No ROI for Big McAuliffe Donors

Gov. McAuliffe's endorsement of the 550-mile Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline has drawn 'Hosana's' from many unfamiliar places, but has he overplayed his hand just a little bit? Is he just keeping his finger on the pulse? This initiative will bring jobs where they are desperately needed, and garner him some rapport with the mostly red legislature. But...

Guess which state based environmental group constitutes McAuliffe's 3rd highest donation totals since 2012? They have put down over one and a half million dollars to get this man elected.

Gosh, I sure hope he doesn't anger any influential one-issue billionaires who also took a huge seven figure stake in his win....

But to be sure, at least some have been able to get on Terry's team. 

Let's hear statements about the Atlantic Coast pipeline:

Delegate Mark Sickles[Former Minority Caucus Chairman] 
“Good family-wage construction jobs in the short term will lead to lower heating bills, a reduced carbon footprint and permanent manufacturing jobs in the long term...Congratulations to all who worked so hard to win against four competing alternatives and good luck...[making] the underground natural gas pipeline a reality.”
(didn't see that one coming, but happy you've come around sir)

Tom Steyer (per WaPo, NextGen PAC could not be reached for comment) 

Per RPV Chairman Pat Mullins: 
"Given the Governor's new-found interest in working with the energy sector, I'm forced to wonder if the environmental movement has a home in the Virginia Democrat party any more."

He may have a point. This surely constitutes a huge fly in the organic vegan ointment, so to speak. 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Sickles: Way Off

"I quintupled the number?! Oh Dear..."

In his never-ending quest for a narrative to sell Medicaid Expansion to Virginia, Mark Sickles got some serious wires crossed. When the beleagured Delegate claimed that a full 30% of the state's Medicaid
costs go to seniors in nursing care, Politifact flatly rated his statement false. Reminder: this guy sits on the Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee...

Let's keep our numbers within the realm of the believable, shall we? The fact is that hardly over 2% of Medicaid recipients are in nursing care, and they use less than 10% of the funds. 

Not only does that number fail to strengthen Sickles' argument, it strengthens the argument that we should be wary of expansion. When the 2% of patients in nursing homes becomes 4%, or 6%, what will happen to their 10% share of the budget pie?




VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Sickles and Surovell Strike Out

"Was that it?", a quote that perfectly describes the performance of the Democrat candidates in this year's House of Delegates challenges. Just as late as September and October, Scott Surovell and Mark Sickles were walking the walk and proclaiming how disappointed they would be if they didn't pick up at least 5 or 6 seats in this year's election.

I can only imagine how disappointed they must be to net...1.

Though I can certainly sympathize. Having looked thoroughly at their field of candidates, the only conclusion I had left to draw was that this was a little league team trying to break their way into The Show. With no eye on the real issues, and orders to keep it that way, seemingly, this year's field of Dems went down in flames on Election Day, even as the top of their ticket succeeded.

Sorry for the strike out. Maybe a little more humility, next time, gentlemen.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com