Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus
Issues
Howell responds to Kaine’s Tax-Hike Budget
Dec 18th
Following Kaine's presentation to the General Assembly's money committees of his budget, Speaker Howell issued a statement (see ) highlighting the impact of Kaine's tax increase proposals on Virginia families.
Howell committed the House Republican Caucus to working with Governor-elect McDonnell to delivering a structurally balanced budget on times, matching spending to available revenue.
Caucus Leaders tell US Senators about unfunded costs of Obamacare
Dec 17th
Speaker Howell and House Appropriations Chairman Lacey Putney wrote to Senators Warner and Webb about the extensive costs that Obamacare would impose on state government (see ).
In addition to the impact of adopting so-called Health Care Reform on the Federal budget deficit, Howell and Putney detail the impact on Virginia's budget. Fearing that the Democrats in Congress will try to hide the true costs of this ill-considered Pelosi-Reid health care scheme, Howell and Putney did extensive research to document the costs that would have to be born by Virginia (which is to say Virginia taxpayers).
Howell and Putney close by noting that 54 percent of Virginians oppose the Health Care bill. They also recite the common-sense proposals for real reform that have been left out of this ill-considered legislation--medical malpractice reform, association health plans, and expanded health savings accounts.
Howell leads the way in budget cutting
Dec 16th
Speaker Bill Howell continued to show Republicans leading the way in their commitment to fiscal restraint, responding to shortfalls from the Governor's revenue estimates by cutting costs in the House of Delegates budget.
The Speaker announced cuts and cost saving measures of $1 million in the House operating budget for FY2010 (). That brings to $2.1 million the total savings initiated by the Speaker for FY2010 ($1.1 million in cuts were adopted during the 2009 General Assembly session).
Under Republican leadership, the Virginia General Assembly now ranks 46th among the 50 states in per capita spending on legislative operations (and 5 state legislatures meet only every other year). Virginia ranked 40th when Howell was elected Speaker in 2003.
US News & World Report: Time for Virginia to Drill, Baby, Drill
Sep 1st
Time for Virginia to Drill, Baby, Drill
August 31, 2009 05:21 PM ET
By Peter Roff, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
The ongoing economic crisis has states scrambling for new sources of revenue to fill the holes in their annual . Spending cuts, while popular in the abstract, are almost always unpopular among the constituents and interests groups whose spending it is that is being cut. Many state legislators are equally unwilling to propose tax increases, especially in recessionary times.
Nevertheless, state governments must have the to run, leaving governors and legislators the responsibility to find creative ways to pay for things. Enter William Howell, speaker of Virginia's House of Delegates, who is asking the Obama administration to open an area miles off Virginia's coastline to oil and by 2011.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar opposes new offshore exploration, as do a number of so-called environmental groups—but they may find their protestations eclipsed by economic and energy realities. The Interior Department's Minerals Management Service estimates the area Howell and other Virginia lawmakers ask be opened for exploration—some 50 miles out into the Atlantic—could contain 130 million barrels of oil and 1.14 trillion cubic feet of .
"Developing these [energy] resources would create thousands of new jobs in our commonwealth, arriving at the right time to assist in lifting our workers, families, and communities out of this economic recession," Howell says.
If Howell is successful in his push to bring deepwater energy exploration to the waters off Virginia, an idea that has the full support of Virginia's Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert McDonnell as well as the limited backing of Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds, look for his efforts to be replicated in the other states on America's Atlantic coast. There is just too much money at stake for them to continue to say "No" to this idea whose time, apparently, has come.
Delegate Phil Hamilton on WRVA on August 18, 2009
Aug 20th
Delegate Phil Hamilton was on WRVA discussion the state budget and new revenue projections.
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Speaker Howell on Latest $1.5 Billion Revenue Projection Reduction by Governor Kaine
Aug 19th
RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after Governor Kaine’s remarks to the Joint Legislative Money Committees regarding the latest downward revision of the revenue forecast upon which the Virginia state budget is set:
“Families and businesses across the Commonwealth are grappling with the worst economic recession in generations,” remarked Speaker Howell. “Along with them, leaders in state government must wrestle with the grave financial challenges with which we are confronted. Throughout the ongoing process of adjusting the revenue estimates for the current fiscal year, we must not lose sight of the very real and painful consequences this recession is bringing to bear on Virginians who are struggling to live within their means.
“While no one takes pleasure in predicting a lengthy recession, many experts remain unsure if the economy has reached the bottom of the downturn let alone the length and strength of any potential recovery. This uncertainty demands a sober, realistic and above all conservative approach to the Commonwealth’s revenue forecast not only for this current 2010 fiscal year but the upcoming 2011-2012 biennial state budget. Fiscal prudence dictates adopting estimates that are restrained and reflective of the apprehension permeating the economy.
“At the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates (GACRE) meeting on August 5, I and other legislative leaders recommended adopting the least optimistic revenue forecast presented to us by the Administration. While GACRE is strictly an advisory panel and has absolutely no formal approval authority because that resides solely with the Executive Branch, I am pleased Governor Kaine has finally taken a realistic view on the projected budgetary shortfall the legislature will be facing at the upcoming 2010 General Assembly session.
“With a clearer understanding of our future revenue figures, it is now up to Governor Kaine to use his authority given to him by the General Assembly to implement the needed spending reductions – sooner not later – to ensure that the Commonwealth adheres to its constitutional responsibility of maintaining and producing a balanced budget. The longer the Commonwealth delays not doing anything about aligning spending with incoming revenues, the harder it is to make up the difference.
“As Virginians are painfully aware, fiscal responsibility by state leaders, business growth and job creation – not higher taxes or more spending on government programs – are the keys to a robust economic recovery. Going forward now and later this year, I hope the Governor chooses the right path in addressing Virginia’s ongoing budget shortfall.”
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