March 2010

K-12 Public Education
Public education funding was the top priority of the Senate’s Democratic-led budget negotiators. The final budget agreement makes $253 million in K-12 education cuts over the biennium, but prevents over $400 million in additional cuts that were desired by the House of Delegates. The Virginia Education Association estimates that this protected 12,118 jobs in our schools. The Senate also rejected the House of Delegates’ plan to cripple at-risk programs by turning their funding into “block grants,” and rejected the House’s plan to eliminate funding for teachers’ planning periods in middle and high schools.

Governor McDonnell’s decision to unfreeze the Local Composite Index, the formula by which the state funds local schools, would have reduced funding to 97 Virginia school districts. The Senate fought to mitigate these reductions and the final budget will hold these districts harmless in 2011 and 50% harmless in 2012.

School districts asked for any cuts to be temporary and for flexibility to implement the required reductions. These elements were key components of the Senate’s budget and are reflected in the final budget agreement.

The Virginia Commission for the Arts and public broadcasting faced elimination under some budget proposals, but the final budget moves towards the Senate position by imposing a 15% cut instead of total elimination.

Health and Human Resources
The Senate fought to preserve the healthcare safety net because of the unprecedented demand being placed upon providers. Accordingly, the final budget agreement incorporates the Senate’s proposals to restore funding to the Virginia Health Care Foundation, community health centers and free clinics.

$130 million will maintain eligibility standards for Virginia’s FAMIS program, allowing more low-income children and pregnant women to receive needed healthcare. The budget also includes $75 million to support home and community-based care for disabled Virginians.
The House of Delegates’ budget used approximately $370 million in forthcoming federal Medicaid assistance for a variety of non-healthcare related purposes. The final budget reflects the Senate’s proposal to use this Medicaid assistance to reimburse doctors who treat low-income patients.

Public Safety
The Senate fought to restore funding to protect the jobs of sheriffs’ deputies and local police officers and this budget will keep 2,000 cops on the streets. Commonwealth’s attorneys will also be given the resources they need to hold offenders accountable.

The budget dedicates $3.6 million to protect children from online predators. A proposal from Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) created the Internet Crimes Against Children fund which will support law enforcement task forces through a $10 fee on all misdemeanor and felony convictions.

Economic Development
The final budget agreement includes approximately $46 million for economic development programs as requested by Governor McDonnell. Included in the package is a $12.1 million increase for the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, $5 million for an industrial mega-site, $7.2 million for promotion of international and domestic tourism and $6 million for development of overseas markets.

Employee Compensation and Benefits
Significant savings were achieved through $620 million in deferred payments to the Virginia Retirement System. At the insistence of Senate Democrats, the budget includes language to require repayment of this money beginning in 2013.

The budget includes a 3% bonus for state employees in 2011 if funds are available, and includes only one furlough day in 2010.

Other Budget Provisions of Note
• $18.2 in nongeneral funds for agricultural best management practices to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
• $167.8 million for locally-elected constitutional officers such as sheriffs, sheriff’s deputies, commissioners of revenue and treasurers.
• Increase oversight and streamlining of the Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA).
• Support for Rt. 58 in Southside Virginia and rail projects throughout the state.

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.

July 22nd, 2009

Bridge Reconstruction Begins over Beltway HOT Lanes



ALEXANDRIA—With the first year of the I-495/Beltway high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes under its belt, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Fluor-Transurban are gearing up to erect bridge beams along the 14-mile corridor. The first steel lift for the new eastbound Little River Turnpike bridge (Route 236) over the Beltway begins Monday night, July 27. The upcoming steel operation on the Beltway at Little River Turnpike is the first of many new Beltway bridges, said Ronaldo T. Nicholson, Regional Program Director for Virginia Department of Transportation’s Northern Virginia Mega Projects. “Just one year into construction, the HOT Lanes project is visibly making strides to rebuild aging infrastructure and ultimately bring congestion relief and new travel choices to Northern Virginia,” he said.
Little River Turnpike is the first of 12 interchanges that are being rebuilt and lengthened to span the future wider Beltway over the next two years. In addition to Little River Turnpike, new steel will be hung at I-66 and Routes 123 and 50 before the end of summer.

Steel placement at Little River Turnpike will be done during overnight hours and take about three weeks. Motorists can expect multiple lane closures and detours between 9:30 p.m. and 5 a.m., Monday through Thursday. Detailed lane closure and detour information can be found here. The $1.4 billion Beltway HOT lanes are on schedule to be completed in 2013.

Virginia Department of Transportation

July 9th, 2009

Virginia Recognized Among 'Five Best States to Start a Business

Governor Kaine highlights national ranking by U.S. News & World Report for Virginia’s “favorable and innovative climate” for entrepreneurs.

RICHMOND– Governor Timothy M. Kaine today highlighted Virginia’s ranking among the “Five Best States to Start a Business.” The recognition by U.S. News & World Report this week comes on the heels of the Commonwealth’s sixth number one ranking for its pro-business environment.

“The latest accolades accorded the Commonwealth demonstrate that Virginia remains a power player among business-friendly states,” said Governor Kaine. “As we work to get our economy back on track, it’s great to be recognized for continuing to attract innovative businesses to Virginia.”
Continue Reading- Governor's News Releases

June 11, 2009

Virginia Transit Association Recognizes Senator Richard L. Saslaw

The Virginia Transit Association (VTA) recognized Senator Richard L. Saslaw for his outstanding leadership to fund transportation across Virginia at its award luncheon held in Fredericksburg, Virginia on June 9... Continue Reading

 

Richmond Report
June 2009

This Richmond Report 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.

Read the full Richmond Report here.