The 2009 Session of the General Assembly convened on January 14th and adjourns February 28th.  "Crossover" marks the halfway point of the Session; this deadline dictates that each chamber must complete work on its own bills, except for the budget, and begin to consider only those bills "crossing over" from the other chamber. 

 

The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) continues our multi-year, proactive effort to advance our Virginia Strategy for Growth and Manufacturing Renewal in the General Assembly. Specifically, the association has been successful thus far in advocating for 6 VMA priority bills that will help us build the most competitive manufacturing business climate in the Southern states.

 

As with any strategy, a team effort is always necessary. The Board of Directors, Committees, VMA Government Affairs Council and key allies are all essential to our success.  The VMA owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Delegate Kathy Byron, Senator Frank Wagner and the other members of the Manufacturing Development Commission for their leadership on behalf of manufacturers in Virginia. We also recognize other legislators that patroned VMA priority legislation: Delegate Bob Purkey, Delegate Terry Kilgore and Delegate Donald Merricks.

For a complete list of the 240+ bills that will affect Virginia industry, go to the VMA Legislative Action Center>>.

 

The association has proactively advocated for 8 VMA priority bills that will help us build the most competitive manufacturing business climate in the Southern states.
 
1. HB 2437 (Byron) Corporate Income Tax - Single Sales Factor Option for Manufacturers (Passed House)
2. HB 2084 (Purkey) M&T Tax Reform, Pollution Control Equipment Exempt (Passed House)
3. SB 982 (Wagner) Stormwater Regulation Reform, Credit for Permit Holders (Passed Senate)
4. HB 2531 (Kilgore) Energy Conservation and Efficiency; Peak Shaving Permits and SCC Proceeding (Passed House)
5. SB 1348 (Wagner) Energy Conservation and Efficiency; Peak Shaving Permits and SCC Proceeding (Passed Senate)
6. HB 2643 (Merricks) Economic Development, Performance Agreement Extensions (Passed House)

7. SB 980 (Wagner) Manufacturing Development Commission; repeals sunset (Passed Senate)

8. SB 981 - Manufacturing Development Commission; expands membership (Passed Senate)
  
The VMA is also working to support, amend or strike another 234 bills affecting our industry.  They deal with everything from greenhouse gas regulation to K-12 education.

 

The VMA Legislative Scorecard shows a 100% success rate for VMA priority bills thus far. This is remarkable considering that only 35% of all introduced legislation has passed the house in which it was originated.

 

House Leadership Press Release>> 

 

 

 

 

The Commonwealth's budget deficit is expected to grow beyond its $2.9 billion estimate. 

 

Delegate Lacey Putney, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee recently stated, "While we will not get an updated forecast until the 16th of February, the Committee budget anticipates a downward revision and sets aside $65.0 million in a revenue reserve fund in fiscal year 2009.  I hope this, along with the federal stimulus dollars, will allow the conferees to balance the budget and avoid deeper reductions." 

Putney and other leaders' comments have lead some to speculate that the deficit may climb as high as $4 billion.  In this case, absent stop-gap measures implemented by the Federal stimulus package for states, it may mean added business fees and taxes as well as additional spending cuts.

 

In response to the potential Federal stimulus/spending available, the Commonwealth has developed a website for citizens, groups, localities, and others to use to share project proposals for potential funding from the expected federal stimulus package. As the stimulus package becomes finalized, more information and details will be made available on this site.  

 

                                                        Stimulus Virginia