Filling in for Jimmy, guest host Congressman Randy Forbes and the Speaker discussed the lessons Washington can learn from Virginia:

• The no-tax-increase way from a $4.2 Billion deficit to a balanced budget
• How to foster a pro-business, pro-jobs economy

As well as the sure-fire method to stop job creation—create uncertainty for business with the Obama/Congressional Democrat unclear agenda of bloated government, new taxes, and increased regulation.

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 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.

Check out details in the Governor’s press release.

“As recognized leader within the Caucus, Tim understands the duties required of this position and has the right temperament and experiences to be very successful in his important new capacity,” stated Speaker William J. Howell. “During these tough economic times and need to reform state government to make it smarter and simpler, it is imperative that we have an energetic, dedicated and knowledgeable member like Tim joining our leadership team. Like so many, I am looking forward to working with him and our Majority Caucus will be better off because of his leadership.”

The position of Caucus Chairman is one of four leadership roles within the House Republican Caucus. Others serving in leadership positions include Speaker William Howell, Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, and Majority Whip Kirk Cox.

“I humbly accept the responsibility that has been entrusted to me today,” Delegate Hugo said in accepting the position. “Since being elected, I have watched the Republican Caucus expand on its majority under our current leadership. I am thrilled to broaden my responsibilities within the caucus and relish the opportunity to serve the citizens of Virginia.”

Delegate Hugo was first elected to the House of Delegates in a special election in December 2002, filling a vacancy left by former Delegate Jay O’Brien. Delegate Hugo garnered over 67% of the vote in his first election. Now serving in his eighth year as a member, Delegate Hugo is a member of the Commerce and Labor, Finance, Transportation, and Privileges and Elections Committees. He represents parts of Fairfax, Centreville, Clifton, and Fairfax Station.

See Speaker Howell’s statement on this news.

In making the appointment, McDonnell said, “Sam and I served together for twelve years in the House of Delegates. During that time I came to greatly admire and respect Sam’s intellect, character and understanding of the important issues facing the Commonwealth. Sam is a thought leader on information technology issues, both as a legislator and as a Senior Consultant at Richmond–based IT consulting firm CapTech Ventures. Sam’s experience in this fast–changing industry will be of tremendous benefit at VITA. I know he will do a great job for the citizens of Virginia.” (see Governor’s full press release)

Speaker Howell shared the Governor’s enthusiasm. “Sam Nixon is the ideal public servant – a recognized and respected leader with vision and integrity, a consensus builder with an uncanny ability to bring people together and harness their many talents, and a problem solver who’s proven time and again that he can fashion practical solutions that deliver real results on technology issues, business concerns and so many other pressing issues that people really care about,” said Speaker Howell. “These attributes make his selection as the Commonwealth’s next Chief Information Officer at the Virginia Information Technology Agency such wonderful and welcome news for all Virginians.” (see Speaker’s full press release)

Nixon takes over VITA as implementation of important reform legislation that passed during the 2010 Session of the General Assembly takes effect. Del. Kathy Byron (R-Campbell) carried House Bill 1034, which enhanced accountability by making the CIO accountable to the Governor, through the Secretary of Technology, and making other important improvements in the Commonwealth’s IT Governance. Byron chairs the Science and Technology Committee.

Virginians at War advances the War Memorial’s mission of preserving the memory of Virginia’s fallen heroes and honoring their sacrifice, as well as teaching history and instilling patriotism in Virginia’s children. Each volume in the series presents a number of 15-20 minute programs narrated by Virginia veterans interwoven with archival film and photographs, animated maps, graphics and music, presenting an insider’s view of important historical events.

Speaker Howell commented on Lohr’s announcement:

Matt Lohr is a talented, hard-working and respected leader on agricultural and farming issues, which makes him an exceptionally fine choice for this important position.

(See full press release).

Lohr was first elected to the House in 2005 and is currently serving his 3rd term representing the 26th district, made up of the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County.

Lohr has been a life-long leader in Agriculture. He lives with his wife, Andrea, and their children, Caroline Belle and Carson Jacob, on a working farm that’s been in Lohr’s family for over 100 years. In High School, Matt was president of Virginia Future Farmers of America (FFA) and then served as vice-president of the National FFA Organization. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1995. In addition to working the family farm, Matt has taught agricultural science, served as president of the Broadway–Timberville Ruritan Club, served as president of the Rockingham County Farm Bureau twice, chaired the Rockingham County Planning Commission, and most recently chaired the Rockingham County School Board. Matt and his family are also active members and leaders at Harrisonburg Baptist Church.

In the House of Delegates, Matt serves on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee, and chaired its Agriculture Subcommittee.

The State Budget contained many of the key accomplishments of the session, including rejection of former Governor Kaine’s 17 percent income tax hike, and a reduction in state spending for the first time in recent memory. In fact, the 2010-2012 Biennial Budget returns general fund spending to 2006 levels.