Delegate Ed Scott gave MCRW members and guests an overview of the recent Virginia General Assembly. The 2008 session presented a special challenge since the Republican House of Delegates and the Democrat-controlled Senate were split.“It had some implications for some of the budget and legislative initiatives,” said Delegate Scott.
Both parties came together going into the session on the issue of “what state government can and should do in light of the tragedy at Virginia Tech,” Scott said.
“This was a bi-partisan effort. We’ve made some significant changes in the area of mental health. We passed legislation that followed on the governor’s executive order. People like Cho can’t get guns.”
“We still continue to be a state that respects the heritage of sportsmen and gun ownership,” said Delegate Scott who has an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for his efforts to preserve our Second Amendment rights, and is a member of the General Assembly’s Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.
“The budget that we passed, for the first time in recent history, grows at a growth lower than the rate of inflation. We tried to fund the core programs,” said Delegate Scott. “Part of the challenge that we had was created by the governor’s rosy budget revenue projections,” he added.
Legislators “found $1.4 billion in savings,” Delegate Scott said.
“Are there some things we would have liked to have done? Sure, but this simply was not the year. We also saw some bad bills to expand government and reached into portions of people’s lives… bad for business.” he explained.
“I don’t think the Governor has offered a viable solution to the transportation problem,” Delegate Scott said. He compared the contrasting approaches from the two parties: the Republican solution is John McCain’s gas tax holiday, while the Democrat solution reflects Governor Tim Kaine’s desire to raise the gas tax.
“Our gas tax revenues are actually decreasing right now,” said Delegate Scott. He attributed the decrease to changes in the way people drive, by making fewer trips, in order to conserve fuel.
“I personally feel that we have not made transportation a committed core function,” Delegate Scott said.
Demaris Miller commended Delegate Scott for his efforts to hold down spending, noting that the state’s 2-year budget has grown from $48 billion 5 years ago to $77 billion this year.
“Has your income gone up that much in 5 years? You‘re very much aware of that fact. The Democrats just don‘t get it,” said Miller.
“Democrats look to government to solve their problems and meet their needs. Republicans want government to get out of the way,” added Miller.
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