State lawmakers update Annandale residents on actions in Richmond
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| Virginia General Assembly |
For the Democratic legislators that represent the
Annandale/Mason area in the Virginia General Assembly, it’s been nearly
impossible to get anything passed by the Republican-controlled House of
Delegates.
Annandale/Mason area in the Virginia General Assembly, it’s been nearly
impossible to get anything passed by the Republican-controlled House of
Delegates.
Nevertheless, Del. Kaye Kory, Sen. Dave Marsden, and Senate
Majority Leader Dick Saslaw have been able to make some limited progress, they
told constituents at a Legislative Town Hall Feb. 22 at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School.
Majority Leader Dick Saslaw have been able to make some limited progress, they
told constituents at a Legislative Town Hall Feb. 22 at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School.
Two of the biggest issues this term are mental health and
Medicaid expansion, Saslaw said. The need to improve mental health got
attention following a tragic incident: Sen. Creigh Deeds was viciously attacked
by his disturbed son, who then killed himself. The family had been unable to
place the man in a mental health facility.
Medicaid expansion, Saslaw said. The need to improve mental health got
attention following a tragic incident: Sen. Creigh Deeds was viciously attacked
by his disturbed son, who then killed himself. The family had been unable to
place the man in a mental health facility.
Even if they had found a place for him, Virginia law only
allows someone to be held for four hours with an emergency custody order. Saslaw
said a bill under consideration would extend that to 24 hours, which is the
rule in most states. Additional money is also on the table for mental health
services—the Senate budget would add $20 million; the House would add $10
million.
The other big issue is the expansion of Medicaid. Virginia
is entitled to $2.3 billion in federal funds, which would provide healthcare to
some 350,000 to 400,000 working people with incomes up to 138 percent of the
poverty level, including about 30,000 veterans.
is entitled to $2.3 billion in federal funds, which would provide healthcare to
some 350,000 to 400,000 working people with incomes up to 138 percent of the
poverty level, including about 30,000 veterans.
The federal government would provide 100 percent of this
funding through 2016. Federal funding would then gradually drop off to 90
percent in 2020.
funding through 2016. Federal funding would then gradually drop off to 90
percent in 2020.
Saslaw called the Republicans who oppose expanding Medicaid “hypocrites”
for refusing to take these federal funds when 23 percent of Virginia’s total
budget is from federal funding, and “they’re not turning down money to build an
aircraft carrier.” Legislators “are getting pretty good insurance for
themselves but they’re not willing to give it to other people,” he said.
for refusing to take these federal funds when 23 percent of Virginia’s total
budget is from federal funding, and “they’re not turning down money to build an
aircraft carrier.” Legislators “are getting pretty good insurance for
themselves but they’re not willing to give it to other people,” he said.
Every major chamber of commerce in the state, every hospital
CEO, and medical provider supports Medicaid expansion, he noted, and governors
in 25 states, including very conservative ones, have already taken this money. By
not accepting the funds, the House had to take money away from core services
like education, Kory added.
CEO, and medical provider supports Medicaid expansion, he noted, and governors
in 25 states, including very conservative ones, have already taken this money. By
not accepting the funds, the House had to take money away from core services
like education, Kory added.
People will still get medical care if this is not
approved—they will just show up in emergency rooms which will cost 10 times as
much. “That goes into hospital overhead, which is passed on to insurance
companies, and ultimately to you in your health plans,” Saslaw said. “That’s
why [opposing Medicaid expansion] doesn’t make a shred of sense.”
approved—they will just show up in emergency rooms which will cost 10 times as
much. “That goes into hospital overhead, which is passed on to insurance
companies, and ultimately to you in your health plans,” Saslaw said. “That’s
why [opposing Medicaid expansion] doesn’t make a shred of sense.”
When the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, hospitals
agreed to support it with the expectation that Medicaid would be expanded, he said. If that
doesn’t happen, some hospitals won’t be able to afford to stay open. One
hospital in southwest Virginia has already closed.
agreed to support it with the expectation that Medicaid would be expanded, he said. If that
doesn’t happen, some hospitals won’t be able to afford to stay open. One
hospital in southwest Virginia has already closed.
The legislature is expected to adjourn March 8 and will be
reconvened by the governor to work on this issue. “I’m hopeful we can get it
done,” Saslaw said.
reconvened by the governor to work on this issue. “I’m hopeful we can get it
done,” Saslaw said.
“The House has been especially partisan and bitter this
year—more than ever before,” Kory said. “A lot of this political posturing is
to show the new governor who is in charge. This is sad because we are playing
with people’s lives.”
year—more than ever before,” Kory said. “A lot of this political posturing is
to show the new governor who is in charge. This is sad because we are playing
with people’s lives.”
Kory’s efforts to help low-income women receive healthcare
were rejected, including bills to keep health centers open and allow
low-income women access to abortions if they’re expecting a deformed baby likely
to die. The House refused to even hear a bill calling for Virginia to ratify
the Equal Rights Amendment.
were rejected, including bills to keep health centers open and allow
low-income women access to abortions if they’re expecting a deformed baby likely
to die. The House refused to even hear a bill calling for Virginia to ratify
the Equal Rights Amendment.
Republican members of the House also killed a bill that
would have required the police to approve the transfer of a machine gun or
bazooka to another person, Saslaw added.
would have required the police to approve the transfer of a machine gun or
bazooka to another person, Saslaw added.
“It’s hard to get something big done when the opposition
fundamentally disagrees with you,” said Marsden, but he’s found other ways to
move things forward. “You have to think long term,” he said.”
fundamentally disagrees with you,” said Marsden, but he’s found other ways to
move things forward. “You have to think long term,” he said.”
For example, when his effort to pass a bill to prevent brain
injury by limiting the amount of contact in high school football failed to get
anywhere, he formed a task force with football coaches to develop a statewide
policy on this.
injury by limiting the amount of contact in high school football failed to get
anywhere, he formed a task force with football coaches to develop a statewide
policy on this.
And when he failed to get legislation through the House to
reform the juvenile criminal justice system—aimed at keeping youths out of
large, locked, razor-wire facilities—he started working with a private foundation to
help get some language in the budget to address the issue.
reform the juvenile criminal justice system—aimed at keeping youths out of
large, locked, razor-wire facilities—he started working with a private foundation to
help get some language in the budget to address the issue.
Another example has to do with his efforts to shut down the
cruel practice of fox penning—where as many as 800 dogs are put into an
enclosed area to hunt down and kill foxes for “sport.” While the House refused
to pass a bill on this, it now appears that the attorney general will rule that
fox penning proprietors are violating a Virginia law that bans the buying and
selling of wild animals.
cruel practice of fox penning—where as many as 800 dogs are put into an
enclosed area to hunt down and kill foxes for “sport.” While the House refused
to pass a bill on this, it now appears that the attorney general will rule that
fox penning proprietors are violating a Virginia law that bans the buying and
selling of wild animals.
Kory said she expects a couple of her bills will pass,
including measures to provide training to educators to help them better serve
students who’ve had concussions, ban electronic devices in schools, and make it
illegal for anyone under 18 from purchasing those devices.
including measures to provide training to educators to help them better serve
students who’ve had concussions, ban electronic devices in schools, and make it
illegal for anyone under 18 from purchasing those devices.
Here’s a sample of some of the questions brought up by the
audience:
audience:
Q – What are the chances of allowing undocumented youths to
attend college at the in-state tuition rate?
attend college at the in-state tuition rate?
A – Saslaw said this legislation is dead for the year. Kory,
who’s been working on this for three years, said it was supported by all
necessary subcommittees and committees, but then the Speaker of the House sent
it to appropriations—even though it doesn’t cost anything—and that committee
killed it.
who’s been working on this for three years, said it was supported by all
necessary subcommittees and committees, but then the Speaker of the House sent
it to appropriations—even though it doesn’t cost anything—and that committee
killed it.
“This is an economic development issue, as well as an equity
and moral issue,” Kory said. “The opposition in the legislature comes from a
lack of understanding of the problem.”
and moral issue,” Kory said. “The opposition in the legislature comes from a
lack of understanding of the problem.”
Q – Regarding Medicaid expansion, if the majority of
businesses and chambers of commerce support it, why are the Republicans so
opposed to it?
businesses and chambers of commerce support it, why are the Republicans so
opposed to it?
A – “This is a national issue now being played out on the
state level,” Marsden said. “There are Republicans we can work with. What
they’re terrified of is the primaries. Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t
popular with the hardcore base of their party.”
state level,” Marsden said. “There are Republicans we can work with. What
they’re terrified of is the primaries. Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t
popular with the hardcore base of their party.”
In other words, if they get beat by a Tea Party candidate in
a primary, they won’t make it to the general election. Saslaw vowed to help
moderate Republicans who support Medicaid expansion win their primaries,
especially in districts that Democrats couldn’t win anyway. “If they lose, they
will be replaced by people who are just crazy,” he said.
a primary, they won’t make it to the general election. Saslaw vowed to help
moderate Republicans who support Medicaid expansion win their primaries,
especially in districts that Democrats couldn’t win anyway. “If they lose, they
will be replaced by people who are just crazy,” he said.
Q – What’s the status of the bill aimed at voter suppression by
requiring a photo ID and what about the attempt to restore voting rights for ex-offenders?
requiring a photo ID and what about the attempt to restore voting rights for ex-offenders?
A – A bill to delay implementation of the photo ID law to 2014
was passed on a tie vote with former Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling voting
with the Democrats, Saslaw said. He thinks the courts will strike it down.
was passed on a tie vote with former Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling voting
with the Democrats, Saslaw said. He thinks the courts will strike it down.
Money was included in the budget to help people who don’t
have drivers licenses get photo IDs, but it’s only enough to cover about half
the people who need it, Kory added.
have drivers licenses get photo IDs, but it’s only enough to cover about half
the people who need it, Kory added.
The governor has the authority to restore voting rights to
ex-offenders on a case-by-case basis, and former Gov. Robert McDonnell restored
voting rights to more felons than any previous governor, Saslaw said. It can’t
be done on a mass basis by executive order.
ex-offenders on a case-by-case basis, and former Gov. Robert McDonnell restored
voting rights to more felons than any previous governor, Saslaw said. It can’t
be done on a mass basis by executive order.
Saslaw believes
felons who serve their time should have their voting rights automatically
restored, but the House of Delegates won’t support that.
felons who serve their time should have their voting rights automatically
restored, but the House of Delegates won’t support that.
Q – What are the chances for increasing education funding
and raising teacher salaries?
and raising teacher salaries?
A – Public education funding was only increased 1 percent this
year, Saslaw said. “We ought to be able to do more for teachers. Whenever there’s
a problem, we have to stop blaming the teachers. If you live in Great Falls, the
kids are going to do better on SOLs than kids in Bailey’s Crossroads. Are the
teachers any better? Absolutely not.”
year, Saslaw said. “We ought to be able to do more for teachers. Whenever there’s
a problem, we have to stop blaming the teachers. If you live in Great Falls, the
kids are going to do better on SOLs than kids in Bailey’s Crossroads. Are the
teachers any better? Absolutely not.”
Q – Any chance for redistricting? A new bipartisan group
called One Virginia 2021, launched this week, is aimed at ensuring “voters choose
legislators instead of legislators choosing voters.”
called One Virginia 2021, launched this week, is aimed at ensuring “voters choose
legislators instead of legislators choosing voters.”
A – Redistricting isn’t likely to get through the House at
this point, Saslaw said.
this point, Saslaw said.
Q – What’s the status of ethics legislation?
A – The Senate and House passed nearly identical bills
focusing on making campaign contributions more transparent, Saslaw said,
although in every single ethics lapse he knows of since being elected in 1976,
the issue with McDonnell was the only one that involved campaign contributions
by a lobbyist.
focusing on making campaign contributions more transparent, Saslaw said,
although in every single ethics lapse he knows of since being elected in 1976,
the issue with McDonnell was the only one that involved campaign contributions
by a lobbyist.
Q – Why shouldn’t Dominion Power be required to purchase
more energy from alternative sources in Virginia?
more energy from alternative sources in Virginia?
A – Dominion has already tried to develop wind facilities on
two mountain tops but was voted down by local governments. Saslaw said he tried
to get legislation passed to allow wind farms that generate at least 4
megawatts be exempt from local zoning regulations but the bill was opposed by
environmental groups.
two mountain tops but was voted down by local governments. Saslaw said he tried
to get legislation passed to allow wind farms that generate at least 4
megawatts be exempt from local zoning regulations but the bill was opposed by
environmental groups.
Q – Why doesn’t Dominion do tax credits in VA? Why give
other states the incentive?
other states the incentive?
A – If we had to rely on renewable energy, “there would be
no power 22 hours a day,” Saslaw said. People
who don’t have access to solar or other alternative energy “would wind up
subsidizing people who do.” Dominion is converting its coal facilities to
natural gas, which is a lot cheaper.
no power 22 hours a day,” Saslaw said. People
who don’t have access to solar or other alternative energy “would wind up
subsidizing people who do.” Dominion is converting its coal facilities to
natural gas, which is a lot cheaper.
Saslaw said he supports a wind farm offshore and told
another audience member that local governments already have the authority to
put solar panels on school roofs but “NIMBY overrides everything.”
another audience member that local governments already have the authority to
put solar panels on school roofs but “NIMBY overrides everything.”
Q – Will there be any attempts to crack down on car title lenders?
A – Saslaw maintained that title lenders are better than the
alternative: People who can’t get credit or bank loans used to rely on street
borrowing, with even higher interest and “when they didn’t pay off, they got
the hell beaten out of them.”
alternative: People who can’t get credit or bank loans used to rely on street
borrowing, with even higher interest and “when they didn’t pay off, they got
the hell beaten out of them.”
Saslaw had a question for the audience: How many people
would be in favor of casino gambling in Maryland? Only about a dozen of the 80
or so people there raised their hand.
would be in favor of casino gambling in Maryland? Only about a dozen of the 80
or so people there raised their hand.
Saslaw noted that the MGM casino approved for National Harbor
will generate a huge windfall for Prince George’s County and that about 60
percent of its revenue will come from Northern Virginians.
will generate a huge windfall for Prince George’s County and that about 60
percent of its revenue will come from Northern Virginians.
Casinos actually improve people’s standard of living, he
said, noting that the minimum wage for a casino worker is $22 an hour. “No
study has ever proven that poor people gamble away all their money and lose
their homes,” he said.
said, noting that the minimum wage for a casino worker is $22 an hour. “No
study has ever proven that poor people gamble away all their money and lose
their homes,” he said.
Instead of allowing casino gambling, which despite what Saslaw says, is not without lots of negative consequences for the public, why not legalize marijuana? That will generate a huge amount of tax revenue.