Message from Chris

Between crossover and the floor vote on the House budget, this week at the General Assembly was especially busy. Crossover, which took place on Tuesday, is the day when all bills that have passed the House are sent to the Senate for their consideration and vice versa. The days leading up to crossover are typically long days on the floor as we debate and vote on an avalanche of bills ahead of the deadline.

On Tuesday, the House of Delegates passed an amended version of the Governor's transportation plan. I offered a successful floor amendment which prohibits the placing of tolls on I-95 below Fredericksburg.  As I mentioned, the bill that passed the House is similar to the Governor's original plan; however, this is not the final version of the bill. The House has passed our plan, but we need the Senate to offer their plan by passing out a bill of their own.

On Thursday, the House of Delegates voted to pass the House budget with bi-partisan support. This budget is a fiscally responsible, structurally balanced budget that includes targeted investments in the core functions of government. The House budget deposits nearly $100 million into the Rainy Day Fund- over a quarter of the estimated requirement of a $370 million deposit into the Rainy Day Fund.

To help promote private sector job growth, the House has included funding to create a cyber accelerator in Northern Virginia, a first in the nation program to attract cyber security companies. We have also increased the cap on the angel investor tax credit to $500,000. Raising this cap will help startup companies attract new investors and the capital needed to help them grow and thrive.

For our K-12 public schools, we have provided funding for the state's share of a 2% pay raise for teachers and support staff and for a grant program that will help localities improve school safety

Read Delegate Peace's Times Dispatch Sunday Commentary: "Legislative Superlatives at Crossover"

In the area of higher education, our budget includes the funding for additional slots at our universities and to increase Tuition Assistance Grants from $2,800 to $3,100 per student.

House Republicans are also committed to ensuring the health care safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. Our budget includes funding for an additional 200 Intellectual Disabilities and 50 Developmental Disabilities Medicaid waivers.

As we begin to work with the State Senate on a final budget, we will remain committed to enacting a structurally balanced budget that includes targeted funding in the core areas of government.