Texting and Driving, Mental Health, Schools, are Issues on Legislative Radar for Barker, Anderson

By URIAH KISER

LAKE RIDGE, Va. — In a show of bipartisanship, Virginia Senator George Baker, D-Fairfax, and Prince William, and Delegate Rich Anderson, R-Prince William, came together Saturday to outline their initiatives for the current legislative session in Richmond.

Efforts to pass new laws to get tougher on drivers who send text messages while behind the wheel, more funding for mental health services, education reforms, and Gov. Robert McDonnell’s call to abolish the state’s 17.5 percent gas tax — a rate not adjusted since 1986 — and raise the state sales and vehicle registration fees tax to cover the rising cost of transportation were discussed.

“I had a discussion with the governor and he is determined to do something about the transportation issue, but it’s a thorny, rough issue,” said Anderson, who added he’s not “warm” to the idea of raising registration fees — up to $100 per vehicle for hybrid owners.

Virginia would be the first state to abolish a gas tax, said Anderson. McDonnell’s plan may not get passed in the current legislative session, but a special session could be called later in the year to address transportation funding.

Barker said drivers in North Carolina pay a 38 cent per-gallon gas tax and said, with that, the state has been able to leverage more highway improvements.

“In Virginia, we pay that difference in the tax to the oil companies. In North Carolina, they pay more to the state and they’ve been able to take that money and build new roads,” said Barker.

While McDonnell borrowed money in 2011 for transportation fixes, the state faces an economic transportation fiscal cliff of its own in 2017 when funds for roads are expected to run out, added Barker.

Also one the roads, both Anderson and Barker have introduced legislation to enact tougher penalties on those caught texting on their cell phones while driving. Under current law, police can cite drivers who text behind the wheel and fines range between $250 and $500 for first and subsequent offenses, respectively.

“When you see a vehicle weaving on the road, when you pull into the view of the driver you can usually see them manipulating a cell phone or communications device,” said Anderson.

Both legislators hope the General Assembly will favor their respective bills and agree to combine them into one for passage. Barker said previous efforts to require hands free cell phones in cars have failed, but drivers who talk on hands-free devices are still apt to crash because they’re not paying complete attention to the road.

For schools, Barker said he wants more funding for education to help more low-income, black, and physically challenged students to achieve more. Those groups of students are some of the worst performing in the state, said Barker.

Anderson will has also brought forward legislation to call more attention to athletes who have suffered concussions — something that has received wide support from neurologists and physical therapists, said Anderson. It’s a bill that comes after 17-year-old Austin Trenum, of Nokesville, killed himself after suffering a concussion injury in a school football game.

Following the Sandy Hook school shooting last month, Barker has been appointed to a special school safety task force arranged by Gov. McDonnell. He’s also introduced new legislation to require Virginia’s community colleges to appoint a contact person to respond to student concerns and to help identify potential mental health issues prior to a shooting. Not immune to the rash of school shootings in recent years, Northern Virginia Community College’s Woodbridge campus was the scene of a school shooting in 2010 where, luckily, no one was injured.

Other area legislators have announced their priorities for this session that runs until Sine Die on February 23.

Mark Dudenhefer, R-Stafford, Woodbridge, sent his priorities out in an email to constituents:

Gwyneth’s Law HB 2028

This fall I was approached by a family who had a tragic accident occur. A student passed away after suffering from heart trauma while at school in Stafford County. Current law only requires two staff members in a school to have CPR certification. By changing the law to have teachers certified to current standards, students trained, and the proper equipment, HB 2028 will help ensure that schools and students are prepared to assist in case an emergency of this nature or others were to arise.

In State Tuition for all Virginia Active Duty Military Personnel HB 2027

Currently Virginia law requires that active duty military personnel be stationed and domiciled in the Commonwealth to receive in-state or reduced tuition rates. HB 2027 would give eligibility for in-state or reduced tuition to all active duty members of our military domiciled in Virginia or stationed in Virginia. This would ensure that each soldier that lives or works in here would have affordable access to our higher education institutions.