Legislative Update: May 26, 2006

Well I said last week that I hoped to have some good news to report this week and low and behold I do. On Monday of this past week the Senate passed a modified version of the House budget that funds all elements of government and sets aside 567 million dollars for development of a transportation budget to be finished later this summer or early fall. The Senate provided the condition that a transportation budget be developed no later than November of this year with a dedicated source of revenue for statewide transportation funding or the 567 million dollars set aside would go back to the general fund.

This past Thursday the House set in motion the procedure for the Senate budget proposal to go to the budget conference committee. This committee will meet on Tuesday to begin negotiating the details of the final budget to be presented before both the Senate and the House. It is my hope that this process will take place quickly so that we will soon have a final budget.

While it is important that we are well on the way to adopting a final budget it is imperative that we also do the work of addressing our transportation problems. These problems are not just limiting to funding transportation construction but must also include reform of our transportation planning and construction process so we spend your money more efficiently and are held accountable for results.

The solution also must include not just construction of new roads but other forms of transportation such as rail and transit that move people and goods in a more efficient manner. There is a need to use rail and transit to relieve growing urban congestion and to satisfy growing rural transit needs.

We must also combat increasing transportation problems by giving localities more power to control growth and sprawl. As more families move to suburbs and exurbs their commutes increase, increasing the demands on roads as well as congestion. When localities have the ability to set controls on this they have the ability to keep development to a capacity that roads can handle.

On a different note, I have asked the House budget conferees to not agree to proposed cuts in dollars that go towards the Land Preservation Tax Credit program. The program is a highly successful public-private partnership that works to conserve farmland, natural areas, battlefields, and scenic open spaces throughout Virginia.

This program helps to preserve open spaces, supports family farms, and restores the Chesapeake Bay, and it also is a part of the solution to the traffic crisis that this state is facing. This tax credit is a free market tool against sprawl and for land conservation.

Back in the district I have found myself quite busy. While I started my week on the other side of the state for the House Majority Retreat, I returned Monday evening for a busy Tuesday. On Tuesday I joined with Senator Chichester for the Northern Neck Christian Men’s Group. I then rushed to give a legislative update to the Richmond County Democratic Party.

The next morning, Wednesday, I was up and at it again. I had a great time with the Kilmarnock Kiwanis Club at their Community Service Breakfast. After breakfast I went back to work and it has been work, work, work ever since. Although, today I am planning on attending the Strawberry Festival in Heathsville and the Rivah Fest in Kilmarnock, those two events should be great fun.

As always if I can ever be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at robwittman@verizon.net or 804-493-0508. I wish you all a happy and safe Memorial Day.

Legislative Update: May 19

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself,” artist Andy Warhol once said. When using this quote in reference to the current budget standoff no truer words have been spoken. A large amount of time has been invested in creating a budget; unfortunately time alone can not bring us closer to a budget. I have spoken with a number of folks in the district and the consensus is that it is time for the members of the General Assembly to step up to the plate and produce a budget. There was a meeting of a small group of budget conferees this week. They had some very positive discussions on the education elements of the proposed budget. There were no final agreements reached on this part of the budget but they did agree to meet again this Wednesday as a small group and then for all budget conferees to meet after the small group adjourns. This is one of those small steps that gets us closer to producing a budget. I am anxious for a leap to be taken this in the budget negotiations. I have expressed my desire to quickly pass a budget to other legislators and leadership from both the House of Delegates and the Senate.

On Thursday, May 18th, the House of Delegates held a pro forma session in which no new legislation was discussed. These pro forma sessions take place when there is no new legislation to discuss and they only require the presence of the Speaker and one other Delegate. Hopefully the next legislative update you read will be reporting on changes in this standoff.

Although I have not had to go to Richmond this week for session I have managed to make my way around the district pretty successfully. Last Saturday, May 13th, I had the opportunity to speak at the Colonial Beach Yacht Club Flag Raising Ceremony before joining Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis for a BBQ at her home in Gloucester. Both events were great opportunities to mingle and get feedback on the state of affairs in Virginia.

On Monday, May 15th, I was pleased to attend the King George County Business Celebration. This event was a great opportunity to honor local businesses and all that they do for our communities. The next day, Tuesday, I spent the evening at the Northern Neck Regional Jail dinner and spoke with many fine folks who keep our jail running. Regional jails have a partnership with the state where the state grants them money to operate based upon the number if individuals housed there. This partnership makes it important to keep communication lines open.

On Thursday, May 18th, I attended the 48th Annual Meeting for the Foundation for Historic Christ Church. Once the business of the meeting was completed the Rev. Dr. John W. Turner performed music on instruments from the period in history during which the church was constructed. After the meeting was adjourned everyone gathered for lunch on the church courtyard. Later that day I attended the Opening Ceremony for the Traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall at Rappahannock Community College. I will be attending the armed services day ceremony on Saturday, May 20th. I finished my day on Thursday by attending the Westmoreland Schools Employee Recognition Banquet which recognized teachers who had received awards throughout the year and those who were retiring at the close of this year. I was proud to have the opportunity to let these fine ladies and gentlemen know how much I appreciate their contributions.

The week ahead holds many visits and meetings where I will have the opportunity to discuss what is going on in the District and in Richmond with constituents. Until then if you have any concerns or comments please do not hesitate to contact me at robwittman@verizon.net or 804-493-0508.

Fundraiser on Cat Point Creek

It's that time again, and by that time I mean time to begin fundraising. We have put together a great fundraiser at the Belle Mount Vineyards on Cat Point Creek. We are hoping that it will serve as an opportunity for Rob to meet with constituents, raise some funds for re-election, and have a great time in a lovely setting.

The event is on June 10th in the vineyard section of the Heritage Park Resort. It will run from 11am-3pm. We will be providing lunch and music. We are also encouraging those with canoes and kayaks to bring them along to enjoy the beauty and serenity that Cat Point Creek has to offer.

Individual Adult tickets are $25, children 12 and under are $15. There are also several levels of sponsorship. The first tier of sponsorship will give you recognition on the programs and two tickets to a private luncheon with Rob and other sponsors for $250. The second tier of sponsorship will give you recognition on the programs and table tents and you will receive four tickets to the private luncheon for $500. The top level of sponsorship will receive recognition on the sponsorship board, table tents and programs and will receive six tickets to the private luncheon for $1,000.

If you are interested in attending this event please send your name and address to robwittman@verizon.net or call 804-493-0508 and an invitation will be mailed to you promptly. We are hoping that a large number of people are able to turn out and show their support for Rob's re-election efforts.

Legislative Update: May 12, 2006

I am glad to report that some progress is being made in regards to the budget. The House passed the “caboose” budget bill on Wednesday, May 10th. At the end of each budget year final adjustments have to be made to the budget. These adjustments are made based upon the funds that come into the state treasury either above or below the amount that was estimated in the previously passed budget. These adjustments have come to be known as the “caboose” budget because they come at the end of the budget cycle. Just as we all make adjustments to our household budget as our incomes and expenses rise or fall so does the State. The “caboose” budget bill makes those adjustments so that we can close out this fiscal year ending June 30 with the amount of money we have spent equaling the amount of money we have taken in. The Senate also passed the “caboose” budget bill so the current fiscal year is officially taken care of.

Work still needs to be done in order to adopt a budget for the coming biennium of 2007 through 2008. There have been some discussions among members of both bodies but no formal meeting took place this week. After adopting the caboose budget I feel that the wheels of progress are beginning to turn and hope that this will lead to the adoption of a biennium budget. I have heard from a number of folks in the district about the budget and transportation and have passed those thoughts on to the leadership.

This past week I had the opportunity to attend a number of great functions in the district. On Saturday, May 6th, I got the chance to see Ralph Stanley perform at the Menokin Bluegrass Festival. I also attended the Westmoreland Relay for Life Walk where volunteers raised a lot of money for the American Cancer Society. Both events were a great opportunity to talk and listen to folks about what is going on with the budget and how it is impacting them personally.

On Sunday, May 7th, I started the day by presenting a commending certificate to Jonathan Frith at his Eagle Scout Ceremony. He has worked very hard to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout and for that should be applauded. Later that same day I found myself in Reedville at the Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony marking the beginning of the menhaden season. This is where churches, fishermen, and community members come together to pray for a safe fishing season.

On Monday, May 8th, I met with the King George, Colonial Beach and Westmoreland Chambers of Commerce at their joint meeting. Then on Thursday, May 11th, I went to the NSWC Naval Base in Dahlgren to meet with the Potomac Gateway Alliance for breakfast and then got a tour of the base. I have been on the base many times before, but learned much from having a formal tour. The Dahlgren Naval Base is an unbelievable asset to our region, the state and the nation. I will be working with all involved to assure that the base continues to prosper into the future.

The coming week appears to be equally as busy. I look forward to telling you all about it next week. If you are interested in what is going on in our office please visit my blog. I try to post information quickly that I feel may be of interest to constituents. I can be reached by email, robwittman@verizon.net, or telephone, 804-493-0508.

Legislative Update; May 5, 2006

Again this week I report that the state has yet to adopt a budget for Fiscal Years 2006-2008. The budget deliberations are beginning to remind me of the pink bunny, on the commercials, beating the drum, “they just keep going and going and going…” This week there have been some actions taken towards finalizing the budget.

First the House Finance Committee heard four Senate Bills that addressed regional and statewide transportation funding. SB 5013 – Funding Transportation in the Commonwealth, SB 5014 – Hampton Roads Transportation Authority, SB 5105 – Interstate 81 Transportation Authorities and SB 5016 Supplemental Transportation Funding for Northern Virginia. These bills were tabled until August of this year. The House Finance Committee reasoned in their decision to table that the House budget bill which calls for funding all of the other elements of government except transportation and proposes the General Assembly return in September would be the quicker way to resolve the transportation funding issue .

This would allow local and state government to move forward with budgets and to work out the intricacies of transportation funding in September. Similar action was taken in 1986 when Governor Baliles sought to solve a similar transportation funding issue. So, in order to have their actions coincide with the House budget bill the Finance Committee voted unanimously to table the Senate revenue bills until August.

The Senate and House budget negotiators have made some progress on the “caboose” budget bill. This bill finishes the budget for the remaining portion of fiscal year 05-06, ending June 30, 2006. It appropriates the additional funds that have come into the state budget since the 2005 General Assembly. This bill is critical to make year ending adjustments to state funding for the completion of the current budget year. It is my hope that this negotiation will be successful and that it will lead to productive discussion on the budget for the coming biennium 2007-2008. The House will reconvene Wednesday May 10th to take up this bill if the budget conferees successfully resolve the “caboose” budget and submit their recommendations to the House and Senate.

I have also kept myself busy within the district. Last weekend I found myself out of breath from bouncing from one event to the next. On Saturday, April 29th, I started my morning with Delegates Orrock and Peace and Senator McDougle in Caroline County at a GOP breakfast. From there I joined with Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis and local government officials, Supervisor Woody Hinson and Mayor Pete Bone, at James Monroe’s birthplace for a Celebration of his Birthday.

After that the fun and games really began, literally. I headed to opening day of the Northumberland County Little League. Throwing the first pitch of the season was a thrill that was quickly surpassed by the look of excitement and anticipation in the eyes of all the Little Leaguers.

Afterwards, I headed back to Westmoreland to join with the others from the community to honor the service of Tuskegee Airman Charles Bernard Smith. Smith was a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot in World War II, whose courageousness can only partially be symbolized by the road marker dedicated to him that day.

At the end of the day my wife, Kathryn, and I had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for the Westmoreland/Richmond County branch of Habitat for Humanity. We were happy to do what we could for such a great organization, which provides so much to our communities. While I was there I learned that one of the problems the organization is facing is a lack of volunteers. I would like to urge any individuals who could contribute their time and effort to this organization to contact them at 804-493-1500.

I would also like to urge you to contact me if I can ever be of assistance. I can be reached by phone at 804-493-0508, or email at robwittman@verizon.net.

Legislative Update May 1, 2006

Delegate Robert J. Wittman
Legislative Update: May 1, 2006

Well this week the House and Senate continued to work on a budget. Little work was accomplished on the House side because they were waiting to get a transportation plan from the Senate. The Senate has yet to act upon the House budget that was passed last week. They have continued to work on regional transportation plans and have revamped their proposal for various tax increases for a basic overall state transportation funding plan.

This Senate plan is significantly different than earlier proposals. First the latest proposal from the Senate has created revenue legislation instituting new taxes and fees separate from its version of the budget. The new funds would come from increased titling taxes and registration fees on motor vehicles, higher fines on bad drivers and a 1.5 cent increase in the tax on diesel fuel, raising it to equal the 17.5cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline.

Additionally, the state would impose a 6-cent-per-gallon fee on oil companies, paid on the fuel they store in terminals located in Virginia. The Senate has added a provision to their revenue legislation that would prohibit oil companies from passing the 6-cent per gallon fee onto consumers. There are some who believe that this provision may not stand up in court and petroleum companies say that smaller locally owned terminals may have no choice but to pass these fees onto consumers.

The regional element of the Senate’s transportation proposal allows localities to impose new taxes, tolls or issue bonds to pay for additional transportation projects in their regions. These new taxes would include an additional sales or use tax, grantor’s tax or transient occupancy tax which would have to be approved by local governments but would not be subject to a voter referendum.

All of these proposals were completed by the Senate late on Thursday April 27th. Unfortunately this was too late for the House to consider these proposals this week. The House reconvenes on Wednesday May 3rd to consider the Senate’s transportation proposals.
I have had a number of calls about what is being done in the 99th District to address the potential for the Pandemic Flu. There will be a public presentation on the Avian Flu (H5N1) and its connection to the Pandemic Flu on May 9th at 5 p.m. at the Glenns Campus of RCC. The presentation will also address what the community can do to be prepared for the Pandemic Flu. Dr. Thomas Irungu, from the Virginia Department of Health, Three River Health District, will talk about how they are working in conjunction with local health departments to assist local governments and citizens on preparations.

I have also received a number of responses from the questions that I asked about funding the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup. For those of you have responded I would like to extend my sincere gratitude. For those who have not yet had a contact our office with your responses it is not too late. You can simply send your responses to the below questions to robwittman@verizon.net, or P.O. Box 995, Montross, Virginia 22520. Or you can call in your responses to 804-493-0508. I look forward to hearing from you.

Do you believe that there needs to be a steady funding source for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort?

Do you believe that funds to clean up the Chesapeake Bay should come from money in the General Fund?

Would you support a tax increase designated to funding Bay cleanup?

What type of tax increase would you support?

As one last note, I am very excited to announce that we are hoping to get a new website up and running in the next few weeks. I will keep you posted on the progress.