February 11, 2011

Crossover week at the General Assembly is always a busy week. Crossover, which marks the midpoint of the Session, is the day when all bills that have passed the House are sent to the Senate for their consideration and vice versa.

We started off this week with a marathon 12-hour caucus and floor session – the longest floor session this year. Thursday also saw an extended floor session as we debated proposed changes to the current biennial budget. By the time Friday rolled around, many legislators were ready for a chance to go back home to their districts to be with their families and constituents.

Spotlight On: A Tale of Two Budgets

The biggest issue before both the House of Delegates and State Senate this week was the state budget. In the House, we have approved our plan to revise the state budget, and the State Senate has approved their plan. When one compares the House and Senate budgets, it is clear that there is a vast difference in the approach each body took to meet the long-term needs of Virginia. While the House listened to the voters who told us to put fiscal discipline first, the Senate has chosen to spend beyond our means.

On the House side, our primary objective was to restore fiscal discipline by limiting new spending, reducing the amount of authorized debt, setting aside money in the state Rainy Day Fund, as is statutorily required and reducing the burdens on small businesses.

In particular, the House budget sought to address the overall structural imbalance by rolling back the accelerated sales tax for 98% of affected retailers, increasing our reserve payment to the Rainy Day Fund by an additional $64 million above the required $50 million payment, and reducing the state’s authorized debt by $120 million. The House budget has reduced or eliminated funding for a number of programs such as public broadcasting.

In contrast, the Senate budget spends every dollar available and more with almost $335 million in deficit spending as we enter the next biennium. Specifically, the Senate budget:

-Does not reduce the accelerated sales tax for a single retailer

-Provides only an additional $20 million payment into the Rainy Day Fund, $44 million less than was approved in the House budget

-Authorizes nearly $700 million in new state supported debt, including nearly $300 million to pay for the construction of a new government building in Richmond

When you add it all up, the Senate’s budget equals more spending, more debt, and no relief for Virginia small businesses.

As both budgets have passed their respective chambers, it is now up to members of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees to work together to put forward a final budget that both the Republican-controlled House and Democrat-controlled Senate can agree upon.

Legislative Updates

This coming week, I will be presenting my bills dealing with job creation, economic development and tourism (HB 2335, HB2453 and HB1837) to the respective Senate committees (all of which have received broad bipartisan support in the House of Delegates). We also have legislation to address government reform (HB2337, HB2338, HB1838, and HB1839) as well as healthcare (HB1434 and HB1840). I am particularly pleased with the work that we have done to outlaw synthetic marijuana (imitation controlled substance), as these bad bio-organic chemicals have severe medical consequences and are targeting our most precious assets, our children.

Visitors

This week we were visited by the Lynchburg Realtors, 4-H groups, Special Olympics groups, the Girl Scouts, local City Councilman Turner Perrow, businessman Mike Anderson, as well as the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

With such a heavy emphasis on extended floor sessions that are typical of Crossover week, the number of visitors to the General Assembly dropped off this week. While the number of visitors has dwindled, the enthusiasm of those who do visit always re-energizes me and reminds me that I am here to serve you.

Closing

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