House Focuses on Core Priorities in First Half of Session

At Crossover, progress seen in tax reform,government reform, education, and public safety

Richmond, Virginia, February 20: As the 2004 General Assembly session reached its midpoint, or Crossover, this week, the House of Delegates made considerable progress in addressing many of government’s core priorities.  “Over the past month, the House of Delegates has worked hard to advance the needs of our constituents,” said Delegate Ryan T. McDougle (R – Mechanicsville).  The House agenda focused on tax reform, government reform, education, and public safety.

By Crossover Day on Tuesday, the House had to consider all bills that originated in the House and either pass them on to the Senate, defeat them, or carry them over to a future Session.  The House has already handled nearly 2,000 pieces of legislation.  From this point forward, the House will consider the bills passed out of the Senate.

Coming into the Session, it was clear that tax reform would be a main issue.  By Crossover, the House made progress in advancing a plan for tax reform that protects Virginia families.  One piece of this package reforms and streamlines the state tax code by removing special tax breaks for certain businesses.  This measure is true reform that will make Virginia’s tax code fairer and more balanced.  Additionally, the House again passed a bill to provide tax relief for Virginia’s farmers and small business owners by voting to repeal the Death Tax.  Last year, the Governor vetoed the Death Tax elimination bill and the Senate failed to override his veto.

In addition to looking at ways to reform the Commonwealth’s tax code, the House took steps to reform government and cut costs.  The Competitive Government Act passed by the House creates a process for the state to identify commercial activities that could be completed by private sector businesses at a lower cost to taxpayers.  The House also voted to revise the manner in which the annual budget is prepared and required that it be prepared based on existing revenue.  This reform will ensure the legislature and the public will know what government programs can be funded at the outset of the budget process.  Other government reform bills require the examination of future demands for state services by a growing senior citizen population and establishment of guidelines for outsourcing by state government agencies to commercial vendors.

The House passed new education measures focusing on investment in school infrastructure and helping students through key transitional periods.  One bills sets up a new commission to study how the state can assist localities in school construction, renovation, and repair.  Additional bills focus on setting up plans to allow students to have seamless transitions between high school and public colleges and between community colleges and public universities.  In addition to passing these bills, the House also defeated a measure that sought to weaken the level of accountability in public schools.

Tackling the growing problems of gangs and drunk driving deaths were the focus of new public safety initiatives passed in the House.  As part of the anti-gang agenda, the House passed bills aimed at giving schools greater authority to take action against students who commit crimes through gang-related activities, increasing penalties for gang recruitment, and increasing penalties for multiple offenses of gang-related crimes.  To combat an increase in the occurrence drunk driving, the House voted to increase the penalties for DUI offenses, to lower the blood-alcohol level for mandatory incarceration for DUI offenses, and to require anyone found guilty of more than three DUI offenses in ten years to forfeit their vehicle.

“During the first half of the session, my colleagues and I worked hard to address major needs throughout the Commonwealth,” Delegate McDougle said.  “We focused on reforming our tax code, lowering the administrative costs of government, improving Virginia’s education system, and making our communities safer.  We will continue the focus on these core principles of government as we move towards the close of the Session.”

“I appreciate the input we received from each of you so far this session through calls, e-mails, and visits to our office,” McDougle continued.  “I hope that as we move into the second half of the Session, you will continue to make your views and opinions known to me.”

During Session, Delegate McDougle may be reached by phone at (804) 698-1097, by fax at (804) 786-6310, or by e-mail at del_mcdougle@house.state.va.us.  His office is Room 517 of the General Assembly Building.

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