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.
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.
posted by Blake Hite at 12:22 PM
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