Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus
Press Releases
Speaker Howell Announces Elections to the Virginia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
Jul 29th
RICHMOND, VA - Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today announced elections by the Virginia General Assembly to fill vacancies on the Virginia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Judge Cleo E. Powell and Judge Elizabeth A. McClanahan were elected unanimously to fill the judicial seats vacated by Lawrence Koontz Jr. and Leroy Hassell Sr. McClanahan and Powell will assume their offices August 1, beginning a 12-year term on Virginia's highest bench.
Speaker William J. Howell Heralds $311 mil. FY 2011 Budget Surplus
Jul 19th
RICHMOND, VA - Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement in response to Governor Bob McDonnell's announcement of FY 2011 surplus figures. Since taking office, Governor McDonnell and the House Republican Caucus have worked side-by-side to eliminate unnecessary spending and enforce Virginia's constitutional balanced budget requirement without raising taxes.
"Over the last two years, our Caucus has worked together with Governor McDonnell to cut unnecessary government spending, reform duplicative programs and exercise general fiscal prudence. Frugal, common-sense measures, coupled with better than projected revenue collections, led to a budget surplus of $403.2 million for FY 2010 and another surplus of $311 for FY 2011," said Howell. More >
Speaker Howell Welcomes $6 million in Legislative Branch Savings
Jun 10th
RICHMOND, VA - Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today welcomed legislative actions that return over $6 million in legislative branch savings to the general fund by June 30, 2011. The Joint Rules Committee, which the Speaker chairs, voted this morning to return $5,584,395, including $1.3 million from the Auditor of Public Accounts, $2.3 million from the Virginia Capitol Police, $727,344 from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and $673,266 from the Division of Legislative Automated Services, among other legislative branch agencies. This afternoon, the House Rules Committee voted to return $500,000 to the general fund as agreed to earlier this year in the current Appropriations Act. Since 2003 when Howell became Speaker, the House alone has returned over $6.0 million to the General Fund.
Statement of Speaker William J. Howell on Today’s Introduction of New Redistricting Legislation and its 16-0 Passage by House Privileges & Elections Committee
Apr 18th
RICHMOND, VA - Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after the introduction of , patroned by Delegate Chris Jones (R-Suffolk), and that new redistricting legislation's passage by the House of Delegates' Privileges and Elections Committee on a strong bipartisan vote of 16-0. HB 5005 was introduced following the veto of House Bill 5001 on April 15, 2011 by the Governor because of his "significant concerns" with the Senate reapportionment plan that was added to the House Bill by the Senate Democratic majority on a straight party-line vote of 22-18. As Governor McDonnell requested in his veto letter last Friday, House Bill 5005 strengthens the original House redistricting plan that garnered an unprecedented 85-9 vote earlier this month, with a majority of House Republicans supporting as well as a majority of House Democrats. Presently, the 100-member Virginia House of Delegates has 61 members in the Republican Caucus and 39 Democrats.
Speaker Howell Congratulates Gordon Helsel on 91st House District Win, Appoints him to Committees
Mar 9th
RICHMOND, VA – Following yesterday’s special election in House District 91 to replace former Delegate Tom Gear, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today congratulated former long-time Poquoson Mayor and how Delegate-elect Gordon C. Helsel, Jr. for his overwhelming campaign victory. Immediately following the required certification by the State Board of Elections, which meets at 4:30 PM today in the Virginia State Capitol, Delegate-elect Helsel will be sworn into office.
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.