This newsletter marks the beginning of the new General Assembly session which shall be 60 days in length. I feel privileged to represent the citizens of the 35th district during this 2010 General Assembly session. Due to the 2009 statewide elections I would like to congratulate and welcome two new colleagues to the chamber, Senator David Marsden and Senator Jeffrey McWaters. As leader of the Democratic caucus I will extend my working hand to Governor McDonnell where common areas of agreement exist.

      Our nation is continuing its slow recovery from the economic crisis. However, with the help of Virginia’s leaders, and its citizens, a strong recovery for the Commonwealth is achievable. In light of this, the session will be complex. The biennial budget is commanding much attention. I will continue to lead during this session by looking for fiscally responsible ways to cut spending, while sensibly preserving our core principles such as first-class education, transportation, and state services.

      We, as a people, have always been strong willed. This being said, it is my hope that not just Virginians but all Americans have successful endeavors in the new decade. I will continue to communicate to you, my constituents, during this legislative session. I encourage you to take a look at http://legis.state.va.us. This website will inform you about tracking proposed legislation(s) of interest. Constituent e-mails are always welcome in our office. Once again I am honored to serve you and would like to thank you for your participation in our great Commonwealth’s legislative process.

Very truly yours,

Read the full Richmond Report here.

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Press Releases

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September 23rd, 2009

Governor Kaine Announces Fourth "Best State for Business" Ranking for Virginia by Forbes.com

– Commonwealth continues to lead the nation with fourth consecutive award –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia will remain in first place as Forbes.com's "Best State for Business." It is the fourth consecutive year Virginia has been top ranked. The Commonwealth finished in the top 10 in 3 of the 6 categories examined in the review, which was published today.

"With our low corporate tax rate, highly-skilled workforce, and great quality of life, it's no wonder Virginia consistently attracts some of the world's most innovative and corporate leaders to our borders," said Governor Kaine. "In these tough economic times in particular, the recognition by Forbes today is an incredible affirmation that Virginia has what it takes to compete in the national and global arenas."

Forbes.com looks at rigorous qualifications and the Commonwealth has come out on top again in quality of life, regulatory environment, and labor. Virginia has been named the most business friendly state every year of Governor Kaine's administration. The award from the world-recognized financial brand follows Virginia's most recent number one rankings from Pollina Corporate Real Estate and CNBC this past summer.

During Governor Kaine's administration, Virginia has been recognized as the Best State for Business (Forbes.com 2006-2009), the Top State for Business (CNBC 2007, 2009), the Top Pro-Business State (Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc. 2003, 2007, 2009), the top-performing state government in America (Governing Magazine 2008) and the state where "a child is most likely to have a successful life (Education Week 2007)."

Washington was ranked second by Forbes.com, followed by Utah, Colorado, and North Carolina. Georgia, North Dakota, Texas, Nebraska and Oregon rounded out the top ten list.

The Forbes.com ranking considers states' business costs (cost of labor, energy, and taxes), labor issues (educational attainment, net migration, and projected population growth), regulatory environment (regulatory and tort environment, incentives, and bond ratings), economic climate (job, income, and gross state product growth, as well as unemployment and corporate headquarter relocations), growth prospects (projected job, income, and gross state product growth, as well as announced business openings and closings), and quality of life (index of schools, health, crime, cost of living, and poverty rates).

"I am extremely proud of this independent ranking which once again validates the successful strategy and efforts of economic development programs throughout the Commonwealth," said Patrick O Gottschalk, Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

The Commonwealth took the lead in the quality of life ranking, took second place in the regulatory environment ranking and third in the labor issues. Virginia was 12th in growth prospects, 18th in economic climate and 20th in business costs.

Governor Kaine has announced $12.24 billion in new economic development investments and 72,928 jobs since taking office in January 2006

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To read the Forbes.com article, go to http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/23/best-states-for-business-beltway-best-states.html.

See past Press Releases here.