Archive for February, 2012

Herring Remarks Regarding Budget Impasse in Richmond

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Virginia State Senator Mark Herring (D  Loudoun & Fairfax) delivered the following remarks at a press conference held by the Senate Democratic caucus late this afternoon regarding the budget impasse:

“We’re hearing a lot from the other side that partisan politics is standing in the way of approving a budget in the Senate.

Democrats voted against the budget because we have substantive disagreements about the best path forward for our Commonwealth — particularly in the areas of education and transportation.

One example on transportation is the proposal to extend Metrorail to Dulles Airport and into Loudoun County. It is one of the most important transportation projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and it is a project of local, state and national significance.

The Senate Republican budget was completely silent on funding for this project.  With tolls on the Dulles Toll Road projected to reach $6.75 by 2018 for a one-way trip, Northern Virginians expect the state to step up with a significant contribution in order to keep tolls from spiraling out of control.

On education, we know that our Commonwealth is stronger when our children are prepared to compete in the twenty-first century global economy.

The Senate Republican budget failed to fully restore the cost-of-competing funding for Northern Virginia. That money is needed to help educate our children in Northern Virginia.

Yesterday, a one of our Republican colleagues threatened to remove $42 million of cost-of-competing money from the Republican Senate budget.

That is budget blackmail and it is the kind of partisan maneuvering that is preventing us from moving forward. It is the kind of political gamesmanship that is preventing Democrats and Republicans from having a truly bipartisan discussion about our Commonwealth’s priorities.

I am disappointed in the partisan rhetoric of my Republican colleagues. They’re saying what’s theirs is theirs and what’s ours is negotiable. That is not how an equal negotiation works.

Virginians elected 40 members of the Senate, 20 of whom happen to be Democrats and 20 of whom happen to be Republicans. And Virginians expect us to work together and pass a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of the Commonwealth.”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Economic Development, General Session, Transportation | No Comments »

Sens. Herring & Howell: Now is the Time for Virginia to Commit to Phase II

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Virginia State Senators Mark Herring (D – Loudoun & Fairfax) and Janet Howell (D – Fairfax and Arlington) released the following statement today regarding funding for Phase II of the Dulles Rail Project:

“Extending the Metrorail to Dulles International Airport, and into Loudoun County, is one of the most important transportation projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  It is a project of local, state and national significance.

Completing Phase II of the Dulles Rail Project will accelerate the rate of private investment in the station areas and substantially increase the value of the real estate tax base in Loudoun and Fairfax for the next several decades.

It will link to the 127-mile regional Metrorail system providing access to and from the District of Columbia and regional activity centers including Tysons Corner, Reston, Herndon and, of course Dulles International Airport and the Dulles and Route 28 corridors.  It will provide an essential transportation service for our citizens, including federal government employees, and reduce congestion on our roads.

We are encouraged by recent steps taken by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board towards greater transparency.  The General Assembly is poised to pass legislation increasing Virginia’s representation on the Airports Authority Board.  MWAA has also reversed its decision to require a mandatory project labor agreement for Phase II.  In light of these events, now is the time for Virginia to step up and make a significant contribution of funds to Phase II.

Governor McDonnell has agreed to a $150 million contribution.  This amount falls woefully short of an acceptable contribution for this public/private partnership.  We believe the state needs to significantly increase its contribution to $500 million.  We introduced budget amendments this year to accomplish that.  Unfortunately, the Senate Finance Committee did not include any funding for Phase II in its budget, nor did the House of Delegates in its Appropriations Committee’s budget.

Increasing our contribution to $500 million is commensurate with the funding commitments the Commonwealth has made to buy down tolls on major transportation projects in Hampton Roads and other public/private partnership projects. The federal government also needs to step up and do its part and a $500 million contribution from Virginia will allow us to better leverage federal funds.

According to a recent toll rate study commissioned by MWAA, tolls along the Dulles Toll Road could double beginning next year if Virginia fails to deliver on its promised $150 million contribution. Tolls for a one-way trip would climb from $2.25 to $4.50.  Even with $150 million from the state, tolls would still increase to $2.75.  Tolls are expected to reach $6.75 for a one-way trip, without any additional state or federal funds, by 2018.

Now is the time for the state to commit to this project’s completion and we urge Governor McDonnell to support our efforts to increase the state’s contribution to Phase II to $500 million.”

State Senator Mark R. Herring (33rd District, Loudoun & Fairfax)
State Senator Janet Howell (32nd District, Fairfax & Arlington)

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Transportation | No Comments »

Herring’s Public Safety Agenda Passes the Virginia Senate

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Four bills dealing with public safety issues sponsored by Senator Mark Herring (D- Loudoun & Fairfax) passed the Senate today with broad, bipartisan support.

“Providing for the public’s safety is one of government’s core responsibilities,” Senator Herring stated.  “I am proud to have worked with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as law enforcement, prosecutors and a variety of victims’ rights advocates to craft legislation to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Senator Herring, along with Senator Richard Stuart (R-Stafford) and Senator Jill Vogel (R-Faquier), is Chief Co-Patron of SB 431 that makes it a felony to knowingly financially exploit an older or incapacitated adult.  Senator Herring has lead the effort for several years, working with a coalition of groups including the Fairfax County Financial Crimes Division, AARP, Alzheimer’s organizations, Commonwealth Attorneys and concerned citizens, to strengthen Virginia’s laws in this area.

“When I began working on this legislation in 2009, we found that Virginia’s laws were among to weakest in the nation at protecting older Virginians from financial abuse,” Herring said,  “After a multi-year effort, I am convinced that this is the year we will finally see this become law.”

SB 431 passed the Senate by a vote of 39-0-1.

Herring, along with Senator Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke, is Chief Co-Patron of SB 273 that amends the law passed last year regarding the criminalization of synthetic cannabinoids and chemicals known as “bath salts” to add newly identified chemical combinations. The bill adds a more generic chemical description of synthetic cannabinoids so that new combinations will be illegal without the precise chemical combination being added to the Code.

“As long as there are individuals out there who are trying to find ways around our laws in order to make a quick buck by selling extremely dangerous drugs to our kids, we need to remain vigilant,” Herring said. “I am continuing to work with law enforcement, forensic scientists and prosecutSors to ensure they have the tools they need to stay one step ahead of the drug makers and dealers.”

SB 273 passed the Senate by a vote of 40-0.

Finally, Senator Herring is the sponsor of two bills that resulted from his work on Governor McDonnell’s Domestic Violence and Response Advisory Board.

SB 224 addresses the decision by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2010 in U.S. v White.  The bill provides that any person who commits a battery through the application of physical force against a family or household member is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. It also ensures that those who are convicted of this domestic violence crime involving physical force are unable to possess a firearm.

SB 224 passed the Senate by a vote of 40-0.

SB 459 toughens the penalty for strangulation, making it a Class 6 felony.  “Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence,” Herring stated.

“Strangulation is an extreme form of power and control and in recent years more than 15 states have amended their statutes to address this form of abuse.  I was proud to work with the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, among others, on this legislation.”

SB 459 passed the Senate by a vote of 40-0.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in General Session | No Comments »

Herring Economic Development Initiatives Receive Unanimous Support from Senate Committee

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Three economic development initiatives sponsored by Senator Mark Herring (D- Loudoun & Fairfax) passed the Senate Finance Committee unanimously this morning.

“One of my top legislative priorities continues to be growing and strengthening Virginia’s innovation economy,” Senator Herring stated.  “To accomplish this, we need smart policies, like the bills I have introduced, in order to better compete with other states in attracting high-growth, high-paying jobs to Virginia.”

Senator Herring’s bills that passed the Senate Finance Committee are:

SB 232- Enhances Virginia’s competitiveness in attracting major data center investments.  Data center jobs and investment are a critical element in diversifying Virginia’s technology economy and attracting private sector jobs as federal spending and procurement decreases.  The bill has the strong support of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce.

SB 226- Extends the capital gains tax exclusion contained in Senator Herring’s “Virginia Innovation Investment Act”, passed in 2010.  This legislation encourages new investment in start-up technology companies by providing a targeted, long-term capital gains tax exclusion for new investment in science and technology start-up companies in Virginia if the investment is made in the next three years.

SB 238- Extends for five years Senator Herring’s telework tax credit passed last year. Encouraging telework helps alleviate congestion, allowing employees to spend more time at home with their families and less time stuck in traffic.  Currently, there are 174 private sector businesses participating in the Telework!VA program.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Economic Development | No Comments »