News Release

Senate Democrats Defeat Right to Work Amendment

Richmond, January 28, 2009: Democrats on the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee yesterday defeated a proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution that would have added Virginia’s right to work law to the state Constitution. The proposed amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ryan McDougle (R – Hanover) was defeated on a party-line 9-5 vote.

“Our right to work law is a credit to Virginia,” McDougle noted while presenting his bill. “It makes our business climate better than that of our surrounding states, allows businesses to flourish, and aids in the creation of new jobs. It is because of our right to work law that Virginia has been consistently recognized as the best state in the nation in which to do business.”

McDougle introduced the legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 347, in an effort to better protect Virginia’s right to work law against encroachment by the federal government. He expressed concern about proposed federal legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize in Virginia, particularly the unions’ impact on state and constitutional officer employees.

“The federal government should not be allowed to have authority over the operations of state offices,” McDougle stated. “Should the federal government attempt to undertake such changes, it will no doubt lead to litigation. The passage of this amendment would have provided courts deciding such cases with a clear direction as to where Virginia stands on the importance of the right to work law. It would provide Virginia stronger ground on which to stand in defending its right to work status.”

The joint resolution, supported by the whole Senate Republican Caucus, would have been the first step towards granting Constitutional protection to Virginia’s right to work law. To amend the Virginia Constitution, identical legislation must be passed during two separate General Assembly sessions with an election in between. It must then pass a statewide voter referendum. McDougle noted this fact in arguing that it is worthwhile to keep this possibility alive until the direction of federal legislation becomes more clear.

“We must take this calculated risk,” McDougle noted in his testimony before the vote was taken. “If it turns out not to be necessary, we will not go further in the process. However, if we do not act now, we will not be able to institute this amendment until 2012 at the earliest. We must act now and act decisively on this important issue.”

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While Washington remained abuzz this week with the inauguration of our new president, the General Assembly session heated up. Legislators were in full swing as the committee process got underway, presenting numerous measures for consideration as week two of a six-week, “short” session played out.

Senator McDougle also hit the ground running this week. He presented several measures before the Education & Health, Finance, and Transportation Committees and met with numerous constituent groups visiting the Capitol, including voter registrars, credit union representatives and constituents with intellectual disabilities.

Despite the flurry of activity in committees as the second week advanced, the central focus remained on the state budget, namely the sizeable deficit that confronts policymakers this session. There are differing estimates about the size of the revenue shortfall but even as the Governor stands by his forecast of $2.9 billion, many legislators, Republicans and Democrats alike predict it will approach the range of $4 billion plus.

While Senator McDougle remains concerned about the magnitude of the shortfall, he also is keenly focused on improving the state budget process. As mentioned last week, he has introduced legislation to require the Governor to provide the General Assembly with revenue estimates that address both a best case and worst case economic scenario (SB895). Such figures would facilitate more accuracy in crafting the two-year state budget. In addition, he is sponsoring an initiative to change the current budget cycle from even- to odd-numbered years to increase the Governor’s accountability with regard to the final budget of his term (SB894). Currently, the Governor’s term expires before the last budget he prepares. Senator McDougle’s proposed reforms would ensure that all Governors must fully implement the fiscal decisions they initiate.

In other news this week, we received the December Revenue Update that included the latest statistics on the Commonwealth’s tax receipts for the year. The news was quite discouraging, as national indicators are now at recession levels. Virginia’s unemployment rose from 4.2 to 4.6 percent in November and is likely to increase. The Virginia Employment Commission paid out three times the amount of unemployment benefits as compared to this same time last year and these changes mean that Virginia collects less in income and payroll taxes. As a result, citizens have less buying power and sales tax collections decrease.

In the midst of our current economic climate, a striking news story hammers home the need for a rational, common-sense approach to fiscal planning. This week the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Governor Kaine’s administration authorized the use of nearly $1 million in state emergency funds to provide free bus service to Metro stations for inauguration attendees. While the inaugural events were no doubt historic, it is reasonable to assume that individuals can make – and fund – their own travel plans. While $1 million may seem small to some in the context of the projected shortfall, every dollar should be carefully spent in these difficult economic times.

Despite the difficult times ahead, Senator McDougle is committed to both advancing and supporting other measures that grow our economy, promote efficiencies in government spending, minimize Virginians’ tax burden and provide opportunities for practical change that foster long-term stability in our budget planning. As your Senator, he welcomes your input on any issues of concern and you may contact him at (804) 698-7504 or by email at district04@senate.virginia.gov. To express your views, take Senator McDougle’s 2009 Survey at www.ryanmcdougle.com.

Senator Ryan McDougle Presents His 2009 Legislative Package

Proposed legislation focuses on saving taxpayer dollars through improved state fiscal planning and offering crucial protections for consumers, workers, and businesses.

As part of his 2009 legislative package, this week Senator Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) offered several key measures to streamline state fiscal planning and offer much-needed protection for consumers, workers and businesses. Most of these relate directly to the most pressing issue of this legislative session: balancing the state budget against the backdrop a revenue shortfall estimated to be over $3.5 billion.

Senate Bill 894 – Changes to biennial appropriation act

Senate Bill 895 – Alternative revenue estimates

Senate Bill 894 would significantly improve the Commonwealth of Virginia’s budget process by changing the timeframe within which state appropriations are made. Currently, Virginia’s two-year budget cycle begins July 1 of even-numbered years. Each biennial budget is proposed by the governor, amended and ultimately adopted by the General Assembly. Virginia governors are limited by the state Constitution to one four-year term; thus, they prepare budgets at the beginning and end of their respective terms. The existing system effectively diminishes gubernatorial accountability, as the governor leaves office before his or her last proposed biennial budget has concluded. Senator McDougle’s bill changes the budget cycle from even- to odd-numbered years to better coincide with the governor’s term and ensure that the state’s chief executive is indeed held accountable for the fiscal “roadmap” that he or she creates.

Senate Bill 895, a related measure, requires the governor to include alternative revenue estimates for the state budget in order to plan for both the best and worst case economic scenarios.

“As we know, our country and state are facing a time of great fiscal constraint. It is essential to have the most accurate revenue projections in the event our economy either slows down or does better than planned. If we have several revenue estimates on which to base the state budget, the Commonwealth could avoid the deep deficit with which we are now confronted,” said McDougle.

Senate Bill 954 – Recalled products and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act

As a reliable advocate for consumer protection, Senator McDougle has introduced Senate Bill 954, which expands the terms of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act by prohibiting the sale of any products recalled by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The U.S. has received numerous recalled goods from China that contain dangerous lead and mercury, and SB 954 would outlaw the sale of any such items in Virginia. Senator McDougle is pleased to offer these crucial safeguards to Virginia consumers.

Senate Joint Resolution 347 – Constitutional amendment for “right-to-work” statute

Senator McDougle is also sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution 347, a proposed constitutional amendment that moves Virginia’s long-standing “business-friendly” climate a step further. The amendment incorporates the Commonwealth’s “right-to-work” statute into the state Constitution if passed in a referendum by a majority of Virginia voters. The phrase “right-to-work” means that employees have the right to employment without being forced to join a labor union.

“During these tough economic times, it is essential that we bolster Virginia’s competitiveness in attracting businesses to the Commonwealth, which helps to create jobs that ultimately strengthen our economy. SJ 347 is an additional measure that will help ensure that our state remains open for business as we move forward,” said McDougle.

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Senator McDougle looks forward to a productive and effective General Assembly session and welcomes the feedback and views of his constituents. He can be reached in Richmond at (804) 698-7504 or by email at district04@sov.state.va.us

or take his legislative survey at http://www.ryanmcdougle.com/.