Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus
Issues
Republicans Add Another $35K to $1.1M in Leg Branch Savings
May 21st
Speaker Howell announced another $35K in savings in the House of Delegates budget for Fiscal Year 2010. That’s on top of the $1.1 million already eliminated from the House operating budget during Fiscal Year 2010.
During his tenure as Speaker, Howell has led the way in reducing Virginia’s per capita expenditures in the legislature from 40th in the Nation to 46th. And, with Senate Democrats running up a tab on the other side of the Capital, you can’t expect much better than that.
See the full press release at the Speaker’s website.
Speaker, Delegates Ware and Oder appointed to Governor’s Reform Commission
May 7th
Today, Governor Bob McDonnell announced the members of his Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring (see press release).
Speaker Howell and Delegates G. Glenn Oder (Newport News) and Lee Ware (Powhatan) will serve on the Commission, chaired by Fred Malek, founder and chairman of Thayer Capital Partners in executing the charge the Governor has set for the Commission, “We must make government simpler and easier to use, more efficient and more effective. That is the work of this Commission. The Commission members will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the state’s agencies, programs, and services to find out how we can make our state government work better for its owners, the people of Virginia. I look forward to working with these reform-minded leaders to examine how Virginia can better serve the taxpayers. Our state and local government employees have made Virginia one of the best managed states in the nation and just like them, I will always seek to make us even better.”
The Speaker has a long history of seeking these kinds of reform solutions, promoting new ideas and market-based reforms to improve the delivery of government services, maximize the return on investment of limited taxpayer dollars, and minimize the costs of government wherever possible.
The Speaker and Delegates Oder and Ware look forward to pursuing the many opportunities for reform in Virginia’s government with the Governor, Commission Chairman Malek, and the other member’s of the Commission.
McDonnell releases $500M in Transportation Bonds Authorized by Speaker’s 07 Bill
Apr 30th
Speaker Howell led the way in passing bond authority in 2007 to enhance Virginia’s transportation infrastructure. Today, Governor McDonnell authorized the sale of $500 million in bonds this May as the first part of a six-year, $2.2 billion program to support projects throughout the Commonwealth.
Check out details in the Governor’s press release.
Lingamfelter Takes Caucus’ Letter to Washington
Apr 15th
Del Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince William) made the Washington Times today, taking an important message to Washington–Back Off!
Lingamfelter and other Virginians gathered at Capitol Square in Richmond and then headed together to DC to deliver a letter from 54 members of the House Republican Caucus to Virginia’s Congressional Delegation urging them to respect the 10th Amendment to the Constitution.
House GOP Efforts on Offshore Oil & Gas Pay Off
Mar 31st
The Federal Government removed another barrier to development of Virginia’s offshore energy resources today, vindicating efforts led by the House Republican Caucus to enhance Virginia law on exploration and development and to dedicate revenue realized from future development to transportation.
See Speaker Howell’s statement on this news.