January 28, 2011

The wintery weather here in Richmond wasn’t enough to stop us from doing the people’s business this week. Among committee meetings, presentation of bills to committees, longer floor sessions, and the number of groups that are visiting us, the days seem to be flying by very quickly now that we have gotten into the thick of the 2011 General Assembly session.

In this week’s newsletter, I would like to highlight the House’s passage of the Repeal Amendment, the progress of some of my legislation, as well as some of the visitors who stopped by the General Assembly Building.

Spotlight on: The Repeal Amendment passes the House of Delegates

On Tuesday, the House of Delegates took a major step in our efforts to help re-balance the role of the federal government when we passed the Repeal Amendment, HJ 542. The Repeal Amendment, co-patroned by a total of 51 delegates including myself, is legislation that enables two-thirds of the States to convene an amendment convention pursuant to Article V of the United States Constitution. The convention could then consider a constitutional amendment allowing the repeal of any federal law or regulation by a vote of two-thirds of the state legislatures acting in unison.

Simply put, the Repeal Amendment would give states the ability to overturn highly unpopular laws like Obamacare; however, as the Repeal Amendment would require two-thirds of all states to call for a convention and ratify proposed amendments, only intolerable and unacceptable laws and regulations would likely be acted upon.

I, for one, co-patroned this important legislation because I am concerned that the federal government has grown so large that it can no longer govern in an efficient and responsive fashion. Giving states a limited check on federal power will reign in the scope of the federal government, increase efficiency, and encourage an atmosphere in Washington more closely aligned with the intent of our founding fathers.

The House of Delegates passed the Repeal Amendment on a 59 to 34 vote, and now this legislation will go before the State Senate. Currently, a Senate version of the Repeal Amendment has been stalled in the Privileges and Elections Committee. I hope that our colleagues in the Senate will see the wisdom in passing this bill and give it the serious consideration it deserves.

My Legislation

I have been honored to sponsor many pieces of important legislation this year. If you joined in on this week’s telephone town hall you may have gotten to hear about a few of my bills. I will highlight a several for you:

HB:1837: This bill received unanimous bipartisan support in subcommittee this morning. This legislation seeks to create a tax credit for wineries and vineyards for personal income tax for up to 25% of the cost for capital investment in an existing farm winery or vineyard, or establishment of a new farm winery or vineyard.

HB1840: I introduced this legislation last year, and am happy to report it has once again passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. This bill doubles the amount of long term care tax credits an individual is able to receive from 15%-30%, thereby encouraging Virginians to invest in their own long term care needs.

HB1838: Is before the House today for its first reading. This legislation seeks to eliminate apparent contradictions between provisions of two sections dealing with the Motor Vehicle Transaction Recovery Fund and recoveries therefrom.

These are just three bills, I have introduced with the most recent movement. For more information on these and other items please visit this link: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+mbr+H217C for more information.

Visitors

This week we enjoyed visits from ODU, Virginia Tech, the Credit Unions, AARP, the Virginia Hospitality and Restaurant Industry, and the Auto Dealers. We were also visited by Michelle Ghoston, Paula Price, Elizabeth Webb, Linda Wililams, Chase Kcontz, Dawn Best and Katie Breggs just to name a few.

Contact Me

As always, my staff and I are here in Richmond to serve you. We want to hear what you think about the legislation pending before the House, or if there’s anything we can do to help you in dealing with a state government agency. My office can be reached at (804) 698-1023 or via the Internet at DelSGarrett@house.virginia.gov. If you are planning to visit Richmond during Session, I encourage you to visit me in Room 718.

Thank you again for allowing me to serve as your Delegate.