DELEGATE LANDES’ GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT
Delegate R. Steven Landes
Week of March 10, 2008
 

OUR NINTH WEEK

    The General Assembly has already met for sixty days this year, the period mandated by the Constitution of Virginia.  Of the nearly 2,400 bills filed by legislators, around 900 were approved and forwarded to Governor Tim Kaine for his consideration.  One significant bill, Virginia’s 2008-2010 Biennial Budget, has yet to pass.  Because of this, the General Assembly has extended its 2008 session, giving negotiators on behalf of the House and Senate more time to reach an agreement.

    Some news accounts imply that the negotiators – referred to as “conferees” – are not that far from reaching an agreement.  There is, however, good reason to believe that the disagreements between the House and Senate spending plan are rather pronounced.

    The House’s proposal, which delegates approved by a bipartisan 93-5 vote, does not include new or expanded government programs.  It does prioritize spending decisions, putting more money into our mental health care system and relying less on debt and withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund.

    In contrast, the proposal approved by the Senate on a party-line 21-19 vote includes substantial spending for a dramatic expansion of the Pre-K program and – another new Senate program – jail diversion.  In addition, it takes the maximum amount allowed under the Constitution from the Rainy Day.  Making Pre-K available to everyone regardless of income was one of candidate Kaine’s campaign promises.  Jail diversion, a priority for the Senate Democrats, would allow more of those convicted of crimes to avoid incarceration, expanding the availability of alternative sentencing.

    These differences between the House and the Senate are not small.  Indeed, they represent a distinct difference between the priorities of the two bodies.  Delegates believe that expanding government and creating new programs when revenues are falling short of expectations is fiscally unsound.

    Conferees continue to meet to resolve their differences.  Eventually, they will produce an agreed-upon spending plan that can win the approval of both houses.

LEGISLATION

    Several of my bills have been continued to the 2009 Session. This is usually done to give further time to study the issue involved or work out any difficulties before passage of the legislation. The bills I introduced this session to be continued into the 2009 Session include House Bill 86 which will establish a program for the disposal of unused pharmaceuticals, House Bill 311 which will prohibit the operation of a moped on a suspended or revoked license (except to or from work), and House Bill 312 which will make it a Class 5 felony for a person who, while engaged in conduct so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for the life or safety of others, causes injury to a pregnant woman that results in a miscarriage or stillbirth.

VISITORS

    I am very grateful to all those who took the time to stop by our office during this year’s session.  The smiling faces from home help to make the long days pass a lot more quickly. If you were unable to visit this year, I look forward to seeing you during the 2009 Session.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

    Although I will be returning to Richmond with some frequency over the next few weeks, we have returned our operations to the District office.  You can reach us there at 540.245.5540.  Of course, you can still send an e-mail to steve@stevelandes.com or write me at P.O. Box 42, Weyers Cave, Virginia 24486.

    This has been an exceptional session, and it’s not over yet.

#   #   #