Throughout the last few months people have been sure to tell me how they thought the so-called surplus Virginia enjoys ought to be spent – more money for education, more money for our beautiful state parks, more money for transportation projects, more money for human services like mental health, more money for healthcare, and the list goes on. I’ve consistently advised people that we will have to find a path forward that resolves the demand of the Governor for tax cuts with the need for funding other priorities. [Read more…]
Week 6 of the 2022 Session
On Tuesday, we reached crossover. With the exception of the budget, the House of Delegates can only consider bills originating in the Senate and the Senate can only consider House bills. There were some momentous votes this past week. [Read more…]
Week 4 of the 2022 Session
The 2022 Regular Session of the General Assembly rolls along as we move through bills and committee work, towards crossover. Crossover, which is February 15 this year, is the date by which the Senate must finish its work on Senate bills and the House must act on House bills. The bills then move to the other side for consideration.
The one exception is the budget. [Read more…]
Week 3 of the 2022 Session
We are now in the throes of the 2022 Regular Session. House committees and subcommittees are starting early in the morning and going late at night. In the Senate, which has fewer members and therefore fewer committees and bills, we are working long hours but fewer than the House. Over 2000 bills are still awaiting final action, including the budget.
The Constitution of Virginia requires our budget to be balanced. This requirement does not prevent us from borrowing money for certain needs, such as capital projects. The law also requires us to set aside money in reserves and the rainy day fund. Due to the growing economy and largess of the federal government last year, we have a record surplus that allows us to address some significant needs. [Read more…]
Week 2 of the 2022 Session
The first full week of the 2022 Session of the Virginia General Assembly is now under our belt. We have a little better idea of what we are working with this year. Governor Northam left us with a budget that attempted to address some critical areas of need but also outlined a plan for tax relief. He pre-supposed that the new administration would have success with some of its goals and embedded tax relief in his outgoing budget.
The rubber has now hit the road. Governor Youngkin gave a rousing speech at his inauguration. On a beautiful crisp, sunny day he was inaugurated as the 74th Governor of the Commonwealth Virginia. Every Virginian should feel pride in the peaceful turnover of power that continues to be our tradition. We should all wish for our governor, the governor of all Virginians, to have success. That does not mean we have to agree with every policy he advances. [Read more…]
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