February 19, 2010

This week featured the second national holiday to fall during the General Assembly session, Washington’s Birthday. Capitol Square features two prominent statues of our nation’s first president, as well as a recently renovated twelve-story state office building named after him. While Virginia’s Capitol commemorates all of the presidents who hailed from our commonwealth, George Washington’s presence looms largest. Virginia’s Capitol and Capitol Square are replete with statues, monuments and paintings of great historical and artistic significance. Every day, lawmakers conduct debate on contemporary issues great and small surrounded by works that serve as a reminder of Virginia’s rich and significant history.

Crossover, often referred to as the “halfway point” of the General Assembly session, came this week. At this point, both houses have completed work on all legislation filed by its respective members. From this point forward, members of the House of Delegates will be reviewing bills filed by senators, while members of the Senate will be considering measures sponsored by delegates.
Legislation
Some of my bills are now under consideration in the Senate. Just as I had to appear before my fellow delegates over the last five weeks to explain my legislation, I now have to appear before committees comprised of senators to repeat the process. This very deliberate process is intended to ensure that when new laws are enacted, they have received a thorough vetting.

In the remaining weeks of the session, the Senate will be considering my bill to increase Long Term Care tax credits. Our bill, by increasing these tax credits from 15% to 30% of the first 12 months premiums, will further incentivize folks to invest in their own future health care needs. Enacting this measure will reduce Medicaid costs for long term care by delaying or eliminating dependence on Medicaid for such services, through encouraging the purchase of private long term care insurance policies. Research has shown that 90% of each individual’s lifetime expense on their health care will be spent in the last year of life.
Budget
Governor McDonnell made news this week when he released information on his proposed ideas to bring Virginia’s budget into balance. Our new Governor’s input is important to the process of completing a budget. Although he had already shared his recommendations on possible spending reductions to address the challenges brought on by declining revenues, the public release of his ideas generated a lot of coverage from the media.

An important point made by the Governor regarding the process of approving a biennial budget was largely absent from much of the reporting. As he noted, Virginia is taking a very different approach in dealing with its budgetary challenges than the federal government.

Discussions in Richmond stand in stark contrast to the budgetary proposals being considered in Washington. The budget being discussed in our nation’s capitol features increased spending, higher deficits, and even tax increases. Here in Richmond, we’re considering plans to complete a budget that includes spending reductions, no deficits (Virginia’s budget must be balanced), and no tax hikes.

Just as families across Virginia have to make difficult decisions – often curtailing spending – during difficult economic times, Virginia’s government is doing the same. The goal is to emerge from the recession more quickly, generating more private-sector jobs by practicing government spending restraint. It makes the process of constructing a budget more challenging in the short run, but also makes our economic outlook brighter and more stable in the long run. I continue to have regular discussions with other legislators, working to affirm our tax dollars are spent efficiently.
Closing

In the week ahead, the House and Senate are scheduled to approve their respective versions of Virginia’s budget. In next week’s column, I’ll have more details of the progress on the budget. If you want to contact our office during the General Assembly session, please send me an email at DelSGarrett@house.virginia.gov. Have a great week, and thanks for reading this week’s installment of the news from Virginia’s Capitol.

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