Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus
Jobs & Economy
House Republicans Highlight Success of Legislative Agenda at End of 2011 Session
Feb 27th
RICHMOND, VA – Highlighting the legislative achievements of the 60-member strong House Republican Majority Caucus in delivering real reforms and forward-looking investments to address the concerns of the Commonwealth, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today highlighted the positive results of the policy initiatives advanced by House Republicans this year. After cutting fees, reducing authorized debt, investing in core government services and depositing an additional $64 million into the Rainy Day Fund, the House of Delegates today adjourned sine die, bringing an end to the 2011 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assembly.
“The Republican-led House made real progress during the 2011 Regular Session and on many fronts, especially in passing a fiscally sound and structurally balanced state budget that funds core government services,” said Speaker Howell. “At our insistence, the final budget agreement includes no new fees or higher taxes. It has no earmarks for non-state agencies. There is no funding or debt for a new ‘Taj Mahal’ to replace the General Assembly Building. There is $67 million less in authorized debt. And, the accelerated sales tax is eliminated for 80% of retailers. Yet, there also are prudent investments in economic development, transportation, education, health care and other important services. Overall, we’ve had a very productive legislative session.”
Below is the outcome for a selected list of 100+ measures – grouped by topic – supported by the House Republican Majority. In all, about 1,600 pieces of legislation were approved by the General Assembly this year.
Ron Villanueva on Governor’s Supplier Diversity Advisory Board
Aug 17th
Del. (R-Virgiia Beach) will support Governor efforts to increase state contracts with small, woman, and minority-owned businesses as part of the newly-appointed Governor's Supplier Diversity Advisory Board.
In addition to serving in the House, Del. Villanueva is executive vice president at , a growing small business headquartered in Virginia Beach. He brings private sector and government experience to the work of the advisory board's work in support of expanding jobs and growing the economy.
Learn more from and the .
Danny Marshall Helps Bring Jobs to Southside
Aug 6th
(R-Danville), was featured in The News Leader for his role in bringing jobs to Southside Virginia. Marshall, a member of the (or TICR, as its commonly called), detailed the plans for a National Tire Research Center, which will bring $12M in research and testing expenditures and 183 new jobs to Southside:
One of the Tobacco Commission’s main goals is to bring prosperity back to our region. This is why the commission invested $5 million into a tire research facility that will be located at VIR. The goal is to develop a new passenger tire that will increase car mileage by three to five miles per gallon.
The new center will be located adjacent to the in .
Check out the in The News Leader.
Marshall knows something about tires—a former professional race car driver, in both 1999 and 2000, he finished 3rd at the , the pre-eminent sports car endurance race in the U.S.
Del. Terry Kilgore chairs TICR and several other Caucus Members serve as commissioners—Wat Abbitt, , and Tommy Wright.