G.A. Progressive Caucus unveils 2012 agenda

The General Assembly's Progressive Caucus announced its agenda for the 2012 session Thursday much of which centered on opposing provisions of Gov. Bob McDonnell's two-year budget plan and legislation put forward by the the Conservative Caucus, such as the "personhood bill" and voter id laws.

"There is nothing heroic or courageous about balancing your budget on the backs of vulnerable Virginians," said caucus co-chairman Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, "Funding our most vulnerable populations is neither a priority nor a remote interest for this administration or the Republican Party. The Progressive Caucus will continue to fight for making funding our most vulnerable citizens a top priority and will seek to restore funding in these areas."

Members of the caucus said they are pushing amendments that restore funding to community based health clinics, public schools, the state's preschool program, child advocacy centers and child care subsidies.

Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said the caucus is committed to stopping the controversial "personhood" bill sponsored by Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, which would define life as beginning at the moment of conception.

She said people should be concerned about the implications of the measure because under Virginia law even some procedures to deal with miscarriages of wanted pregnancies would be considered abortions.

"Women who don't think they're going to be in a position where they need to have an abortion, they need to be very concerned about bill passing," McClellan said.

WIth GOP control of both the House of Delegates and the Senate, and an emboldened Conservative Caucus that stands at the extreme opposite on most issues with the Progressive Caucus, the group of Democratic Delegates and Senators have a series of hard fights ahead.

But Del. David Englin, D-Arlington, said there is one area the progressives and conservatives agree - looking at the variety of the state's tax credits, extensions and loopholes with an eye to doing away with many. Englin said both he and Conservative Caucus co-chairman Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge, have introduced nearly identical pieces of legislation to start the process. The Conservative Caucus introduced it's legislative agenda on Tuesday.

"Whenever you have the most liberal and the most conservative members of the General Assembly actually agreeing on something the I think that everyone else should sit up and take notice," Englin said.

 

Sen. Miller 3rd Grade SOL bill passes committee

A proposal by Sen. John Miller, D-Newport News, to reduce the number of Standards of Learning tests taken by the state's third graders passed through committee Thursday and now heads to the Senate floor.

The Senate Education and Health Committee, on a vote of 11-4, passed the measure which Miller said is designed to focus on third grade reading proficiency by only requiring those students to take SOL tests in reading and math - eliminating the the third grade tests for science and social studies.

Miller said the idea comes from a recommendation the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission released last year that looked at third grade reading proficiency.

The JLARC study came from legislation proposed last session by Miller and has been cited by Gov. Bob McDonnell as part of his 2012 education agenda.

Under the proposal third graders would still be taught the SOLs for social studies and science, they would just not be tested on those subjects.

Sen. Richard Black, R-Loudon, voted "no" on the proposal and said in comments to the committee that he felt if students were taught the subjects of science and social studies they should be tested on those subjects.

A representative from the state's Department of Education said the department is neutral on the study, but said it proposed failed legislation in 2009 to do away with the social studies test.

She also said students are tested on social studies in fourth grade, but not in fifth, and science in fifth grade, but not in fourth. Even though they are not given tested in both subjects, students are still taught the grade level SOLs for social studies and science in the fourth and fifth grades.

Del. Watson to hold tele-town hall Thursday

Freshman Del. Mike Watson, R-James City County, will hold his first tele-town hall of the 2012 General Assembly session Thursday.

Constituents of the 93rd House of Delegates District are invited to call in at 7 p.m. for a question-and-answer session with Watson.

"This is a great venue to report back from Richmond to the citizens of the 93rd district on my activities and the status of numerous issues that are being considered by the General Assembly", Watson said."My goal is to have an informative discussion with the folks back home regarding issues that affect our district and the Commonwealth as a whole."

To take part in the tele-town hall call (888) 886-6603 extension 17777 at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19.

Tobacco tax-car tax trade off

Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, is sponsoring legislation that would raise the state's cigarette tax in order to decrease the car tax Virginians pay every year.

Hope wants to increase the state tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.15 to bring it from $.30 a pack to $1.45 a pack. Hope then wants to use those proceeds to cut the car tax by more than half.

Examples given for by Hope for the reduction of the car tax show the cost annual cost for a car worth $5000 going from $61.25 a year to $29.40 and for a $10,000 car the tax would drop from $122.50 to $58.80.

"That's real money in the pockets of Virginians," Hope said. "We're talking about putting money back in the hands and the wallets of working families across Virginia so that they continue to meet their obligations to their families."

The proposal would raise the state's cigarette tax to just one cent shy of the national average state tax of $1.46.

Hope, who is supported by the Tobacco Free Alliance of Virginia, is hoping this measure fares better than a similar bill he offered last session. That bill, which failed to make it out of committee, would have raised the cigarette tax and used the revenue generated to help fund the state's Medicaid program.

He said he feels this years version has a better chance because it offsets a the car tax directly and would be " a shot in the arm to Virginia's economy."

Even with the changes, however, this tax trade proposal may not get much farther than it did last year.

While unveiling the General Assembly's Conservative Caucus Agenda Tuesday, caucus co-chairman Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge, said Hopes tobacco tax increase proposal is one of the specific pieces of legislation his 40-member group of Senators and Delegates is opposing.

Still, Hope made a plea that his bill not be killed in committee this year.

"Don't let this bill just die in subcommittee without Virginians even knowing about it," Hope said. "This bill can help real Virginians struggling to make ends meet. I urge every Virginian who hates paying that car tax every October to call their delegate and ask them to vote for this bill."

Kaine campaign responds to Del. Marshall

The campaign of former Gov. Tim Kaine, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Jim Webb, responded Monday to Republican state Del. Robert Marshall's announcement that he is entering the GOP primary.

As part of his announcement, Marshall repeatedly used the mantra "I can beat Tim Kaine," and his press relase about his candidacy highlighted political battles Marshall fought with Kaine during Kaine's time as governor.

In the statement Kaine campaign communications director Brandi Hoffine first took a swipe at the Republican front-runner former U.S. Sen. and governor George Allen saying, "Given George Allen's record of increasing state spending by 45% as Virginia's Governor and helping turn a record surplus into a record deficit as a U.S. Senator, it's no wonder Del. Bob Marshall believes he can beat Allen in a Republican primary."

"Virginians are looking for a Senator who knows how to make budget cuts while protecting the economy, investing in key areas like education and infrastructure, and recruiting new businesses to our Commonwealth and our nation. Tim Kaine is the only candidate in this race with success in all those areas. We welcome Del. Marshall to the race and look forward to contrasting our positive record of fiscal responsibility and sound economic management with the Allen/Marshall agenda that would rather re-litigate past disputes than find common ground on future challenges," Hoffine said.

Miller's 3rd grade reading bill passes first hurdle

Sen. John Miller's, D-Newport News, measure to reduce the number of Standard of Learning tests taken by third graders in an effort to focus more on reading proficiency passed the Senate Education and Health Subcommittee on Public Education Monday.

The legislation, which comes from a recommendation from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission on third grade reading - a study that came from legislation sponsored last year by Miller - would do away with the third grade SOL tests in science and social studies.

Miller told the subcommittee that the JLARC study showed that 95 percent of third graders who pass the reading proficiency test will pass the reading SOL in fifth grade, while those who fail have a "50 - 50 chance" of failing the fifth grade test, and ultimately failing in school.

Miller argued that science and social studies will still be taught in third grade, but the time preparing for those "cumulative" - they reflect everything third graders have learned form kindergarten on - tests take away time teachers can focus on the reading and math SOLs.

Miller also said the legislation is in line with Governor Bob McDonnell's focus on third and fourth grade reading - as McDonnell referenced when he unveiled his K-12 education agenda and in his State of the Commonwealth address earlier this month. In both cases McDonnell referenced the JLARC study.

However, Miller said he has not spoken with the McDonnell's office about his legislation.

While a majority of the education community came out in favor of Miller's bill at the subcommittee hearing, one former science teacher and a member of the Virginia Science Teacher's Association, Dolores Dalton Dunn said if science is not tested in third grade , then science instruction in those classrooms will not be taught well.

The bill now goes on to the full Senate Education and Health Committee.

Local G.A. lawmakers recieve committee assignments

One of the first pieces of business in both the House of Delegates and the Senate on the Wednesday's opening day of the 2012 General Assembly session was to make committee assignments.

Committees are where some of the most important business of the General Assembly gets done, as all pieces of legislation must first pass through a committee by a majority of members before can be voted on by the entire chamber.

Following are the committee assigments for local lawmakers:

House of Delegates:

Del. Mamye Bacote, D-Newport News: Appropriations, Health Welfare and Institutions, Transportation

Del. Gordon Helsel, R-Poquoson: General Laws, Health Welfare and Institutions, Science and Technology

Del. Keith Hodges, R-Urbanna: Counties Cities and Towns, Health Welfare and Institutions

Del. Brenda Pogge, R-York: Education, Finance, Health Welfare and Institutions, Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton: Commerce and Labor, General Laws, Transportation

Del. Mike Watson, R-James CIty County: General Laws, Science and Technology

Del. David Yancey, R-Newport News: Education, Transportation

Senate:

Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton: Education and Health, General Laws and Technology; Local Government; Rehabilitation and Social Services

Sen. John Miller, D-Newport News: Agriculture Conservation and Natural Resources, Education and Health, Local Government

Sen. Thomas K. "Tommy" Norment, R-James City County: Courts of Justice (Chairman), Commerce and Labor, Finance, rehabilitation and Social Services, Rules

Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk: Agriculture Conservation and Natural Resources, Education and Health, Privileges and Elections, Rehabilitation and Social Services

Norment impressed with Dems civility in Senate debate

Following a contentious debate Wednesday over Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling using his tie-breaking vote to hand control of the General Assembly's upper chamber to Republicans, Senate majority leader Thomas K. "Tommy" Norment, R-James CIty County, said he gives his colleagues across the aisle the "highest marks" for keeping their arguments "mature and respectful."

Following the November elections, the Senate found itself evenly split, with Democrats and Republicans each holding 20 seats. The GOP immediately claimed control, given Bolling's tie-breaking ability as President of the Senate.

But the Democrats, said not so fast, claiming organizational matters are an area the state COnstitution says Bolling can't vote on. Democratic Caucus chairman Donald McEachin filed a lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court in order to force a power-sharing agreement. The case is still pending.

In Wednesday's opening day of the 2012 General Assembly session, Senate Democrats strenuously objected to Bolling's ability to break ties on organizational issues, and grilled Norment over provisions of his Rules resolution.

But they did it in a way that kept with the chamber's collegial reputation, Norment said.

 "I absolutely applaud all of theDemocrats in the Senate," Norment said. "I know a couple of them were really chagrined about the decisions that we made on the realignment of the committees. But they were mature and respectful enough to not let that annoyance come out in the debate. 

I absolutely give them the highest marks for maintaining that civility and the respect of the Senate."  

Kaine rounds out campaign team

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and former Gov. Tim Kaine announced seven new hires to his campaign team Wednesday.

“I’m extraordinarily pleased to welcome so many qualified and dedicated individuals to my campaign team,” Kaine said.  “Traveling around Virginia, I have been overwhelmed by enthusiasm for our campaign’s message that Washington can learn lessons from Virginia on how to rebuild our economy, restore fiscal responsibility and rediscover common ground.  I am confident this innovative and talented group will help me deliver that message to every corner of the commonwealth and build a winning coalition of support.”

The Kaine campaign new team members include:

Ally Coll, Field Director

Tyee Davenport, Political Director

Sindy Benavides, Northern Virginia Political Director

Brandi Hoffine, Communications Director - up to this point Hoffine had served as Kaine for VA press secretary.

Lily Adams, Press Secretary

Nicole Gyorfi Titus, Director of Digital Media

Dawn Hillard, Operations Director

Kaine is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jim Webb. He is being challenged in the Democratic primary election by Courtney Lynch and Julien Modica.

Allen campaign unveils 'Sportsmen for Allen'

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and former Gov. George Allen announce his "Sportsmen for Allen" endorsements Thursday in at a sporting goods store in Glen Allen in order to show his credentials as a gun-rights supporter.

Allen was joined by Del. John Cox, R-Hanover, Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County, and Kirby Burch of the Commonwealth Sportsmen's Alliance at a press press conference at Green Top Sporting Goods.

"George Allen has been a friend and supporter of Sportsmen his entire political career.  When others challenged our rights to hunt, fish and the Second Amendment right to bear arms he has been with us,” Burch said. “He has been enthusiastic and unwavering in his efforts to help the Sportsmen of Virginia.  George Allen has earned our help in becoming U.S. Senator from Virginia in 2012." 

“It is invigorating to be outside here at Green Top Sporting Goods and see the great support from my friends in Virginia’s sportsmen community,” Allen said.  “I have always strongly supported the natural rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves, and I will continue defend our Constitutional right to own and carry firearms. The way to reduce crime is to crack down on criminals, not disarm our citizens, and I will fight against encroachment of any kind on our Second Amendment freedoms.”

Allen is seeking the GOP nomination to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jim Webb. Allen lost the seat to Webb in 2006.

Allen is being challenged in the Republican primary race by Tea Party Activist Jaime Radtke, Bishop E.W. Jackson and lawyer David McCormick. Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, is also considering jumping into the field of GOP contenders.

As part of the "Sportsmen for Allen" endorsement, the Allen campaign released a list of more than 120 members of the group from around the commonwealth.