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As the first full week of session is now complete, we have started to make some progress in tackling over 1,300 house bills and resolutions that have been introduced in the House for this 46 day "short" Session.
While it sounds like a large number of bills, we have fewer bills introduced this year thanks to an important rules change put in place by House Republicans. During short sessions, a delegate can introduce a maximum of 15 bills. In years past, there were some delegates who would introduce upwards of 40 bills. I believe this practical rule change has made a positive impact on the way we conduct business in the House of Delegates. It also allows us to give more thoughtful consideration to the bills and resolutions that are before us during the short time we are here.
House Republicans Vote to Strengthen Our Right-to-Work Law
On Wednesday, the House voted to pass House Joint Resolution 500, an amendment that would add our Right-to-Work law to the Virginia Constitution. For decades, Virginia has placed a premium on the freedom of workers to decide whether or not they want to join a union. Our laws ensure that employees can't be forced to join a union as a condition of employment. Virginia has the distinction of being the northernmost Right-to-Work state east of the Mississippi River, giving us a major competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting new companies from northeastern states to the Old Dominion. Additionally, our current Right-to-Work law is one reason Virginia consistently ranks as one of the best states for business.
Although our economy here in Virginia is stronger than most other states, it's not nearly as strong as it should be. Adding our Right-to-Work law to the Virginia Constitution would give us another advantage to help attract new businesses and jobs to the Commonwealth. It would also send a message to Virginia businesses that our Right-to-work rules aren't going to change on a dime and encourage them to grow and expand here in Virginia.
Unfortunately, most of our Democratic colleagues don't agree. Nonetheless, the Republican caucus remained united and passed the resolution on to the Senate for their consideration.
Peace Media from this week:
Click to listen to Delegate Peace speaking with Bearing Drift about the 2011 session and important issues
"Advancing the cause of liberty in Virginia"
http://chrispeace.com/2011/01/21/peaces-rtd-sunday-commentary/
"Sic Semper Feds" Style Weekly article:
http://chrispeace.com/2011/01/20/style-weekly-article/
WRIC Interview with Peace about his DUI legislation:
http://chrispeace.com/2011/01/19/wric-interview-with-peace-about-his-harsher-dui-penalty-bill/
"Legislators begin 46 day session" Video featuring Mr. Henry Peace of Hanover:
http://chrispeace.com/2011/01/13/general-assembly-legislators-begin-46-day-session/
My Bills
House Bill 2364 impacts the nine localities represented by the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission. This is a measure that upon implementation will be a protection of the residents of the region and allow localities to work together to provide the needed services to citizens during times of emergency or natural disaster. This is a consumer protection bill.
HB 2364 will clarify the Code of Virginia to allow localities to more freely aid one another, regardless of whether an emergency is formally declared. As you know, the Code provides various authorizations, immunities, and protections for localities to provide mutual aid in the case of a declared emergency. However, the current Code doesn't clearly define such authority, immunity, and protection in cases that do not rise to the level of an emergency. This bill will enable localities to provide services, personnel, and resources to other localities without concern for liabilities or lack of authority.
This bill is a request made by Hanover County and the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission in its 2011 Legislative Agenda to empower localities with authority "to provide assistance to other localities as needed without the requirement for emergency declarations or inter-jurisdictional agreements for each of the various types of services or procurement processes." The bill has been endorsed by the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties.
I want to thank Senator Walter Stosch, Delegate Roxann Robinson, and Delegate Betsy Carr who have signed on as co-patrons of the bill thus far and Senator McEachin for patroning the measure in the Senate. I also thank Hanover County for their efforts to make me and the RRPDC aware of this issue.
Visitors
We were delighted to see many faces from home this week. We were visited on Monday by members of the New Kent Tea Party, John and Sharon Phelps, Richard Dawes, and Ken Proffitt. Also here about Tea Party legislation was Joan Blackmon of Mechanicsville. We also saw many 97th District residents here to speak about protection of our 2nd amendment rights including Lou Simpson of Ladysmith, Mr. Fleming of Aylett, Richard Wolfe of King William, Anthony Rinaldi and Mark Matthews of Sandston. Herb Dunford and Donald Wells of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts stopped by.
Motorcycle enthusiasts were by and many folks representing Hanover ARC came in, we look forward every year to seeing Mike and Christopher who are served by the Hanover ARC. Kim and Rachael Spiller of Mechanicsville stopped in on Monday. While Rachel had the day off school her mom wanted her to meet her Delegate; she did and even got a picture with him.
Later in the week we were visited by representatives of the Rappahannock ARC. Ray and Christi Smith of Mechanicsville came by to see us and observe session. Reverend David Cooper of Shalom-Makers and Caroline resident came to meet with us about legislative issues. CPA, John Copeland of Ruther Glen was in, we were visited by veterans from the Spotsylvania American Legion and representatives from CASA. As you can see we have a steady flow of visitors daily. Please make it a point to come by our office when you visit the Capitol.
As always, my staff and I are here in Richmond to serve you. We want to hear what you think about the legislation pending before the House, or if there's anything we can do to help you in dealing with a state government agency. My office can be reached at (804) 698-1097 or via the Internet at Delcpeace@house.virginia.gov. If you are planning to visit Richmond during Session, I encourage you to visit me in Room 527.
Please visit my website www.chrispeace.com for frequent updates on issues we are dealing with her at the General Assembly. Thank you again for allowing me to serve as your Delegate. | 
