Making College More Affordable

 

We have excellent colleges and universities in Virginia. In fact, this week the Princeton Review ranked the University of Virginia as the best public university value in the country. For too many Virginians though, high costs put higher education out of reach. That's why I supported two important successful bills this week that give Virginia families more affordable options.

Local community college students visit with Peace

House Bill 1692 gives students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields the option of a more affordable "flat-fee degree." House Bill 2320 establishes a new cooperative bachelor's degree program in Virginia that lets students earn a bachelor's degree for just $4,000 per year, through a combination of online, community college, or college or university courses.  

 

K-12 Education Reforms

 

The House have passed a number of important education reforms this week that build on our efforts in recent years to reward good teachers, increase accountability in our schools, and to give students more pathways to success.

Del. Peace meets with Chris Pace, a Hanover educator

I've helped pass legislation that simplifies the process for students to retake the SOL test, that protects our students' privacy, establishes innovative virtual schools as an option for students, and standardizes the system for giving college credit for advanced high school courses. Additionally, we will be targeting more money to the classrooms with a teacher pay raise, to help ensure that Virginia can continue to attract and retain the best and brightest educators.    

 

Property Rights

 

I have been a strong defender of our constitutionally protected property rights. House Bill 1287, which I helped to pass this week, safeguards against abuse of civil asset forfeiture by requiring a criminal conviction before any property used in connection with a crime could be forfeited. This measure will guard against potential abuse of asset forfeiture laws and help protect innocent people from losing their property.  

 

Jobs

 

The best social welfare program is a good-paying job. I've focused on legislation that will let more people find or keep good-paying jobs in Virginia.  

 

Small businesses account for more than half of new job creation in Virginia, and this week the House passed HB 1360, which makes it easier for small and new businesses to raise money through "crowdfunding." I'm also happy to report that the House will be eliminating more than $10 million in new fees on Virginia families and small businesses that were included in the Governor's budget. The House budget will fund the core functions of government without looking to taxpayers for more of their hard-earned money.

 

Health Care

 

Local physician assistants talk with Del. Peace

This week, the House passed "Right to Try" legislation, HB 1750, patroned by Del. Ransone, which gives terminally ill patients better access to potentially life-saving treatments that haven't yet been approved by the FDA. I co-sponsored this important legislation. We also rolled out budget proposals that would strengthen Virginia's existing health care safety net and increase our support for free clinics. This conservative plan will help Virginians who are most in need without dumping thousands of Virginians into the Obamacare Medicaid expansion or creating a massive new entitlement program, as the Governor proposed.   

 

Susan Greenbaum stopped by and played her song  "Virginia, the Home of My Heart" which I hope will be our official state song.

The House budget will eliminate the restaurant inspection fee, the Department of Agriculture's tiered-fee structure, the weights and measures fee and the tobacco stamps fee. The House proposal will also eliminate the Governor's proposed increase in the underground waste storage cleanup deductible. Delegate T. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg) announced the news in a speech on the floor of the House of Delegates.

 

Eliminating these fees will protect our taxpayers and that's what we're sent here to do.   Higher fees hurt hardworking Virginians.

 

Our House Appropriations Committee will produce a conservative, responsible budget proposal that invests in the core functions of government, guards against wasteful spending and protects the wallets of taxpayers.

 

The House budget will eliminate the restaurant inspection fee increase ($6.8 million), the weights and measures fee increase (which affects everything from the grocery store to the gas pump) ($0.5 million), the Department of Agriculture's tiered fee schedule ($0.4 million), the Tax Department's tobacco stamps fee ($0.2 million) and the increase in the underground waste storage cleanup deductible ($2.3 million).

Del. Peace speaks to women of the VFRW on the first annual Reagan Red Lobby Day

I have had many visitors from home this week at the General Assembly.  

 

 

Signing our guest book this week were Mechanicsville residents Heather Herrea, Danielle Nogle, Michelle Grider, Kate Noon, Cordelia Cox, a student at Lee Davis High School, Duane and Sarah Hunter, Renee Salinas, Julie Whitaker, Drucilla Andrews, State Police Special Agent, GC Robinson, and Jean Swann.

  

Insurance agents, including Mechanicsville's Julie Whitaker, brief Del. Peace on legislative package

New Kent residents seen in the halls of the General Assembly were Jack Lanier, Executive Director of Quin Rivers, Bill Kelly, and Duane Goss, New Director of the New Kent Airport. Visiting from King William was Tom Jasinowski, representing the VA State Police Association.

 

New Kent Airport representatives meet with Del. Peace

As always, I look forward to more smiling faces from home next week.

 

If you are planning a visit during session, stop by and visit, I am in Room 527 of the General Assembly Building.