2012 General Assembly News

Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, was the Opening Day for the 2012 Virginia General Assembly Session. I took the oath, beginning my 7^th year serving the people of the 75^th District.

I was pleased to be re-appointed by Speaker Howell to the Committee on Education, Commerce and Labor and Militia, Police and Public Safety. For the next 60 days, the General Assembly will hear over 3,000 bills. There will be many controversial bills from no hunting on Sunday, vouchers to students returning to school before Labor Day.

The budget will be the most important work for legislators this session. Governor McDonnell released his proposed budget for FY13-14 on December 19. The proposed budget plan will increase the amount of sales tax that will be steered toward transportation. I support the need for additional funds for transportation, but not by sacrificing general fund money for education, public safety and healthcare.

I will be in Richmond working hard on the behalf of my constituents and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Should you have any concerns or plan a visit to the capitol, please feel free to contact me in my Richmond office at (804) 698-1075 or Mary Beth Washington, my Legislative Assistant. Thank you for the opportunity to serve my 4^th term as your Representative in the Virginia House of Delegates.