Legislative Update: June 19, 2006
Well as I am writing this update the budget conferees are finishing the final details of the compromise budget to be submitted to the House and Senate hopefully for a vote on Tuesday June 20th. Additionally, the House meets this afternoon – Friday June 16th in a pro forma session to meet the minimum requirements of the state constitution which means that there is no legislation to vote on. This session was scheduled in anticipation of having a budget to vote on by Friday but now instead it will be Tuesday before we get to vote on a budget. This budget adoption process has been a long and eventful effort which has included many highs and lows. It would appear at times as though there was significant progress only to have the next day filled with hesitation and doubt. This process has had the unwanted distinction of being the longest in Virginia’s history.
The budget adoption process begins now for both bodies of the Legislature with the consideration of the conference report from the budget conference committee. This conference report is the compromise budget that has been worked out by the budget conference committee. This committee is made up of six Delegates and five Senators. The House and Senate will vote on the compromise budget on Tuesday June 20th. At this time there will have to be several procedural moves to speed up the adoption process so that both bodies can complete their work. On Tuesday after procedures have been adopted to allow a vote on the budget both Delegates and Senators will only be able to vote yes or no on the budget. There will likely be some comments about the budget but no amendments are allowed only a straight yes or no vote. The budget document is quite complex and will involve a significant amount of time for all legislative members to review.
After the legislature passes the budget it then goes to the Governor. The Governor who usually has five to six weeks to review the budget and make suggested amendments will now only have 7 days to so since it will take until the end of next week to get to the Governor the adopted budget document. This will require a significant amount of effort from the Governor and his staff. After the Governor sends the budget back to the legislature with his proposed changes the Legislature will meet to consider these amendments. At that point the Governor’s amendments will either be agreed to or not. The budget then becomes final.
When the budget becomes final state government agencies and local governments will know with certainty the amount of money they have for the coming year. Depending upon the assumptions local governments used in adopting their budgets they will be faced with making adjustments to coincide with the funds they receive from the state. Under this scenario all government functions continue at both the state and local government level.
I am very happy that all appears as though we will avoid the need for legislation to fund government without a budget. The idea of using this continuing funding resolution that is used by the U.S Congress is one that I do not believe is appropriate for Virginia. Budget decision making is never easy and the use of continuing resolutions just puts off the tough decisions that must be made at some point. The Virginia Legislature has always been up to making these tough decisions. In listening to folks in the 99th district I heard loud and clear that they expect their legislature to do the job for which we were elected and that includes adopting a budget without the use of continuing resolutions or facing potential government shutdowns. I am continuing to communicate with the budget negotiators on a daily basis and will do so until we have passed this budget.
In the district this past week, I started off on Monday, June 12th, speaking to the Westmoreland Ruritan Club. Then the next morning, Tuesday, June 13th, I enjoyed a tour of Fort A.P. Hill. After that tour was completed I headed over to Reedville to meet another Delegate for a tour of the Omega Protein fisheries. With so much attention being placed on this plant I feel that it is important for legislators outside of this region to be able to see the work done to gain a better understanding.
On Thursday, June 15th, I visited with the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts at Stratford Hall. This gave me the opportunity to inform them of legislative proceedings as well as an opportunity for me to hear from them how state policies impact their day to day work.
Over the weekend I plan on speaking at an Electoral Board Luncheon and from there stopping by to visit with folks at the Historical Marker Dedication at Westmoreland State Park. Additionally, I will also be visiting with the Little Ark Church congregation for their Juneteenth service and ceremony. The week has been one filled with good times and great opportunities to speak with people from throughout the district.
I would love the opportunity to speak with each of you about how state government could better serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my district office. I can be reached by telephone, 804-493-0508, or email, robwittman@verizon.net.
The budget adoption process begins now for both bodies of the Legislature with the consideration of the conference report from the budget conference committee. This conference report is the compromise budget that has been worked out by the budget conference committee. This committee is made up of six Delegates and five Senators. The House and Senate will vote on the compromise budget on Tuesday June 20th. At this time there will have to be several procedural moves to speed up the adoption process so that both bodies can complete their work. On Tuesday after procedures have been adopted to allow a vote on the budget both Delegates and Senators will only be able to vote yes or no on the budget. There will likely be some comments about the budget but no amendments are allowed only a straight yes or no vote. The budget document is quite complex and will involve a significant amount of time for all legislative members to review.
After the legislature passes the budget it then goes to the Governor. The Governor who usually has five to six weeks to review the budget and make suggested amendments will now only have 7 days to so since it will take until the end of next week to get to the Governor the adopted budget document. This will require a significant amount of effort from the Governor and his staff. After the Governor sends the budget back to the legislature with his proposed changes the Legislature will meet to consider these amendments. At that point the Governor’s amendments will either be agreed to or not. The budget then becomes final.
When the budget becomes final state government agencies and local governments will know with certainty the amount of money they have for the coming year. Depending upon the assumptions local governments used in adopting their budgets they will be faced with making adjustments to coincide with the funds they receive from the state. Under this scenario all government functions continue at both the state and local government level.
I am very happy that all appears as though we will avoid the need for legislation to fund government without a budget. The idea of using this continuing funding resolution that is used by the U.S Congress is one that I do not believe is appropriate for Virginia. Budget decision making is never easy and the use of continuing resolutions just puts off the tough decisions that must be made at some point. The Virginia Legislature has always been up to making these tough decisions. In listening to folks in the 99th district I heard loud and clear that they expect their legislature to do the job for which we were elected and that includes adopting a budget without the use of continuing resolutions or facing potential government shutdowns. I am continuing to communicate with the budget negotiators on a daily basis and will do so until we have passed this budget.
In the district this past week, I started off on Monday, June 12th, speaking to the Westmoreland Ruritan Club. Then the next morning, Tuesday, June 13th, I enjoyed a tour of Fort A.P. Hill. After that tour was completed I headed over to Reedville to meet another Delegate for a tour of the Omega Protein fisheries. With so much attention being placed on this plant I feel that it is important for legislators outside of this region to be able to see the work done to gain a better understanding.
On Thursday, June 15th, I visited with the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts at Stratford Hall. This gave me the opportunity to inform them of legislative proceedings as well as an opportunity for me to hear from them how state policies impact their day to day work.
Over the weekend I plan on speaking at an Electoral Board Luncheon and from there stopping by to visit with folks at the Historical Marker Dedication at Westmoreland State Park. Additionally, I will also be visiting with the Little Ark Church congregation for their Juneteenth service and ceremony. The week has been one filled with good times and great opportunities to speak with people from throughout the district.
I would love the opportunity to speak with each of you about how state government could better serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my district office. I can be reached by telephone, 804-493-0508, or email, robwittman@verizon.net.
posted by Blake Hite at 6:48 AM
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