TOSCANO GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE -- January 19, 2009
It is hard to believe that this marks my fourth General Assembly session. In many ways, this is likely to be the most challenging session of all. The downturn in the economy has created a $2.9 billion projected deficit that will require substantial cuts to be made throughout the state budget. Some of the shortfall can be made up through use of the monies reserved in the "rainy day" reserve fund, but even the Governor's proposed use of $500 million of that fund will not prevent changes in the services provided to people in the Commonwealth. The fact that we have a budget challenge, however, should not distract us from our priorities. We need to continue to invest in education, especially in elementary and secondary schools. The Governor spared K-12 education from cuts in the last cycle, but in light of the current projections, he has now proposed some cuts that do not focus on the classroom. I will try to hold the line on any further trimming of the budget, and remain concerned that some in the House will seize on the budget challenge to demand greater cuts in classroom resources and teacher salaries. This is not the time to embrace such cuts. I urge you to contact me with your own views on the budget and what needs to be preserved.
Our challenges with transportation were further amplified by the presentation of Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer to the House Transportation committee on which I sit. He detailed the prospects of substantial funding reductions in road funding for the counties and cities. This will mean that many of the projects that we desire locally will be further delayed, including safety improvements to Rt 29, Georgetown Rd, Jarman's Gap Rd, and the Hillsdale connection, among others. Maintenance assistance will decline as well as money for transit. I have a bill in that will allow citizens, by referendum, to raise local monies for roads and transit, but it faces some serious challenges in the House.
Beyond the budget challenges, there will also be some changes in how we operate. First, after several years of criticism, the Republicans in the House have embraced a change in the rules that will require the recording of subcommittee votes on bills. This is a great change, and can only improve the accountability of legislators to the public. In addition, the Assembly will now provide a video stream of its sessions. If you are interested, it can be found at, go to http://legis.state.va.us/. The General Assembly convenes at noon everyday, and you can watch the session online at this site.
I have introduced fifteen bills this year, more than I have in the past. They include bills to:
- Provide greater incentives for renewable energy by expanding an approach known as "net metering" of electricity
- Provide operating money for passenger rail in Virginia
- Require use of biodiesel fuels in certain trucks and buses
- Establish a Regional Transit Authority for Albemarle/Charlottesville
- Require schools to adopt an Integrated Pest Management program as opposed to one which embraces indiscriminate spraying
- Permit localities to adopt vigorous anti-smoking ordinances
- Allow Albemarle and Charlottesville to raise, following a referendum, new monies for transportation and transit
- Encourage faster adoptions of children in foster care
You can follow these bills on Richmond Sunlight or on the General Assembly site.
As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns about legislative matters. Please call the Richmond office at (804) 698-1057, send emails to deldtoscano@house.state.va.us or send letters to David Toscano, Virginia House of Delegates, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218
