In The Mother County of Virginia’s Beautiful Northern Neck
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© Copyright 2009 -
All rights reserved. Patrick J. O’Brien, Chairman
Delegate Margaret Ransone News
Session Update -
Tuesday, February 14, was “crossover” here in the Virginia General Assembly, the
deadline by which all action must be completed on legislation in its house of origin.
The House of Delegates has completed its work on bills and resolutions introduced
in the House and those that passed have been communicated to the Senate.
This week
I presented two of my bills in Senate Committee and both bills have been reported
out. Next, they will head to a full vote on the Senate floor. I look forward to hearing
the Senate bills in my committees over the next few weeks.
Looking back at the first
half of this Session, we have adopted legislation extending the current capital gains
tax exemption for start-
So far this session, there has been an additional focus on agriculture, Virginia’s
largest industry. We have adopted legislation creating a new Agriculture and Forestry
Development Fund and will provide $1.0 million each year for it in the biennial budget.
This measure recognizes the increased importance of the export market for Virginia’s
agriculture products.
While working to pass legislation that will help the Commonwealth
of Virginia, we also oppose legislation that might adversely affect citizens in these
tough economic times. Several gas tax bills were presented in House Committees. One
of these bills would have raised the gas tax by ten cents a gallon. This bill as
well as similar ones were defeated. Other proposed tax increase bills that were introduced
and subsequently defeated include a reinstated death tax, cigarette tax, watercraft
tax, and even a proposed twenty cent tax on plastic bags.
Members of the House and
Senate continue their work on the state budget. The House Appropriations Committee
has spent the last few weeks hearing concerns from legislators and citizens. They
heard that the continuation of the Aid to Locality cuts will create hardships for
our local governments as they search for ways to balance their budgets in light of
declining real estate values. Moreover, local governments face an increasing burden
when funding K-
Another important issue is that of the health safety net.
The House Appropriations Committee heard that reductions to the health safety net
will negatively impact our most vulnerable citizens; and that adequate funding to
our hospitals and nursing homes is not only important for the delivery of quality
health care to the aged and disabled, but it also recognizes that our health providers
are major employers in much of rural Virginia. These issues along with others will
be considered during the budget work in the coming weeks.
This week it was great to
see the Realtors from the District on Wednesday. Also, on Thursday I had the privilege
to speak on the House floor about Charles Bernard Smith. Mr. Smith, a native of Westmoreland
County, was a Tuskegee Airman who served in World War II. It is always great when
I have the opportunity to highlight the rich history of our District.
On a final note,
please be safe this weekend as it looks like we might get some winter weather. Remember
to take proper precautions in the event of snow and power outages.
As always, I appreciate your visits, phone calls, and emails. Please continue to stay in touch as we move through the 2012 session.
I can be reached in Richmond at 804-