Legislation

During the 2008 session of the Virginia General Assembly, I have introduced legislation on the following topics.

	Transportation I offered legislation removing Peninsula localities from the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority. I was the only Peninsula legislator who had a bill dealing with HRTA heard in committee. I believe the General Assembly abdicated its responsibility when it created the regional authority to fund transportation projects. Transportation is a core service of government and should be funded on a statewide basis with a dedicated and sustainable revenue stream. My bill was carried over until 2009.
	Property Tax Relief I offered legislation that allows residents in Newport News and Hampton to earn a maximum annual income of $67,000 and still be eligible for the elderly and disabled real estate tax relief program. This bill passed the House and Senate. During my campaign I heard from many homeowners who told me they were having a very difficult time paying their property taxes. I offered a bill that would study the implications of giving a tax credit to homeowners when their property taxes exceed a certain percentage of their annual incomes. The legislation passed the Senate, but was not taken up in the House of Delegates. I also offered a Constitutional Amendment that would allow localities, if they wish, to exempt the first $100,000 of the assessed value of a home, as long as it is the person’s primary residence and they have lived there at least 5 years. That bill was carried over until 2009.
	Pay Day Loans I offered a bill to cap the interest rate for payday loans at 36%. I believe this is the fairest solution to this problem. The General Assembly approved a compromise measure which I do not feel is strong enough to break the cycle of debt. I voted against that legislation. Even the Richmond Times Dispatch said, “the Assembly passed a weak, confusing bill designed to give itself some relief from a contentious and time-consuming issue. Virginia’s problem with consumer unfriendly payday leaning has not been solved.” I believe it would have been better to do nothing and come back next year and get a bill that really reforms the payday lending industry.
	Study of 3rd Grade Reading During my campaign, I said there were two things we need to do to help improve education. First was to expand the pre-K program and secondly, we must insist that every child in Virginia can read at grade level by the 3rd grade. I have called for the establishment of a joint subcommittee to determine in each locality how many children pass the 3rd grade reading test, to determine the best practices used by localities with the highest percentage of children passing the test and to come up with strategies to improve the reading skills of 3rd graders across the Commonwealth. My bill passed the Senate, but was not considered in the House of Delegates.
	Non-Partisan Redistricting I offered legislation that would allow a panel of retired state judges to draw the districts for the State Senate, House of Delegates and Congressional districts. When it comes to elections, Virginia is one of the least competitive states in the nation. It’s time to take the redistricting pen out of the hands of politicians and give it to a non-partisan group to draw lines that make sense. This bill was carried over until 2009.
	Additional Legislation Other bills which I passed include one that makes the Department of Health responsible for regulating all radioactive materials in the Commonwealth. Another bill allows individuals to be able to give gifts of stock to non-profits and be eligible to receive Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credits. Both of those measures have been signed into law by the Governor.