A Message from Delegate Charles Poindexter from the First Full Week of 2015
January 28, 2015
This week was the first full week of the 2015 Session, so we moved into high gear to process more than a thousand bills filed by legislators. Since Monday was a holiday for most people but not for us, Capitol Square overflowed with citizens who came to lobby for or against issues, as well as to visit us legislators in our offices in the General Assembly Building.
Subcommittees and committees were busy considering bills, while the money committees reviewed budget issues. For example, as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Compensation and Retirement, I've already held two subcommittee meetings regarding compensation, health insurance and Virginia Retirement System issues.
I also chair the Counties, Cities and Towns Subcommittee #1 in which we reported out several bills, mostly dealing with the update of town and county charters.
The deadline for filing legislation bills was Friday, January 23, so the usual last minute rush ensued. I have filed eight bills plus a number of budget amendments and resolutions. This week, my bill HJR521 to add Boones Mill, Rocky Mount and Franklin County to the Virginia Rail Heritage Region passed the Rules Committee and should come up on the house floor for a vote this coming Wednesday.
Also next week, I expect my HB1952 and HB1953 bills will be heard by the Education Committees. HB1952 would allow school divisions to transfer or sell used school buses between each other. It also allows school divisions to purchase used buses from school bus dealers. This bill will help localities, especially rural ones, struggling to purchase new buses while maintaining appropriate safety and vehicle age standards.
HB1953 provides for meetings between the local business community and their school division. This bill is designed to facilitate an exchange of information between the school divisions and the business community regarding skills needed for today's jobs.
This week the House passed a number of bills I strongly supported, including bills to make college more affordable and to move up to the top of the priority list capital outlay (i.e., state buildings and facilities) for two additional Veterans Care Centers to augment the Salem and Richmond centers.
We now have around 800,000 veterans in Virginia and the number is rising sharply. Thus, this step is a priority for Virginia to help those who have done so much for us all. I find it sadly ironic that while we Virginians are trying to reduce higher education costs, the President announced his proposal to tax the 529 College Savings Plan program that helps so many parents and students desiring to attend college.
I always enjoy seeing visitors from home. B.J. Crowe and Janice Manning of the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists came all the way from Bassett to meet with me. Representing the School Nutrition Association of Virginia were Debra Bowyer of Glade Hill and Connie Wray of Rocky Mount. Representing local credit union members were Gina Kennett of Rocky Mount and Mark Hudzik of Glade Hill.
It's always great to welcome young adults and students to our Capitol. This week, I welcomed students from Patrick Henry Community College plus Maggie Toms of Spencer, who visited on behalf of Y Street, a youth group that promotes healthier lifestyles. Wonderful!
Special thanks are extended to President Teresa Sullivan of the University of Virginia for stopping by to meet with me. As a former Lynchburg College basketball player, I am eager to see how well the Wahoos perform this season.
If I can be of further service to you, please call or email my legislative assistant, William Pace, at (804) 698-1009, DelCPoindexter@house.virginia.gov or write to me at P.O. Box 406, Room 802, Richmond VA 23218. I invite you to 'like' me on Facebook and check for updates on my website www.votepoindexter.com.
