Archive for February, 2016

Tuesday will mark the halfway point of the 2016 General Assembly Session, otherwise known as “crossover.” Crossover is the day when each chamber must finish work on its own legislation and then may only consider legislation from the other body. The State Capitol is as busy as it has been all year with late night committee meetings and longer floor sessions as we work to complete work before crossover. I want to update you on several initiatives the General Assembly addressed this past week.

GO Virginia
Tuesday the House of Delegates passed, with major bi-partisan support, HB 834 and HB 846, the legislative centerpieces of the Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity or “GO Virginia” act. GO Virginia is a business-led, bipartisan initiative to provide a new framework for strengthening Virginia’s economy by encouraging collaboration between business leaders, the education community, local government, and state government.

The two bills create an entirely voluntary program that allows localities to identify their workforce needs, apply for grants that must meet an objective scoring criteria to be awarded and then meet performance criteria to keep the money. The program gets the people who know how to create jobs (business leaders) involved in the decision making process. Our goal is to always find innovative ways to foster private-sector growth, strengthen our workforce, promote local collaboration, and maximize our economic development resources. This concept will help grow and strengthen the economy in all areas of the Commonwealth so our families and businesses can thrive.

Virginia’s business leaders, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and over 80 other organizations support GO Virginia. To read more, visit: http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/09/house-of-delegates-passes-go-virginia-legislation-with-major-bipartisan-support/

Charter School Amendment
On Friday, the House of Delegates passed legislation authorizing a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could allow for the creation of more charter schools in Virginia. The amendment, introduced by Delegate Rob Bell (R-Albemarle), would allow the State Board of Education to establish public charter schools within the framework and limitations established by the General Assembly. All children in Virginia deserve access to a quality education, regardless of their zip code or how much money their parents make. Public charter schools encourage parental involvement, and can be especially equipped to meet the unique needs of all different types of children. They are granted more autonomy than traditional public schools, but still must meet certain accountability requirements.

We are fortunate to have great schools in our area and the Commonwealth has good schools overall. Unfortunately, however, there are areas that consistently under perform and do not adequately prepare students for higher education or the workforce. For these school systems, charter schools could be a great tool to improve outcomes for students.

Agreement to Restore & Expand Reciprocity Passes
You may recall a few weeks ago an agreement was reached between Governor McAuliffe and the General Assembly to restore and expand concealed carry reciprocity. The agreement also requires State Police to be available for voluntary background checks at gun shows, and prohibits individuals under permanent domestic violence protective orders from possessing a firearm under state law. This past week the legislation initiating this agreement passed the House of Delegates. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) both strongly support this legislative package.

When the Attorney General announced his action in December to remove reciprocity with 25 states, it was extremely concerning. I’m glad to see resolution on this issue that secures the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and takes reasonable steps to make our communities safer.

HB 1250 – Greater Efficiency and Reduced Red Tape for Water Quality Regulations
In order to improve the water quality in our tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay, the Commonwealth has regulations in place that regulate the water quantity and water quality that flow from larger construction projects and properties, as well as regulations requiring certain best management practices to reduce erosion. Some of these regulations derive from EPA requirements, but they are administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and localities. Currently these programs are administered through two separate permitting requirements, Stormwater, and Erosion and Sediment Control. This means that property owners wishing to develop a property must go through two separate permitting processes and pay two separate fees.

This session I am carrying legislation, HB 1250, that merges these two separate programs into one. Rather than having to go through the red tape of two permitting processes, permit applicants will be able to go through a streamlined process. It will also be easier for localities to administer. This legislation is supported by the business community, as well as local governments.

Visitors this Week
We didn’t have as many visitors last week, but we still had several groups and individuals that stopped by. Thursday I was pleased to speak with social work students from JMU, EMU and CNU. Local supporters of the ARC of Virginia met with me to discuss their legislative agenda this session. I’m pleased to support their effort to adopt more ID/DD waivers that will expand services to more individuals and reduce the waiting list. On Wednesday school officials had their lobby day in Richmond. I was able to speak briefly with Harrisonburg School Board member, Tom Domonoske.

Contact Me
I encourage you to keep in touch with me throughout the duration of session. I value the feedback you provide on a continual basis as it helps me do my job of representing you better. While in Richmond, my office can be reached by phone at (804) 698-1026. You can continue to contact me by email at [email protected].

If you would like to send written correspondence, please send it to P.O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Delegate!

Tony

Legislation Expanding CDL Testing Options Passes House

RICHMOND-On Tuesday the House of Delegates passed legislation that will make it easier for students and prospective employers to complete the last step before they can be licensed as a commercial truck driver. HB 938, patroned by Delegate Tony Wilt (R-Broadway), permits Virginia public Community Colleges that operate their own training program to also conduct the skills test that is necessary to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

New federal policy changes in July of 2015 drastically reduced the number of DMV CDL skills testing sites from 30 to 9. Under the new federal mandate, many of the previous sites no longer qualified because the site was too small. As a consequence, this has meant that individuals seeking to take the skills test must travel farther distances to test, and in many cases, it may be a longer delay before they can get a testing appointment.

“At a time when trucking companies are experiencing driver shortages and the demand for commercial truck drivers has never been higher, we should make every reasonable effort to get new drivers employed as quickly as possible,” said Delegate Wilt. “Allowing community colleges like Blue Ridge to conduct skills testing is one solution to help address this issue.”

Locally, individuals must now travel to the Middletown Scales in Stephen City to take the test. For employers and the community college this can be a costly prospect since they must make the trip with their own trucks and be accompanied by a licensed CDL driver. If HB 938 is signed into law, community colleges like Blue Ridge Community College would be able to test students that go through a training program at their school.

Beyond this legislation, the DMV has agreed to seek out other testing locations for DMV staff to conduct testing where no nearby DMV site currently exists.

Delegate Wilt represents the 26th House District, which encompasses Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. He was first elected to the House of Delegates in June of 2010.

Wilt Legislation Assisting Youth Organization Access to Schools Passes House

RICHMOND-On Thursday the House of Delegates passed legislation patroned by Delegate Tony Wilt (R-Broadway) to help several youth organizations gain access to public schools. The bill, HB942, expresses that school boards shall provide reasonable access to youth organizations that have a federal charter as a patriotic and national organization for the purpose of encouraging student involvement. The groups that have achieved this designation include – Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, FFA, Girl Scouts, Little League Baseball, and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

“Youth organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have a significant positive influence on the lives of young people,” Delegate Wilt stated. “This legislation will ensure their adult volunteers and leaders can have a presence in our schools, which is the obvious place to reach students and encourage involvement. These youth organizations serve a critical role in our community by building positive character attributes in young people, promoting service to others, and skill development.”

Research studies consistently show the benefit of these youth programs. When youth become involved in organizations that encourage community service, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. A recent report, The Role of Risk, Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth, shows that youth with adult mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions in the community.

Following bipartisan support in the House, the bill will now move to the Senate for consideration. North Carolina passed similar legislation in 2015 and other state legislatures are taking up the issue this year as well.

Delegate Wilt represents the 26th House District, which encompasses Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. He was first elected to the House of Delegates in June of 2010.