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 News from the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

In This Issue
Senate GOP Unveils New Website
Senate Republicans Conclude Successful Session
Headlines from Senators
Upcoming Events
Our Members
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April 19, 2010
Spring is here and Senators are now back in their districts unwinding from a busy session and serving their constituents.  
 
On Wednesday, they will return to Richmond for a one-day Reconvened Session to consider Governor McDonnell's amendments to legislation passed during session.
 
We want to take this opportunity to update you on our successes during session and on new methods we are using to keep you up-to-date.

Senate Republicans Unveil New Website

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     The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus recently unveiled a new website at www.senators4va.com.

 

     The new website combines modern technology and communications tools to create an interactive experience for visitors to the site.

      The site offers a forum for updates shared by Senators and allows users to offer comments and receive RSS updates as new updates are posted.  In addition to updates from Senators, the site is updated regularly with news items featuring Republican Senators, and has the capability to display images and video clips.
 
     To further allow users to stay connected, the Caucus has initiated Twitter feeds and a Facebook fan page.  Please visit www.senators4va.com to see all of our changes and check back often for updates and new features.

Senate Republicans Conclude Successful Legislative Session

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     As the Governor concludes his action on legislation passed during the recent General Assembly session, Senate Republicans highlighted their successes this year.  In addition to addressing a budget shortfall in excess of $4 billion, Senate Republicans focused on issues of importance to Virginia's families and businesses during the 2010 session. 

     "During a 61-day session, Senate Republicans achieved great successes for the people of Virginia," noted Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr.  "Although we are a minority caucus, we have been able to achieve bipartisan support for many of our proposals by focusing on issues that people care about and policies that are truly in the best interest of Virginia."

 

     Legislation advanced by Senate Republicans this session focused on a variety of issues: jobs & economic development, public safety, transportation, military & veterans affairs, ethics reform, government reform & transparency, health care, energy, and education.  Below is a partial list of accomplishments by Republican Senators:

 

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Headlines from Our Republican Senators
 Click on the link next to each brief to read more  
  • Senator Emmett Hanger recently provided an update to the Greene County Record about the efforts Virginia is undertaking to provide mental health services.  He and Del. Rob Bell shared thoughts about Virginia's efforts in shifting from institutional placements to community-based services.  Read more

  • Senator Robert Hurt was on hand for the groundbreaking of the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Pittsylvania County.  The facility, Hurt said, will be a "vital agricultural center, a vital economic engine."  Read more

  • Senators Steve Martin, Fred Quayle, and Jill Vogel were on hand in Richmond last month as Governor McDonnell signed their bills that would prohibit Virginians from being mandated to purchase health insurance.  Read more

  • Senators Ryan McDougle and Walter Stosch watched as the Governor signed emergency legislation giving him direct oversight of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency.  The legislation was inspired by last year's news investigation of the administration of VITA contracts.  Read more

  • Senator Steve Newman continues to lead the charge against the proposed transfer of convicted double-murderer Jens Soering to his native Germany.  Before leaving office, Governor Kaine requested that the U.S. Department of Justice approve Soering's transfer.  Through letters and a legislative resolution, Newman is working with DOJ, Governor McDonnell, and Attorney General Cuccinelli to ensure Soering serves his entire sentence.  Read more here and here

  • Sen. Mark Obenshain recently issued a two-part recap of the 2010 General Assembly session.  Click here to read his recap of the budget and here to read his recap of other issues considered by the General Assembly.

  • Sen. Frank Ruff continues to serve as a leader on addressing the future of the Brunswick County Correctional Center.  The now-closed facility was once an asset to the community and Sen. Ruff is working with local leaders to determine how it can again be made an asset.  Read more

  • Sen. Ralph Smith participated in a post-session wrap-up with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.  He praised the General Assembly's action to pass a balanced budget by limiting spending and not raising taxes.  Read more

  • Sen. Walter Stosch was recently quoted in the Wall Street Journal speaking of his efforts to ensure that Virginia was fiscally responsible by ensuring repayment of money borrowed from the state pension fund to balance the budget.  Stosch's efforts mean that unlike other states, Virginia will not leave the pension fund in peril.  Read more

  • Sen. Frank Wagner was recently inducted into the Civil Air Patrol Legislative Squadron in recognition of his support for the volunteer organization that provides search and rescue and disaster relief missions for the Commonwealth.  Read more

  • Sen. William Wampler was on hand at the Lee Regional Medical Center in Pennington Gap as Gov. McDonnell signed his legislation requiring health insurance providers to cover telemedicine services.  TeleMed allows patients in underserved areas to consult with specialists long distance via teleconferencing technology.  Sen. Wampler, along with Del. Terry Kilgore, participated in the bill signing via a TeleMed system while McDonnell was at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond.  Read more

Upcoming Events
Click on each event to learn more information on the times and location.  Please note that some Senators' events are fundraisers with a specific price for participation.  Such events are marked with a $.  For additional details on any event, you may contact the designated point of contact found by following the link for the event.
  
Senators' Events
 
 
Legislative Meetings and Events
 
 
For an updated list of Senators' Events, please click here.  For a complete list of Legislative Meetings & Events, please click here.
The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus is both the legislative and political arm of the nineteen Republican Senators representing upwards of four million Virginia citizens in the world's oldest, continuous, freely elected legislative body.
 
We come from all walks of life - educators, a number of small business owners, insurance and investment advisors, attorneys, and CPAs. And we come from all parts of Virginia - from coal country to the outskirts of Washington, DC to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean and everywhere in between.

Virginia's one-term governors come and go; but the legislature remains. The purpose of the Senate Republican Caucus is to:
  • Promote the well being of the Commonwealth and its people;
  • Propagate the principles of the Republican Party of Virginia;
  • Provide leadership and serve as a voice for Republicans in Virginia
  • Elect and reelect Republicans to the Senate of Virginia
  • Create a forum whereby Republican Senators can organize, plan, and implement their legislative agenda.

Our operations receive no government or taxpayer funds.  We are fully-self-supporting through member dues and private sector contributions.  Please visit our web site to learn more about us.

Paid for and authorized by the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus