Anderson: More Work on Budget Continues

Editor’s note: The following is a letter from Delegate Richard Anderson, R-Prince William, to his constituents.

Dear Prince William Neighbors,

As I type these words on Friday afternoon, I am sitting at my desk on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates. We have adjourned briefly while the Senate acts on bills we sent to them earlier today, so I thought it was a good time to email you a final report on this last day of the 2012 legislative session of the General Assembly. We head home tonight and will be back in our Prince William office on Monday morning, ready to support our neighbors from a closer vantage point!

All this week and last, the focus has been on the ongoing budget impasse between the House and Senate. Some progress has been made as House and Senate Budget Conferees met to work out differences between the two chambers. More work will be done during the coming weeks as conferees remain in Richmond, while the rest of us head home to wait for a final agreement—and return to Richmond later this month or next to debate and vote on the final two-year $85 billion budget. In simple terms, the impasse centers around House desires to remain within our means, while the Senate wants to increase spending, which means higher taxes for Virginians. In the end, both Chambers and both parties will find a way ahead…we always do…it’s the Virginia way.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve heard from many of you in Prince William County and from around Virginia, almost all urging passage of a final budget that spends no more than we currently take in. I’ve heard from moms and dad, grandparents, local government officials, chambers of commerce, law enforcement personnel, fire and rescue members, and military service members and veterans. As chairman of the General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus, I made a speech from the House floor outlining what I’m hearing from the men and women who have worn—or currently wear—the uniform of our country and who are part of a family of Virginia veterans who number more than 1 million of our fellow citizens. Click here to hear my remarks.

As the 2012 annual legislative session draws to a close, I thank all of you who connected with us over the last two months via email, phone, letter, fax, and personal visits. Regardless of your views on the issues or the votes I’ve taken, I value your input and respect your views on the important matters we’ve considered here in Richmond. Over the last week, we’ve mailed several thousand letters to folks in Prince William County on the results of key legislation this session. I take pride in personally answering 100% of emails that I receive, so if you haven’t heard back from me yet, you will as I wade through the 2000+ emails remaining in my account.

At the risk of repeating myself from previous emails, please call or email if I can help in any way…or if you simply wish to talk or have me visit your home or community events. Our office number is 571-264-9983, my direct email [email protected], and email for Ryan M. Galloway (my legislative assistant) is [email protected]. And if all else fails and you need us now, call my Woodbridge home at 703-730-1380. We’re here for you and want to be readily reachable.

THANK YOU for the privilege of serving the 51st House District at home and in Richmond…we look forward to seeing you around the county over the coming weeks and months!

Warmest regards,

Richard L. Anderson
Delegate, 51st House District
Virginia General Assembly