Stuart: Changes Come to Capitol in Session’s Final Week

The following is a statement from State Senator Richard Stuart, R-28. Stuart’s district includes portions of Prince William and Stafford counties.

The final week of every General Assembly session is different from the weeks that precede it. The halls of the General Assembly Building are rarely teeming with visitors. With most of the bills having either already passed or already failed, citizens who were advocating for the passage or defeat of legislation are no longer clamoring to contact legislators.

The warm temperatures of this final week added to the feeling of transition. The change can be seen in the grounds immediately surrounding the Capitol. When session began, only a few weeks had passed since Stephen Spielberg and his film crew had left the Capitol grounds, where they had been filming “Lincoln”.

The presence of Spielberg’s production company took its toll on the grounds, which looked rather unsightly when we arrived for session. To rectify this situation, the lawn areas surrounding the Capitol received fresh top soil and grass seed during the first two weeks of session. Now, in the final week, that seed has turned into new grass that is a very deep green. Spring is nearly here.

The effort to enact a new budget showed some encouraging signs, as well. Local governments, business leaders, and public safety professionals all weighed in to urge the General Assembly – and the Senate, specifically – to enact a budget. Early in the week the Democratic Senators appeared resolute in their refusal to enact any budget unless their demands for a reorganization of the Senate were met. By week’s end, however, things looked more promising.

Although Democratic Senators are still refusing to approve any budget, progress – though slow – is being made. A group of negotiators from the House and Senate began to meet to discuss the differences between the House’s approved plan and the plan the Democrats killed. And, two Democratic Senators were among those participating in the negotiations, which is encouraging.

On Wednesday, the Democrats changed tactics and put together a list of items they want included in a budget. The list, however, totaled $450 million and did not include how the items would be paid for. Then on Thursday, Senator Colgan, a Democrat from Prince William who is the longest-serving Senator in Virginia history, delivered a speech to the Senate indicating that he does not want to see the budget process drag into April. That was the first indication that any Democratic Senator might be willing to break from his caucus and vote to enact a budget.

While individually none of these events might be seen as a breakthrough, collectively they were the first signs that the budget standoff might end sooner rather than later. Of course, that progress will have to come after the adjournment of the regular session.

The budget impasse notwithstanding, the General Assembly had a remarkably productive session in terms of the number of bills enacted. More than 800 bills have already been approved and sent to Governor McDonnell for consideration this session. By the last week of session, the Governor had already signed 166 bills.

LEGISLATION

I have had 10 bills pass both Houses and will discuss them in future updates.

With the end of the regular session, my Capitol office will now be returning home to the 28th District. I will be returning to the Capitol frequently as we work to resolve the budget impasse of course, but my office will be operating in the district, not the General Assembly building. This also marks my last regular column for 2012.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to serve you in the State Senate. You can contact me by sending an e-mail to [email protected], or by sending a letter to me at PO Box 1146, Montross VA 22520. You can also call me at 804-493-8892.