“On behalf of the Virginia House of Delegates, I express our tremendous grief and sorrow at the death of not only a distinguished and respected professional but our dear friend Bruce Jamerson.

“As Clerk of the House of Delegates for 20 years, Bruce embodied so much of what is good and noble about public service. He was a consummate professional who understood well that the first rule of success is hard work. That he always did without fail, with a warm and friendly demeanor and out of an abiding respect for every member, staff colleague or visitor to Mr. Jefferson’s Capitol. Indeed, all who had the honor of knowing or the pleasure of working with Bruce recognized quickly that his life-long commitment to service was motivated in no small part by the infectious pride he took in being part of the fabric of Mr. Jefferson’s “temple on the hill.” His dedicated leadership in the 2004-2007 restoration of Virginia’s historic State Capitol is a lasting legacy for which we and future generations can enjoy and thank him.

“By any measure, Bruce Jamerson led a remarkable life of contribution and service. His stewardship of the Virginia Capitol Foundation, dedication to the Boy Scouts of America, participation in the American Legion’s Virginia Boys State program and his active commitment to his church are but a few of the many ways that Bruce gave back to that in which he believed and worked with those he loved. His remarkable service to the Virginia House of Delegates, to his local community and the entire Commonwealth merits the grateful admiration and respect of all Virginians.

“Like so many, I will always remember Bruce’s character and gentle kindnesses. My rich memories of him are perhaps only surpassed by my gratitude for his friendship and counsel to me as Speaker as well as for the fine example he leaves behind.

“Our prayers and the support of the entire House of Delegates family are with his devoted wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Ainslie, during this time of grief for them and us all.”

# # #

The new members have created a House Republican Majority of 61 members.

The New Members

Will Morefield - 3rd District
Bill Cleaveland - 17th District
Dickie Bell - 20th District
Ron Villanueva - 21st District
Scott Garrett - 23rd District
Tag Greason - 32nd District
Barbara Comstock - 34th District
Rich Anderson - 51st District
John Cox - 55th District
James Edmunds - 60th District
Jim LeMunyon - 67 District
Chris Stolle - 83rd District

See all of our candidates for the House of Delegates here.

Our friends at Bearing Drift have been doing an excellent job keeping track of all the advances Republican candidates have been making.  They are also featuring House of Delegate candidates they have interviewed over the last several months.  Be sure to jump there and check them out.

Marshall: Economic development is No. 1
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer

Spurring economic development through a number of initiatives is at the top of Del. Danny Marshall’s list of priorities, he said Monday.

In an hourlong tele-town hall meeting Monday evening, Marshall, R-Danville, vowed to concentrate his efforts on job development if he is re-elected to the 14th District seat on Nov. 3. Marshall also answered questions about the economy and his efforts to attract companies and jobs to Southside.

Laura McGee, Marshall’s campaign manager, estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 constituents took part in the conference call, in which listeners could ask questions of Marshall and listen as he answered the questions of others.

Marshall cited several efforts to spur economic development in the region, including his support in 2007 of legislation to lower the thresholds for the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, so that companies locating to areas hard hit by job losses could more easily meet the requirements and qualify for funds.

The fund was created to allow governors discretionary funds with which they can provide incentives to attract businesses to the commonwealth.

In a break with other Republican candidates, including gubernatorial hopeful Bob McDonnell, Marshall said he does not support adding money to the fund.

After researching the amount spent with the House Appropriations Committee, Marshall said he found that about half of a $12 million appropriation, or $6.2 million, remained in the fund at the end of the last fiscal year.

“Why put additional money in” the fund if it is not being spent? Marshall asked.
Although he does not support adding more funds, Marshall said he has asked for more information about McDonnell’s proposal to add money to the fund and earmark additional funding for areas with high unemployment.

“I’m not trying to take money out” of the fund, Marshall said, adding he wants to ensure that money added for hard-hit areas, such as Henry and Pittsylvania counties as well as the cities of Danville and Martinsville, would indeed go there.

He also sponsored legislation to fund the construction of Interstate 73, which would begin in Henry County and follow the U.S. 220 corridor north to Roanoke. The measure passed in the House of Delegates but was defeated in the Senate, Marshall said. He plans to reintroduce the proposal during the upcoming session in January.

He also supports allowing out-of-state insurance companies to sell health insurance in Virginia to make the market more competitive, he said.
There is “a lot to do in Southside,” Marshall said, but his efforts in 2010 will concentrate on job creation.

One way to make that happen is through his service on the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, an entity formed in 2000 with funds from a tobacco settlement. Half of Virginia’s share of tobacco funds is earmarked for projects that will help revitalize tobacco regions, he said. Counties such as Henry and Pittsylvania and others have benefited and received millions from the fund already, he said.

On the commission, Marshall serves on three committees, including Special Projects, which works on projects that are large in scope, such as funding a $1.7 million water and sewer project for an industrial park in Henry County.

He also serves on the Southside Economic Development Commission, a committee that works to spur economic development by partnering with the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, Marshall said.

Marshall also is a charter member of the Research and Development Committee, which will hold its first meeting in about two weeks. That committee, he said, has a budget of $100 million for projects that will create jobs.

“This is about jobs,” not research and development, he said. Those interested will submit proposals, and if those proposals are approved, projects will be funded according to pre-set limits.

In order for a project to be considered, Marshall said, the research will have to be completed and commercialized into a product within three years. The product also will have to be produced in the region, he added, and invited anyone with ideas to contact his office.

In addition to questions about jobs and economic development, several people on the call asked about energy.

Marshall said there are a number of opportunities for the nation to achieve energy independence. He supports drilling off the shore of Virginia because it would be a “win, win, win situation,” creating jobs while lowering the cost of natural gas and providing revenue to the state, he said.

Marshall, who has served in the House for eight years, is facing Democrat Seward Anderson, former mayor of Danville, in the November contest.