Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Speaker Howell Announces $35,448 in Savings
Latest Savings by House on top of $1.1 Million to be Returned in Current Fiscal Year
From Speaker Howell’s Press Release.
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today announced that the House of Delegates has returned $35,448 to the state treasury for Fiscal Year 2010 ending June 30 as a result of salary reductions for delegates, legislative assistants and House staff from a one-day furlough on May 28, 2010. House Bill 29, the Appropriations Act for the biennium that ends on June 30, 2010, contained a provision requiring a one-day furlough for all state employees. The $35,448 in savings announced today by Speaker Howell are in addition to not only the $1.1 million to be returned by the House to the General Fund by June 30, 2010, but also another $1.0 million to be returned by the House to the General Fund by the end of Fiscal Year 2012.
“Virginia taxpayers, families and businesses continue struggling to make ends meet and balance their finances due to the stubborn and lingering effects of the economic recession and, therefore, it is completely appropriate that members of the House of Delegates share in necessary belt tightening to reduce state spending,” said Speaker Howell.
This year, beyond the $1.1 million to be returned to the General Fund by the end of next month, the House saved $341,600 by keeping the Session expense rate at $135 for delegates instead of the IRS-authorized rate of $191. The House also saved another $94,300 by reducing temporary personnel hired during Session.
---
The House of Delegates once again understands what the Commonwealth needs to survive this economic climate. The House Republican leadership is a common sense solution for Virginia, compared to the Democrat-controlled Senate, who wanted to get paid for an extra day of work in the last day of session.
Kudos to the House of Delegates for fiscal solution to the budget deficit
From Speaker Howell’s Press Release.
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today announced that the House of Delegates has returned $35,448 to the state treasury for Fiscal Year 2010 ending June 30 as a result of salary reductions for delegates, legislative assistants and House staff from a one-day furlough on May 28, 2010. House Bill 29, the Appropriations Act for the biennium that ends on June 30, 2010, contained a provision requiring a one-day furlough for all state employees. The $35,448 in savings announced today by Speaker Howell are in addition to not only the $1.1 million to be returned by the House to the General Fund by June 30, 2010, but also another $1.0 million to be returned by the House to the General Fund by the end of Fiscal Year 2012.
“Virginia taxpayers, families and businesses continue struggling to make ends meet and balance their finances due to the stubborn and lingering effects of the economic recession and, therefore, it is completely appropriate that members of the House of Delegates share in necessary belt tightening to reduce state spending,” said Speaker Howell.
This year, beyond the $1.1 million to be returned to the General Fund by the end of next month, the House saved $341,600 by keeping the Session expense rate at $135 for delegates instead of the IRS-authorized rate of $191. The House also saved another $94,300 by reducing temporary personnel hired during Session.
---
The House of Delegates once again understands what the Commonwealth needs to survive this economic climate. The House Republican leadership is a common sense solution for Virginia, compared to the Democrat-controlled Senate, who wanted to get paid for an extra day of work in the last day of session.
Kudos to the House of Delegates for fiscal solution to the budget deficit
Thursday, May 20, 2010
U.S. Chamber Ranks Virginia as Top Notch
Gov. McDonnell’s job creation tactics seem to have caught the eye of the U.S. Chamber.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce report recognized Virginia as achieving the country’s second highest growth performance, along with first in cost-of-living adjusted family income growth. Virginia also ranked 10th in entrepreneurship and innovation and sixth in a taxation and regulatory environment that spurs business.
Virginia in the past has been labeled as the best place to do business, but the commonwealth was one of the few to promote free enterprise by spurring private economic development as well. It seems that even during a recession, Virginia can still surge ahead with the help of Republican leadership.
Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce had this to say to Gov. McDonnell:
"By embracing many of the strategies at the core of our free enterprise system -- competitive tax rates, open trade, and commonsense regulation -- states are helping to jumpstart our economic recovery and create more jobs."
Yet another success story from the McDonnell administration!
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce report recognized Virginia as achieving the country’s second highest growth performance, along with first in cost-of-living adjusted family income growth. Virginia also ranked 10th in entrepreneurship and innovation and sixth in a taxation and regulatory environment that spurs business.
Virginia in the past has been labeled as the best place to do business, but the commonwealth was one of the few to promote free enterprise by spurring private economic development as well. It seems that even during a recession, Virginia can still surge ahead with the help of Republican leadership.
Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce had this to say to Gov. McDonnell:
"By embracing many of the strategies at the core of our free enterprise system -- competitive tax rates, open trade, and commonsense regulation -- states are helping to jumpstart our economic recovery and create more jobs."
Yet another success story from the McDonnell administration!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Obama Care Will Cost Virginia $1.5 Billion
No Sign of Relief in Sight for Health Care
The McDonnell administration recently increased its estimate for Virginia's cost of President Obama's health care overhaul to about $1.5 billion through 2022. This estimate is roughly a $400 million bump from the governor's previous assessment.
With the increased cost of federal mandated health care, it appears that Democrats will do anything to slice and dice the budget in years to come, to ensure that health care finds its way to every Virginian’s door step. It does not take an expert to point out the flaws in this financial burden on Virginia. This $400 million bump will provide no new helpful measures, just harmful mistakes.
The McDonnell administration, along with the House of Delegates, already crafted a successful budget which looks to fiscally tackle the budget shortfall while stimulating the economy. The GOP-controlled House was adamant throughout session with keeping spending in check, most notably with implementing a real structural reform that will continue to control spending in the future. However, all the hard work by the General Assembly seems to be over-shadowed by the looming health care crisis that will cost Virginians over $1.5 billion in the near future.
Obama’s health care will hurt Virginians more than the current economy.
Read more at the Washington Examiner:
With the increased cost of federal mandated health care, it appears that Democrats will do anything to slice and dice the budget in years to come, to ensure that health care finds its way to every Virginian’s door step. It does not take an expert to point out the flaws in this financial burden on Virginia. This $400 million bump will provide no new helpful measures, just harmful mistakes.
The McDonnell administration, along with the House of Delegates, already crafted a successful budget which looks to fiscally tackle the budget shortfall while stimulating the economy. The GOP-controlled House was adamant throughout session with keeping spending in check, most notably with implementing a real structural reform that will continue to control spending in the future. However, all the hard work by the General Assembly seems to be over-shadowed by the looming health care crisis that will cost Virginians over $1.5 billion in the near future.
Obama’s health care will hurt Virginians more than the current economy.
Read more at the Washington Examiner:
Monday, May 10, 2010
Workers Choosing Unemployment Over Jobs
Whats Wrong With This Picture?
From The Detroit News:
"...some seasonal landscaping workers choose to stay home and collect a check from the state, rather than work outside for a full week and spend money for gas, taxes and other expenses, raises questions about whether extended unemployment benefits give the jobless an incentive to avoid work."
From The Detroit News:
"...some seasonal landscaping workers choose to stay home and collect a check from the state, rather than work outside for a full week and spend money for gas, taxes and other expenses, raises questions about whether extended unemployment benefits give the jobless an incentive to avoid work."
Friday, May 7, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Republicans Win in Chesapeake School Board Elections
Democratic Chairwomen Loses Seat
Last night the GOP captured four out of the five open seats in the City of Chesapeake School Board Elections. Harry Murphy, Michael J. Woods, and Jay Leftwitch were among the Republican candidates who retained their seats. With Republican victory came Democratic lost, Chairwomen Sheila Hill-Russ lost her seat Tuesday night, while two newcomers Christine New Craig and Bonita Billingsley Harris were elected.
Last night the GOP captured four out of the five open seats in the City of Chesapeake School Board Elections. Harry Murphy, Michael J. Woods, and Jay Leftwitch were among the Republican candidates who retained their seats. With Republican victory came Democratic lost, Chairwomen Sheila Hill-Russ lost her seat Tuesday night, while two newcomers Christine New Craig and Bonita Billingsley Harris were elected.
Christine New Craig, the chief of staff for Chesapeake Del. John Cosgrove, used her nine years experience with the General Assembly and Delegate Cosgrove to come out victorious.
"I think people wanted a new set of creative eyes on board, and a little bit of experience on the budget," she said. "I'm ready to start."
- Chrstine New Craig
The city of Chesapeake has the Republican exepirence needed to lead Chesapeake in the right direction.
Monday, May 3, 2010
New Abortion Restrictions Save $$
Gov. McDonnell's office reports that the new restrictions could save Virginia more than $150,000 annually.
From the Washington Post
"The General Assembly last week approved an amendment to the state budget that would limit funding for abortions to those performed in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. Nothing in state law had previously banned Medicaid-funded abortions in instances when the health of the mother was in jeopardy.
Last year, 147 abortions at a cost of $174,000 were performed in cases where the health of the mother was at risk at clinics or hospitals, according to new data provided by the governor's office. "
Yet another maneuver by the McDonnell administration and General Assembly to push Virginia forward.
From the Washington Post
"The General Assembly last week approved an amendment to the state budget that would limit funding for abortions to those performed in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. Nothing in state law had previously banned Medicaid-funded abortions in instances when the health of the mother was in jeopardy.
Last year, 147 abortions at a cost of $174,000 were performed in cases where the health of the mother was at risk at clinics or hospitals, according to new data provided by the governor's office. "
Yet another maneuver by the McDonnell administration and General Assembly to push Virginia forward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)