RICHMOND -- Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, voted for the passage of House Bill and Senate Bill 5001, known as the Six-Year Capital Outlay Plan. The plan was a collaborative, bipartisan effort by members of the House, Senate, and Governor Tim Kaine. These comprehensive bills provide for the needs of higher education, mental health, state parks, public safety, education, agriculture, and economic development. Both bills passed the House and Senate by votes of 97-0 and 38-0 respectively.

    “HB and SB 5001, which are stand alone bills that develop a six-year capital improvement plan for the state, greatly benefit our area by the inclusion of four major projects here in the Shenandoah Valley. I was extremely pleased to vote for the bills which provide money for the building of a new Western State Hospital as well as the construction of a new school for the Deaf, Blind, and Multi-Disabled as part of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton,” said Landes. “Also included in the bills are two major building projects for the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center.”

    House Bill 5001 and Senate Bill 5001 earmark $110.0 million to replace Western State Hospital and $71.3 million to construct a consolidated School for the Deaf, Blind, and Multi-Disabled at Staunton. The projects for Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center include a kitchen and dining hall at $7.9 million and a dormitory listed at $9.7 million.

    Landes represents the 25th House District, which includes the City of Waynesboro, and parts of Albemarle, Augusta and Rockingham Counties. Landes was first elected in 1995 and is now serving his seventh term.