Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

As many of you are aware, there has been a long standing effort to move regulation of the menhaden fishery from the General Assembly to V.M.R.C.  This movement has resurfaced this year and both of us have received a considerable amount of correspondence regarding this issue.  Since this is an issue that has its roots in the Northern Neck, we wanted to jointly respond and share our unified bipartisan position with our constituents.

This issue has a dramatic impact on our region in many respects and we have deliberated upon it thoroughly and thoughtfully.  We have come to the conclusion that we must oppose transferring regulation of the menhaden fishery to V.M.R.C. at this time.  While it is true that the menhaden is the only fishery which is managed by the legislature here in Virginia, it is also true that the menhaden is the only fishery for which there is an organized effort to shut down the commercial harvest.

We believe that transferring the management to V.M.R.C. will only transfer the fight which seems to be taking place irrespective of new scientific evidence.  The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which is the federal regulatory board, has recently completed an assessment of the Atlantic stock that indicates menhaden are above a healthy population and mortality rates are below threshold.  The report also indicated low by-catch and an abundance of healthy reproductive female menhaden.  Studies of the Atlantic menhaden stock have concluded that the Atlantic menhaden is a healthy and sustainable fishery. Studies of the Chesapeake Bay menhaden stock have not yet been completed.

Having grown up on the Chesapeake Bay, we can remember when there were considerably more “fish boats” operating with much less regulatory oversight.  While these boats did not have GPS navigation, they certainly had spotter pilots and a competitive spirit.  Thus, our observations tell us that fishing pressure and catch effort is significantly less than in past years.

Please know that while we are supportive of the fishery – and the jobs and families it sustains in the Northern Neck – we are dedicated to a sustainable fishery.  Accordingly, we made it very clear to all involved that if studies show an unsustainable fishery, we are prepared to take appropriate action.

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Senator Richard H. Stuart (R-Westmoreland) and Delegate Albert  Pollard (D-Lancaster) met with the Colonial Beach High School 2009 Region A, Division 1 basketball state champions at the State Capitol on Thursday, January 14, 2010. Senator Stuart has put in legislation commending these fine young men and their coaches for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance. With only two years experience in the Virginia High School League, the Colonial Beach High School boy’s basketball team demonstrated its competitive spirit and teamwork in an extraordinary season.

Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, January 6, 1964; educated at Virginia Wesleyan College (B.A.); T.C. Williams School of Law (J.D.); attorney at law; Member of Senate: 2008-.

Contact Information:

Mailing:
P.O. Box 1146
Montross, VA 22520

Phone: (804) 493-8892
Fax: (804) 493-8897

Email:
district28@senate.virginia.gov

Website:

Visit His Website

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

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Area Legislators Focusing on Jobs – Staunton News Leader – Despite the need to cut billions from the state's budget, local legislators and Gov. Bob McDonnell say they are committed to investing funds to spur job creation.

• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Job Creation – Augusta Free Press – The first full week of the 2010 General Assembly here in Richmond has now concluded. The week began with the Gov. 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. My committee assignments have not changed, and I will continue to serve on the Courts of Justice committee, the General Laws committee, and the Rehabilitation and Social Services committees.
  • Governor Bob McDonnell unveils jobs & opportunities agenda – The Mind of Mike Blog – This is going to be a tough first year for Bob McDonnell. The budget is a complete disaster. Many hard decisions will have to be made, but it's good that jobs and economic development will be the first priority.  It is also good to see that greater emphasis will be placed on Southside Virginia economic development. Great comments by Danny Marshall and Robert Hurt starting at (18:55).

• Senator Steve Newman
  • Closing a Deadly Loophole – OneNewsNow.com – Virginia lawmakers are working on proposals to close a loophole in current law that purportedly let a mother get away with killing her newborn child.

• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Voter ID bill (Obenshain) voted down by state Senate Democrats – SWAC Girl Blog – A simple Voter Identification Bill (SB 134) proposed by Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) was voted down in committee by the Democrats.
  • Proposal would privatize state liquor stores – RichmondBizSense.com – It could be last call for Virginia’s state-owned liquor stores if a bill proposed by Sen. Mark Obenshain passes.
  • New VA Gov eyes retail spirits privatization, as NC tackles ABC problems – tradenewsonline.com – New Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is backing a proposal by state Senator Mark Obenshain that would curtail the state’s retail monopoly on spirits. Under Obenshain’s plan, Virginia would auction off licenses to sell spirits to grocery stores and other independent retailers and limit the role of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) department to regulation and enforcement of the beverage alcohol trade.

• Senator Fred Quayle
  • OLF Bill Tabled – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – Legislation that would require the Navy to get General Assembly approval before it acquires property for a outlying landing field was grounded Tuesday by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee.

• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Power Measure Dies in Committee – Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star – A Senate committee has killed Sen. Richard Stuart's bill to limit the profits power companies can make on energy conservation measures.
  • Sen. Stuart Stands Up for American Patriots – Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star – Sen. Stuart stands up for American patriots.  Hurrah for state Sen. Richard Stuart ["Bill may help flag fliers," Jan. 15].  (LTE)

• Senator William Wampler
  • Wampler, Kilgore Hold Telephone Town Hall – Bristol Herald Courier – Jobs, electric rates and a $4.5 million state budget shortfall were among the issues addressed in a telephone town hall meeting held by two Southwest Virginia legislators Tuesday.
  • BVU Bills Before General Assembly – Bristol Herald Courier – Virtually identical bills designed to establish a Bristol Virginia Utilities authority are moving through the General Assembly, as a lawsuit seeks to invalidate the plan.
  • McDonnell Plans to Shift Cash to Jobs Incentives – Washington Times – Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has written some of the job-creation plans he unveiled in a speech a week ago into legislation that a Republican, a Democrat and an independent will sponsor.

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.

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 Ryan McDougle and Walter Stosch
  • Va. technology chief leads VITA talks with Northrop Grumman – The Richmond Times Dispatch - Virginia's new secretary of technology is taking command of negotiations with Northrop Grumman in the latest attempt to salvage relations with the company hired to run the state's computer network.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • APCo may suspend rate increase – The Franklin News Post - Appalachian Power Co. (APCo) would suspend an interim rate increase that it began charging in December if the General Assembly and Gov. Bob McDonnell approve emergency legislation that sets a timetable for the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to rule on APCo's request for a rate increase.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • McDougle applauds approval of Healthcare Freedom bill in Senate – The Mechanicsville Local - The national healthcare debate came to Richmond earlier this week and a key Senate vote on the important issue resulted in victories for the basic freedoms that Virginians currently enjoy.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Many veterans salute Stuart's flag bills (Editorial) – Fredericksburg.com - State Sen. Richard Stuart, I believe, was trying to resolve a specific problem that seems to be cropping up, generated by homeowners associations' rules and regulations ["Bill may help flag fliers," Jan. 15].
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Virginia House approves BVU authority bill – Bristol Herald Courier - Legislation to establish an independent Bristol Virginia Utilities authority continued hurtling through the General Assembly on Thursday, but questions remain about its possible implementation.

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 Mark Obenshain and Ralph Smith
  • Family Foundation, GOP lawmakers cry foul over abortion bill – HamptonRoads.com - Legislation that would make it a criminal offense to force an individual to have an abortion sparked a rules fight in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee Wednesday. An interpretation of Senate procedures on which committees have dominion over abortion-related measures was at the center of a dispute over the bill being carried by Sen. Ralph Smith, R-Roanoke.
• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Will the House Finally OK a Seat-Belt Bill? – The News & Advance - In an impassioned plea before the Senate Transportation Committee recently, state Sen. Harry Blevins, R-Chesapeake, said he has attended too many funerals, visited too many hospital rooms and comforted too many grieving parents of young men and women killed because they weren’t wearing seat belts.  
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • McDonnell reopens 19 rest stops – Star-Tribune - When you gotta go, you gotta go. And now, thanks to Gov. Robert McDonnell's decision last week to reopen 19 interstate highway rest stops, Virginia's travelers won't have to hold it. 
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Legislative Update II 2/03/10 – Virginia Bicycling Federation - Those that are interested, and have bookmarked the Legislature’s website http://leg1.state.va.us or the Richmond Sunlight website www.richmondsunlight.com should check out SB103, which is carried by Sen. Ryan McDougle, and is calling for some dramatic and sweeping changes to the State’s Transportation Dept
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Go Bob, Go – LifeofMatthew.com - Governor Bob McDonnell’s proposal to raise the speed limit in Virginia passed the House of Delegates and the State Senate Tuesday. What else is there to say but, Go Bob, Go! 
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Death penalty expansion passes House – NVDaily.com - As it has for the past three years, the House of Delegates has approved a bill sponsored by Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock, that would expand the application of the death penalty. On Wednesday, the House voted 74-24 for the bill that would close the so-called "triggerman" loophole, according to a news release from Gilbert. 
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Senator Smith Introduces Budget Reform – The Roanoke Star-Sentinel - The General Assembly passed Virginia’s last two year budget just 34 minutes after it was distributed to legislators. Senator Ralph K. Smith (R-Botetourt) has announced that he is introducing legislation that would require the budget be posted online for 72 hours before a vote could be taken. 
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Senate panel unanimously passes bill on flying flag – Fredericksburg.com - With no opposition, a Virginia Senate committee yesterday approved Sen. Richard Stuart's bill to allow homeowners to fly the U.S. flag. The bill was prompted by a case in Henrico County last year, in which a homeowners association barred a 90-year-old Medal of Honor recipient from flying the flag on an upright flagpole in his yard.

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.

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

• Multiple
  • 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.

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This has been the busiest session of the Senate that I have observed since being elected to serve you in the Virginia Senate.  Of course, this is only my third session, but the pace around here has significantly picked up this year.  That is largely due to the fact that we are in a budgetary crisis.  The budget process looms over everything that we are doing and people are trying to come up with ways to fill the gaps or make the cuts that will be necessary to balance our budget this year.

Aside from that, I have, to date, had twelve substantive bills pass the Senate of Virginia and are now headed for consideration by the House of Delegates.  These bills encompass many public safety issues, natural resource issues, and property matters. 

One of the most difficult bills that I have worked on was the menhaden fisheries cap.  As many of you are aware, that cap to protect the fishery was negotiated a few years ago and is designed to ensure that we have a healthy and sustainable population of menhaden along the Atlantic Coast and in the Chesapeake Bay for both sport fishermen and the menhaden industry, which catches and processes these fish for oil.  This year there was a strong push to have the Virginia Marine Resources Commission take over the management of the fishery in an attempt to have the fishery entirely shut down from commercial harvest.  This was a push that was instigated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  I will tell you that it was a difficult and tough fight to keep this fishery open and its closure would have meant the loss of hundreds of jobs for the Northern Neck at a time when unemployment is at an all time high and people are generally struggling to feed their families.  This bill was one of my top priorities to protect those jobs and families.  At the end of the day, we were able to hold off that measure and my bill to protect the fishery and maintain the cap and continue the commercial harvest passed the Senate with a unanimous vote.  It is important to note that many folks will tell you that the fishery is suffering or that it hurts the sport fishermen or there are not enough menhaden for the rockfish to eat.  I will tell you that over the past few weeks I have learned more about menhaden than anyone could ever want to know.  I have spent countless hours on the phone with fish biologists from the federal government and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.  What I have learned is that there is absolutely no science out there to indicate that there is any danger of the fishery being over-fished.  Actually, to the contrary, all of the science indicates that we have an absolutely healthy and sustainable population of menhaden for both commercial fishing and the sport fishing industry.  Others would suggest that fishing in the Bay is depleting the Bay’s resource, but, in fact, the menhaden is a migratory species and they move up and down the Coast of the Atlantic states and in and out of the Chesapeake Bay.  So, frankly, there is no real way to determine what a population in the Bay is because those fish swim in and out on a regular basis.  The caveat to that is the small fish swim up into the rivers, such as the Rappahannock and the Potomac, and that is where they grow up.  The commercial fishermen are not allowed to fish for them there, so those areas are protected and they should be protected from harvesting.

At the end of the day, I believe that the General Assembly has adopted the correct policy on this.  I will also tell you that we spend a lot more time than just cursory review of this fishery.  This fishery is watched very closely by V.M.R.C. already, by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and by the Federal Fisheries Commission, who regularly monitor the stock and the health of the fishery.  Any time there is any concern, they notify all of us and any other appropriate party so that we may take necessary action.

I also had quite a few other bills of interest to my district, which I will endeavor to explain as the weeks roll on.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to serve you in the State Senate.  If I can be of any service, I can be reached at my senate office, 804-698-7528, P. O. Box 396, Richmond, Virginia 23218 or my district office, 804-493-8892, P. O. Box 1146, Montross, Virginia 22520, or by email at richard@stuartforsenate.com.

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

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Virginia moves a step closer to imposing sales taxes on online purchases – internetretailer.com - A proposal to tax sales of goods purchased from out-of-state online retailers moved a step closer to approval in Virginia this week, though prospects for passage remain uncertain.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • General Assembly Honors Radford for 100 Years of Service – The Roanoke Times - Radford University was recognized for 100 years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia during consecutive “center-aisle” presentations held on the floor of the General Assembly in Richmond on Feb. 11.  The ceremonies were held in collaboration with the university’s annual “Advocacy Day” at the state capitol.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Stuart's tax-cut bill dead for now – fredericksburg.com -  A Senate committee has shot down Sen. Richard Stuart's bill that would have halved the corporate income tax for businesses locating or expanding in non-congested areas.

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

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

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

• Multiple Senators
  • Senate 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.

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

• 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.

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

• Multiple Senators
  • Politics vs. principle on unemployment aid – The Virginian-Pilot - Last year, Republican lawmakers were excoriated for rejecting $125 million in federal aid for jobless workers in Virginia.
• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Motorist-safety measures falter in House panel – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Two bills aimed at improving motorist safety were run off the legislative road this week in a House of Delegates subcommittee, but two other measures seem on their way to eventual passage in the General Assembly.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • House 'Amazon bill' dies in committee – fredericksburg.com - A House subcommittee this week killed a bill to force big online retailers to collect and remit Virginia sales tax to the state.
  • Gun backers push to peel back limits – Associated Press - Gun control advocates think, if not pray, they can win by losing when the Supreme Court decides whether the constitutional right to possess guns serves as a check on state and local regulation of firearms.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Panel blocks bid to ease flooded-car restrictions – The Virginian-Pilot - Consumer advocates have succeeded, at least for this year, in derailing an attempt to raise the threshold for reporting water damage to cars from $1,000 to $5,000.
• Senator Frank Quayle
  • Legislation to block OLF is grounded – Tidewater News - Legislation that could have stopped the Navy from locating an Outlying Landing Field in Western Tidewater has been refused permission for takeoff this year. But OLF opponents aren’t giving up.
  • State officials warn of indefinite closures to shellfish harvesting – The Daily Press - Upper creek beds and other polluted waterways may be closed indefinitely to shellfish harvesting due to a proposed budget cut, a state Health Department official warned on Friday.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • The cost of filing a lawsuit in Va. could increase – wtop.com - The state of Virginia may have found a solution to close its $4 billion budget gap.
  • Bill proposes raising fees for filing lawsuits – Associated Press - Virginia lawmakers are considering imposing the highest lawsuit-filing fees in the country as one way of plugging a $4 billion state budget gap.
  •  Assembly extends menhaden limits – fredericksburg.com - Bills that keep oversight of menhaden in legislative hands are wending their way through the General Assembly process.

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

• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr. 
  • A meritorious gas tax index to pay for roads – The News & Advance - At least one member of the General Assembly agrees that the state needs to increase its gasoline tax to keep the highway trust fund from going broke.
  • PERSPECTIVE: Restorative justice fell through the cracks – Culpeper Star-Exponent - Amid anguish over education, taxes, guns and other high-profile issues in Richmond, one topic failed to get the attention it deserved.
  • Reform option goes unnoticed – The Daily Progress - Amid anguish over education, taxes, guns and other high-profile issues in Richmond, one topic failed to get the attention it deserved.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Senate budget concerns Hurt – The Franklin News-Post - The future economic stability of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) could be jeopardized by the Senate budget proposal to take $500 million from the VRS to fund ongoing state programs for the next two years, State Sen. Robert Hurt said.
  • Local legislators uneasy about Tobacco funds – Danville News - The House of Delegates’ version of the state budget proposed using more than $100 million from the Tobacco Commission to fund road projects and higher education centers Southside — a line item that’s leaving local legislators uneasy.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Charter school bill advances in House – The Associated Press - The House of Delegates has approved legislation that would expand the state's role in the charter-school approval process, a measure backed by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Effort To Revive Va Gun Bills Fails – The Associated Press - Republicans have lost an attempt to revive pro-gun bills that failed last week in a special subcommittee set up to shoot down the proposals.
  • Republicans fail to revive pro-gun bills in Virginia committee – The Virginian-Pilot - It now seems apparent that state law will change to allow concealed handguns to be carried in bars and stored in lockboxes inside cars.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Va. health bill could foil Obama proposal – The Boston Globe - Here in the former capital of the Old Confederacy, where resistance to the supremacy of federal law has a long and tortuous history, a new battle is being waged over a question that could undercut a key part of President Obama’s health care proposal: whether Washington can require that most Americans have health insurance.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Salvage yards getting scrutiny – The Free Lance-Star - Over the past year, Stafford County sheriff's deputies have found 10 stolen cars at a salvage yard in the county.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Vogel’s ‘high marks’ – The Winchester Star - In assessing Gov. McDonnell’s first two months in office, a common lament has been that the state’s new Republican chief executive has not exercised visible leadership, that he has not stepped, chest out, to the front of the parade and strutted his stuff.
  • Virginia first state to challenge federal health insurance mandate – The Washington Examiner - Congress hasn’t even passed Obamacare yet, but if and when it does, Virginia’s General Assembly has already fired the first round in what could be a major legal showdown with Washington over the limits of federal power.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Gov. McDonnell expected to sign bill allowing creation of BVU authority – Bristol Herald - To the delight of supporters and dismay of opponents, Gov. Bob McDonnell is today expected to sign legislation allowing the creation of a Bristol Virginia Utilities authority.
  • IT'S HORSE-TRADING TIME – The FreeLance-Star - As the General Assembly session winds down into its last week, the dozen lawmakers charged with negotiating a budget compromise are getting to work.
  • State lawmakers approve insurance mandate for telemedicine – FierceHealthIT - The Virginia State Legislature last week unanimously approved legislation that would make the state the 12th in the nation to mandate insurance coverage for telemedicine services.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Bill takes aim at cigarette smugglers – Star-Tribune - A new law targeting cigarette smugglers has cleared both houses of the General Assembly and now goes to the governor for his signature.
  • Unemployment extension bill axed in subcommittee – The Hampton Roads Business Journal - Virginia's business lobby has prevailed again.

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.  

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

• Multiple Senators 
  • 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.

• 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.

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

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Localities dodge worst of budget cuts – The News Leader - Although the final state budget figures impacting localities are not as bad as many feared, area officials say it is not the silver bullet that will solve their problems.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Sparring continues over Va. air quality control bills – The Virginian-Pilot - Environmentalists have described it as "the Virginia dirty air bill" - a measure that would limit the authority of the State Air Pollution Board and could increase smog problems in Hampton Roads, Richmond and other regions.
  • McDonnell signs emergency legislation overhauling VITA – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Gov. Bob McDonnell now is directly responsible for fixing a problem he inherited: Virginia's troubled information-technology bureaucracy and its fractious dealings with contractor Northrop Grumman.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • McDonnell to Sign Legislation at UVa – Newsplex.com - Gov. Bob McDonnell will sign two bills into law at the University of Virginia on Wednesday that establish college partnership laboratory schools.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • $82 billion state budget passes – South Hill Enterprise - After much deliberation, the General Assembly has passed a two-year $82 billion budget that cuts spending on education, health care and public safety to bridge a $4 billion shortfall.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Area legislators had ups, downs – The Free Lance-Star - The just-ended 2010 legislative session saw lawmakers deal with nearly 3,000 bills and resolutions, of which about 1,600 passed and more than 1,000 failed.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Va. expands booze business in budget­­ – The Washington Examiner - Virginia is slated to open 20 new state-run liquor stores and mark up spirit prices by 2 percent under the state's new budget, signaling lawmakers' increased reliance on alcohol revenues and a potentially deeper resistance to Gov. Bob McDonnell's privatization plan.

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As this legislative session has come to a close, obviously the last few weeks were dealt with adopting a state balanced biennial budget for 2011 and 2012.  The General Assembly adopted a budget late Sunday evening.  Unfortunately, it was a budget that I could not support. 

Along with the budget, we viewed almost 3,000 pieces of legislation.  As for myself, I had 15 fairly substantive bills that passed the General Assembly this year from legislation to help special needs children, to public safety measures, to bills to help veterans get property tax relief and ensuring the stability of our menhaden fishery.

The most noteable of all my bills was the bill to increase the fee for civil litigation.  Many of you have heard much about this and it was a sticking point in the budget negotiations.  The bill increases the filing fee for people who want to sue each other for personal injury or other civil litigation, but it also raised the money necessary to fund the sheriffs’ offices and the commonwealth attorneys. 

The bill was premised on the theory that taxpayers should not subsidize people who want to sue each other for personal injury and that they should have to fund the system themselves.  Furthermore, this bill amounted to real tort reform.  The way it amounts to tort reform is very simply that, if it costs more to file a law suit to sue for personal injury, people with frivolous suits will stop filing them.

The bill was successfully utilized to fund the sheriffs and the commonwealth attorneys and, for that, I am very proud.  Public safety has to be one of our top priorities.  The backbone of any community is safe streets and good schools and good jobs. 

The biennial budget that was adopted gave me great concern in several respects.  First, the General Assembly is not honoring its responsibility toward the Virginia Retirement System as has been discussed in my previous report.  The way that the General Assembly chose to proceed was to not pay two years worth of payments to the Virginia Retirement System that will total about 620 million dollars. This 620 million dollars will then be amortized over ten years, which multiplies our burden and I believe it could potentially jeopardize our AAA bond rating. The ability to repay is based upon an assumption that the stock market will perform at 7 ½ to 8 % each year going forward and that our revenue receipts for the state will be approximately 4 ½ % in 2011 and 5 ½ % in 2012.

To me, this was just too much of a gamble and there were too many risks with going forward with this theory.  I simply believe this is imprudent fiscal policy and I could not support it.

We also eliminated a manufacturer’s deduction, which saved the state some money, but it is a disincentive to manufacturers in Virginia.  With the type of recession that we are trying to climb out of, it appears to me that manufacturing jobs could be one of the best ways to recover.  So, I could not support anything that was a disincentive to manufacturing.

Finally, we also shifted financial burdens to our localities.  This puts the localities in the position of trying to figure out how they are going to come up with the money to do certain things that the state had previously provided revenue for.

All in all, there were very tough decisions to be made.  While I think there was much progress made in the budget, I think there was more to be made and it was a budget I simply could not support for those reasons and others.

We were, however, able to restore money to K-12 that Governor Kaine had previously cut.  I think that we probably could have found more money for education if we had spent a little more time and worked a little harder.

At any rate, the budget has been concluded and we now await the reconvened session, which is April 21, 2010.  At that time, the Governor will send down his amendments to any of the bills that passed the General Assembly or veto any legislation that he believes is inappropriate.

I must comment on the leadership from Governor McDonnell.  I have to tell you that I was very impressed with his efforts and leadership in the way that he reached out to all members of the General Assembly, both Republicans and Democrats alike, to solve the state’s problems.  I believe that this is the sign of true leadership.  He did not try to make issues partisan.  He did not choose Republicans over Democrats to carry legislation.  He simply worked with all members of each party to resolve the difficulties.  Even though at the end of the day I didn’t agree with the budget, I am proud of his leadership in such a bipartisan fashion.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to serve you in the State Senate.  If I can be of any service, I can be reached at my senate office, 804-698-7528, P. O. Box 396, Richmond, Virginia 23218 or my district office, 804-493-8892, P. O. Box 1146, Montross, Virginia 22520, or by email at richard@stuartforsenate.com. 

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

• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Virginia General Assembly Seeks to Bypass Federal Health Care Reform – WHSV.com - Last month, the Virginia General Assembly approved a bill that says neither the federal or state government can force residents to purchase health insurance.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Virginia attorney general ready to challenge health-care law – The Virginian-Pilot - The next battlefield in the fight over health care legislation may be inside a courtroom instead of the halls of government.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • DRIVERS FACING NEW ROAD LAWS – The Free Lance-Star - On any given day, the flow of traffic on Virginia's interstates reaches an average speed of 70 mph.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Goodlatte expresses outrage at luncheon – NVDaily.com - Sixth District Rep. Bob Goodlatte railed against historic health care reform legislation at a luncheon Monday for local business owners and civic leaders.
  • Small Businesses Wait for Health Care Launch – TV3Winchester.com - Historic Health Care legislation is heading to president Obama's desk, but many people in your community still aren't sure what it will mean for them. TV3'explains why some local business owners are on the fence.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Virginia Bill Mandates Telemedicine Coverage; Barriers Remain – iHealthbeat.org - On March 2, the Virginia Legislature unanimously approved a bill (SB 675) that would require private health insurers, health care subscriptions plans and HMOs to cover for the cost of health care services provided through telemedicine technology.

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Having finished the regular session, we now go back for what is known as the reconvened or veto session on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.  During that time, we will be taking up a considerable amount of amendments proposed by the Governor on legislation that passed the General Assembly in the 2010 session.

There were a couple of amendments that were brought to my attention which I believe are worth noting to you as we enter this veto session.  As you are aware, I voted against this biennial budget for multiple reasons.  Two of the problems that I saw with the budget the Governor is now proposing to fix.

First, the budget allowed localities to require local government employees and teachers to pay their 5% employee retirement contributions.  The problem that I saw with this is that this was not something that was being required of state employees or anyone else, and they were changing the rules on these employees in midstream.  In other words, this was a benefit that the employees had bargained for when they took their position.  I supported the bill to make some revisions for new employees with regard to the retirement system, but I believe it is patently unfair to change the rules in midstream for employees.  I would like to praise the Governor for proposing this amendment.  At the end of the day, this means that the rules will not be changed for existing employees and they will get what they bargained for when they took the position.  Also, everyone will be treated equally across the state.

Secondly, one of my great concerns with the budget was the fact that it eliminated what is commonly referred to as the manufacturer’s deduction or the Virginia Domestic Production Activity deduction.  What happened was the federal internal revenue code deleted this deduction and then the state sought to align their code with the feds.  But the loss of that deduction was a disincentive to manufacturers in Virginia.  As you know, you can’t buy anything today without looking at the label and seeing “made in China.”  That, I believe, will be prove to be the greatest stumbling block to our economic recovery because the only way we will have a real and meaningful economic recovery is if we get back to manufacturing and stop buying everything from overseas, which in turn means that the jobs go overseas and we send all of our money overseas.  The Governor has proposed to fix this, which, again, I praise his efforts on this.  It is incredibly important for job creation and job retention and is one of the most important things we can do to incentivize manufacturing, which helps us all.

There are many other amendments proposed.  These two are probably the most significant that I am advised of.  However, I will report further as to other amendments that I believe are of interest to you as we go forward.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to serve you in the State Senate.  If I can be of any service, I can be reached at my senate office, 804-698-7528, P. O. Box 396, Richmond, Virginia 23218 or my district office, 804-493-8892, P. O. Box 1146, Montross, Virginia 22520, or by email at richard@stuartforsenate.com.

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
  • Center of promise – The News Virginian - 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 Ryan McDougle
  • Sen. McDougle & Del. Hugo Host Press Conference on Faulty EPA Stormwater Claims – RyanMcDougle.com - Two veteran members of the Virginia General Assembly and co-chairs of the Joint Republican Business Caucus, Delegate Tim Hugo of Clifton, Virginia and Senator Ryan McDougle of Mechanicsville, Virginia announced the release of a letter today to Governor Bob McDonnell, which noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Chesapeake Bay Program has been using faulty data in their efforts to encourage the six (6) Bay states and the District of Columbia to strengthen their stormwater management regulations. 
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • VDOT studies highway speed limit increases – The Northern Virginia Daily - Studies are underway to determine what sections of Virginia's highways could have an increased speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph beginning this summer.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Virginia governor praises Norfolk District's exceptional environmental stewardship – www.army.mil - Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell recently awarded the 2010 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, for demonstrated commitment to land stewardship in Virginia through the protection of Crow's Nest peninsula.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • McDonnell names 64 to jobs-creation commission – Richmond Times Dispatch – Gov. Bob McDonnell pulled from a cross-section of prominent state business leaders and legislators to fill the job-creation commission he established with his first executive order.

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 Ryan McDougle
  • Va. lawmakers say EPA’s runoff rules use inaccurate data – Charlottesville Daily Progress - A federal agency has cited inaccurate statistics in building a case for tougher stormwater regulations, two Virginia lawmakers said Tuesday.
  • Veteran state legislators cite faulty EPA stormwater claims – The Mechanicsville Local - Two veteran members of the Virginia General Assembly, Del. Tim Hugo of Clifton and Sena. Ryan McDougle of Mechanicsville, announced the release of a letter Wednesday to Gov. Bob McDonnell, which noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Chesapeake Bay Program has been using faulty data in their efforts to encourage the six Bay states and the District of Columbia to strengthen their stormwater management regulations.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Measure allows murder charge in infant death cases – Lynchburg News Advance - Legislation will take effect immediately that allows authorities to charge a woman with murder if she kills her newly born infant while the umbilical cord is still attached.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Virginia legislature restricts abortion funding – The Washington Post - The Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday accepted proposals from Gov. Robert F. McDonnell to restrict state funding for abortions, expand spending on economic development and raise fines for speeders, but lawmakers resisted some cuts he had sought for social services.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Republicans Hold Mass Meeting and Women’s Convention – Roanoke Star-Sentinel - On Thursday evening, the Roanoke County Administration Building was packed to capacity for the Roanoke County Republican Mass Meeting. 
  • Bills sink and swim   – OldDominionWatchdog.org - Gov. Bob McDonnell had already signed nearly 800 bills into law when he brought more than one hundred amendments to bills for legislators to approve or reject on Wednesday.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Efforts Fail to Change Virginia’s Worker Compensation Death Presumption Law – Richmond Personal Injury Lawyers - Virginia has a rather peculiar workers compensation law. If the worker is found dead at the scene of his/her accident, the worker's accident is "presumed" to have arisen out of his work.
• Senator William Wampler
  • House preserves funding for public radio, child services – Richmond Times Dispatch - The House of Delegates today rejected Gov. Bob McDonnell’s amendments to reduce funding for public radio and television and for the Comprehensive Services Act, which provides services for needy children.

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

• 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.

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
  • Plans Finalized for Rappahannock Nutrient Cooperative Business Advisory Council Kickoff June 10 – Conserv - Today, Conserv, working with the Rappahannock River Basin Commission, sent out Invitations to attend the Kickoff of the Rappahannock Nutrient Cooperative Business Advisory Council at the University of Mary Washington Jebson Business Center on Thursday, June 10 from  10-1 p.m. The invitation from Virginia State Senator Emmett Hanger is below.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Healthy debate for breakfast – Tidewater News - State elected officials met with local leaders and citizens to discuss legislative matters over eggs and bacon during the Eggs & Issues breakfast at Franklin Baptist Church on Tuesday.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Metro columnist Dan Casey: Tax raises for college 'users' should apply to gas – The Roanoke Times - Unless you're a state university student or the parent of one, you may not have noticed a tax increase that will soon go into effect across Virginia, the land of no state tax increases.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Westmoreland supervisors have special meeting – Fredericksburg.com - Needs for more highway funding and more court space are topics of a special meeting of the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the A.T. Johnson Alumni Museum Auditorium in Montross.
• Senator William Wampler
  • City leaders approve loan for school office building – TriCities.com - City leaders Tuesday unanimously agreed to seek a $3 million interest-free loan to pay for a school administration building.
• Senator John Watkins
  • New law hampers ‘undergrounding’ of power lines – Loudoun Times - Beginning July 1, localities in Virginia will have a tougher time negotiating with power companies to put proposed electrical lines underground due to a recent bill that passed the General Assembly this session.
  • Powhatan says 2008 e-mail on shooting range insufficient – Richmond Times-Dispatch - An e-mail from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shows that Powhatan County officials were informed in early 2008 that a law-enforcement training facility and firing range was being planned.

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

• 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.

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
  • Virginia FREE 2010 legislator rankings – NVDaily.com - Ratings by the pro-business advocacy organization Virginia FREE for members of the Virginia General Assembly based on votes taken on business legislation before the 2010 session. Members are grouped by cumulative score by chamber, name and party.
  • Business, conservation groups rate Va. Lawmakers – Richmond Times Dispatch - Republicans lead in one closely watched legislative report card. Democrats do better in another. Both grading systems are about green -- campaign cash and the environment.
  • Virginia Free evaluates legislators – Inside Business - The Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education, or Virginia Free, has evaluated Virginia lawmakers for their views on business issues. Jeffrey McWaters and Frank Wagner earned the highest marks.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Lawmakers- High Court Decision on Guns Shouldn't Affect VA – WTVR.com - A Supreme Court decision declaring a handgun ban in Chicago "unconstitutional" could impact many states, but probably not Virginia.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Scholarship program lauded – The News Record - The Virginia Tobacco Commission’s Scholarship/Forgivable Loan program was recognized by the Southern Growth Policy Board at the 2010 Innovator Awards ceremony held Monday, June 7.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • NEW STATE LAWS ON THE BOOKS – Fredericksburg.com - Tomorrow, 877 new laws will go into effect in Virginia. The laws, passed by the General Assembly during its session at the beginning of the year, cover everything from a locality's ability to cut grass to concealed weapons in bars.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Gulf spill gives Va. lawmakers second thoughts on new policy – The Virginian-Pilot - The record oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is causing many Virginia lawmakers to rethink their position on a new state policy, signed into law just before the disaster began, that supports oil drilling off the Virginia coast.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Lt. Gov. Bolling: There is light at the end of the tunnel – TriCities.com - Virginia’s chief economic development officer, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, said Tuesday that he can see the light at the end of the recession’s tunnel – and Southwest Virginia is well positioned to take advantage of the economic growth to come.
  • Dreaming big dreams – Southwest Virginia Today - It looks a lot like tourism, but it’s not, at least not entirely, Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission Executive Director Todd Christensen said.
• Senator John Watkins
  • NEW TOW LAW'S GOAL IS SAFETY – Fredericksburg.com - If you are towing an improperly secured trailer on Virginia roads, Ron Melancon is looking for you.

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 Steven Newman
  • Double-murderer Soering to stay in Virginia – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The U.S. Justice Department is leaving double-murderer Jens Soering in a Virginia prison to serve out his punishment.
  • Update: Jens Soering to Stay in Virginia – WSET.com - The Department of Justice has decided prisoner Jens Soering will not be leaving Virginia.
  • Convicted murderer Soering to remain in Virginia prisons – Lynchburg News & Advance - Heavy opposition from Virginia officials, including Gov. Bob McDonnell, legislators and law enforcement, persuaded the U.S. Department of Justice to leave convicted murderer Jens Soering in a state prison.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Governor Announces Funding Plans for Rest Areas – WHSV.com - Barricades no longer block the entrances to some of the Valley's rest areas, but there's still a lot of attention being paid to the issue of funding them.
  • Catholic involvement ‘critical’ in Virginia abortion funding victory, advocate says – Catholic News Agency - “Countless hours” of behind-the-scenes advocacy helped add significant restrictions on abortion funding to the Virginia budget, the director of the Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC) has explained.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Ground broken for regional jail – VaNcNews.com - The weather was lovely on Thursday, July 1, for the ground breaking ceremony for the Meherrin River Regional Jail located at the intersection of Boydton Plank Road and Liberty Road.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Menhaden working group misled – Northumberland Echo - It will be interesting to see who shows up at State Sen. Ralph Northern's menhaden management working group meetings when they start later this month.
  • New laws take effect across Commonwealth – Northern Neck News - A number of new Virginia laws went into effect July 1, some of which have much bearing locally, according to state lawmakers.