| Budget Conference Reforms Announced On Monday, I opened a press conference with a number of Budget Conference Committee members from both sides of the aisle to announce a number of reforms to the budget conference committee process. These reforms were proposed to improve the budget review process and to give all members of the House of Delegates and State Senate at least 24 hours to review the final budget proposal before voting. Also at the press conference was House Minority Leader David Toscano (D-Charlottesville), who spoke about the importance of these reforms for the members not on the budget conference committee. On this issue, both Republicans and Democrats support increased transparency in the budget process.
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| Governor McDonnell Delivers State of the Commonwealth Address
On Wednesday evening, Governor McDonnell delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth address in the House Chamber. It was a great speech that challenged Republicans and Democrats in both chambers to work together for the benefit of all Virginians. Governor McDonnell also laid out a number of proposals that will likely receive bipartisan support, including further investments in our colleges and universities aimed at expanding enrollment at an affordable cost, initiatives to continue to make Virginia the best state for veterans, and a record investment in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for our teachers and state employees.
Of course, not all of the Governor’s proposals will enjoy bipartisan support, such as the best approach to K-12 education reforms, and there will be spirited debate about those proposals.
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| Richmond Symphony’s War of 1812 Symphonic Tribute Concert
On Wednesday afternoon, a number of delegates were able to break away from the Capitol to listen to the Richmond Symphony perform a wonderful one hour symphonic tribute concert for the bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812 at Richmond CenterStage. As Chairman of the Virginia Bicentennial Commission on the War of 1812, I thanked the Richmond Symphony for their outstanding musical efforts and our many supporters that provided non-state funding for this event. It was great to see a number of residents from the 66th District and students from some 15 area schools in attendance at this superb tribute concert.
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| Making Virginia the Most Veteran Friendly State in the Nation
On Thursday, I had the honor of meeting with members of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (JLC) during their annual “Storming the Hill” day. This year, I am carrying one veterans-related bill that is a part of Governor McDonnell’s veterans agenda. I introduced legislation, HB 1121, to increase the number of claims agents in DVS by four. Governor McDonnell addressed the group in the afternoon and outlined a very positive veterans’ legislative program that will take us a long way in meeting the Governor’s goal of making Virginia the most veteran friendly state in the nation.
To view the Governor’s 2012 Veterans agenda, please click here.
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Don’t Forget – Telephone Town Hall on January 17th, at 7 PM & Legislative Survey Available
My first telephone town hall of the 2012 Session will take place on Tuesday, January 17th at 7 PM. During the town hall, I will give you a rundown of the major issues in the 2012 Session, get your opinion using the polling feature, and will take any questions you have.
If you want to participate in the telephone town hall, you can sign up at www.kirkcox.com/tth-signup by noon on Monday, January 16th. On the night of the town hall, you will receive a call around 7 PM inviting you to join the town hall. After you pick up the phone, you will be automatically connected to the town hall.
I have enjoyed the past telephone town halls and am looking forward to speaking with you on the 17th. Please sign up and mark your calendar!
Finally, if you have not completed the 2012 Legislative Survey, you can take the survey at www.kirkcox.com/survey. The survey will be available until the end of January, so don’t delay. The survey contains 20 questions, so it should not take you longer than 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
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| In Closing
Looking ahead to next week, all of the House committees will begin their work of reviewing the nearly 1,600 bills that have been introduced for this Session. Be sure to check my website, www.kirkcox.com, to keep up with the latest news, videos, and photos from the Capitol.
As we are now in Session, my General Assembly office is open and can be reached by phone at 698-1066 or by email atDelKCox@house.virginia.gov. If my staff or I can be of service to you, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If you make the trip up to the Capitol, please stop by my office in Room 948 on the 9th Floor of the General Assembly Building.
I invite you to forward this email to your family and friends in the district and encourage them to sign up to receive these email updates. A “forward email” link can be found at the bottom of this email.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Delegate. |
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