Thursday, April 25, 2013
Anderson patroned 13 bills, and 10 of those bills are now awaiting Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature.
Del. Rich Anderson is back in Woodbridge now that the 2013 Virginia Legislative Session is over, and he gave Patch an overview of the session in his latest blog post. "During the 2013 session, I patroned 13 bills and 10 are now on the governor’s desk for signature," Anderson writes. "Our legislative package passed with strong bi-partisan support, and a full 77 percent of my bills will be signed into law." For more on the legislative session, including four of the ten bills mentioned above, see Anderson's full blog post. Want to blog on Patch? Patch readers can post their own blog posts to our sites by logging into their Patch account (sign up if you don't have one!) and adding them. Blogging as one of our Local Voices is a great way to …
Sunday, April 14, 2013
"No officer, I was just typing directions into my GPS…"
Texting while driving is dangerous, but some people do it anyway. This year, Virginia's General Assembly passed a measure that increased the fine to $125 (it was $20) for the first infraction and $250 for the second. But Virginia legislators did not pass a hands-free measure like they have in the District, and as such enforcing the law could prove difficult. The problem: Using cell phones to dial a number or setting the phone GPS is legal. “Distracted driving is a big problem, but it’s bigger than just phone use,” said Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, to the Washington Post. “Even if a law were successful in stopping phone use and texting, it wouldn’t eliminate distracted driving.” Northern Virginia Del. Scott …
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Despite the reality that the transportation needs of the Commonwealth require additional new funding for construction of new roadways and maintenance of existing roads, I felt that this bill levied a heavy fiscal burden on our neighbors in Prince William
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Delegate Richard Anderson, of the 51st House District, shares a week five update from the 2013 Virginia General Assembly Session.
As I type these words on Friday afternoon in your General Assembly office on Capitol Square, I am looking over my computer at the historic city of Richmond as my fellow Delegates and Senators make their way to their cars to head home for the weekend. Before I get on the road to Prince William County, I want to update you on week number five of the 2013 General Assembly. TRANSPORTATION: A CRUCIAL CROSSROADS The Governor’s transportation plan, designated as HB (House Bill) 2313, moved from the House to the Senate, where it was regrettably amended with a large number of tax increases. Although I disagreed with several elements of the House plan, I voted to keep it moving to a House-Senate Conference Committee that will write a final plan …
Monday, February 11, 2013
Legislation in Virginia's House of Delegates could prevent teens under 15 from using indoor tanning salons and require those older to get parental permission.
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Monday, February 11
By Allison Landry, Capital News Service Virginians under age 15 would no longer be able to use indoor tanning salons under legislation moving through the General Assembly. The Senate recently approved Senate Bill 1274, which would prohibit individuals 14 and younger “to use a tanning device at a tanning facility.” It would also require 15 to 17-year-olds to get parental or guardian consent before visiting a tanning parlor, with the exception of emancipated minors –teenagers who are legally adults because of a court order, marriage or military service. The bill could become law, pending the outcome of a House vote. It is waiting to be reviewed in the House Committee on Commerce and Labor. “The goal is to try to reduce incidents of cancer…
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The pathway to a robust system of public education is through reforms that empower teachers, bring greater accountability to schools, and give localities more flexibility over state funding.
As I and my fellow legislators conclude the third week of the 2013 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly, this past week in Richmond saw a second round of snow, but the light dusting wasn’t enough to stop the movement of bills through the House of Delegates. In recent days, officials announced that Virginia’s unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent, the lowest since 2008 and the lowest in the Southeast. The key has been joint efforts in making a positive, pro-growth jobs environment our top priority. The formula for positive economic growth is simple: Continuation of Virginia’s low tax rates, elimination of unnecessary regulations, and developing a skilled and educated workforce. Simply put this lowest unemployment rate …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
An update from Virginia State Senator Linda "Toddy" Puller.
The Virginia General Assembly convened in Richmond last Wednesday. So far one of the major issues is whether or not to lift the moratorium on mining uranium. The bill before us is one that would go forward to set up regulations should the ban be lifted. Many people have contacted me regarding this issue sharing studies and concerns pro and con. Another issue gaining a lot of attention is Governor Robert McDonnell’s reappointment of Helen Dragas to the University of Virginia Board of Visitors. Her reappointment must be confirmed by the General Assembly. After meeting with Ms. Dragas and considering the damage that has been done to our stellar, flagship public university, I have decided that I cannot vote for her confirmation and have …
This year is designated as the “short session” of the General Assembly, during which we meet for a fast and furious six weeks.
The first week of the 2013 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly is now history. Catching my breath in my Capitol Square office on Monday morning after a busy first week in Richmond, followed by town hall meeting that I hosted with Sen. George Barker (R-39th) for Prince William County constituents, it’s apparent that we are in for a fast ride in the Virginia State Capitol over the next five weeks. Our 2013 session opened on Wednesday, January 9th, when House Speaker William J. Howell gaveled us into session for the next six weeks. This year is designated as the “short session” of the General Assembly, during which we meet for a fast and furious six weeks. Next year is designated as the “long session” when we meet for a …
Monday, January 7, 2013
Senator Bryce Reeves, Dels. Mark Cole and Bill Howell are heading to Richmond for the 2013 session of Virginia's General Assembly.
The Virginia General Assembly will convene at noon Wednesday for its 2013 session. In odd-numbered years, the General Assembly meets for 30 days, with the option to extend the session for a maximum of another 30 days. The General Assembly consists of the House of Delegates with 100 members and the Senate with 40 members. The 140 elected representatives are from an equal number of constituent districts across the commonwealth. Fredericksburg's representatives are: Virginia Senate 2013 Senator Bryce E. Reeves Member since 2012 Republican District 17: Albemarle County (Part); Culpeper County (Part); Fredericksburg City (All); Louisa County (Part); Orange County (All); Spotsylvania County (Part) Virginia House of Delegates 2013 Delegate …
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Virginia's governor says his road plan is getting support from Democrats and Republicans—a rarity in today's political scene.
RICHMOND – Five Democrats are among the 17 senators sponsoring the Senate version of Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell’s transportation funding proposal. McDonnell on Monday called attention to the Democrats’ sponsorship as evidence that his plan has bipartisan support. “There are no Democratic or Republican roads,” McDonnell said in a press release. “Our citizens need new roads to get to work on time, and home to their families a little earlier. Our businesses need new roads to expand their operations, create good-paying jobs and get our economy moving again." Senate Bill 1446, the Omnibus Transportation Funding Bill, has two chief patrons: Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Manassas, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee; and Sen. William Wampler Jr…
T Ailshire
8:30 am on Thursday, April 18, 2013
Obviously, you've operated under two assumptions I believe are flawed. First, I have personally observed police officers - not "glancing" at their laptops, but head turned toward it and 6-10 seconds when AT BEST they had peripheral eyes on the road. I have been the vehicle immediately behind said officers on more than one occasion. It follows if I have observed it on more than one occasion this … more ›