Toscano update from the General Assembly - April 4, 2007
STEPPING INTO HISTORY -- THE CAPITOL RESTORED AND THE VETO SESSION OF 2007
As we walked through the doors, it was clear that the wait was well worth it. I am not talking about the transportation bill, or the debate on the smoking bill (important issues that I will get to in a moment), but the newly renovated Capitol building. As you probably know, the House and Senate have been holding sessions for the last two years in the old Library building, jammed together like sardines in sterile surroundings totally undeserving of the longest continuously sitting democratic body in the Western world. On April 4, 2007, the day of the reconvened or “veto” session, that all changed.As we entered the Capitol, originally designed by Jefferson and first used in 1788, the reactions were uniform—“amazing, unbelievable, impressive,” the verdict was in, and legislators were clearly pleased with the result. The House chamber, which had been restored to its original 1906 design (it was one of 2 wings that had been added at that time), was lit by natural light from the impressively large skylight in the ceiling, and given structure by 100 fully restored mahogany desks that date from a time when Virginia was a much different state than it is today. The only apparently “new” elements of the room were the pale blue chairs emblazoned with the seal of Virginia behind each desk, and two jumbotron monitors for televising proceedings and reporting votes. I encourage you to come for a visit, either during session or off. Let us know if you would like a tour.
On April 4, 2007, we considered the Governor’s vetoes and amendments to all bill passed during session. The Governor sent down a large number of amendments, most of which were technical and spurred little debate. By the time we had arrived in Richmond, the transportation “deal” had been cut. It was clear that a bill would be passed; only the margin remained in doubt. The Governor worked hard to take a bill which was fundamentally flawed and changed it into one which, while having serious shortcomings, provides enough assistance statewide and to this region to gain my support. We would have had no bill without the Governor advocating for positions embraced by citizens in our area—support for transit, granting more authority to local governments to better plan our future, providing more funding for secondary road construction and maintenance. But to say it is a “long term fix” is misleading. We will undoubtedly return to this debate within the next five years, because the package does not include adequate funding to address the state’s long term needs.
With transportation out of the way, the big issues became the Governor’s vetoes and his changes to HB 2422, the smoking bill passed during the regular session. The Governor vetoed bills that proposed to expand the state’s ability to impose capital punishment for additional crimes such as the killing of a judge or witness, or upon criminals who participated in a heinous capital offense, but who did not actually pull the trigger or directly kill a victim (hence, the reference to the “triggerman rule”). I voted against each one of these bills in the House, feeling, like the Governor, that we already have sufficient tools to lock up these criminals for life, and I oppose expanding the death penalty. The Governor further pointed out that Virginia is number 2 among the states in executions. The results in the House were never in doubt—the 1/3rd vote necessary to sustain the veto could not be mustered on any of these bills. But in the Senate, the veto of the bill to repeal the triggerman rule was sustained, so those opposed to the expansion of capital punishment won a limited victory.
While there was no doubt about the outcome of the capital punishment vetoes, the amendments to the smoking bill generated extensive speculation. The Governor took a bill which would have been a step backward (it would have repealed laws which required certain size restaurants to have no-smoking sections) and proposed to change it into a total ban of smoking in all restaurants. I voted against the original bill, but was pleased to support the Governor’s amendments. Unlike a veto, Governor’s amendments require a majority vote to become law, and a bipartisan coalition could only muster 40 votes in favor, so the measure failed. The Governor will now have the final say, and it is likely he will veto the original bill, which means it is dead for the year. We will likely see a new anti-smoking bill next year. I believe public awareness of the dangers of second-hand smoke continues to increase, and public support for prohibitions is on the rise.
With the session now over, I turn my attention to constituent service. If you have a group who wants an update of the assembly session, give me a call and I will arrange to come to speak. If I can assist with a problem, or you want to discuss new legislation, please call me at 220-1660 or email me at deldtoscano@house.state.va.us.
Finally, the fall election will determine if I will serve another term. I will be making a formal announcement to seek reelection sometime in the next month. Please watch for it, and I hope I can count on your support. I am truly honored to represent this great community, and hope I can keep your trust.
P.S. If any of you are interested in hearing any of the floor debates on issues, you can check out Assembly Access. For those interested in my speech on extending the minimum wage, it can be found on YouTube.
