Feb 01, 2013
Delegates Ben Cline, Roxanne Robinson, Michael Webert, Chris Head, and Keith Hodges stopped by the Executive Mansion this morning and were wearing red to support the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day.
Click Here to Read Full ArticleFeb 01, 2013
Last week we got the great news that unemployment in Virginia has fallen to a four year low! At 5.5% Virginia’s unemployment rate is the lowest in the Southeast, the second-lowest east of the Mississippi, and over a full point lower than ANY of our neighboring states.
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 31, 2013
Today’s vote in the Senate Education and Health Committee is a significant step toward final passage of this important educational accountability measure. When children come home with report cards, parents can clearly see how well they are doing and where they are in need of improvement. This legislation brings that same idea to school performance. This simple and clear system allows parents to better understand how well their child’s school is performing. Great accountability and transparency are key to helping parents be a part of the solution in underperforming schools. This A-F school grading system has been applied with success in other states, and I know it will be helpful in further improving public education in the Commonwealth. Every student in every zip code deserves the opportunity of an excellent education. I thank Delegate Tag Greason and Senator Bill Stanley for their leadership as patrons of this legislation and I look forward to continuing to work with members of both parties to get this important measure passed.
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 31, 2013
Thanks to all the Virginia Tech students and alumni who came to Richmond today for Hokie Day at the General Assembly!
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 31, 2013
I am pleased that the Senate Finance Committee voted today to advance our comprehensive transportation funding and reform package. The ‘Virginia’s Road to the Future’ plan will generate the largest infusion of funding for Virginia’s transportation system in more than 25 years, and help create a safe, efficient and reliable transportation system throughout the Commonwealth. The plan will put $3.1 billion into our roads, bridges and railways over just the next five years, while creating an estimated 20,000 jobs. It is supported by Virginia citizens two-to-one over competing transportation funding proposals. Our citizens deserve a modern, well-funded transportation system that will get them to work and home on time, without delay. Our investment in building and maintaining our highways, transit systems and railroads is of utmost importance to the citizens of Virginia and they have told us loud and clear that now is the time to get something done on this issue. Today’s action is another major step forward in our effort to enact a long overdue, long-term transportation funding solution. I now urge the full House of Delegates and Senate to pass this bill and keep Virginia moving.
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 31, 2013
Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the membership of his Rural Jobs Council. This Council will build upon the success of the Governor’s Commission on Job Creation and Economic Development and continue the Administration’s focus on Virginia’s rural communities.
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 30, 2013
Great news: Microsoft will invest $348 million to expand its data center site in Mecklenburg County, creating 30 new jobs.
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 30, 2013
Spoke with Virginia YMCA Model General Assembly Youth Governor Steven Yeung this morning. Great to meet young people with an interest in public service!
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 30, 2013
Crimes of domestic violence are all too often committed behind closed doors and victims suffer alone. These victims need to know that they have a voice and assistance is available to them. We want people to recognize the signs of domestic abuse and aid victims in ending the cycle of violence.
Click Here to Read Full ArticleJan 30, 2013
Today, our effort to enact a long-term solution to Virginia’s transportation funding challenges took a major step forward. The House of Delegates Finance Committee voted on a bipartisan basis to advance our comprehensive transportation funding and reform package that will provide $3.1 billion in investments for our roads and rail over just the next five years, and create a safe, efficient and reliable transportation system throughout the Commonwealth. I am pleased that legislators from both parties voted in support of our plan. We all recognize that the time is now to improve transportation in Virginia. The can has been kicked for too long, and Virginians deserve a modern, well-funded transportation system that will get them to work and home on time, without delay. This first vote clearly demonstrates a growing, and bipartisan, consensus that transportation is a core function of government and our investments in building and maintaining our highways, transit systems and railroads is of utmost importance to the citizens of Virginia. Today marks the first positive step forward in our effort to enact a long overdue, long-term transportation funding solution. Now, I look forward to continuing to work with legislators in both chambers, and from both parties, to see this plan passed into law, and get traffic moving again in Virginia.
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