NBC12 interview
Watch the video:
For more information on Lieutenant Governor Bolling and the Chief Jobs Creation Office please visit www.billbolling.com.
Abortion Center Safety Passes Senate On Lt. Governor Bolling’s Tie-Breaker Vote!
After a long and passionate Senate floor debate that spanned a few hours over two days, the Virginia Senate voted 20-20 this afternoon to direct the Board of Health to promulgate regulations for abortion centers. After a brief pause for the Senate clerk to announce the vote, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling cast his constitutionally authorized tie-breaking vote in favor of the bill. It now will go to Governor Bob McDonnell for his signature, who has long supported abortion center safety regulations. After more than two decades of hiding behind a veil of political secrecy, abortion centers in Virginia will face greater scrutiny and better health standards.
It was the first time ever that such legislation has even reached the Senate floor, despite numerous bills passed by the House. Each year, including earlier this session, the Senate killed the legislation in committee. But today, all 18 Republicans held together and two brave pro-life Democrats, Senators Phil Puckett (D-38, Tazewell) and Chuck Colgan (D-29, Manassas), resisted pressure from their caucus’ leadership.
While the session has gone according to script this year, with the House passing and the Senate Education and Health Committee killing pro-life legislation, a dramatic turn occurred only a few days ago, in the last days of session. SB 924, patroned by Senator Ryan McDougle (R-4, Hanover), passed the Senate and went to the House. There, Delegate Kathy Byron (R-22, Lynchburg), one of the pro-life leaders in the House, offered an amendment to add abortion centers. Liberals challenged its germaneness (whether the amendment fit the intent of the bill), but House Speaker Bill Howell (R-28, Fredericksburg) dismissed the objection and the House passed it overwhelmingly. That change required it to return to the Senate where the GOP caucus began to coalesce around the amendment. The vote was scheduled yesterday, but after a half-hour of debate it was passed by until today. Senate Democrat leaders pressured its two wayward colleagues but by the tenor of today’s 90-minute debate, it was apparent there were no cracks in the coalition.
Unfortunately, instead of offering logical or accurate arguments against the amendment, opponents demagogued the issue. At one point Senator Janet Howell (D-32, Fairfax) mocked Senator Mark Obenshain’s (R-26, Harrisonburg) recitation of federal court decisions upholding abortion center regulations, even though he was replying to her colleagues’ calls for proof of legal precedent. It prompted this exchange (see our blog.) Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D-35, Springfield) told his colleagues to “get a life!” if they thought the bill was about anything other than restricting abortion, ignoring his own colleagues’ faux concerns for the Constitution.
Senator John Edwards (D-21, Roanoke) repeatedly claimed the bill was unconstitutional with wild assertions and vague stretches of case law (he was seen getting information from the ACLU outside the chamber), all of which were refuted by Senator Obenshain, who cited federal appeals and U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Senator Obenshain concluded by saying, “standing up and saying so doesn’t make it so,” and read from a court opinion which plainly disproved Senator Edwards’ assertions.
Several liberal senators predicted horrors such as back alley abortions even though states such as South Carolina regulate abortion centers with no such reports. They also claimed first-trimester abortions were among the “safest procedures” despite absolutely no corroborating evidence because there are no reporting requirements mandated in Virginia. Senator Dave Marsden (D-37, Farifax) even compared the bill to the poll tax and efforts to keep minorities from voting in the Jim Crow era.
Another desperate aspect of the debate was the demand by several liberal Democrats that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issue an opinion on the constitutionality of the amendment, perhaps the first time they’ve wanted his advice. Of course, it was a tactic to delay and kill the bill. Senator Edwards sarcastically said the Attorney General would love to defend the bill if it became law because of the other legal actions he’s pursued. But the fact was, and they knew it, he issued an opinion in August in support of the constitutionality of such regulations. He even accommodated Senators with a letter composed during a Senate recess – to confirm his previous opinion.
Opponents’ arguments, so twisted, inevitably contradicted each other, with Senator Howell’s unwitting admission that abortion is, in fact, used for contraception when she said the bill would take away one method of “determining the size of families.”
This was a monumental vote and a historic day. Advocates for, after years of pursuit, finally won a major pro-life victory, perhaps the most important victory since parental notification! Thank you to all who contacted their Senators on this important issue! We also thank the twenty Senators who voted for this important bill, as well as Lt. Governor Bill Bolling for the tiebreaking vote! There were also several Senators that spoke in defense of the amendment on the Senate floor, including Senators Jill Vogel (R-27, Winchester), John Watkins (R-10, Chesterfield), Steve Martin (R-11, Chesterfield), Mark Obenshain, Tommy Norment (R-3, Williamsburg), Jeff McWaters (R-8, Virginia Beach) and Bill Stanley (R-19, Franklin).
We now look forward to working within the regulatory process to ensure the regulations by the Board of Health ensure abortion centers are safe for women who make the unfortunate choice of abortion.
Senate Republicans and Lieutenant Governor Bolling Announce Legislative Agenda for 2011 General Assembly Session
For more information about the legislative agenda please visit www.senators4va.com.
STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING ON 2010 MIDTERM ELECTIONS
RICHMOND - Lieutenant Governor Bolling today issued the following statement on the 2010 midterm election results:
"Last year, the people of Virginia overwhelmingly swept Governor McDonnell, Attorney General Cuccinelli and me into office. Our victory was the first sign that America was turning away from the misguided policies of President Obama and the Democratic leadership in Washington and turning toward principled, conservative leaders who are focused on economic prosperity, limited government and individual freedom.
"Tonight, Virginia voters have reiterated this message by doing their part to get our nation back on the right path by electing conservative leaders who will embrace pro-business policies that will get our economy moving again and support limited, constitutional government. They have forcefully rejected the anti-business agenda of high-taxes, out-of-control spending and debt, and overly intrusive government that we have been forced to endure in Washington for the past two years.
"I want to congratulate Congressman-elect Robert Hurt, Congressman-elect Scott Rigell and Congressman-elect Morgan Griffith. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead. They campaigned relentlessly and were tireless, articulate advocates for the conservative principles that are needed to restore American greatness. For that I express my profound gratitude.
"I would especially like to congratulate my dear friend, Eric Cantor, for his re-election and his leadership in charting a course for the Republican Party to regain a majority in the House of Representatives. Congressman Cantor will undoubtedly assume a mantle of high responsibility in the new Congress and America could not have a more capable or effective leader.
"I also want to congratulate Congressman Frank Wolf, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Congressman Randy Forbes, and Congressman Rob Wittman on their re-election to the United States House of Representatives. They have provided our state with tremendous leadership in Washington and they have stood strong for conservative principles we believe in. I know that they will each continue to represent our state well and help lead a new American renaissance.
"Even on a night as successful for our party as this, not all of our Republican candidates were victorious. At this hour, the race in the 11th District is still undetermined. I commend Keith Fimian for running an aggressive and competitive campaign. I thank Chuck Smith, and Patrick Murray for their willingness to take part in the democratic process and for the vigorous campaigns they ran. I look forward to working with them in other capacities to advance our shared conservative values.
"And finally, I offer my sincere and profound gratitude to the thousands of Virginians who dedicated their energy, their time and their treasure to support the candidates of their choice. Over the last two years, we have seen unparalleled participation in the political process from long-time party leaders and new conservative activists. Tonight their voices were heard, especially in Washington, DC.
"In the days, weeks and months ahead many people will offer many opinions to explain the results of this historic election. The truth is that President Obama and the Democratic leadership in Washington have blindly and relentlessly pursued a course that has made our country weaker, while ignoring the deafening pleas of the American people to choose a better way.
"They have abandoned our constitutional tradition of limited government for a liberty-stifling and freedom-suffocating government with an insatiable desire to control its citizenry at every turn. They used the economic misfortunes of American families to advance their partisan political agendas. They saddled our children and our grandchildren with unsustainable spending and unimaginable debt. They rejected the capitalist, free market system that has made America the wealthiest, freest nation in the world for a system where significant portions of our economy are owned and controlled by the federal government.
"Today, Republicans, Independents, Tea Party activists and conservative Democrats have joined together to deliver a powerful American message. America's greatness is born from the strength of the American people, not the size of the American government. The American people run this country, not American politicians.
Sunday October 31, 2010
1:30pm | Victory Rally in Northern Virginia with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
Fairfax County Republican Committee HQ | |
5:00pm | Victory Rally in Charlottesville with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
Albemarle/Charlottesville Victory Office Charlottesville, Virginia | |
7:30pm | Victory Rally in Blacksburg with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
Virginia Tech/Montgomery Airport 1601 Tech Center Drive Blacksburg, Virginia |
Monday November 1st
8:00am | Victory Rally in Abingdon with Governor McDonnell, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
Virginia Highlands Airport | |
11:00am | Victory Rally in Lynchburg with Governor McDonnell, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
Lynchburg Victory Office | |
2:00pm | Victory Rally in Danville with Governor McDonnell, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
Danville Victory Office | |
5:15pm | Victory Rally in Virginia Beach with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
Crowne Plaza Hotel |
Sunday October 31, 2010
| 1:30pm | Victory Rally in Northern Virginia with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
| Fairfax County Republican Committee HQ 4246 Chain Bridge Road Fairfax, Virginia | |
| 5:00pm | Victory Rally in Charlottesville with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
| Albemarle/Charlottesville Victory Office 455 Albemarle Square Charlottesville, Virginia | |
| 7:30pm | Victory Rally in Blacksburg with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
| Virginia Tech/Montgomery Airport 1601 Tech Center Drive Blacksburg, Virginia |
Monday November 1st
| 8:00am | Victory Rally in Abingdon with Governor McDonnell, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
| Virginia Highlands Airport 18521 Lee Highway Abingdon, Virginia | |
| 11:00am | Victory Rally in Lynchburg with Governor McDonnell, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
| Lynchburg Victory Office 3700 Candler's Mountain Road - Unit #2 Lynchburg, Virginia | |
| 2:00pm | Victory Rally in Danville with Governor McDonnell, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
| Danville Victory Office 625 Piney Forest Road - Suite 207 Danville, Virginia | |
| 5:15pm | Victory Rally in Virginia Beach with Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, Attorney General Cuccinelli, and RPV Chairman Mullins |
| Crowne Plaza Hotel 4453 Bonney Road Virginia Beach, Virginia |
When Governor McDonnell and I took office in January, we set two key goals for our first year in office:
Getting Virginia's economy moving again and creating jobs for Virginia's families, and
Eliminating the $4.2B budget shortfall we inherited and turning our budget shortfalls into surpluses again.
This week we delivered on both of those promises.
Turning Shortfalls Into Surpluses
On Wednesday, Governor McDonnell announced that Virginia ended the 2010 fiscal year with a $220M budget surplus. That is an amazing accomplishment given the fact that six months ago we were facing a $1.8B budget shortfall in the 2010 fiscal year.
There are three factors that helped us accomplish this positive result.
Earlier this year we made the difficult decisions that were necessary to reduce spending and bring our budget into balance without raising taxes.
We used incentives to encourage state agencies to save money, rather than spend their entire budget in the final months of the fiscal year, and
We are beginning to see the positive effects of economic growth in Virginia.
As a result of this surplus, we will be able to invest in some important government programs.
For example, $18M will be directed to Virginia's public schools; approximately $20M will be dedicated to the Transportation Trust Fund; $22M will go to the water Quality Improvement Fund; and $82M will be used to provide a 3% bonus for state employees, who have not received a pay raise in three years.
We will appropriate the remaining surpluses later this year in accordance with statutory requirements and final financial calculations.
Creating Jobs For Virginia's Families
On Thursday, Governor McDonnell and I gave an update on our efforts to get Virginia's economy moving again and create jobs for Virginia's families. Fortunately, it was more good news.
Since February 2010, Virginia has added 71,500 net new jobs. This is the third highest jobs creation rate in the nation.
During the first six months of the administration, Virginia has closed 110 economic development deals, which will eventually create over 7,100 new jobs and more than $1B in capital investment.
Interestingly, 80% of these new jobs have been created in the private sector, as opposed to the public sector; and the new jobs announcements have been evenly distributed across our state, with significant economic development occurring in rural parts of Virginia, where it is really needed.
These positive results show that we are on the right track. We are working hard and we are making smart decisions that will better position Virginia to take advantage of a future economic resurgence.
Despite these positive results, we still have a lot of work to do to lead Virginia to a period of greater economic prosperity.We will not stop until we return our unemployment rates to historic levels and every Virginian has the opportunity to access to a good paying job.
Likewise, we will keep our focus on controlling government spending and making certain that our budgets are balanced.
These results show what conservative leadership can do and how government can work for the people when it adheres to sound principles. Wouldn't it be great if we could get our friends in Washington to take a page from the Virginia playbook?
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling
McDonnell 53-44
|
Even According to the Washington Post:
The poll shows a lack of enthusiasm among many of the voters who propelled Obama and his party to victory last November, raising troubling questions for the Democrats: Were many of Obama's 2008 energetic supporters one-time participants in the political process who care little about other races? Is Obama's current agenda turning off some voters who backed him last year but now might be looking elsewhere? Earlier this year, when the president's national approval rating was considerably higher than it is today, Democratic strategists noticed the sentiment wasn't extending to his party. That appears the case in Virginia, too: Obama's numbers in the commonwealth have held steady since September, but Deeds has fallen back and now trails Republican nominee Robert F. McDonnell by nine percentage points among likely voters. Washington Post: Poll May Point to Democratic Worries Beyond the Old Dominion
Which were:
"Frankly, a lot of what's going on in Washington has made it very tough," Deeds said then. "We had a very tough August because people were just uncomfortable with the spending; they were uncomfortable with a lot of what was going on, a lot of the noise that was coming out of Washington, D.C." By stepping away from Obama and the White House, he has given less incentive for those who were motivated primarily by Obama to come out and vote next month. |
| Prominent Democrats are pleading with Creigh Deeds to switch off the negativity and run a legitimate campaign that explains why he wants to be governor, other than explaining why he doesn’t like Bob McDonnell so much. It doesn’t seem like Creigh has listened yet. |
| Creigh Deeds, a known supporter of the job-killing "Cap-and-Trade" proposal in Congress, has attempted to conceal his position on the issue because of growing public skepticism of the economic effects of the environmental monstrosity. Deeds has consistently and unequivocally supported the concept, but now offers a qualified answer in the hopes of dodging direct questions on the crucial policy matter. The truth is that he has voiced strong support for a measure that goes further in harming the economy than the ones Congress is considering. |
| Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's re-election campaign has released its third ad, titled "Record," which highlights Democrat Jody Wagner's consistent support of higher taxes on Virginia families and businesses. "During a time of record unemployment and significant economic decline, Virginians should be very concerned about Jody Wagner's consistent support of job-killing tax increases," said Matt Wells, Bolling for Lieutenant Governor Campaign Manager. "Jody Wagner has supported every major tax increase proposed over the last 8 years, including increasing the sales tax by 20% and imposing higher taxes on small businesses and seniors. If she is elected Lieutenant Governor, Wagner has pledged to work with Creigh Deeds to raise taxes on Virginia's families, even during these difficult economic times.” |
| In two debates, Ken Cuccinelli clearly bested Democrat Steve Shannon on qualifications. In one instance, Shannon was unable to describe the structure and duties of the different divisions of the Office of Attorney General. In another, Shannon embraced a radical environmentalist agenda. |
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