Legislative Update: July 31, 2006

As areas along the shoreline of our waterways are developed and as new owners purchase existing properties there are more and more applications to install or expand piers, platforms and boathouses. When there are more and more of these structures being proposed on our rivers and creeks there is more potential for conflict with surrounding property owners concerning the impacts of these structures. The process of permitting for piers, platforms and boathouses includes a variety of public participation opportunities for folks to comment on how these structures may affect them.

In this past General Assembly session there was a bill, Senate Bill 634, which proposed to exempt a number of structures from requiring a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and therefore would not require an opportunity for citizens to comment. Essentially it would have allowed all open-sided shelter roofs or gazebo structures over the water to be permitted without any public input.

Through my years on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors the issues that caused the greatest concern among folks that lived along the water were those related to the permitting of roofed structures over the water. Anything that eliminates the opportunity for the public to comment on these projects potentially allows decisions to be made without consideration of impact on others.

In light of this problem with the elimination of public comment provided in Senate Bill 634 I proposed to change the language to require a permit and thus allow public input on all but the small open-sided shelter roofs or gazebo structures. These additions to the bill passed and now require that any roofed structure of more than 400 square feet as part of a dock or any open-sided roofs designed to shelter a single boat, boat slip or boat lift that exceed 700 square feet obtain a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. These requirements continue to include that any adjoining property owner that objects to a proposed roof structure over the water will require a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and therefore would require an opportunity for citizens to comment. Also, counties may continue to disallow such structures by ordinance.

Last week I attended the Kilmarnock Fireman’s Festival. Over the weekend I attended a fundraiser for the Northumberland Community Center as well as a Picnic for the Caroline County Farm Bureau at the Upper Caroline Fire Station.

As always, if I can be of assistance to you please do not hesitate to contact me by phone, 804-493-0508, or email, robwittman@verizon.net. Also, please visit my new website; www.delegatewittman.com.

Legislative Update: July 26, 2006

As I mentioned last week one of the tax breaks that Virginians will see this year is a Sales Tax Holiday. The Sales Tax Holiday is a period of time in which certain purchases are exempt from the sales tax. This was established this year during the General Assembly Session and will take place the first full weekend in August every year. This year the Sales Tax Holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 4, 2006 and last until Midnight, Sunday, August 6, 2006.

Merchandise that is exempt from the sales tax during this time includes articles of clothing or footwear with a selling price of $100 or less per article and all school supply items with a selling price of $20 or less per item.

Clothing does not include accessories, sporting equipment or footwear designed primarily for athletic activity or apparel designed primarily for protective use and not usually considered appropriate for everyday wear. School supply items include “school art supplies” and “school instructional materials and music supplies.” School supplies do not include computers or “school computer supplies.”

There is mandatory participation for all retail sellers during this time period. For more information on Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday you may contact my office or visit the Sales Tax Holiday’s website: www.tax.virginia.gov/salestaxholiday.

I would also like to announce that we are completing work on our new website, www.delegatewittman.com. On this website you will find useful tools that include archived legislative updates and press releases and information on legislation that I have introduced. As well as links to our blog, the General Assembly Webpage and various other state agencies. There is also a place to sign up for our email list. I encourage everyone to visit the website. It is my hope that this will serve as another communication and educational tool for residents of the 99th District.

This week in the district has been an exciting one. On Saturday, July 15th, I stopped by the Heathsville Market and had the opportunity to speak with a number of folks about issues important to our region. Tuesday, July 18th, I stopped by the Virginia School Board Association meeting in Richmond and I spoke with school superintendents and school board members from throughout the 99th District. On Thursday, July 20th, I attended the Northern Neck Community Criminal Justice Board Meeting and listened to suggestions on legislation and budget amendments that would improve our criminal justice system.

Over the weekend, July 21st-23rd, the First Baptist Church in Heathsville celebrated their 140th Church Anniversary by dedicating their new facilities. I commend this group on the work they do for their community.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. I can be reached by telephone, 804-493-0508, or email, robwittman@verizon.net.

Legislative Update; July 17, 2006

Of all the bills that pass through the General Assembly, the budget is by far the legislation with the greatest impact on all Virginians. As it was pointed out last week many important aspects of the public health, safety and welfare are affected by the budget. In fact the language in the budget actually is the most far reaching part of Virginia law, which means if there is language in the budget to direct that something be done it holds the force of law and takes precedence over existing laws.

The Virginia budget approved by the General Assembly provides full funding for K-12 education, gives 4% raises to teachers, law enforcement, and all state employees. It also provides an additional $200 million to fund cleanup efforts in the Chesapeake Bay and provides an additional $350 million to improve transportation in the Commonwealth.

There were a number of successful initiatives in the area of agriculture and natural resources. In addition to record funding for Chesapeake Bay cleanup, the budget contains additional funding and positions for Virginia Cooperative Extension, funding for the Office of Farmland Preservation, and additional funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

This budget also provided the opportunity to advocate for arts, cultural, and historic entities in Caroline, King George, Westmoreland, Richmond, Northumberland and Lancaster Counties. I am pleased that the budget contains funding for the Colonial Beach Historical Society, Corrottoman Civic Center, Foundation of Christ Church, James Monroe Foundation, Kinsale Foundation, Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library, Morattico Museum, Northern Neck Farm Museum, Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society, Reedville Fisherman’s Museum, Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, Richmond County Museum, Steamboat Era Museum, Stratford Hall, the Haven, Westmoreland County Museum and the Westmoreland Poor School Society . All of these organizations will benefit from the state’s partnership in their endeavors.

Higher education funding is increased by 15% ($456 million) and includes $39 million in financial aid for undergraduates at public and private institutions. In fact, we were even able to cut taxes in several areas. We provided for a 3-day Back-To-School Tax Holiday starting this August that will mean substantial savings for families. We also provided for a Long-Term Care Insurance Tax Credit for premium payments to help ease this cost burden on our seniors. Tax reduction actions also provided for a tax credit to reduce the tuition at schools for children with disabilities.

To help preserve our family farms and small businesses, after years of effort, there is legislation that is before the House and Senate to eliminate the estate tax in Virginia.

Part of the estate tax bill includes changes to the Land Conservation Tax Credit Program. The Governor has proposed a number of amendments to this bill that remove many of the crippling changes in the program that were part of the original legislation. It is my hope that these amendments will pass. These amendments go a long way to improve the earlier legislation. As with any compromise there are some parts of the bill that were not proposed for amendment that we will have to address in the next legislative session, but overall, the Governor’s amendments make for a much better bill.

Thank you readers for your attention and feedback over the last six months. Thank you also to this newspaper for providing space for these reports through a long and protracted session. I will continue reporting each week on items of interest that have passed the General Assembly, those issues to be considered in the next General Assembly and the transportation deliberations that will start in September.
This week in the district was a great deal slower than last week. On Wednesday, July 12, I visited with the Friends of Lancaster at the county library in Kilmarnock. On Friday, I headed over to Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline, for their Change of Command Ceremony. The Garrison Commander switched from LTC James M. Mis to LTC Michael S. Graese. I wish both of these fine gentlemen great success in their new commands and military careers.

As always, if I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me; either by telephone, 804-493-0508, or email, robwittman@verizon.net.