Speaker of the House Howell's Statement on Governor McDonnell's Budget Plan

RICHMOND, VA – Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued
the following statement after Governor McDonnell’s address to the Joint Money Committees of the Virginia
General Assembly:

“I whole heartedly support the reform measures and reprioritizations contained in Governor McDonnell’s
proposed biennial budget. The Governor has been a great ally in the fight for common-sense fiscal solutions,
low taxes and budgetary prudence for many years, and we look forward to championing many of the measures
contained in his budget,” said Howell.

The 2012-2014 biennial budget is the first and only budget completely within the control of the
McDonnell Administration. The Governor’s proposal is targeted to fund core functions of government –
transportation, education, public safety, economic development and employee retirement funding – and does
not raise taxes. Key investments include $2.2 billion in state and local contributions to the Virginia Retirement
System, $438 million for K-12 public education, $230 million for higher education and $100 million to
continue the Commonwealth’s highly successful economic development efforts.

“Tackling structural reforms to the VRS, transportation and education is an onerous task. The increase in
VRS employer contribution rates and adjustments to increase transportation maintenance funding will
significantly improve the long-term stability of these critical programs,” continued Howell.

The budget includes various measures to increase the liquidity of state assets, a step intended to address
lingering economic uncertainty and preserve Virginia’s triple-AAA bond rating. The investment of $300
million into the Rainy Day Fund will effectively double those reserves by the close of the biennium, while an
investment of $50 million into the newly created Federal Action Contingency Trust Fund and an unappropriated
balance of $31.4 million will help guard the Commonwealth against unforeseen financial challenges.

“Governor McDonnell’s budget proposal is a study in restrained spending and the prioritization of funds
to core government services. Fiscal prudence, liquidity and an aversion to government overreach are the basis
of Governor McDonnell’s approach to budgeting. The House Republican Caucus shares in these values and we
look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Governor on the ambitious reprioritization and reform measures
in his budget,” said Howell.

Democrats Changing Their Minds

Last Friday the Democratic party made an appeal saying that Lt. Governor Bill Bolling should not be able to break a tie...?

(That power was actually first given to a Democratic Lt. Governor by the Democrats in the mid 1990's)

Have a look HERE at what the Dems have to say.


VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Congrats to the new Republican Caucus Leadership Team!

Congratulations to Speaker William Howell, Majority Leader Kirk Cox, Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo, and Majority Whip Jackson Miller for their elections to the House GOP Leadership!!!


VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Strong Leadership in Senate

Congratulations to the new Republican majority in the Virginia Senate and its newly elected leadership!

Governor McDonnell even sent a congratulations from overseas once he heard the good news.

Check out the full list of Majority leadership here in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

APCO Rebuttal

Former Minority Leader Ward Armstrong ran from Obama, used his commercial to mislead voters as to which party he represented, and did his best (losing) effort to take down Del. Charles Poindexter by bringing Appalachian Power into the race for Virginia's 9th House District seat.

Armstrong's ploy didn't work.

HERE is Appalachian Power's video rebutting the negative and misleading information brought forth during this past election.


VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

VA FREE, Irrelevant...

Was the worst thing VA FREE could have done was to have upset the Virginia House Republican Caucus? No.


It was be to become irrelevant to the Virginia House Republican (MAJORITY) Caucus. 


The Virginia House Republican Caucus is going to become a more BRUISING majority on November 8th and Jeff Schapiro nails that point in his Richmond Times-Dispatch article posted yesterday.


Read entire article HERE.


VA GOP Caucus


vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Where's the Love?

Dems distancing themselves from Obama.

As his taxpayer funded bus rolls on, many Democratic candidates are asking that the President NOT stop in their districts.

See how the Virginia Dems aren't rolling out the blue carpet for the President HERE.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Get A Whiff of Fairfax

The environment looks VERY good in two races in Fairfax County.

Take a look at what's happening HERE

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

VA GOP Caucus

Langrehr for Delegate?

A Green Party candidate the Dems believe would be a good fit in Shuler's old seat in the 12th House District.

Real estate tax increases, meal tax increases hurting restauranteurs, and increased sewer fees are just the tip of the iceberg with this guy.

"Learn" more about him HERE.

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

VA GOP Caucus

Setting the Stage

New York: A Canary in the Virginia Coal Mine

What happened in New York will happen in Virginia on November 8th.

You can find out what HERE ...

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

VA GOP CAUCUS

Throwing Gas on the Fire!

VA FREE does it again!

This article points out how VA FREE has once again scheduled an event the same day as a House Republicans Event. This months VA FREE candidate forum coincides with the House Republican candidate school event on September 8th.

The reporter implies that in retaliation the House Republican candidates are boycotting the event, but was was he misinformed about the fact that VA FREE scheduled their event for the SAME DATE & TIME???

VA GOP CAUCUS

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Governor Announces $544.8 Million for 2011 FY

Speaker Howell's Statement on Governor McDonnell's Announcement of $544.8 Million for FY 2011 in Agency Savings and Surplus Revenues

Speaker Howell Statement Regarding Governor McDonnell's Announcement of $544.8 Million for FY 2011 in Agency Savings and Surplus Revenues -- $234.1 million in Agency Savings Alongside Previously Announced Revenue Surplus of $310.7 million -- -- Second Consecutive Year Virginia has Posted Substantial Agency Savings and Higher than Expected Revenues --

RICHMOND, VA - Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement in response to Governor Bob McDonnell's announcement of FY 2011 agency savings:           "Alongside the Governor's July announcement of $310.7 million in FY 2011 surplus revenues, today's announcement of $234.1 million in agency savings and balances adds up to an overall FY 2011 surplus of $544.8 million.  Since taking office, the House Republican Caucus has worked with Governor McDonnell to responsibly tend to Virginia's financial health by controlling costs, eliminating unnecessary expenditures and upholding Virginia's constitutional balanced budget requirement, all without raising taxes," said Howell.          "While we are pleased to build on last year's $403 million surplus, we must continue to plan for the future and prepare ourselves for future economic contingencies.  Both the Governor and our Caucus recognized the importance of frugality and good government long ago and we've weathered the recession and recovery better than other states owing to that recognition.  Moving forward, we need to be proactive in safeguarding the Commonwealth's AAA bond rating and we must make deposits into the Rainy Day Fund to save for unforeseen future contingencies," said Howell.          Overall FY 2011 agency savings include unspent funds appropriated to various agencies as well as agency savings generated through good management practices.  The $310.7 million surplus announced in July consists principally of higher-than-expected revenues, generated in large part by personal and corporate income tax collections.          Between agency savings and surplus revenues, the Commonwealth has over half a billion surplus dollars, most of which is designated through contingency language in the Appropriations Act.  The surplus will be spent, in part, on the Rainy Day Fund, the Virginia Water Quality Fund, the Natural Disaster Reserve, additional funding for Sheriff's departments and repayments to the Virginia Retirement System.  Additionally, the Governor has seen fit to create a Federal Action Reserve Fund, which will serve as a financial safeguard in the event that federal spending decisions have a substantial impact on the Commonwealth.           "We thank the Governor for his ongoing efforts to reduce spending and implement common sense management practices, which save money for the Commonwealth and Virginia taxpayers.  While the economy continues to recover, none of us knows what fortune tomorrow brings.  Our Caucus will continue to work with the Governor to prudently plan for all future scenarios," said Howell. # # #

Delegate Glenn Oder to Resign From House of Delegates

Speaker Howell's Statement on Delegate Oder's decision to step down.

Speaker Howell Statement on Delegate Glenn Oder's Resignation from the Virginia House of Delegates

RICHMOND, VA - Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today commented on the announcement of Delegate Glenn Oder (R-Newport News) that he has accepted a position as Executive Director of the Fort Monroe Authority and will resign his seat in the House effective August 31, 2011:            "Delegate Glenn Oder announced today that he will resign his seat at the end of the month to begin work as the new Executive Director of the Fort Monroe Authority.  Since 2001, Glenn has ably served the 94th District in Newport News and brought his considerable insight, talent and humor to the House Republican Caucus in Richmond.  My colleagues and I will miss him."  "Delegate Oder served on the House Committee on General Laws, the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns and was Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee.  His strong legislative career often focused on infrastructure and common sense initiatives and his hard work with Governor McDonnell and I on this year's transportation legislation will continue to serve citizens of the Commonwealth for years to come." "Glenn will begin his work as Executive Director of the Fort Monroe Authority in Hampton, VA this September.  The Fort Monroe Authority is set to assume management responsibilities for Fort Monroe and to operate the sight for preservation and recreational use."            "Our Caucus is very sad to see Glenn go.  A true public servant, Glenn is going where he can do the most good for the Commonwealth and I can say with confidence that the Fort Monroe Authority is in great hands.  I thank Glenn for his years of service and wish him and his family all the best as they embark on this new chapter of their lives."  ###

Delegate Bill Janis Decides To Step Down

Speaker Howell issued a statement on Bill Janis' decision to not stand for re-election.

Speaker Howell Statement on Delegate Bill Janis' Decision Not to Stand for Re-Election to the Virginia House of Delegates

RICHMOND, VA - Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today commented on the announcement of Delegate William R. "Bill" Janis (R-Henrico) that he will run for Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney this fall and will not seek a sixth term in the Virginia House of Delegates: "Today Delegate Bill Janis announced his intention to run for Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney this coming fall.  Bill was first elected to serve the 56th House District in 2001 and has been a strong, conservative leader in our Caucus ever since.  The citizens of Henrico, Louisa and Goochland counties have been fortunate to have such a bright, energetic and articulate advocate over the last decade and he will be missed here in Richmond." "Bill has served on the House Committee on Privileges and Elections, the House Committee on Commerce and Labor, the House Courts of Justice Committee and as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.  Recognizing his intellect and leadership, the House Republican Caucus elected Delegate Janis Majority Whip in December of 2010.  In addition to his committee assignments and leadership duties, Bill worked hard over the last decade to strengthen law enforcement legislation and facilitate the General Assembly's judicial appointments."

    

"Delegate Janis has been a loyal, hard working, dedicated colleague.  His intellect and drive, which were tremendous assets in the House of Delegates, will serve him well in his future endeavors.  I thank Bill for his leadership and his service, and wish him and his family all the best."                                             ###

Business Community Beware!!!

Scary news coming from the lefties in the Virginia House and Senate this week!

As the Washington Post outlines in the article linked HERE, a new caucus has been formed by Delegate Patrick Hope and a number of other VA legislators. (listed below)  This is terrible news for business in Virginia.  Everyone will need to keep a close eye on these members, the legislation they introduce and what donors contribute to this anti-business group. 

The Virginia Progressive Caucus Founding Members

The Honorable Robin A. Abbott

The Honorable Mamye E. BaCote

The Honorable Robert H. Brink

The Honorable Betsy B. Carr

The Honorable Adam P. Ebbin

The Honorable David L. Englin

The Honorable Patrick A. Hope

The Honorable Matthew James

The Honorable Mark L. Keam

The Honorable Kaye Kory

The Honorable Jennifer L. McClellan

The Honorable A. Donald McEachin

The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn

The Honorable Joseph D. Morrissey

The Honorable Kenneth R. Plum

The Honorable James M. Scott

The Honorable Scott A. Surovell

The Honorable David J. Toscano

The Honorable Roslyn C. Tyler

The Honorable Jeion A. Ward

Armstrong, the Flip-Flopper

Some politicians find it difficult to stick with an opinion, and some may say that they "flip-flop".

A few years ago it was acceptable for House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong to receive contributions from VA's electric companies, but as shown here he feels it is wrong for his current opponent to do the same.

The Best Thing About VPAP ...

Is that on July 15th, THIS LINK, will show us all how much money folks have SUNK into the former Delegate, and more importantly, former Minority Leader Ward Armstrong's campaign.

Yippee!

Lines were approved!

DOJ has pre-cleared the House and Senate district lines. Information to last the next decade!! Special thanks to everyone who worked so hard on the bill.

Below are links to the maps.

http://www.vpap.org/updates/redistricting_maps

http://redistricting.dls.virginia.gov/2010/

Hey Ward, Thank Your Pal President Obama!

Yesterday's article from the American Thinker accurately outlines the connection between the rising energy prices we are seeing across the country and President Barak Obama's Anti-Coal agenda. 

Hey Ward!  Maybe next time you decide to rant and rave about the soaring energy prices in Southside, Virginia you should:

1. Make sure your facts are right (see video below)
2. Attribute the rising prices to the person responsible .... President Barak Obama

Ward Armstong Plans on Spending All of the Democratic Caucus Dollars on ... HIMSELF

Bad news for Minority Leader Ward Armstrong coming out of Southside Virginia...

Delegate Charles Poindexter formally announced his intentions defeat Delegate Armstrong in a campaign press release yesterday afternoon.  Delegate Armstrong is planning on moving from his home, currently located in the 16th House District, into Delegate Poindexter's 9th House District to challenge him for the seat.  Since being elected in 2008, Poindexter has been a tireless advocate for Southside Virginia.  He is a conservative leader with an accomplished track record.  It sure will be fun to watch as Poindexter dismantles the soon to be Former Minority Leader Ward Armstrong.

This is a bold move for Delegate Armstrong.  Not very smart or well thought out, but bold.

One would think the leader of the Democratic Caucus would find better things to do with Caucus money that spend it all on HIMSELF.  I would hate to be a House Democrat incumbent with a race this election season ...

Poindexter Welcomes Ward Armstrong into the 9^th Legislative District Race

GLADE HILL, VA – In a statement released today, Delegate Charles Poindexter (R-9th), reaffirmed his candidacy for the House of Delegates from the 9^th legislative district and commented about Delegate Ward Armstrong’s announced entry into the race.

   “I am running for re-election to the House of Delegates,” said Poindexter.  “I have no political ambitions beyond always doing my best to represent the people of Franklin, Patrick and Henry Counties in the Virginia General Assembly.”

   Ward Armstrong, who currently represents the 10^th legislative district, has declared his intention to switch districts and run in the 9^th.

   “State law requires that you must live in the district you represent, so Ward will have to move into the 9^th district to run against me,” Poindexter said.  “We welcome newcomers to the district.”

   Because of population growth in Northern Virginia, Southside Virginia lost a seat in the General Assembly.  As a result of redistricting, Armstrong’s  residence is now in the 16^th district, represented by Delegate Don Merricks.

   “No politician can reserve a seat in the House of Delegates,” said Poindexter.  “Voters determine who represents them.  Ninth District citizens know they can count on me to continue to stand firm and fight for Virginia’s rural and small town conservative values and lifestyles,” Poindexter said.

   Poindexter is a native of Franklin County who farms his own land, as well as family land settled by his Poindexter ancestors in 1792.  He is a former Information Technology (IT) executive in the Department of Defense industry. He served two terms on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors prior to his election to the House of Delegates in 2007.

   “I am proud of my voting record and the work I perform on behalf of our citizens in the House of Delegates. I look forward to discussing issues during the campaign.” 

   In the House, Poindexter serves on the Appropriations Committee,  the Agriculture and Natural Resources and Chesapeake Committee, and the Cities, Towns, and Counties Committee. He is vice-chairman of the State Energy and Environment Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the Roanoke Higher Education Authority and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

   Poindexter is an active member of Crafts United Methodist Church, where he sings in the choir and is chairman of the Board of Trustees. He and  his wife, Janet, have six adult children and ten grandchildren. They live at Smith Mountain Lake in Glade Hill near the original Poindexter homeplace.

###

Drum Roll Please ......

I would like to announce the most UN-anticipated and useless legislator ratings to be released in recent memory......... VA FREE's Annual Legislator Ratings

In the past, VA FREE was a respected organization whose ratings actually meant something in Virginia's political landscape.  Year after year, they would put out their Annual Legislator Ratings, and the business community would have an accurate and thorough scale to "grade" state legislators relating to pro-business initiatives.

My how things have changed ....

In today's world, VA FREE is just a shell of its former self.  They select a list of "business issues" that they deem worthy, AFTER the votes have already been taken in the General Assembly.  This allows them to pick and choose the issues that they want to grade legislators on, after the fact.   They are then able to choose bills that can help their friends on the Left and damage those they disagree with on the Right. 

It is no wonder that no one cares at all when these ratings come out.  They mean about as much as an approval rating of Virginia legislators from House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong.

Folks used to actually respect these ratings ... it's a shame that is no longer the case anymore!!! 

Also please check out some photos from the VA FREE luncheon last week.  What you will NOT find in any of the pictures are any members from the House Republican Majority Caucus...

VA FREE Democratic Leadership Luncheon

I wanted to follow up on a post I drafted a couple months ago that touched on the House Republican's not-so-dear friend Clayton Roberts, and the VA FREE Leadership Luncheon on Monday, May 23rd.

In my previous post I touched on how VA FREE leadership, namely Clayton Roberts, intentionally scheduled the annual Leadership Luncheon on a date that the House Republican Majority Caucus had already scheduled their annual retreat.  The "save the date" for the retreat was sent out more than 19 times since June of 2010 and Clayton Roberts received each and every notice. 

What's done is done, but what I still do not understand is how Clayton Roberts and VA FREE can continue to mislead their donors and luncheon attendees by prominently displaying on their website that the Virginia General Assembly will be in attendance.  

ATTENTION VAFREE ... Please tell your webmaster to be a bit more specific and to feel free to copy and paste my corrected invite below...

VAFREE Leadership Luncheon

Keynote Address by
U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner

Remarks by
Noted Political Commentator, Dr. Robert Holsworth

Featuring

Distinguished Members of
Virginia’s Congressional Delegation,
&
And the House Minority Democrat Caucus

The Infamous Gentleman from Statewide is at it Again

It hasn’t even been one month since the conclusion of the General Assembly, but our favorite minority leader is at it again.  With visions of sugarplums dancing in his head, Ward Armstrong has his heart set on running for statewide office.

At the Piedmont Democratic Women’s Club breakfast this past Saturday, Minority Leader Ward Armstrong gave a legislative update to those in attendance.  When asked about his ambitions for the future, he responded, “Maybe governor. I’m also interested in the work of the attorney general.”

Does he really need to be the one in the Governor’s Mansion in order to create jobs through improvements in transportation and education?!!?  Really?!?  Didn’t the General Assembly, with bipartisan support, just pass the Governor’s  transportation and education bills?!

This guy really doesn’t get it.

Although Ward claims that he is “focusing on redistricting,” his eyes are obviously set on bigger things, like statewide office.  Instead of building and strengthening his own party this past year, he’s been too busy railing against AEP across Southwestern Virginia, holding Town Halls (mostly out of his own district) and criticizing the General Assembly and the Governor.  Instead of focusing on building and strengthening his own party, he has abandoned it for his own dream of higher office. 

Armstrong admits that he will have to make his decision by the end of the year for a 2014 Governor’s run.  It is hard to imagine that the members of his caucus will stop him from running, that way they can find new leadership and stop the sinking ship that is the House Democratic Caucus.

To read the article, click here.

For now, let’s leave you with a clip from the 2010 session that made us all laugh, “The gentlemen from statewide, Mr. Armstrong…"

This Is Just Plain Sad .....

Just when we thought the shamed Minority Leader Ward Armstrong might get a slight reprieve from being highlighted on this blog for at least a couple of weeks ... the Richmond Times-Dispatch Politifact provides us with something so good ... We just cannot help myself from piling on once again.

Ward Armstrong says the telecom bill could hurt electric utility regulation

House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong has been battling with Virginia’s largest electric utilities for more than a year.

During the last week of the recently-concluded General Assembly session, that fight spilled into the debate on a telecommunications bill. Armstrong, D-Henry, was irked by several provisions in the legislation designed to modernize regulation as the state moves from a monopoly utility system to a new environment with many competitors.

Armstrong, who is exploring a run for statewide office in 2013, charged in a fiery floor speech on Feb. 21 that the bill would allow phone companies to refuse to run new landlines if there was an alternative for customers, such as using cell phone service. He also railed that the State Corporation Commission was worried the legislation could hinder its ability to regulate electric utilities.

Although the bill was approved by the General Assembly and is now on Gov. Bob McDonnell’s desk, the acrimony did not die. Several Republicans publicly accused Armstrong of spreading false information on the House floor. Armstrong, in return, defended his remarks.

So we looked at both of Armstrong’s charges.

Armstrong, in thundering floor speech, compared the regulation bill to a ticking time bomb.

"Let me quote the SCC report. ‘If this legislation, SB 1368, would limit such record keeping only to companies required to file rate of return statements annually, this could adversely impact the commission’s ability to get necessary rate of return information from electric utilities such as Dominion Virginia Power and Appalachian Power.’

"Where did that come from?" he demanded, "Where did that little nugget appear, that we’re going to allow Dominion and Appalachian not to submit rate of return information?"

The SCC regulates Virginia’s public utilities, including electric companies and certain segments of the telephone industry. The report Armstrong quoted was prepared by the SCC’s Division of Communications and released Jan. 24.

As Armstrong said, regulators initially had concerns about rate of return language. Electric utility regulation is complicated, but the SCC explains it this way: Regulated companies like ApCo and Dominion are allowed to "recover through their rates their ‘reasonable and prudent’ operating expenses, plus a ‘fair’ rate of return (profit) on their ‘rate base,’ which is the value of their capital investment in things like generating stations and the distribution grid."

Ensuring a fair rate of return requires lots of information on expenses, investments and other activities at the utilities, so there are rules ensuring the electric companies keep the detailed records needed by regulators. The SCC initially worried this law would undermine those rules.

So the SCC brought its concerns to the House Committee on Commerce and Labor, where the bill was being debated. The panel amended the bill on Feb. 3 to state: "All public utilities doing business in the Commonwealth that file rate of return statements shall ... maintain all records necessary to prepare and submit annually a rate of return statement."

William Irby, director of the SCC’s Division of Communications, told us the amendment satisfied his department’s concerns. "Rate of return is not affected by this bill," he said.

Armstrong’s speech pointing to the SCC’s concerns came on Feb. 21 -- almost three weeks after the concerns he was citing had been addressed.

Claire Wilker, Armstrong’s chief of staff, said her boss first learned about the change after his floor speech. She said nobody told Armstrong that the SCC’s concerns had been addressed in committee and that corrections had been made.

"We were pleased to find out that rate of return had been corrected," she said. "That’s a positive."

But Armstrong, speaking the day after he was supposedly corrected, said "I don’t make any apologies when I stand up for the people of my district and for the people of this state."

He also said he would not apologize for sending out an e-mail that repeated the incorrect information on electric utilities.

Let’s review the record and put this debate to rest.

Ward Armstrong told the entire House of Delegates that a telecom bill could undo important regulations on electric utilities. And though he cited a report from the SCC, he spoke on the bill nearly three weeks after the regulatory body’s concerns about the issue were addressed by a House Committee.

This is the second time during the 2011 session Armstrong has used faulty or outdated information during floor speeches about electric utilities. On the last occasion, regarding incorrectly stated utility rate increases, we gave him the benefit of the doubt because the error involved data sent by the SCC to Armstrong.

There are no excuses this time around. Any delegate speaking about a bill on the House floor should know what the legislation says, especially when changes occurred nearly three weeks before his remarks.

We rate Armstrong’s statement False. (Again ...)

VA FREE Made a Typo

Earlier this week I received an interesting invite from Clayton Roberts, the Executive Director for VA FREE, announcing their Leadership Luncheon up in Northern Virginia on Monday, May 23rd.

Funny thing about that is it just so happens to land on the same day as the Annual House Majority Republican Retreat, where all 61 members of the Virginia House Republican Caucus will be. Now I don't want to say that Clayton Roberts intentionally picked this date, but he was made well aware beforehand that no one from the House Republican Majority Caucus would attend on that date.

Attention Clayton Roberts!!! ... It seems as though an organization that prides itself on supposedly being:

Objective, non-partisan and unflinching.

Highly effective and widely respected.

might want to re-read their tag-line again and show a slight bit of respect to the House Majority Republican Caucus in the future.

OH ... and fix that typo in your invite ... it should read...

VAFREE Leadership Luncheon

Keynote Address by
U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner

Remarks by
Noted Political Commentator, Dr. Robert Holsworth

Featuring Invited Special Guests:
U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor
Governor Bob McDonnell
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling
Distinguished Members of the Governor’s Cabinet,
Virginia’s Congressional Delegation,
And the House Minority Democrat Caucus

President Obama's Cheerleader in Chief

The NRSC has posted a very comical video of our Former Governor and now DNC Party Chair Tim Kaine who is considering a run for Jim Webb's seat in 2012.

Check out the website by clicking here.

My favorite part is the Obama and Kaine dance at the end of the video.

Delegate Kathy Byron Sets the Record Straight...

Yesterday, Delegate Kathy Byron calls out Minority Leader Ward Armstrong for once again using faulty facts on the House Floor.

This is beginning to be a regular occurrence...

Oh ... and I almost forgot to mention ... not only is Ward attacking the bipartisan majority who voted for this bill in the House ... He is also publicly "slapping" the Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw who sponsored the bill in the Senate...

Budget Update

Today on the House floor, Majority Leader and Budget Conferee Kirk Cox addressed the Members on the current state of the budget negotiations to date.

Who Knew??

It came to my attention that last Thursday must have marked THE END of traffic woes in portions of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads .... are you as surprised to hear this as I am?

This must be the case because when the Governor's Transportation Bill, carried by Senator Wampler, (SB 1446) came over from the Senate on a WIDELY bipartisan vote ... 11 Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads Democrats voted AGAINST a bill that will jump start nearly 900 transportation projects throughout the state with lower costs and quicker completion times. This bill will accelerate previously approved transportation bonds and deposits funds into a transportation infrastructure bank. By accelerating the bonds, we will be able to take advantage of near record low interest rates and low construction costs.

The 11 Democrats are Delegates Bob Brink, David Bulova, David Englin, Eileen Filler-Corn, Mark Keam, Kaye Kory, Paula Miller, Ken Plum, Jim Scott, Scott Surovell, and Vivian Watts.

The transportation issue has stymied Virginia's legislature for nearly 20 years. Now, with a bipartisan and broadly supported bill before the House ... these 11 Democrats voted to block this vital proposal...

With NO votes on this bill ... I guess it is clear that parts of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads DO NOT have a transportation problem at all...

Keep these folks in mind when you're stuck in traffic this evening and more importantly ... in November.

The Last Thing Virginia Needs ....

Delegate Ben Cline gives a speech about how foolish it is for the Democrats to have a fundraiser that is headlined by Maryland Governor O'Malley discussing fiscal policies.  The last thing we need is for any legislator (republican or democrat) to be lectured by Governor O'Malley on his "recipes for economic success."

Take a listen below...

The $300 Million Senate Taj Mahal

Delegate Todd Gilbert addresses the House of Delegates today and outlines a fiscal flaw with the Senate Democrat's budget.

Take a look below!

Improving Community Based Services for Individuals in Need

Delegate Kirk Cox discusses new legislation to improve community based services for individuals in need.

A Case of the Buts...

During last week's House budget debate the Democrats seemed to have a "case of the buts..."



Please let your local Democrat Delegate know that now is not the time for MORE TAXES & OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING....

Contact them now by CLICKING HERE!!!

Delegate Jackson Miller Stands Up For Virginia's Citizens

Delegate Jackson Miller of Manassas gave an impassioned speech on the House floor today. He cites several instances where illegal aliens recently committed heinous crimes, including rape and murder, in Northern Virginia. Here is one example from the Washington Post.

Feeling that legislation like House Bill 1934 could have prevented such crimes, Delegate Miller, along with those who voted in favor of this bill, are standing up and protecting the lives of the citizens of Virginia.

Check out the video below...

A Tale of Two Budgets

Today on the House Floor, Majority Leader Kirk Cox clearly outlined the differences between the fiscally responsible House budget and the "spend now, ask questions later" Senate budget.

Watch below...

Governor's Transportation Bill Debated in House

The Governor's Transportation Bill HB 2527 is currently being debated in the House of Delegates. 


HB 2527 has broad support in the House and broad BI-PARTISAN support in the Senate.


When it comes to House Democrats ... their solution to the Commonwealth's transportation woes is to either RAISE TAXES or vote NO.


Note to frustrated transportation gridlocked Virginians .... House Dems will ONLY vote for a tranportation package if they can have a bigger cut of your paycheck ....


Voters Beware!!!

Delegate Armstrong Manipulating the Facts

As Ronald Reagan would say when Jimmy Carter would play fast and loose with the facts during a debate, “There you go again.” Except today, Minority Leader Ward Armstrong is Jimmy Carter (or Don Quixote), and “fast and loose” doesn’t begin to cover it. The Times Dispatch pointed out that Ward’s entire case against Appalachian Power is a house of cards that has been blown down.

As we pointed out in July, Ward Armstrong has been tilting at windmills running for governor on a platform of promises to lower utility rates. If he’s tied his gubernatorial aspirations to the success of his legislation, Virginia will be spared in 2013.

Not wanting to “waste a crisis.” For more than a year, Ward Armstrong has been on a quest to “do something” about rising utility rates. Never mind that the increases in recent years have everything to do with federal environmental regulations and coal prices than state laws.

So this summer Ward’s work group (we affectionately refer to it as the faux-commission) held faux-meetings and produced a faux-report, and now it turns out it was based on faux-data!

The Times Dispatch pointed out “The data was the crux of Armstrong’s effort to give the SCC a greater say in regulating Appalachian’s rates.”

Armstrong, who is exploring a 2013 run for statewide office, set up a work group that studied Virginia electric rates and released a report earlier this month that included the incorrect figure for Appalachian’s rate increase.

In a meeting of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation (that would be the REAL commission) a senior executive of Appalachian Power very politely pointed out to Ward and the entire Commission that the numbers in the report were flawed. Ward refused to listen. Later, a week later when the Richmond Times-Dispatch contacted him and verified that APCO was right and Ward was wrong, he offered this lame explanation:

"If the utility industry stands up and says your figures are wrong, we tend to disagree with them,"

We were lucky to obtain video footage of people trying to tell Ward he was using bad data. See Below.



So Ward had been told that his numbers were flat out wrong. Instead of verifying them or double checking them, he continued to use them to mislead the public and the legislature.

Now the truth comes out. The whole thing has been a sham. The notion that rates in Ward’s district have risen over 90% is a fallacy. Ward was not using accurate rates. According to the State Corporation Commission, rates have risen only 33% - nowhere close to Ward’s scaremongering 90% statistic he has been throwing around his district to paint Appalachian Power as the boogeyman.

The truth is that while power rates have gone up – it’s not the power company that is to blame. Utility rates are made up of various components; and each can be increased separately by The State Corporation Commission. They allow for rate increases based on certain factors – and the two that have driven rate increases are environmental compliance with federal EPA mandates and the increase in the price of fuel (in this case, coal.)

Rather than take on those in his own party and Washington to curb the EPA’s war on coal, Ward has put his eggs into attacking the power company.

Meanwhile other members of our caucus have been more responsible in dealing with this issue in their districts, recognizing the primary drivers to these increases are beyond the control of the General Assembly. If Ward really wants to have an impact on utility rate increases, perhaps he should focus his ambitions 90 miles north of Richmond.

It's Going to be a Long Session ...

Below is a clip of Delegate Joe Morrissey on Opening Day of the 2011 General Assembly Session.

Does this guy love himself or what???