Virginia Senate Republican Caucus
Each year right before and into the early days of session, I conduct a pre-session survey to take the pulse of the 26th district. Today I'd like to share some of the results with you.
TRANSPORTATION -- I asked if you supported amending the Constitution of Virginia to ensure that revenues designated for the state's Transportation Trust Fund can only be spent on transportation projects, and a full 84% of you said yes.
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.
This morning, Senator Jeff McWaters held a press conference to discuss Senate Bill 1394, which designates ¼ % (0.25%) of the existing sales tax revenues in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia to transportation projects in those regions. These highly congested regions localities have requested a dedicated revenue stream for transportation, and this proposal would dedicate money towards badly needed transportation projects.
I want to thank all of those who have responded to our survey. Your guidance helps me better understand the thoughts of those in the Fifteenth Senate District. In the course of the next couple of weeks I will bring you up to date on those issues that have sparked the most interest.
Breaking the Rules
Senator McWaters to Hold News Conference on Dedicated Transportation Funding Proposal
WHAT: Senator Jeffrey L. McWaters (R-Virginia Beach) will highlight and discuss his dedicated transportation funding proposal for Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, Senate Bill 1394
WHEN: Monday 31 January 2011, 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Senate Room 2 - The Capitol, Richmond
Check out Senator McDougle’s PodCast
from this morning on
Bearing Drift-Virginia Politics on Demand
to hear discussion about transportation funding and
heated debate this week which transpired
between Senators. Significant bills were
denied the opportunity to be heard
We are edging closer to crossover, the day when all Senate bills are transmitted to the House and vice versa. In the Senate alone, 741 bills and 136 resolutions have been introduced, with many hot-button issues represented.
I haven't shied away from those issues.
Eminent domain reform (SJ 307), for instance. It was heard by the subcommittee this week. Unfortunately, the subcommittee failed to report the bill - not a huge surprise, as the subcommittee is actually more hostile to property rights than the full Privileges & Elections (P&E) Committee.
Governor Bob McDonnell established the Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring by executive order on the day he took office, on January 16, 2010. In December 2010, members submitted an interim report that includes more than 100 ideas to streamline government which could potentially save the state $100 millions every year.
At Governor McDonnell's request, Senator Walter Stosch is supporting legislation that would transfer three types of tax collections to the Department of Taxation.
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.
Serious Measures Call For Serious Consideration
This past November, Virginians went to the polls in unusually high numbers for a year in which there were no state-wide offices at stake. However, there were three matters on every ballot ─ proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution, all of which passed. Now it is up to the General Assembly to carry out their intent.
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.
The Lee-Jackson Holiday last Friday and the King Holiday on Monday meant many involved with government - schools, local, state, and federal workers had long weekends. The General Assembly did not. We worked a normal week. However, we did have many that were off who came to Richmond to talk to legislators about the issues with which they are interested. If there are any issues that you would like to discuss with me, please feel free to contact me at district15@senate.virginia.gov, or by calling my office at 804 698 7515.