|
Welcome to the online version of LegisLink. This weekly newsletter, e-mailed to everyone and mailed to members of the Center, should be an excellent way for you to stay updated on the General Assembly. Do not hesitate to call the office for more information.
Director on Record
Mobilize for What Moves You
The gavel should fall on the 2006 General Assembly Session in the next week and the 60 day “Long Session” will be over – most likely. Legislators are attempting to produce a state budget that addresses transportation while at the same addressing the need for social programs in light of the massive federal budget cuts just weeks ago. The state must choose between finding new revenue for state priorities or cutting programs.
Transportation is not a priority for the Center and so we have not weighed into the debate but we are having to watch it very closely. The future of road funding is interlinked with the future of services funding.
The House hopes to fund transportation by finding revenue in the General Fund to pay for roads. The problem, of course, is that we are in a situation where we are willing to “rob Peter to pay Paul.” If they take money out of the General Fund for roads, there will be fewer General Fund dollars for things like Indigent Defense, Prenatal Care, and Meals on Wheels. Both roads and services are important and both require dedicated dollars to meet their needs. However, it is a fallacy to believe that social services can address growing needs with fewer funds.
If I had to choose between dental care for poor kids and smooth new tarmac that I would ask for an option three. The budget, as a moral document between government and constituents, should be fair and adequate – fair to all people to assure that we don’t burden future generations and adequate to meet the State’s needs.
Transportation moves us throughout our cities and counties. It is a vital system for our businesses, our families getting kids to ball practice, and even our congregations. The struggle is knowing our place in mobilizing voices in what moves us.
In this case the Center will likely call for the protection of General Funds if the session goes over. Doug
Where things are in the legislative process
The General Assembly is now in its final week – we think.
The session is due to end Saturday, March 11th. But between now and then the remaining House bills need to be resolved within the Senate and vice versa. Where there are variations, conference committees are formed to iron out differences. You will see in our Bill Tracking that this is listed as “Pending substitute in House/Senate.”
The crucial conference committee will be the Budget Conference where conferees will be chosen to work out differences of opinion over the budget. The House and Senate currently disagree about revenues for transportation. The House wants to take funds from the General Fund and borrow the money through bonds while the Senate wants dedicated revenue for transportation which could mean tax and fee increases. The divide is much greater than just about appropriations. This debate hits at the heart of the no-tax versus the pay-as-you-go crowds. You could also characterize it as an investment tension.
There will be a compromise eventually, but if time runs out Governor Kaine may extend the Session or call a Special Session before July when a budget would actually go into effect. Lots of horse-trading will happen between now and March 11th.
You might say that, “it’s not over till it’s over!” It could be a wild seven days.
Bill Tracking
This weekly source of information is designed to help you find the bills in which you are interested quickly and efficiently.
We will be posting information about any relevant bills, including which legislator(s) sponsoring a bill, a summary of the bill, and where the bill is in the legislative process. Additionally, we will be expanding the online list of bills as needed.
NOW IS THE TIME TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS. Constituent Viewpoint Line is 800-889-0229 or 804-698-1990.
Send email and fax messages to your legislators via our user friendly communications system on our website at www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org.
|
Priority
|
Description
|
Bill Number
|
Status
|
Position
|
|
Children
|
Child abuse and neglect; reporting requirements by ministers of religion.
|
SB253
Howell
|
Assigned to House Committee on Courts of Justice, Criminal Law Subcommittee
|
Support
|
|
Children
|
Kinship Foster Care
|
SB48
Miller
|
On 3rd reading on House floor
|
Support
|
|
Criminal Justice
|
Court-appointed counsel; court may waive limit on compensation for certain cases.
|
HB176
Putney
|
Referred to Senate Finance Committee
|
Support
|
|
Criminal Justice
|
Court-appointed counsel; removes monetary caps on fees.
|
HB313
Albo
|
Left in House Appropriations
|
Support
|
|
Criminal Justice
|
Triggerman rule; eliminated.
|
HB782
Gilbert
|
Referred to Senate Committee for Courts of Justice
|
OPPOSE
|
|
Criminal Justice
|
Human biological evidence; destruction of, penalty.
|
SB552
Stolle
|
Assigned to House Courts of Justice Subcommittee: Criminal Law
|
Support
|
|
Criminal Justice
|
Compensation of court-appointed counsel.
|
SB573
Stolle
|
Left in Senate Finance
|
Support
|
|
Environment
|
Clean Smokestack Act
|
SB242
Ticer
|
Incorporated into SB651 (see below)
|
Support
|
|
Environment
|
Air Emissions Control
|
SB651
Puckett
|
Substitute pending in Senate
|
OPPOSE
Amended Version
|
|
Health Care
|
Virginia’s Medicaid Program; reform
|
HB758
Hamilton
|
Referred to Senate Finance Committee
|
Monitoring
|
|
Health Care
|
Medical assistance; Provision for family planning services for low-income women
|
HB1472
Saxman
|
Stricken from docket by House Committee on Health, Welfare, and Institutions
|
Support
|
|
Housing
|
Virginia Housing Partnership Trust Fund; dedicating recordation tax revenues.
|
SB277
Whipple
|
Continued to 2007 in Senate Finance Committee
|
Support
|
|
Housing
|
Virginia Housing Partnership Trust Fund; dedicating recordation tax revenues
|
HB92
Suit
|
Continued to 2007 in Senate Finance Committee
|
Support
|
|
Housing
|
Residential Landlord Tenant Act; non-compliance of rental agreement
|
HB320
Albo
|
Pending substitute in the House
|
OPPOSE
|
|
Housing
|
Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act; confidentiality of tenant records.
|
SB427
Lambert
|
Reported from House Committee on General Laws with amendment
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Motor vehicle title loans; caps rate of interest that may be charged.
|
HB325
Morgan
|
Continued to 2007 in House Committee for Commerce and Labor
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Motor Vehicle Equity Loan Act
|
HB1514
Kilgore
|
Continued to 2007 in House Committee for Commerce and Labor
|
OPPOSE
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Motor vehicle equity loans
|
SB598
Bell
|
Continued to 2007 in Senate Committee for Commerce and Labor
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Payday loans; repealing Act referring thereto.
|
HB619
O’Bannon
|
Continued to 2007 in House Committee for Commerce and Labor
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Payday loans; use of Internet database for borrowers, rollovers prohibited by lenders.
|
HB225
D. Jones
|
Incorporated into HB912
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Payday loans; increases minimum term.
|
HB626
Johnson
|
Incorporated into HB912
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Payday loans; requires SCC to contract w/third party to est. and administer database
|
HB912
Oder
|
Stricken from House Calendar by patron
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Minimum wage; increase
|
HB539
Callahan
|
Failed to report
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Minimum wage; increase
|
SB480
Colgan
|
Failed to report
|
Support
|
|
Poverty & Working Poor
|
Income tax; income tax credit for low-income taxpayers.
|
HB753
McEachin
|
Left in House Finance Committee
|
Support
|
|
Other
|
Creation of Office of Faith-based Community Services
|
HB1213
Moran
|
Passed both chambers
|
Support
|
|
Other
|
Halal food; regulation of sale; penalty.
|
HB153
Alexander
|
Passed both chambers
|
Support
|
|
Other
|
Halal food; regulation of sale; penalty.
|
SB349
Howell
|
Passed both chambers
|
Support
|
|
Senate Budget Amendment
|
Increase funding for prenatal care for low-income women; 4 mil. each year
|
Item 301, #1s
Lambert
|
Senate Finance
|
Support
|
|
House Budget
Amendment
|
Home delivered meals; 7.3 mil. each year
|
Item 281
Callahan
|
House Appropriations
|
Support
|
|
House Budget Amendment
|
Increase funding for court-appointed attorneys; $3.8 mil. in 2007 and $7.5 mil. in 2008
|
Item 32,
#2h
Kilgore
|
$1.3 mil. increase each year approved by House Appropriations Committee
|
Support
|
|
House Budget Amendment
|
Increase funding for public defenders; 1.8 mil. each year
|
Item 39
Callahan
|
House Appropriations
|
Support
|
|
House Budget Amendment
|
Funding to add 54 positions in public defenders offices; 3.4 mil. each year
|
Item 39,
#4h
Callahan
|
House Appropriations
|
Support
|
|
House Budget Amendment
|
Restores full funding of TANF child support supplement in 2007
|
Item 334,
#3h
Callahan
|
House Appropriations
|
Support
|
|
House Budget Amendment
|
Funds state “opt-out” from federal regulations and provides TANF to individuals convicted of drug felony (possession)
|
Item 334,
5h
|
House Appropriations
|
Support
|
|
House Budget Amendment
|
Increase funding for prenatal care; 4 mil. each year
|
Item 301, #2h
|
House Appropriations
|
Support
|
Membership in the Center
We are a community of believers, people of conscience.
Our members are Christians, Jews, Muslims and even many who are exploring faith.
Our purpose is to create systemic change for the vulnerable in a different way than most. We work with lawmakers to pass legislation and change policies that affect those who are least able to help themselves. Our education initiative empowers people to use the law and the system to see their faith made real in the world. When we’re faithful, we can affect lasting and permanent change, something lasting longer than a single handout.
Your dollars help keep our voice heard for the sake of those who have no voice. Your membership is vital to our future impact.
Spreading the word about our mission is essential and we provide tremendous value for our members:
• We communicate with all our members via e-mail and newsletters about upcoming legislation.
• Our research staff offers commentary on legislative issues and drafts policy briefings.
• We educate groups everywhere on how to activate programs for social justice in their own communities.
Join with other people of faith to work towards “a more just and compassionate Commonwealth”
Send your tax-deductible membership donation today and don’t miss another edition of LegisLink mailed to you during the 2006 General Assembly.
Please, Login to your Membership Dashboard
Seeing the latest Action Alerts and events on the
web site has never been easier. You can log into you own personal Membership Dashboard by entering your e-mail address and password.
Forgotten your password? Just enter your e-mail address and click the login button. You will be taken to a page where you can request the system e-mail you your password. Or, you can call the office and we can look it up! 804-643-2474
Once inside our Legislative system, you can update your personal information, check recent e-mail alerts, register for upcoming events, or even renew your membership online!
Thanks for stopping by our Web site! Together, we can create a world of difference by helping others to Learn, Pray, and Act for the sake of others.
|
