Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus
Press Releases
Republicans Highlight Success at Session Midpoint
Feb 17th
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and House Majority Caucus Chairman Samuel A. “Sam” Nixon, Jr. (R-Chesterfield) today highlighted the many legislative successes so far by members of the Republican Majority Caucus through the halfway point of the 2010 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. The announcement comes at the 2010 session’s midway mark, commonly referred to as “crossover.” By that date, which this year fell on February 16, each house must have acted on the bills filed by its respective members.
“As Virginians struggle in today’s economy, state government must address their needs without burdening them with additional job-killing taxes and burdensome requirements,” said Speaker Howell. “ by a unanimous and bipartisan vote of 97-0 at the beginning of this Session, House Republicans have aggressively pursued fiscally responsible legislation to create jobs and opportunities for Virginians, reform government to deliver services more efficiently and transparently and address other challenges. I’m delighted that our strong Majority Caucus has produced real results with the support of Democrats and Independents which has enabled us to achieve House passage of scores of positive reforms.”
“Offering practical solutions to Virginia’s challenges is a hallmark of House Republican leadership in the General Assembly,” said Chairman Nixon. “With our citizens and Commonwealth confronting the most difficult economic environment in decades, it is essential to build and expand upon our many accomplishments. The overwhelming bipartisan support for many items on our agenda underscores the ability of Republicans to govern effectively and respond appropriately to the concerns of Virginians.”
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.
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.
Republican Leaders Urge Gov. Kaine to Balance State Budget without a tax increase
Dec 11th
In a letter signed by Lt.Gov Bolling, Speaker Howell, Senator Norment and Senator Wampler Governor Kaine is urged to balance the state's budget without increasing taxes.
Full text of the letter:
December 10, 2009
The Honorable Timothy M. Kaine
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219Dear Governor Kaine:
As you complete your work on the 2010-2012 budget for introduction on December 18, we recognize you undoubtedly face many difficult decisions in balancing the Commonwealth’s budget.
No Governor or General Assembly wantonly enjoys making difficult choices to cut spending or to end non-performing government programs providing services to the people of Virginia. Yet, the fact remains that we, as elected officials, have an obligation to the taxpayer to live within our existing revenue constraints. This is no different than what taxpayers, families and businesses must do every day in their own lives.
This past August, in your remarks to the Joint Money Committees, you stressed up front the fact that unlike many other states, Virginia did not increase the “tax burden on our citizens and businesses.” We applaud the fact that you recognized then that a tax increase would be an additional burden on Virginians who already are getting squeezed on many fronts.
Over the last several weeks, published reports indicate that a tax increase remains on the table as part of your soon-to-be-released budgetary package on December 18. Today, we write to strongly encourage you to maintain the course of balancing Virginia’s budget without a tax increase.
The incoming administration has set forth very clearly that they will not support a tax increase, a position that was strongly affirmed by the voters throughout Virginia in November. Likewise, members of the House of Delegates, while running for election this year, did not advocate a tax increase. Accordingly, we believe it would be counterproductive at the very least if your final proposed budget included any increase in existing taxes, proposals of new taxes or reductions to major tax relief programs.
With Virginians already uneasy about their employment status and personal finances, they clearly have withdrawn from making major non-discretionary purchases, as evident from monthly state tax collections. So, it seems unfathomable to us that government might now extract from them involuntarily additional tax revenue that they seemingly are unable to pay voluntarily.
As witnessed in the past, injecting an unworkable and economically harmful tax increase into the state spending blueprint would serve only to delay the inevitable. It would put at risk the many positive steps we have advanced together over your term in office. Embedding tax increases within the state budget also would do a huge disservice to those of us who will continue serving the Commonwealth in the upcoming session.
Virginia has a proud and long-standing tradition for fiscal prudence and sound budget practices. It is a legacy we intend to protect in the legislature. And, it is a legacy we sincerely hope you will join us in respecting and safeguarding in your final days in office.
Sincerely