The Virginia General Assembly’s Regular Session is scheduled to adjourn later this week, but first the Virginia Senate Democrats and House of Delegates Democrats must reconcile their very different budget proposals.
Both Democratic written budget proposals seek to triple legislators’ pay (which I oppose), reinstate the electricity bill increasing carbon tax (which I oppose), increase teacher pay 2% or 3% (I support a larger increase), and provide zero relief from the car tax or grocery tax (I support complete repeal of both).
The competing Democratic budget proposals differ over a new 11% gun tax (I oppose), a $100 per taxpayer income tax rebate (I support), if the billion dollars of data center tax relief should end (I support ending that massive corporate tax preference), and if there should be an enhanced standard deduction (I support).
The negotiations to reconcile the competing budget proposals are under way and the anticipated “conference report” compromise agreement will be considered for straight up or down votes of the total package in both chambers. Once a conference report is adopted it will be sent to Governor Abigail Spanberger who will have the opportunity to offer amendments on different parts of the budget that will then be considered by the General Assembly at the Reconvene Session in April.
Virginia Senate Votes Last Week
With the approaching scheduled adjournment, the Virginia Senate is having many lengthy floor sessions with hundreds of votes on House Bills and on House Amendments to previously passed Senate Bill. The outcomes of many actions this week and how I voted:
Authorization of Internet Casinos/ iGaming
Passed 21-17; Voted No
Creation of Commercial Marijuana Market
Passed 21-19; Voted No
Statewide Legalization of Balcony Solar
Passed 30-8; Voted Yes
Require Water Use Disclosures for Data Center
Passed 25-15; Voted Yes
Tax Relief for Hollywood Productions
Passed 24-16; Voted No
Retroactively Open All Adoptions at 18 & Require All Future Adoptions Open at 18
Passed 28-12; Voted No
Establish Solar Interconnection Grant Program
Passed 26-14; Voted Yes
Continuation of Community Builders in Roanoke
Passed 40-0; Was my bill and voted Yes
Legalization of “Skill Games”/“Gray Machines” – Electronic Gambling Kiosks at Convenience Stores
Passed 26-14; Voted No
Authorize State Class Action Lawsuits
Passed 22-18; Voted No
Allow Multifamily Housing Development in Commercial Areas by Right
Failed 17-22; Voted No
Localities May Require Solar Roofs Over Parking Lots
Passed 21-18; Voted No
Allow Religious Groups to Build Housing By Right Regardless of Zoning
Passed 22-18; Voted No
Creation of a new Circuit Court Judgeship in the New River Valley
Passed 40-0; Voted Yes
You can also search issues, read every bill, and track votes through the Legislative Information System at https://lis.virginia.gov .
Be Sure to Vote in the Referendum
The Virginia Supreme Court declined to take up the legally dubious portions of the proposed gerrymander until after the April redistricting referendum. If voters in our community do not want to see Northern Virginia’s large political influence further exagerated at Southwest Virginia’s expense, it is critical that No passes on the April 21 referendum. Voting has already started in each Virginia community. Find out when and where you can vote today at https://tinyurl.com/SWVAvotes .
As the General Assembly Regular Session wraps up and prepares for the Reconvene Session, you can share your views with me at David@Suetterlein.com or by calling 540-302-8486.
