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M. Wayne Huggins Government Relations Director Legislative Update # 1 of 2 for March 5, 2010 All Members,
Even though the 2010 Session of the General Assembly is one week away from its scheduled adjournment date the work has not slowed. This has been a very busy week with a flurry of last minute issues and a very important hearing last evening on SB95 and HB71 in the Compensation & Retirement Subcommittee of House Appropriations. These are identical Bills sponsored by Delegate Bill Carrico and Senator Fred Quayle. These are VSPA Bills that will extend from 6 months to 1 year the amount of time a person under the new sickness and disability plan has to return to work before being placed on long term disability. Senator Quayle did a great job of presenting the Bill. It was exciting to learn that the new administration has gotten behind this Bill and the new Deputy Secretary of Public Safety John Bukovich (who will also be at the conference) came and spoke on behalf of the Bill. He also did a great job. Major Tavenner was present and spoke in support of the Bill also as did I. While there is no apparent opposition to the merits of the Bill the concern continues to be cost, as it understandably is with everything going on this year. Nonetheless, the Bill is being discussed and we could know as early as today what this issue’s fate is for this year. The Chairman of this Subcommittee, Delegate Chris Jones has been huge this session. He has been instrumental in not only trying to resolve the Optima “pilot” situation in 5th Division but has been very instrumental in getting the HB71/SB95 issue to where it is now. It would be great if you all would take a moment to drop a line to Delegates Jones, Carrico and Senator Quayle thanking them for their support.
Finally, the Budget Conferees have begun the budget negotiation process. The media here in Richmond reported this morning that not much progress has been made so far and they quoted one Senator, who is a conferee, as saying he didn’t know if they could have a budget by next Saturday. At any rate we will continue to keep you posted as developments occur. Have a great weekend.
M. Wayne Huggins |