JOBS, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT REFORM & PUBLIC SAFETY

We have crossed the halfway point of the 2012 General Assembly Session, and the House has completed action on all House bills and begun to take action on the 403 bills that passed out of the Senate. On the other side, the Senate has begun to take action on the 603 bills that passed the House.

House Republicans Highlight Successful Legislative Agenda at Crossover

On Wednesday, House Republican Caucus Policy Work Group Chairman Christopher K. Peace and fellow House Republican Caucus members held a press conference to highlight a number of successful Republican bills related to our primary focus - creating jobs, expanding educational opportunities, protecting our families, and reforming state government.

To help businesses create new jobs and opportunities, we advanced House Bill 33 and House Bill 714, respectively that protect non-unionized labor and extend the Major Jobs Business Facility Tax Credit. These bills, along with several other measures, will have a positive impact on job growth and keep Virginia among the best states to do business.

To expand educational opportunities, we put forward and passed House Bill 321 and House Bill 1173 which, respectively, provide tax credits for businesses that contribute to scholarships for children who qualify for free or reduced lunches and increase flexibility for charter schools.

We are also committed to making our state government as efficient and effective as possible. Our top priority in the area of government reform is to ensure that current and future employees have a reliable retirement system. House Bill 1130 will allow existing or new government employees the option of choosing a defined contribution plan, similar to the 401(k) plans used throughout the private sector. Other major government reform bills include House Bill 1291 and House Bill 1295, which will eliminate a number of boards and commissions and reduce mandates on local government.

Last, but certainly not least, we are committed to ensuring the safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth. We passed a number of public safety measures that will increase penalties for drunk drivers, pedophiles, and rapists. We also passed two bills that will codify the castle doctrine to allow for homeowners to defend themselves from an intruder without fear of civil or criminal prosecution.

While House Republicans worked to pass legislation to move Virginia forward, the House Democrats have continued to emphasize a handful of bills to generate extensive debate in order to divert attention from the extreme legislation sponsored by their members. After House Democrats introduced legislation to study the sale of marijuana in ABC stores and reinstate parole, it is little wonder they want to divert attention. Tax increases were also a top item on their legislative agenda. In total, House Democrats introduced eleven tax increases with an estimated fiscal impact ranging from $2.0 million to $744.4 million in increased taxes for Virginia families and businesses. To keep Virginia's economic recovery on track, House Republicans successfully blocked all tax increases proposed by House Democrats.

Budget Leaders Begin to Unveil Biennial Budget

With Crossover behind us, the primary focus for the second half of Session will turn to the state budget. On Thursday, Delegate Lacey Putney, Chairman, House Appropriations Committee, gave a preview of the House budget. He summed up the House budget when he said, "Our [budget] will provide additional funding for both our public schools and our local governments so that they can keep local taxes low, use one-time savings to fund non-recurring costs such as capital projects, minimize the amount of new debt, provide full funding of the VRS contribution rates, reduce the burden on Virginia's businesses with fewer and lower fees, provide additional support to attract new industry and promote tourism, and make the largest investment in over a decade to our colleges and universities."

Following Delegate Putney's speech, Majority Leader Cox rose to highlight the additional funding for localities and K-12 public education included in the House budget. The House's budget puts nearly $580 million in new funding into our children's classrooms and begins the process to restore funding for localities that had been cut in prior year budgets.

Videos of both speeches can be found online at www.vahousegop.com

Peace "In the News"

Legislators Rally For Personhood, Others Fight Social Agenda Claims

Peace: Leaders must be civil and productive

New judge position in 15th circuit?

Visitors

On Tuesday, I was delighted to host the Reverend Dr. Steve Starzer and his wife Debby at the Capitol.  Pastor Starzer if the lead pastor at Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville.  He offered to opening prayer for our session that day. 

Here is a video of the floor introduction of Pastor Starzer: 

Delegate Peace introduces Pastor Stephen Starzer to the House

Peace speaks to Lee Davis AP Government Students

Also stopping by the office: Bill Kelly of the New Kent Airport, Sandy Mehlbrech of New Kent, with her therapy dog, Savannah, Alex Estes, Ashley Trice, Sara Swallow, Samantha Swallow and Kailyn Ryan all of Mechanicsville came by on behalf of Girls Scouts of America. Rebecca Collins and Brian Baird of VA Society of Health System Pharmacists visited. Susan King of Lanexa from Dominion Power, Sally Pearson, Commissioner of Revenue from King William, Tommy Miller of Hanover Economic Development stopped by.   

Dina Golding, owner of The Dance Company in Mechanicsville and her 2 daughters, Sydney and Lindsey came by to see me. Alvin Allen, who is the House Page chaperone and a resident of Mechanicsville, Greg English of Cool Spring Baptist Church, Richard McGrath of Mechanicsville, John and Lisa Brazier and their daughter Kayla swung by to see Kayla's art work which is displayed outside my office.

March 6th is Presidential primary Day in Virginia

There is a Republican primary here in Virginia on March 6^th. I encourage you all to go to the polls and vote. If you are unable to get to the polls, you can vote absentee in the Registrar's office up thru Saturday March 3. Or the Registrar can mail you a ballot. Here is a link to the State Board of Elections site with details about absentee voting: Virginia SBE Absentee Voting Information

Contact Me

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) 698-1097or 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.

Thank you again for allowing me to serve as your Delegate.  

Delegate Peace introduces Lee Davis High School Students on the House Floor