E-newsletter Volume 2

Monday, February 02, 2009

This year's session is usually referred to as the "short session".  That's because it only lasts 46 days as opposed to sessions in even years, which last sixty.  Odd-year sessions are shorter because the General Assembly is only required to make amendments to the existing biennial budget.  In long sessions, an entirely new budget must be constructed and approved.
 
Usually, amending the budget is a task that takes significantly less work than constructing one from scratch.  But, the state's budget shortfall makes amending the existing budget a lot more challenging than usual this year.  Still, the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn for this year on February 28.
 
As I noted last week, there will be many other issues before us during this session than the budget.  Among the hundreds of bills that will be discussed are several that I am submitting. 
 
Here are just a few of the bills that I am submitting or co-sponsoring this year:
 
HB 2525 Small Wind Energy Projects: This bill promotes the development of wind energy through tax exemptions and encourages the expansion of wind energy to meet our energy needs.

 
HB 2576 Electricity Generated from Municipal Solid Waste: Methane from landfills is a known source of greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and wastes energy. This bill establishes the legal framework to establish a public-private partnership to mine the methane from these landfills and put the excess back into the power system.

 
HJ 620 Transportation Lock Box: This resolution calls for a constitutional amendment that would require transportation money to be kept in a transportation trust fund preventing it from being spent as part of the general fund.

 
HB 2131 Gang Free Zone: Establishes gang free zones on certain public and private lands and calls for a more severe punishment for gang activity on such lands.

 
HB 2132 Workforce Housing: This bill provides local school boards greater flexibility in helping teachers pursue the American dream of home ownership within their school district.

 
HB 2024: Health Insurance Coverage: Allows health insurance providers to sell cheaper health insurance to employers with 50 or less employees who are not currently receiving health insurance from the employer.

 
HB 2140 Learner's Permits: This bill requires that in order to be eligible for a learner's permit, a student must have no more than 5 unexcused absences in the six months prior to applying for a learner's permit.

 
For information on all fifteen of my bills for the 2009 Legislative Session, please go to the Virginia General Assembly Legislative Homepage: http://leg1.state.va.us/lis.htm.
 
If you will be visiting Richmond during this year's session, make sure to stop by our office, located in Room 418 of the General Assembly Building.  You can contact us here by sending an e-mail to Deljmiller@house.virginia.gov or by sending a letter to me at PO Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218-0406.  Or, if you want me to know your opinion on a particular issue, you can call on the toll-free Constituent Viewpoint Hotline at 1-800-889-0229.
 
Have a great week, and look for more news from Richmond next week.
 

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, concerns or comments.
 
Sincerely,
 

Delegate Jackson Miller