling offshore for oil. SB 601, patroned by Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach), was killed by the Senate in a party line vote and was referred back to committee until next year.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Bills would ban discounts on noncovered dental work – The Virginian-Pilot - If you're at the dentist and your insurance won't cover a procedure, you might not get a discount, either.
  • Creative Budgeteer Boosts Va Spaceflight – Spaceports blog - Virginia State Senator William C. Wampler, Jr. (R-Bristol) has offered a state budget amendment to dedicate prospective sales and or corporate income tax revenues that may result from the sale of human spaceflights or commercial spaceflight training in the state to the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) for operations and educational space flight simulation activities.
  • Bill advances to curb forced dental discounts – The Roanoke Times - Legislation prohibiting dental insurance companies from demanding discounts for procedures not covered by a patient's policy passed in the General Assembly on Wednesday with broad support.

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.

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.

• Multiple Senators
  • Road money eyed in bill – fredericksburg.com - Faced with dwindling money for transportation, state senators again are trying a plan to boost revenues by applying an indexing formula to the per-gallon gas tax.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Senate backs bill to index Va. gas tax – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Senate this morning approved a bill that would index the state's per-gallon tax on gasoline with federal fuel efficiency standards. Senators voted 31-9 for Senate Bill 343. It now heads to the House of Delegates.
  • Virginia Senate weighs indexing gas tax to fuel efficiency – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Gov. Bob McDonnell may oppose any tax increase to balance Virginia's struggling two-year budget, but the idea of implementing an adjusted increase in the gas tax to keep from losing existing transportation revenue is gaining bipartisan traction in the Virginia Senate.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Jobs bill approved by Senate – The Franklin News Post - State Sen. Robert Hurt's major business tax credit jobs bill has been incorporated into another bill and passed by the Virginia Senate by a 40-0 vote.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • 70 mph speed limit still on fast track – News & Advance - The 70 mph speed limit for selected highways cruised through another legislative committee Thursday.
  • Letters shed light on opposition to Soering transfer – News & Advance - Richard Haysom said this of the brutal 1985 slayings of his parents, Nancy and Derek Haysom: “That ignominious day was for our family, our ‘Sept. 11’ — it never goes away.”
  • Virtual School Programs get Governor’s Approval – Appomattox News - Governor Bob McDonnell met with students of the Virginia Virtual Academy Thursday afternoon at the Executive Mansion.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Va Senate OKs betting on old horse races – The Associated Press - The Senate has again passed a measure to allow pari-mutuel style betting on past horse races with some of the proceeds dedicated to transportation.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Virginia seafood processors face $600 fee for annual license – The Daily Press - Attention seafood processors: If you want to stay in business, grab your checkbook.
• Senator John Watkins
  • 2 tobacco giants in Va. clash over excise tax – Richmond Times-Dispatch - It's one of the most old-fashioned taxes of all, but the question of what you measure to levy it is emerging as the latest skirmish in the never-ending battle for space on stores' tobacco shelves.

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.

• Multiple Senators
  • Senate backs gas-tax, gambling measures – Richmond Times-Dispatch – Two Republican measures pumping horsepower into the road-building fund are galloping out of the Virginia Senate.
  • Schools may start before Labor Day – Suffolk News-Herald - Momentum is building in the General Assembly to let school districts start classes before Labor Day.
  • Senate Democrats overcome divisions on budget, but Republicans are wary – The Washington Post - With about 48 hours to go before the House and Senate release their proposed budgets, we now hear that Senate Democrats have perhaps patched up some of their divisions.
• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Seat belt law not ‘clicking’ with House – Gainesville Times - A House subcommittee has killed a bill to make failing to wear a seat belt a primary offense in Virginia.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Commonwealth Center again saved from budgetary cuts – The News Virginian - Lawmakers decided Sunday to keep open Staunton’s Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.
  • Equalize Internet sales with tax – The News Leader - The time has come to level the playing field between Internet retailers and those who invest in the bricks and mortar to comprise Main Streets all across Virginia.
  • Legislators likely to restore CCCA funding – The News Leader - For the second consecutive year, it appears lawmakers will be able to restore funding to keep the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents open.
  • House, Senate easing gun control laws – The News Leader - Almost as fast as an AK-47 can spit bullets, gun bills are hurtling through the Virginia General Assembly, including one introduced by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, that will allow gun owners to bring concealed handguns into restaurants that serve alcohol.
  • Senate OKs Hanger Gas-Tax Legislation – The Daily News Record - A bill introduced by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, to peg Virginia's gas tax would rise based on increases in federal fuel efficiency standards under a bill that has passed the Senate.
  • Gas-tax indexing bill clears Virginia Senate – The Free Lance-Star - The state Senate yesterday passed a bill that would eventually raise the gas tax by indexing the tax to a federal fuel-efficiency standard.
  • General Assembly takes on gas tax, tax credits – The Roanoke Times - The House of Delegates on Friday approved a series of tax credits touted as job-creating incentives by Gov. Bob McDonnell, while the Senate passed a proposed change to the state's gas tax that the governor opposes.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Va. legislators struggle on how to slash budget – The News Virginian - Virginia’s House and Senate budget-writers are laying out competing hard-times spending plans that slash health care for the poor and increase class sizes but don’t raise taxes.
  • House, Senate budget plans compete for approval – News & Advance - Virginia’s House and Senate budget-writers are laying out competing hard-times spending plans that slash health care for the poor and increase class sizes but don’t raise taxes.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Indian tribes gain favor of General Assembly – Tidewater News - The General Assembly passed legislation this week officially recognizing one Indian tribe in Virginia and advanced similar bills extending recognition to two Southampton County tribes.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Budget for schools, health would be hit by legislators, too – The Virginian Pilot - The General Assembly's budget-writing committees set the stage Sunday for battles over funding of public schools and health care safety- net programs, producing competing plans for addressing a two-year, $4.2 billion state revenue shortfall.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Jett makes case for all sheriffs – fredericksburg.com - These days, Stafford County Sheriff Charles Jett is almost as likely to be roaming the halls of the General Assembly in a suit as he is to be in Stafford in his uniform.
  • Power bills killed before crossover – fredericksburg.com - Last week the General Assembly hit its midway point, a deadline called "crossover" by which most bills have to be passed or killed by the house in which they originated.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Assembly Opposes Health Insurance Mandate – The Virginia Gazette - Weighing in on the debate over federal health care reform, state lawmakers have passed legislation declaring that no one can force Virginians to buy health insurance.

Article Content

With Crossover behind us, I want to update you on a few of the important bills that have passed the Senate.  Crossover, the day when bills that have passed their respective chambers make their way from one legislative body to the other, is the symbolic midway point for the session.  

During the 2010 session, 2,618 bills and resolutions were introduced.  After crossover, 1,650 bills are still being considered by both houses.  Many critical pieces of legislation have passed the Senate that will now be debated by members of the House of Delegates.  Although these bills are far from being enacted into law, I hope that you will take the time to read through them. Below is a compilation of some of the important bills that have passed the Senate.  To view the bills in their complete form click here.

It is also important to note that the Governor released his budget recommendation this Wednesday and the two money committees, House Appropriations and Senate Finance, will follow suit this Sunday with their versions of the budget.  I will provide a review of the budget process next week.

Jobs & Economic Development:

• SB 475 (Watkins) - Governor's Development Opportunity Fund; criteria for awarding grants and loans - Provides that criteria to be used in awarding grants and loans from the Governor's Development Opportunity Fund shall include (i) job creation, (ii) private capital investment, and (iii) anticipated additional state tax revenue expected to accrue to the state and affected localities as a result of the capital investment and jobs created.
• SB 554 (Puckett) - Governor's Development Opportunity Fund; authority to award grants - Authorized the Governor to award grants of up to $2 million for projects located in central city or urban core area
• SB 623 (Hanger) - Income tax; corporate and individual; green jobs tax credit - Allows a $500 income tax credit for the creation of "green" jobs for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010.  Each taxpayer is allowed a credit for up to 350 new green jobs and may qualify for the Enterprise Zone Grant program if the job is located in an enterprise zone
• SB 257 (Lucas) - Motion picture film production tax credits - Provides income tax credits to any motion picture production company with qualifying expenses of at least $250,000 with respect to a film production in the Commonwealth, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010. Total credits allowed for any biennium cannot exceed $10 million.

Public Safety:

• SB 468 (Howell) - Extension of protective orders - Allows a petitioner who has obtained a protective order under § 16.1-279.1 (cases of family abuse) or § 19.2-152.10 (stalking) to obtain an extension of such order for a period of no more than one year if the respondent continues to pose a threat to the health or safety of the petitioner and the petitioner's family and household members. There is no limit on the number of extensions that may be requested.
• SB 486 (Hurt) - Juvenile records; gang information; exceptions to confidentiality - Places an affirmative duty on the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide information to law-enforcement that may aid in initiating or furthering an investigation of a criminal street gang. The bill also requires, rather than allows, the Department or locally operated court services unit to release to law-enforcement information on a juvenile's criminal street gang involvement and the criminal street gang-related activity of others.
• SB 517 (Norment) - Wireless telecommunications devices in motor vehicles - Extends prohibition on use of wireless telecommunications devices in motor vehicles to initiating or answering a call on such device, unless the device is configured for hands-free operation and is being used in the hands-free mode.  The bill also provided for graduated penalties for violations.
• SB 518 (Norment) - Safety belt enforcement - Allows for primary enforcement of safety belt requirements when violations are observed by law-enforcement officers at traffic safety checkpoints.
• SB 679 (Hanger) - Restorative justice programs - Establishes a restorative justice program for offenders and victims. Provisions address participation, court involvement, confidentiality, and immunity from civil liability.

Second Amendment:

• SB 3 (Smith) - Renewal of concealed handgun permits - Allows a person who previously has been issue Virginia concealed handgun permit to submit an application to renew the permit via the United States mail
• SB 408 (Vogel) - Possession of concealed weapons in vehicles - Creates a new exemption to the general prohibition against carrying concealed weapons by allowing a person who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle or vessel if the handgun is locked in a container or compartment.

Transportation:

• SB 537 (Newman) - Highway speed limits - Increases the general highway speed limit on highways where it is presently 65 mph to 70 mph.

Veterans/Military:

• SB 455 (Hurt) - Permit fees; veterans waiver - Requires state regulatory agencies to waive any fees for issuing a permit when the application is submitted by a veteran in connection with his establishment and operation of a small business.
• SB 55 (Martin) - Federal write-in absentee ballots; use in state and local elections - Provides that voters who are entitled to vote absentee due to active duty military service, membership in the merchant marines, or temporary residence outside of the country, or the spouse or dependent residing with such a voter, may use the federal write-in absentee ballot to vote in state and local elections, as well as federal elections. The federal write-in absentee ballot may also serve as an absentee ballot application and voter registration application for state and local elections, as well as federal elections.

Ethics:

• SB 186 (Norment, Northam, & Smith) - General Assembly Conflicts of Interest Act; establishment of a General Assembly Ethics Review Panel - Makes a number of revisions to the process followed by the Senate Ethics Advisory Panel, including requiring that proceedings beyond the preliminary investigation phase shall be public. 
• SJ 147 (Norment) - Study; ethics issues affecting the General Assembly - Establishes a joint committee of the General Assembly and Senate and House Ethics Advisory Panels to evaluate the adequacy of the current law in spelling out ethics rules, defining improper behavior, and providing for the proper disposition of complaints alleging that the General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act has been violated.

Social:

• SB 602 (Newman & Hurt) - Human infant; independent and separate existence - Provides that for the purposes of homicide and child abuse the determination of an independent and separate existence of a human infant from its mother shall not be conditioned solely upon whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta detached.
• SB 361 (Barker) - Religious holidays; attendance records - Requires local school boards to develop policies ensuring that any student's absence because of the observance of a religious holiday be recorded as excused on the student's attendance record and that a student not be deprived of any award or of eligibility or opportunity to compete for any award or of the right to take an alternate test or examination, for any which he missed because of such absence.

Health Care:

• SB 283 (Quayle), SB 311 (Martin) & SB 417 (Vogel) - Individual health insurance coverage; requirement to obtain- Provides that a resident of the Commonwealth shall not be required to obtain or maintain a policy of individual insurance coverage. This applies regardless of whether the person has or is eligible for health insurance coverage under any policy or program provided by or through his employer or a plan sponsored by the Commonwealth or the federal government. The measure also states that no provision of Title 38.2 renders a resident liable for any penalty, assessment, fee, or fine as a result his failure to procure or obtain health insurance coverage. The measure does not apply to individuals voluntarily accepting coverage under a state-administered Medicare or Medicaid program.
• SB 652 (Northam) - Public schools; policies in concussions - Requires the Board of Education to develop and distribute to local school divisions guidelines for policies dealing with concussions in student-athletes and requires each local school division to develop policies and procedures regarding the identification and handling of suspected concussions in student-athletes.
• SB 464 (Howell) - Health insurance; mandated coverage for autism spectrum disorder - Requires health insurers, health care subscription plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and for treatment of ASD in individuals from age two to six, subject to an annual maximum benefit of $35,000.  This requirement does not apply to individual or small group policies, contracts, or plans, and will not apply to the state employees' health insurance plan until July 1, 2015. This measure will not apply to an insurer, corporation, or health maintenance organization if the costs associated with coverage exceed one percent of premiums charged over the experience period.

Energy:

• SB 394 (Wagner) - Offshore energy resources - States that it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to support oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production 50 miles or more off Virginia's coast. Currently, the policy is limited to supporting exploration for natural gas resources 50 miles or more offshore.

Miscellaneous:

• SB 173 (Deeds) - Bipartisan Redistricting Commission created - Establishes a seven-member temporary commission to prepare redistricting plans in 2011 and each tenth year thereafter for the House of Delegates, state Senate, and congressional districts. Appointments to the Commission shall be made one each by the four majority and minority party leaders of the House and Senate and by the state chairmen of the two major political parties. Those six appointees shall appoint the seventh member and chairman for the Commission. If they cannot agree, they shall submit the names of the two persons receiving the most votes to the Supreme Court for the Court to select the chairman. The Commission will prepare plans and submit them as bills to the General Assembly. The General Assembly shall then proceed to act on the bills in the usual manner. The bill provides for Commission comments on plans as they change in the legislative process. It also spells out the standards and process to be followed by the Commission in preparing plans, including limitations on the use of political data and opportunities for public comment on the plans.
• SB 471 (J. Miller) - Defective drywall; penalties - Makes it a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act for a supplier to sell, offer for sale, or use in the construction, remodeling, or repair of any residential dwelling in Virginia, any drywall that he knows or has reason to know is drywall that, as a result of containing the same or greater levels of strontium sulfide that has been found in drywall manufactured in China and imported between 2004 and 2007, is capable of releasing sulfur compounds into the air. Such a sale, offering or use of drywall that has been designated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as posing a substantial product hazard is also made a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The legislation applies to transaction occurring on or after July 1, 2010.

It is an honor to serve you in the Virginia General Assembly.  If I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  With kindest regards, I remain

Very truly yours,

Senator Tommy Norment

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, Jr.
  • Virginia Weighs Indexing Gas Tax To Fuel Efficiency – Downstream Today - Gov. Bob McDonnell may oppose any tax increase to balance Virginia's struggling two-year budget, but the idea of implementing an adjusted increase in the gas tax to keep from losing existing transportation revenue is gaining bipartisan traction in the Virginia Senate.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Virginia on Speed – NBC Washington - A measure to raise speed limits is gaining momentum
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Legislators applaud the Gloucester 40 – The Daily Press - contingent of Gloucester citizens who were among 40 people who filed petitions seeking the removal from office of four county supervisors received standing ovations Monday from the General Assembly for fighting for their First Amendment rights to petition government for a redress of grievances.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Is Va. at risk of phony jurors? Lawmaker says yes – The Virginian-Pilot - Jury tampering made for a John Grisham page-turner and a Hollywood thriller, but could it happen in real life?
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Legislators target K-12 schools in budget cuts – Collegiate Times - Virginia’s proposed budget has met resistance from supporters of K-12 education and health care as state legislators have laid out competing plans that would slash funding.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • What’s the Big Deal About Tax Conformity? – CPA Café - Virginia has employed retroactive fixed date tax conformity for many years now. While not the ideal model due to a part-time legislature that meets from January to March, it has worked out okay for the past few years at least with conformity legislation being among the first few bills to be passed and signed into law.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Budget dance begins – Apria Healthcare - The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate money committees yesterday unveiled competing budget proposals that both restore $950 million in annual car-tax payments to localities and cut Medicaid funding but differ on how much to trim from K-12 education.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Va. Senate OKs bill on using offshore-drilling cash for roads – Richmond Times-Dispatch - A proposal to pay for roads with cash from offshore drilling is headed to Gov. Bob McDonnell, though it may prove a financial dry hole.

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. 

• Multiple Senators
  • General Assembly update: Senate approves charter, online school bills – The Roanoke Times - The Senate has approved bills that would give the state a role in the creation of charter, online and virtual schools despite objections from some that doing so would divert money from public schools.
  • Ethics rules are subject of today's Senate vote – The Virginian-Pilot - A scheduled vote in the state Senate today will determine whether the General Assembly's ethics rules are overhauled this year.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Asbestos claims bill to help single business killed – The Virginian-Pilot - A Senate committee killed legislation Monday that would have shielded a company from liability for asbestos-related health claims.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • House panel advances expansion of death penalty – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Senate Courts of Justice Committee yesterday rejected a House version of a bill that would have expanded those eligible for the death penalty to include accomplices and accessories to the murder of a law-enforcement officer.
  • Some pro-gun bills advance while others founder – The Virginian-Pilot - Try as he might, Sen. Mark Obenshain's efforts to revive several defeated gun-rights bills were quickly shot down Monday by his Courts of Justice Committee colleagues.

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. 

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Politician pushes online retailers to collect taxes – The Rockbridge Report - Many people don’t want to see a tax increase, especially these days. Most Republicans in Virginia understand that, and are promising not to raise taxes.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Va. House OKs resolution opposing Soering – The Roanoke Times - The House of Delegates on Tuesday passed a resolution supporting Gov. Bob McDonnell's efforts to block the transfer of convicted double-murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
  • Putney speaks up as House OKs Soering resolution – The Associated Press - Del. Lacey Putney delivered a floor speech Tuesday urging the House of Delegates to adopt a resolution opposing the transfer of convicted murderer Jens Soering to his native Germany.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Va. Senator seeks revival of job protection for gays – The Virginian-Pilot – State Sen. Tommy Norment breathed new life today into the debate over protecting gay and lesbian workers from employment discrimination in Virginia.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • “Chips"™ Star Helps Fight Child Pornography – The Gainesville Times - Actor Erik Estrada visited Capital Square last week to voice his support for Virginia’s fight against child pornography.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Jett urging House to back police funds – The Free Lance-Star - Stafford County Sheriff Charles Jett yesterday led sheriffs from around the state in lobbying House members to accept increased funding for sheriffs contained in the Senate's version of the budget.  

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.

• Multiple Senators 
  • Va. Senate OKs ethics overhaul; McDonnell to sign – The Virginian-Pilot - The state Senate approved a comprehensive overhaul of the General Assembly's ethics rules Wednesday.
  • Virginia Stands Up for the Constitution, Media Cries Racism – Tenth Amendment Center - As of yesterday, four separate bills rejecting proposed federal health insurance individual mandates have passed both houses of Virginia’s legislature.
• Senator Jeffrey McWaters
  • So far, Virginia lawmakers' pay immune from budget cuts – The Virginian-Pilot - The governor and his senior staff took a pay cut. State employees are facing layoffs and furloughs.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • General Assembly notebook: House joins effort to block Soering's transfer to Germany – The Roanoke Times - The House of Delegates passed a resolution Tuesday supporting efforts to block the transfer of convicted double-murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
  • Bill seeks to reduce Amherst school board salaries after error – The News & Advance - A bill that is pending in the General Assembly seeks to fix “an honest mistake” that led to Amherst County School Board members being paid more than state law allows, said Brian Ratliff, schools superintendent.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • McDonnell edict: Don't discriminate against gay workers – The Virginian-Pilot - Gov. Bob McDonnell has forcefully ordered state agencies not to discriminate against gay and lesbian workers during the hiring process or in the workplace, but he opted not to push legislation that would produce a similar effect.
  • Governor issues directive against discrimination – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who says there’s nothing in Virginia law to protect gay state workers from discrimination, is welcoming Gov. Bob McDonnell’s decree against bias on the basis of sexual orientation.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • No time to pass the bottle – Stateline.org - While running for governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell promised he would raise money by handing over the state-run liquor stores to private interests. Once elected, the pledge made its way into his state of the state address.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Legal fees measure hits stumbling block – The Free Lance-Star - A bill from Sen. Richard Stuart has run into conflict in the last days of the legislative session.

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
  • Report: CCCA Findings Suppressed – WHSV.com - According to an article in the "Richmond Times-Dispatch" Thursday, former Gov. Tim Kaine's office "was involved in discussions that led to the suppression of findings" related to a team's report on the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Legislators unsure about close of session – Danville News - With the end of the 2010 General Assembly session, or “sine die,” tomorrow, local legislators are unsure if they will reach a budget agreement by the deadline — or whether they will go into overtime.
  • General Assembly honors Lacy – Danville News - The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate agreed on resolutions Wednesday to celebrate the life of former Danville City Manager Lyle Lacy.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Senate strips anti-bias language from bill – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Senate this morning yanked anti-bias protections for gay workers from a deal-sweetening bill aimed at luring to Virginia a defense-and-systems giant with gay-friendly employment policies.
  • BRIEF: Senate OKs economic incentives to lure businesses – The Virginian-Pilot - After striking language that would have placed protections for gay and lesbian workers into law, Virginia's Senate today unanimously approved an economic incentive bill requested by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Amended life jacket bill goes to House – SmithMountainLake.com - A bill that would require children to wear life preservers is on the House floor. SB93 passed the full Senate Jan. 21 with a 30-10 vote and moved to the House.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Pregnancy Resource Centers: A Winning Reversal Of Fortune At The General Assembly – The Family Foundation - At the beginning of this year’s General Assembly session, pregnancy resource centers were in the crosshairs of the abortion industry.
  • Senate approves controversial gun bills – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Senate today approved two controversial House of Delegates gun bills that will allow permit holders to carry concealed handguns into bars and non-permit holders to conceal their firearms in cars.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Va. gov McDonnell signs offshore energy bills – World News - Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law Wednesday offshore drilling legislation intended to realize his goal of making Virginia the East Coast's energy superpower.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr. 
  • McDonnell visits legislators on their turf, encourages budget deal – The Washington Post - As negotations over Virginia's budget proceed, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) made an unannounced appearance in the General Assembly Building to encourage the House and Senate to come to terms.
  • State budget deadline nears – The Free Lance-Star - Budget negotiators worked late into last night, trying to resolve differences by today to adjourn the legislature on time tomorrow.
    
    

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
  • Lt. Gov. Bolling: Anti-gun bill panel creation broke Senate rules – The Washington Post - Yes, Democratic leaders in Virginia's Senate broke the rules when they killed a bunch of gun rights bills in a specially formed subcommittee. And, no, there's not a thing anybody can do about it.
  • Lawmakers reach agreement on infant-life bill – Lynchburg News & Advance - A mother who kills her newborn baby while it is still attached to her by the umbilical cord can be charged with murder under legislation the General Assembly approved Saturday after much thought.
  • Schools, health care, public safety lose millions in Va. Budget – The Washington Post - The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its annual legislative session Sunday evening after adopting a two-year, $82 billion budget that cuts millions from education, health care and public safety -- curtailing state spending more aggressively than any in generations while fulfilling the new Republican governor's promise not to raise taxes.
  • State will dip into pension fund, repay with 7.5% interest – Lynchburg News & Advance - Virginia is taking away more than $620 million that would have been paid toward state employee and teacher pensions, but the state is leaving an IOU.
  • Virginia Stands Up for the Constitution, Media Cries Racism – Tertium Quids - In the 2010 session, four separate bills rejecting proposed federal health insurance individual mandates passed both houses of Virginia’s legislature.
  • Lawmakers approve two-year, $70 billion budget – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - The 2010 General Assembly adjourned yesterday, one day later than scheduled, after speedy approval by weary lawmakers of a $70 billion-plus budget-balancing plan.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Officials leery of hopeful state budget projections – NewsVirginian.com - Area legislators say the state budget for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 agreed on Sunday offers less pain for public education and public safety than earlier anticipated, but still worries the lawmakers because of the revenue forecast.
• Senator Jeff McWaters
  • Lawmakers unlikely to write pay cut into state budget – The Roanoke Times - The governor and his senior staff took a pay cut. State employees are facing layoffs and furloughs. But there's one group of people in Richmond whose salaries don't appear to be in danger: state legislators.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Lawmakers Fight to Close the Umbilical Cord Loophole – WSET.com - A bill has made its way to Governor Bob McDonnell's desk for signature that would make it a punishable offense to take the life of a newborn baby if the baby is still attached to the mother by an umbilical cord.
  • Lawmakers close loophole to protect newborn children – WDBJ7.com - Lawmakers Saturday approved legislation they say will close a loophole in state law and protect newborn children in Virginia.
  • Assembly OKs tweak to Amherst County School Board salaries – Lynchburg News & Advance - Amherst County’s school board salaries were officially lowered to $2,200 per year by the General Assembly on Saturday.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • State budget talks hit snag; final vote today in doubt – The Associated Press - Despite substantial agreement on major issues, legislative negotiations toward a new bare-bones state budget hit a snag late Saturday over a variety of lesser issues.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • ABC stores hard sell for McDonnell – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Nine days off-message is enough to drive a governor to drink.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Governor McDonnell Signs Bill Restructuring and Increasing Accountability at VITA – Governor McDonnell Press Release - Governor Bob McDonnell has signed legislation into law that restructures the agency's organization and creates a direct reporting structure between the Chief Information Officer (CIO) / Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) and the Secretary of Technology, Jim Duffey. 
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • BUDGET DEAL REACHED – The Free Lance-Star - State lawmakers passed a two-year, $70 billion budget yesterday that mitigates cuts to education and law enforcement, making up a $4 billion revenue shortfall by raising fees but without general tax increases.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • McDonnell shows some successes in first legislative sessions – The Washington Post - Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell finished his first legislative session with modest victories in economic development and education -- limited goals set as the state continues to face a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Lawmakers likely heading for overtime – Culpeper Star-Exponent- The General Assembly appears headed for overtime tomorrow because of the inability of the House of Delegates and Senate to agree on a budget.
  • General Assembly update: Gov. McDonnell meets with budget negotiators – The Roanoke Times - Gov. Bob McDonnell met privately with General Assembly budget negotiators this morning in an effort to push lawmakers toward an agreement in time for Saturday’s scheduled adjournment of the legislative session.

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.

• Senator Thomas Norment
  • Virginia's First Lady To Dedicate Trailhead At Entrance To The Virginia Capital Trail – Insider’s Passport - Virginia's First Lady Maureen McDonnell will be among dignitaries to dedicate the eastern trailhead of the Virginia Capital Trail. The trailhead includes a shelter and an electronic, interactive kiosk with information on public accommodations, historical sites, wildlife and natural resources along the trail.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Loudoun legislators grade 2010 General Assembly session – Loudoun Times - Members of Virginia’s General Assembly were facing a tough session when they started deliberations in January.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Budget cuts nix new judge for now – Powhatan Today - As it turns out, even the halls of justice aren’t immune to the economy’s sting.

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.

• Senator Tommy Norment
  • JCC Trailhead Dedicated – Active Williamsburg - About 100 people, including area leaders and bicycle advocates, braved the rain to celebrate the dedication of the James City County trailhead of the Virginia Capital Trail.

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.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Hoover named Fireman of the year 2010 for SVFD – Greene County Record - Stanardsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Hoover of was named Fireman of the Year 2010 at SVFD’s annual award banquet Saturday night.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • PHHS still producing lifelong learners – The Mechanicsville Local - Patrick Henry alumni, faculty and students gathered at the west Hanover campus last weekend to play an official game of Remember When.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Capital Trailhead Dedication Today at Jamestown – The Williamsburg Yorktown Daily - Virginia’s First Lady Maureen McDonnell will be in James City County this morning to dedicate the eastern trailhead of the Virginia Capital Trails.
  • Capital Trail moving ahead – Richmond BizSense - The Jamestown Trailhead, the eastern section of the Virginia Capital Trail, was dedicated on Friday. Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell was there along with State Senator Thomas K. Norment Jr. (center) and Paul D. Koonce, Chief Executive Officer, Dominion Virginia Power.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Home-schooler meets with leaders as part of civics class – The Botetourt View - In an age when people too often ignore the happenings in Richmond, one local youngster and his family decided to go see the legislators from his district. Bach Pearl reported the fruits of his visit!
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Region’s education system in crisis – Bristol Herald - For all of their geographic commonality, the city of Bristol, Va., and Washington County face drastically different challenges in addressing reductions in state education funding.

Article Content

• Thursday, May 6, 2010 
• Ford's Colony, Williamsburg, VA
• Registration: 10:30 am - Noon
• Shotgun Start: 12:30 pm
• Contact Casey Werderman at 757.259.7810 or casey@senatornorment.com
• Click Here to View Invitation

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
  • Museum Displays Frontier Spirit Despite Cuts – WHSV.com - They have had their budget slashed like many other museums, but Executive Director of the Frontier Culture Museum John Avoli is handling the budget cuts with the same frontier spirit his museum represents.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Lynchburg lawmakers post strong showing in Assembly – The News & Advance - If getting bills passed is a reasonable way to measure a legislator's success, the five delegates and one senator who represent the Lynchburg region in the General Assembly had a good year in Richmond.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • How long will York's Circuit Court seat go unfilled? – The Daily Press - A key York County and Poquoson judgeship that has gone unfilled since the sudden death of a sitting judge in 2008 could stay vacant a lot longer.

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
  • Local Legislators Talk State Budget Cuts – WHSV.com - State budget cuts may mean harsh consequences for valley businesses.  Local legislators gathered in Harrisonburg to explain exactly how these cuts could affect the community. Specifically, they say it's simply a trickle down effect for business owners.
  • Funding situation focus of meeting – Waynesboro News - Augusta County Supervisor Nancy Sorrells thinks of new road projects differently than most people and that makes VDOT’s shrinking revenue stream for new roads a problem.
  • Governor Bob McDonnell Signs VA Restaurant Carry into Law! – National Rifle Association - Governor Bob McDonnell has signed into law a NRA-backed measure allowing right-to-carry permit holders to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense in restaurants, providing they do not consume alcohol.  State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24) and Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) were the principal sponsors of Senate Bill 334/House Bill 505.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Session’s impact on businesses addressed – The Mechanicsville Local - Hanover County’s legislative delegation told members of the business community how recent legislation could affect their operations in the county.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • State to end free online tax-filing service – GoDanRiver.com - For the past 10 years, Virginia has offered an online service that allows nearly every taxpayer in the commonwealth to file their state income-tax return for free.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Governor’s office on brewery case – The Virginia Gazette - A representative of Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday that his office is well aware of the importance of the Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery locally and statewide.

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
  • Fly fishing festival features proposal – The News Virginian - An event growing in attendance over the past decade, the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival in Waynesboro this weekend will feature the unveiling of an innovative economic development plan to state officials.
  • Center of promise – Waynesboro News - State and local government officials and site developers gathered Saturday in a former Waynesboro industrial plant to discuss how the property might be turned into an economic driver.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • York-Poquoson court officials bracing for funding-related strains – The Daily Press - Come July, there may be no more pay for substitute judges in 19 Virginia courts with vacancies on the bench. That could potentially create a caseload logjam in the already-stressed York-Poquoson Circuit Court system.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Officials react to proposed jail funds – Northern Virginia Daily - Reaction among regional jail proponents to Gov. Bob McDonnell's apparent last-minute save of the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail has been cautiously optimistic.
  • Hundreds Gather for Tea Party – Harrisonburg Times – On Tax Day, Thursday April 15th, hundreds of citizens congregated on the lawn at Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg.
  • Scenes from The Tea Party – The Virginia Conservative - I’m pleased to announce that the Tea Party gathering in downtown Harrisonburg on Tax Day went quite well.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Leaf Committee recommends local funding – South Hill Enterprise - The Virginia Tobacco Commission (VTC) Southside Economic Development Committee decided Thursday to recommend a $1,250,000 grant to the Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority to be used to purchase and refurbish the Harden Manufacturing Facility at the Airport Industrial Complex in La Crosse.

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 Tommy Norment
  • TNCC to Recognize Local, State Leaders During May 15 Commencement – Thomas Nelson Community College - Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) will recognize several government officials and community members for their contributions in education and public service during its 41st commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hampton University Convocation Center.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Gulf Disaster Changes (Some) Va. Pols’ Plans – NBCWashington.com – What may have seemed like easy money -- environmentalists’ objections notwithstanding -- no longer seems like a safe bet for some politicians who support drilling for oil and natural gas off Virginia’s coastline.
  • Virginia backers of offshore drilling still in favor but urge study – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Supporters of drilling for oil and natural gas off the Virginia coast still want to "drill, baby, drill" -- but not so fast.

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
  • Celebrating Virginians’ Sacrifices – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's General Assembly has earned the gratitude of all citizens for acting in its most recent session to preserve the vanishing memories of a unique and glorious piece of the state's history.
  • Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Breaks Ground on New Facility – WHSV.com - The Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind cut the ribbon on a newly renovated building and broke ground on another facility Wednesday.
  • Progress marked for VSDB-Staunton – Waynesboro News Virginian - For years, the Staunton community feared the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind would be consolidated elsewhere in the state, ending a tradition of service that started in the 1830s and includes a period when the Staunton campus housed wounded Civil War soldiers.
  • Landes: Health reform has many hidden costs – Charlottesville Daily Progress - Federal health care could cost Virginia $1.5 billion over the next year or so, a local delegate said Wednesday.
  • Legislators review GA session, upcoming challenges – The News Leader - Two months after signing off on a state budget that resulted in cutting $4 billion for the biennium, area legislators offered mixed outlooks on the financial future for Virginia.
  • Legislators Speak to Community Members About 2010 General Assembly – WHSV.com - Sen. Emmett Hanger and several other local legislators were in Augusta County Wednesday to talk to community members about the impact of this year's General Assembly.
  • Local Legislators Appointed to Commission for Wilson's Centennial – WHSV.com - Dels. Richard P. “Dickie” Bell (R-Staunton) and R. Steven Landes (R-Weyers Cave) and Sen. Emmett Hanger, Jr. (R- Augusta County) announced Tuesday they have been appointed to the Virginia Commission on the Centennial of the Woodrow Wilson Presidency.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Governor signs McDougle’s public safety legislation – The Mechanicsville Local - Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, joined Gov. McDonnell and members of the law enforcement community for the unveiling of the Governor’s Executive Order No. 11 highlighting his prisoner re-entry initiative and for the bill signing of the senator’s Senate Bill 670 from this year’s General Assembly session.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Rep. Bob Goodlatte questions Attorney General on Soering transfer – Lynchburg News & Advance - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder cast some doubt Thursday on the possibility that convicted murderer Jens Soering might be transferred to a prison in his native Germany, where he could be paroled in two years.
  • Mr. Holder’s Inexplicable Behavior – Lynchburg News & Advance - No doubt, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is a smart man: a former federal judge, U.S. attorney, Columbia University graduate, the first black American to serve as attorney general.
  • Virginia Passes Higher Speed Limit Despite Safety Risk – 24-7pressrelease.com - In February, the Virginia General Assembly voted to increase the speed limit on some of the state's rural highways from 65 to 70 miles per hour. The measure was proposed by Republican Gov. Bill McDonnell and sponsored by two Republican state representatives, Del. Bill Carrico (R-Galax) and Sen. Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg).
  • The U.S. 29 Speedbump That Is Charlottesville – The News & Advance - For more than two decades, Charlottesville and Albemarle County have been a thorn in the side of communities up and down the U.S. 29 corridor.
  • McDonnell reinforces state’s stance on Soering transfer – The News & Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell reminded the U.S. attorney general Monday that Virginia opposes a proposed transfer of convicted Bedford County murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Four targets of Gloucester supervisors' subpoenas fight back – The Daily Press - Four members of the "Gloucester 40" who were targets of subpoenas by three county supervisors and an ex-supervisors have hired Sen. Tommy Norment to quash them.
  • Shipyard exec gives tips to TNCC graduates – The Daily Press - Thomasina Wright once sat in the seats at her own graduation from Thomas Nelson Community College, so she explained that she had a unique perspective on giving a commencement address for the college.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • BOYD: Set Virginia booze free – The Washington Times - Being honored as the country's No. 1 business state should make all Virginians proud. To continue in that role, however, Virginia must set a national example, applying innovative, pro-business policies that, in return, generate revenues to the Commonwealth.
•  Senator Frank Ruff
  • Rural leaders meet to map out future regional policies – The News & Record - Confronted by continuing economic challenges exasperated by the current economy and continuing changing industrial and agriculture markets, rural leaders from the Southern United States came together to plan for the regions future.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • LifeCare unveils ‘awareness’ ambulance – Stafford County Sun - LifeCare Medical Transports unveiled a unique, new ambulance at a breast-cancer awareness event held May 12 at its Fredericksburg building.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • On second thought ... Poll shows support for oil drilling way down – Inside Business - PUBLIC SUPPORT for offshore drilling in Virginia has dropped significantly in the wake of the Gulf Coast oil spill disaster, an Inside Business poll has found
  • Uranium Mining Subcommittee to meet in Chatham June 22 – Star-Tribune - The Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy's Uranium Mining Subcommittee will meet in Chatham Tuesday, June 22.
  • Oil off our coast not money in the bank – istockanalyst - While planning his run for governor, Bob McDonnell faced a conundrum: Virginians want better roads, but they don't want to pay for them.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Long-distance health care now covered by insurance – Virginia Lawyers Weekly - Legislation to mandate insurance coverage for telemedicine services in Virginia won unanimous approval in the 2010 General Assembly.
  • Alpha Natural Resources breaks ground on new headquarters in Bristol – Blue Ridge Business Journal - Alpha Natural Resources broke ground last week on a new headquarters in Bristol. The company will seek LEED certification on the building.

For many, Memorial Day is just another three-day weekend and the message of the day can easily be drowned out by the unofficial beginning of summer.  It is important that in the midst of the holiday we take the time to remember the true meaning and importance behind this day.  From the days of our founding fathers to today, our men and women in uniform have marched to the front lines, leaving family and friends to defend this great country.  More than 650,000 American men and women have died in combat since the Revolutionary War and each and every one of them has left a legacy that we will never forget.

On this Memorial Day, we honor all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue to live in freedom.  We must also remember that the pains of war live on in the families that have lost loved ones.  It is our duty to care for the widows, widowers and orphans of those who have fallen and console anyone who is going through the trauma of losing a loved one.

Among the countless heroes we honor this Memorial Day are two young men from our Third District who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the War on Terror.  U.S. Army Sergeant Paul E. Dumont Jr. of Williamsburg passed away on August 19, 2009 while serving at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.  U.S. Army Sergeant Mason Lee Lewis of Gloucester died on November 16, 2007 in Baghdad Iraq.  This Memorial Day, we honor and remember Sergeant Dumont and Sergeant Lewis and their families among the many brave men and women who gave their lives for their country.

Poem of Remembrance

Memorial

© 2007 Dean C. Broome, MD JD.

Here's to those who paid the price

And stood atop the wall,

Who didn't call it sacrifice,

But duty to a call.

Beyond our power to add, detract,

Or honor with parade,

Or praise with words all copper-plaqued,

In public squares displayed,

They held the line, they took the brunt

Directed at our flank.

From general to lowly grunt

Now "hero" is their rank.

For some - unknown - the laurel wreaths

Must rest on unnamed graves.

For others still, their God bequeaths

No slabs or architraves.

For other heroes, living hearts

Still speak aloud their name.

Their daughters, sons, and better-parts -

To memories lay claim.

Some met the foe with angry eye;

Some trembled at the fray;

Some grieved for wife and family;

Some paused to kneel and pray.

Yet, as their hour approached its mark

And minutes became rare,

All gazed into the dreaded dark,

And stood - where we weren't - there.

We praise with words their bravery,

Their steadfast soldiers' hands,

That shielded us from slavery

And wrack from foreign lands.

Now pause awhile, and think on them.

Let recollection stir

To memory, through this artless hymn,

Of those and who they were.

It is an honor to serve you in the Virginia General Assembly.  If I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  With kindest regards, I remain

 Very truly yours,

Senator Tommy Norment

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 Ralph Smith and John Watkins
  • New law will impact trailer hitches – The Roanoke Times - Virginia will have a new trailer towing law July 1 with implications for those of us who tow boats, ATV trailers and camping trailers.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Congressman Eric Cantor attends Ashland Strawberry Faire – The Norfolk Examiner - The Annual Ashland Strawberry Faire took place today in the town of Ashland, Virginia. The booths, food vendors, Arts and Crafts, Animal Rescue and live music combined to make the event a "fun for all ages" affair.
• Senator Jeffrey McWaters
  • Virginia Beach celebrates newest campus – Inside SouthUniversity - On June 4, University dedicated its seventh campus, located  in 32,600 square feet of space in the attractive and convenient Convergence Center in Virginia Beach’s popular Central Business District off Interstate 264.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Stricter laws put the skids on eminent domain for RRHA – Roanoke Free Press - The South Jefferson Redevelopment Plan is being amended effective June 30, 2010. The amendment is a reworked 5-year plan that will accommodate Virginia’s newer property rights laws. Council will vote on the amendment at its June 21 meeting.
• Senator William Wampler
  • 'Topping Out' Ceremony for Heartwood – A! Magazine for the Arts - Virginia Sen. William Wampler stood next to an American flag he placed on the final piece of steel put into place on the Southwest Virginia Artisan Gateway during a "topping out" ceremony on Friday, April 30, 2010.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Powhatan residents take aim at gun range – Richmond Times-Dispatch - A law-enforcement shooting range planned in Powhatan County came under heavy fire from dozens of speakers last night at a meeting that drew more than 350 people.

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
  • Loss of Jimmy Dean could revive interest in Virginia state song – Washington Post - Virginians looking to honor country music singer, television actor and sausage magnate Jimmy Dean, who died Sunday at 81, could renew a push to adopt a Dean-penned song as Virginia's official state anthem.
  • Opinion divided on speed limit increases – Waynesboro News Virginian - Opinion is divided on the benefits and safety of increasing the speed limit from 65 to 70 mph on hundreds of miles of Virginia interstate roads, a change that could take effect on portions of some roads by July 1.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Strawberry Faire crowds beat the heat – The Herald Progress - The 29th Annual Ashland Strawberry Faire took place Saturday with an estimated 20,000 people, including a few local politicians braving the 95 degree heat. 
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Students host first political conference – Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal - Gloucester High School Junior State of America members hosted their first mini-conference at GHS on Saturday to address issues of "political reality."
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • CBIC Award Honorees announced at 12th Annual Gala – Charlottesville Business Innovation Council - The Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) announced seven new CBIC Award honorees to a banquet audience of more than 200 at the 12th Annual CBIC Awards Gala, June 2 at Farmington Country Club.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Extremist libertarianism – Tidewater News - I get the libertarian philosophy. I appreciate its core principle. The less that government interferes in the lives of people, the fewer the obstacles to the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Our Health celebrates building's reopening – The Northern Virginia Daily - The city's neediest people once stood in line waiting for food stamps and other help at the Winchester Department of Social Services.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Officials mark South Holston Lake fishing agreement – TriCities.com - Stubborn rain failed to dampen the atmosphere Thursday as officials celebrated a new license giving Virginia and Tennessee residents equal access to fishing all of South Holston Lake.

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 Tommy Norment
  • Norment assails new tourist center – The Virginia Gazette - If the Williamsburg Hotel-Motel Association hoped Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd) was going to cool the simmering disagreement over its storefront Tourist Information Center, that failed.
  • More tuition hikes likely – The Free Lance-Star - Within two years, 66 percent of state college funding will come from student tuition, rather than the state government.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Northam announces working group on menhanden policies – The Daily Times - Sen. Ralph S. Northam has announced the creation of a 26-member informal working group composed of legislators and stakeholders to review policies related to management of menhaden in Virginia waters.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Proposed Changes to Immigration Law in Virginia – WCYB.com - Some lawmakers in Virginia are proposing a law to crack down on illegal immigration.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Corrections to explore uses for Powhatan-Goochland land, facilities – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Department of Corrections is exploring major changes for the 4,051 pastoral acres it owns on both sides of the James River in Goochland and Powhatan counties and the facilities it operates there.

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
  • 81: Wait and see – August Free Press - You might remember all the hubbub over what they were planning to do with Interstate 81.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Dozens speak out on uranium mining – Danville News - The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission’s Uranium Mining Subcommittee met at Chatham High School on Tuesday night, where residents filled the auditorium, and about 70 people spoke out on the scope of a proposed study to examine the socioeconomic impacts of uranium mining and milling.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Governor signs Newman’s charter school bill – Lynchburg News Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell signed legislation Tuesday intended to increase the number of charter schools in Virginia.
  • Ceremonial Signing of Bill to Facilitate Expansion of Charter School – Synavista News - Nine days before Virginia’s new laws take effect, Governor Bob McDonnell today ceremonially signed legislation that will facilitate the expansion of high-quality charter schools in the Commonwealth.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • ESSAY: Beware a hotel bailout – The Virginia Gazette - During this age of corporate welfare and federal bailouts, it is refreshing when businesses engage in self-help.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Rescue child life preserver law – HamptonRoads.com Blog - I AM THE riverkeeper for the Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper Program in Virginia. This past year, I tried to get a child PFD (personal flotation device, or life preserver) law passed for Virginia's inland waters with the help of Sen. Fred Quayle.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • State Employees Could Receive “Bonus” – Virginia Statehouse News - Virginia state employees are inching closer to getting a one-time bonus check before the end of the year.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • BOS, state lawmakers tackle transportation – The Journal - The Westmoreland Supervisors met last week with Virginia Senator Richard Stuart and Delegate Albert Pollard for the purpose of soliciting creation of a revenue stream dedicated to road im-provement needs.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Corrections to explore uses for Powhatan-Goochland land, facilities – GoDanRiver.com - The Virginia Department of Corrections is exploring major changes for the 4,051 pastoral acres it owns on both sides of the James River in Goochland and Powhatan counties and the facilities it operates there.

                On July 1, 2010, nearly 900 new laws passed during this year’s General Assembly session will take effect.  Among that legislation are dozens of bills sponsored by members of the Senate Republican Caucus.

                 “While the focus of this year’s session was rightfully on the budget, the General Assembly managed to pass many positive bills focused on an array of policy areas,” commented Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (James City).  “Members of the Senate Republican Caucus carried bills this session focused on job creation, economic development, education, transportation, public safety, and many other policy areas.  In fact, the legislation that is the basis for Virginia’s lawsuit against the federal healthcare bill was first passed as a policy proposed by Senate Republicans.”

                 Below are some highlights of key bills patroned by each member of the Senate Republican Caucus that will take effect on Thursday.

• Senator Harry Blevins (Chesapeake)
  • SB 8 – Sets up certification program for pyrotechnicians and firework operators and requires a certified person be present when fireworks displays are conducted.
  • SB 201 – Requires the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct an operational and performance audit of Virginia’s transportation programs.
• Senator Emmett Hanger (Augusta)
  • SB 334 – Allows persons with concealed handgun permits to carry concealed weapons into restaurants or bars so long as they do not consume alcohol.
  • SB 623 – Allows tax credits for the creation of “green” jobs.
• Senator Robert Hurt (Pittsylvania)
  • SB 455 – Exempts veterans from the handling fee charged by the Department of Business Assistance when establishing a small business through the one-stop small business permitting program. 
  • SB 486 – Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide information to law-enforcement relating to involvement in or investigations of criminal street gangs. 
• Senator Steve Martin (Chesterfield)
  • SB 55 – Allows voters entitled to vote absentee due to active duty military service, service in the merchant marines, or temporary residence outside of the United States and the dependents of such voters to use the federal write-in absentee ballot to voce in state and local elections, as well as federal elections.
  • SB 311 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Ryan McDougle (Hanover)
  • SB 128 – Allows for trading of NOx and SO2 credits and prohibits the Air Pollution Control Board from preventing businesses in certain regions of the state from purchasing such credits from other facilities.
  • SB 670 – Requires prisoners who owe fines, court costs, and other penalties to contribute part of their pay from work programs to relieving this obligation.
• Senator Jeff McWaters (Virginia Beach)
  • SB 696 – Allows active-duty military personnel in uniform to use HOV lanes in Hampton Roads regardless of the number of passengers.
• Senator Steve Newman (Lynchburg)
  • SB 537 – Allows for increases in the speed limit to 70 mph on highways that currently have 65 mph speed limits. 
  • SB 602 – The fact that an umbilical cord has not been cut or that the placenta remains attached should not be considered when determining if an infant has achieved an independent and separate existence
  • SB 736 – Allows for the establishment of college partnership laboratory schools by any public college that operates a teacher education program.  Schools will be public schools established by contract between the college’s board and the Board of Education.  Teachers shall be employees of the college and licensed by the Board of Education. 
  • SB 737 – Requires charter school applicant to submit charter application to state Board of Education for review based on Board’s criteria before being submitted to local school board.  If application is denied, the applicant may seek technical assistance from the Superintendent of Public Instruction and petition for reconsideration of the decision. 
  • SB  738 – Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and the Board of Education to approve criteria for approving multi-division providers of online courses and virtual school programs.  Allows local school boards to enter into contracts with approved private or non-profit organizations to provide such courses and programs. 
• Senator Tommy Norment (James City)
  • SB 512 – Requires legislators to disclose on their Statement of Economic Interest any salary they or members of their immediate families earn from state or local governments or advisory agencies.
  • SB 520 – Adds murder of auxiliary police officers or auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the capital murder statute
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • SB 352 – Allows for delayed implementation of statutes and regulations for school accreditation that were not already in effect as of June 30, 2008.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • SB 283 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • SB 656 – Adds personal property and real property improvements used primarily to manufacture a product from renewable energy as a separate classification of property for local property tax purposes.
• Senator Ralph Smith (Botetourt)
  • SB 506 – Prohibits the Governor, his PAC, or any pertinent Secretaries from knowingly soliciting or accepting contributions, gifts, or other items worth more than $50 from any bidders or offerors, their controlling persons, or persons acting on their behalf, who have submitted bids or proposals for public contracts worth $5 million.
• Senator Walter Stosch (Henrico)
  • SB 739 – Expands the use of grants from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund to allow such grants to be used for the construction or build-out of privately owned buildings to allow Virginia to more aggressively pursue companies looking to construct headquarters and operations centers in Virginia.  
• Senator Richard Stuart (Westmoreland)
  • SB 151 – Prevents home owners’ associations from prohibiting the display of American flags on private property.
• Senator Jill Vogel (Fauquier)
  • SB 408 – Allows persons who may lawfully own a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle if it is locked in a container or compartment.
  • SB 417 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Frank Wagner (Virginia Beach)
  • SB 394 – Sets the Commonwealth’s policy to support exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas resources 50 miles or more off Virginia’s coast.
• Senator William Wampler (Bristol)  
  • SB 613 – Allows members of the Virginia National Guard called to state active duty by the Governor to continue their health care coverage, at the member’s expense.
  • SB 622 – Prohibits dental insurance plans from establishing a rate that a dentist or oral surgeon is required to accept for services unless the services are covered under the dental plan.
• Senator John Watkins (Powhatan)
  • SB 243 – Exempts active duty military personnel who are residents and on leave from having to obtain a basic fishing license.
  • SB 472 – Reduces the number of full-time jobs needed to qualify for the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit from 100 to 50, or from 50 to 25 in enterprise zones. 
  • SB 475 – Provides that grants and loans from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund be awarded based on job creation, private capital investment, and additional tax revenue expected to accrue to the state or localities. 

To learn about more of the laws taking effect on July 1, you may read the Session Highlights publication prepared by the Division of Legislative Services or visit the Legislative Information System website.

2010 Legislation to be Implemented on Thursday 

As July 1 quickly approaches, the Commonwealth will be faced with the implementation of almost 900 new pieces of legislation that passed during the 2010 legislative session and were signed into law by the Governor.  Although during the 61-day session the focus was largely on addressing a budget shortfall in excess of $4 billion, a number of significant pieces of legislation passed that will have a substantial impact on the lives of the citizens of Virginia.

Legislation passed this session focused on a wide array of issues including jobs & economic development, public safety, transportation, military & veterans' affairs, ethics reform, health care and the Second Amendment.

Some of the significant pieces of legislation that will take effect on July 1 include:

Jobs & Economic Development

SB 475 Provides that grants and loans from the Governor's Development Opportunity Fund be awarded based on job creation, private capital investment, and additional tax revenue expected to accrue to the state or localities.

SB 623 Allows tax credits for the creation of "green" jobs.

Public Safety

SB 486 Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide information to law-enforcement relating to involvement in or investigations of criminal street gangs.

SB 520 Adds murder of auxiliary police officers or auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the capital murder statute. 

SB 602 The fact that an umbilical cord has not been cut or that the placenta remains attached should not be considered when determining if an infant has achieved an independent and separate existence

HB 46 Creates the Virginia Defective Drywall Correction and Restoration Assistance Fund to promote the correction and restoration of residential property affected by the environmental problems attributable to defective drywall.

Transportation

SB 537 Increases the speed limits to 70 mph on highways that currently have 65 mph speed limits.

Military & Veterans' Affairs

SB 55 Allows voters entitled to vote absentee due to active duty military service, service in the merchant marines, or temporary residence outside of the United States and the dependents of such voters to use the federal write-in absentee ballot to vote in state and local elections, as well as federal elections.

SJ 13 Constitutional amendment to allow the General Assembly to exempt from property taxes any real property that is the principle residence of a veteran (or their widow or widower) who is determined to have a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability.

Ethics Reform

SB 512 Requires legislators to disclose on their Statement of Economic Interest any salary they or members of their immediate families earn from state or local governments or advisory agencies.

Health Care

SB 283, SB 311, SB 417 Provide that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain a health insurance policy.

Second Amendment

SB 334,HB 505 Allows persons with a concealed handgun permit to carry a handgun concealed  onto the premises of a restaurant or club and prohibits them from consuming alcohol.

SB  408 Allows persons who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle or vessel if it is in a container or compartment 

Regardless of whether you agree with these new laws or not, they will surely have an impact on all Virginians and it is important that you are aware of them.  For further information on new legislation please visit New Laws

Very truly yours,

Senator Tommy Norment

Sen. Norment Statement on his Appointment to the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education Reform

In response to his appointment to the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment, Senator Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R- James City) issued the following statement:

“I am honored to serve at the request of the Governor on such an important commission.  Now, more than ever, we need to make higher education more affordable and accessible to all Virginians and ensure that the education they are receiving is on the cutting edge of innovation and technology. 

“Higher education has consistently been an economic driver, and in order to attract businesses and high paying jobs to Virginia, it is critical that we develop and retain a well educated work force.

“I am proud to represent the College of William and Mary, Thomas Nelson Community College and Rappahannock Community College in the General Assembly.  These are pre eminent institutions of higher learning and all are integral aspects of their communities.  Like all public institutions of higher learning, they have seen their state support nearly cut in half on a per student basis.  This has caused an unfair burden on the institutions and the students.

“I am honored to be involved in this critical effort and I look forward to working alongside the Governor, institutions of higher education and my colleagues to develop bold new initiatives to further the quality, affordability and accessibility of our colleges and universities.”

The commission is scheduled to meet for the first time on July 12 and will focus on the following:

• Preserving and enhancing the instructional excellence of Virginia's leading universities and of the higher education system as a whole;
• Increasing significantly the percentage of college-age Virginians enrolling in institutions of higher education and attaining degrees;
• Attracting and preparing young people for the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas and other disciplines (e.g., healthcare and advanced manufacturing) where skill shortages now exist and/or unmet demand is anticipated;
• Forging new effective public-private partnerships and regional strategies for business recruitment, workforce preparation, and university-based research;
• Making Virginia a national leader in providing higher education opportunities to military personnel and veterans;
• Crafting a sustainable higher education funding model that will systematically move Virginia toward higher levels of educational attainment and economic competitiveness over the next decade-and-a-half;
• Developing innovative ways to deliver quality instruction, cost-saving reform strategies, and affordable new pathways to degree attainment for capable and motivated Virginians regardless of income or background;
• Evaluating strategies to reduce costs through additional college placement testing and accelerated degree completion; and
• Creating effective workforce development programs through expanded use of the Community College System in coordination with the Commission on Economic Development and Job Creation.

It is a beautiful day when families and friends across the country gather for the fireworks, hot dogs and baseball associated with July Fourth.  As much as we gather for the fun and festivities, we also gather to celebrate this great country's independence.  On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence.  It was not until two days later that they had finally approved their statement describing why they supported Independence.  This document, the Declaration of Independence, was principally authored by Thomas Jefferson and is the most amazing piece of writing in American history.  It is a living document, one that has shaped and guided the decisions of this country from the outset.  At times our government needs to get back to the core principles of the Declaration of Independence and be reminded that statements such as, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all mend are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" are just as poignant and applicable today as they were over 200 years ago.

Although John Adams was two days off in predicting the completion of the Declaration of Independence, he wrote, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

So while we now celebrate our day of independence on the Fourth of July with the pomp and parade requested by our forefathers, let us do so while remembering those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedom and independence that we hold dear.  From the Battle of Yorktown in 1781 to the Normandy Invasion of 1944 to the ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, brave men and women have made incredible sacrifices so that the freedoms fought for by our forefathers would be protected.

Wherever you might be this weekend, take the time to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in such a great country and take the time to thank a veteran for their service.

Regardless of our politics, we can all agree that we truly live in the greatest nation in the world.

Very truly yours,

Senator Tommy Norment

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 and Ralph Smith
  • Pro-Gun Bills go into Effect in Virginia Today! – NRA-ILA - After another successful legislative session in Richmond, law-abiding Virginian’s will see many important advances in their Second Amendment rights. 
• Senators Tommy Norment and John Watkins
  • Sexually Violent Predator program needs more funds – Sex Offender Research - As to those released in Virginia they talk about recidivism and trip wires, but there is no mention of the therapy programs which are obviously failing if recidivism exists.
• Multiple Senators
  • Highlighting More New Measures in Virginia – WHSV.com - Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell highlighted Wednesday several pieces of Health and Human Resources and Technology legislation that will take effect July 1.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Law Could Bring More Guns into Virginia Restaurants – WHSV.com - Among almost 900 new laws going into effect Thursday in Virginia is one that will allow people to carry concealed weapons into restaurants.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Quayle rated highest when it comes to supporting businesses – Tidewater News - Out of four lawmakers representing Western Tidewater, Sen. Fred Quayle was the highest-rated. . .
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Metro columnist Dan Casey: Star City shined in tollbooth project – The Roanoke Times - Can a public-private partnership ever succeed?  The answer is, yes, at least for tightly focused projects, when a handful of people commit themselves to the project's success.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • State worker retirement system changes cause concern – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's retirement system for state and local government employees has become a train on two tracks, with everyone hoping the engine has enough fuel for the long ride.
• Senator John Watkins
  • New Virginia Law Effective July 1 Highlights Importance of Trailer Safety – The Auto Channel - Summer begins this week, and many families are towing their boats and campers to their favorite lake or campsite. Unfortunately, this fun, carefree scenario can become dangerous when folks are not aware of the basics of trailer safety.
  • Memorial to Green dedicated – Powhatan Today - Youth league ball fields aren’t usually the kind of place you’d expect to be pin-drop quiet, particularly on a beautiful Friday afternoon in June.

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
  • Stones' 'Sweet Virginia' would be a sweet state song – Roanoke Times - It's time to put an end to one of this commonwealth's glaring lapses, one that has existed for more than a decade, and one that's been debated back and forth without effective resolution.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney Summarizes New Laws – Hanover County News Flash - Most likely, due to budget constraints, the General Assembly passed limited legislation affecting criminal law or criminal procedure in the Commonwealth. 
• Senator Steven Newman
  • McDonnell administration to convene meeting to break U.S. 29 impasse – Charlottesville Tomorrow - Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton has directed Lynchburg and Charlottesville officials to meet in early August to hammer out disagreements over the future of U.S. 29 through Albemarle County.
  • Lead investigator reacts to Jens Soering decision – WDBJ7.com - We're hearing reaction to the U.S. Attorney General's decision to keep a convicted murderer in Virginia.
  • Haysom relatives on Soering decision: 'It's about time' – The Lynchburg News & Advance - The U.S. Department of Justice decision this week, after six months of thinking it over, to leave convicted murderer Jens Soering in a Virginia prison came as a relief to the family of his victims.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Competition, recession have hurt Va. horse-racing industry – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's legacy of horse racing is in jeopardy.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Is the stimulus stimulating things in Hampton Roads? – The Virginian-Pilot - The antiquated repair shop where mechanics once worked on Norfolk's street cars is gone.

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
  • Bill takes aim at uncollected Internet sales tax – Fredericksburg.com - There is an estimated $23 billion in uncollected state sales taxes out there, lost to online purchases from retailers who don't collect it and buyers who don't voluntarily pay it to the state.
  • Praising Commission on Centennial of Wilson Presidency – WHSV.com - On Thursday, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum praised the Virginia General Assembly for establishing the Virginia Commission on the Centennial of the Woodrow Wilson Presidency.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • SCC approves 5.6% APCo rate increase – The Franklin News-Post - The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved a 5.6-percent rate increase for Appalachian Power Co. (APCo) that will take effect Aug. 1.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Virginians voice concerns to state reform commission – TriCities.com - A three-dollar timer from Walmart and a plethora of suggestions for government reform, such as opposing the recent plans for elk restoration in Southwest Virginia, were offered during Wednesday’s town hall meeting, held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
• Senator Thomas Norment
  • Electric utility commission to hold public meeting – WPCVA.com - The Commission on Electric Utility Regulation will meet on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Roanoke Higher Education Center at 108 N. Jefferson Street, Rm 212, Roanoke.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Governor's Commission Stops In Valley – NBC29.com - The Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring brought its statewide road tour to the Shenandoah Valley Wednesday.
  • Dozens offer ways to better manage government – The News Leader - Scores of ideas to create a better state government — from amending liquor laws to protecting localities from budget cuts — were suggested during a town hall meeting in Verona on Wednesday.
  • Area officials decry state disconnect – Waynesboro News-Virginian - Gov. Bob McDonnell's government reform commission rolled into town Wednesday night seeking public input and getting an earful.
  • Valley Residents Voice Ideas to Governor's Commission – WHSV.com - Budget cuts and economic struggles are nothing new to the Commonwealth.
  • Gilbert worked to change law – Northern Virginia Daily - The multi-jurisdictional gang grand jury used to bring indictments last week against five men accused of raping two Central High School students was the brainchild of a former Shenandoah County prosecutor.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • R/gitex USA takes over Brodnax Mills – South Hill Enterprise - A subsidiary of a Canadian based textile company R/gitex Inc. will be taking over and upgrading the Brodnax Mills facility in Brodnax saving 45 local jobs and opening the door to the creation of up to 15 new jobs.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • State agencies work toward wind farms – WAVY.com - Twenty years down the road when wind farms are operating in the Mid-Atlantic, they could bring an estimated $80 billion to Virginia, and more than 5,000 long-term jobs.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Arizona's immigration law isn't the only one – The Los Angeles Times - Many states have their own regulations governing illegal immigrants. And five states have introduced bills similar to Arizona's SB 1070, which is the target of a federal lawsuit.
  • Watkins On Surplus- "It's Not Extra Money Left Over" – WTVR.com - Many Virginians who have lost state jobs in recent months might have had a hard time watching Governor Bob McDonnell discuss a 2010 surplus.
  • What Will Medicaid Expansion Cost You? – WTVR.com - In 2014, up to 425- thousand Virginians could gain health insurance under the federal expansion of Medicaid. According to a recent study by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, that's good news for a state where it's currently difficult to qualify for Medicaid.

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 Steve Newman
  • Senator Newman Considers Plan For Private Liquor Sales – WSET.com - Governor McDonnell continues to push for a plan to privatize liquor sales in the commonwealth. It could generate up to half-a-billion dollars a year, which the governor's office says would be used to improve transportation.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Pay-for-judge requirement for disputed divorces – Daily Press - Looking to divorce in York County or Poquoson? If contested, it's going to cost $250 an hour just for the judge.
  • York Notebook: Deputy prosecutor in mix for judge's seat – WTVR.com - A new name — and potential impasse breaker — has emerged in the ongoing stalemate between two state lawmakers regarding an appointment to fill the York-Poquoson Circuit Court judge's seat vacant since N. Prentis Smiley died in late 2008.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • McDonnell to return from overseas trip tomorrow – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Gov. Bob McDonnell hopes to return from his first foreign trade mission with jobs for central Virginia.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Virginia Tax: Income tax burden shifts to higher-income Virginians – Taxrates.cc - While high-income Virginians are paying proportionally more income tax than a decade ago, analysts warn income tax alone gives an incomplete picture of how the state's tax burden is spread out.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Winchester looks to "go green" – TV3Winchester.com - When you think about "going green", it may be hard to imagine what we could do to have an impact, but Thursday leaders took the first step to move our community in that direction.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Going Solar in Virginia Isn't All That Easy – SolarTown - Thanks to severe home improvement regulations from homeowners associations (HOAs), as well as lack of state-funded incentives, residents and business owners in Virginia are waging an uphill battle to go solar.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Many support high-speed rail plan, but some worry about overpasses – The Progress-Index - The comments rolled in as folks shared their concerns and hopes for proposed high speed rail service connecting Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, N.C., through the Tri-Cities.