2006 Session Highlights

April 24, 2006

We have completed most of the Commonwealth’s business in Richmond for the 2006 General Assembly session, and I am proud of the work the legislature has accomplished this year. I have drafted, introduced and supported legislation that will have a significant impact for our 20th House District and all the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Eight of the bills I introduced have passed this year; most of which were approved unanimously. Additionally, two other bills I introduced were combined into similar legislation sponsored by other Delegates and gained the approval of the General Assembly. Finally, I submitted budget amendments to the 2006-2008 biennial budget that will benefit our region.

As chairman of the bipartisan Cost Cutting Caucus, I am excited about working with my colleagues in both the House and Senate, as well as the administration to make sure we are providing the best possible services to Virginians in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. Throughout the session, the Caucus sponsored presentations from highly-qualified private sector scholars and high-ranking administration officials on issues ranging from ways to streamline state government, reforms to Virginia’s information technology programs and innovative reforms to create a transportation system for the 21st century.

One of the key issues I worked on this session was the successful passage of legislation to bring cleaner air to Virginia through significant mercury emission reduction standards. I lead a successful compromise for Virginia’s implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR). The result of this legislation is cleaner air in the Shenandoah Valley and across the state three years ahead of the previous schedule. The bill, which was incorporated into HB 1055, also codifies the Department of Environmental Equality’s (DEG) regulation for CAIR, which limits sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, which address the concern of smog in Virginia by limiting the emissions of these greenhouse gasses. I am thrilled that the General Assembly voted unanimously to move this legislation forward, and I am grateful for the support shown by many on this effort.

I also worked to provide sufficient funds for the Fish Kill Task Force’s efforts to study potential factors resulting in the death of many fish in the Shenandoah River. I submitted a budget amendment to provide funding in the 2006 Appropriations Act (“The Caboose Budget”) so the Task Force may purchase needed equipment and expertise to begin its study this spring. The amendment also calls for an additional $170,000 in the 2006-2008 biennial budget for the Task Force to continue its research. These funds will help the Task Force reach its goal of identifying causes of the fish kills and communicating their findings to those who can implement corrective actions.

Continuing with an issue so important to our district, this session I worked with Delegate Phil Hamilton (R-Hampton) on the consolidation of the two Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind into the existing facility in Staunton. This session we passed HB 350, introduced by Delegate Hamilton, which authorizes the Department of General Services (DGS) to enter into a comprehensive agreement for the necessary renovations and additions at the Staunton campus for the purposes of consolidation. After working for many years I feel we are finally close to the culmination of consolidating the two schools in Staunton. I am grateful for the support shown by our community in showing state leaders the importance of investing in the education of the deaf and blind.

One of the key issues dominating this session was the state’s transportation needs and how we can bring meaningful reform to our transportation system. I supported passage of Delegate Todd Gilbert’s (R-Shenandoah) House Joint Resolution 143 which called for VDOT to halt all negotiations with STAR Solutions. This resolution requests that VDOT step back from negotiations with Star Solutions to build a massive expansion of I-81 so that it may consider alternative solutions to improve safety and ease congestion. Although this bill did not pass, it sent a strong message from legislators along the I-81 corridor that we have serious concerns with plans to make I-81 a eight lane highway. As the General Assembly continues to negotiate a transportation plan, I will continue to push for sensible solutions to our transportation needs in the Shenandoah Valley.

The House led a substantial effort to reform how VDOT operates and works with localities. We passed legislation to give localities the tools they need to manage growth and provide cost-saving and efficiency measures in the state’s transportation system. HB 1521, approved this year, promotes better managed growth by requiring localities to include road and transportation improvements in their comprehensive plans. HB 1513 requires localities to submit comprehensive plans and traffic impact statement to VDOT for review, allowing for input on the impact of local zoning decisions. We also passed HB 667, which requires VDOT to contract out all maintenance of the Interstate Highway system. This allows the private sector to implement more efficient and cost-saving practices in maintaining Virginia’s 1,118 miles of Interstate roads. We approved significant improvements in installing accountability measures at VDOT as well. HB 673 provides for the election of district representatives of the Commonwealth Transportation Board by the General Assembly, which will ensure that Virginia’s main transportation planning authority has the necessary oversight and responsiveness to citizens.

My fifth session as a member of the Virginia General Assembly has been very productive, and I appreciate the help of individuals like you who have helped me along the way. We have continued to reform the way we do business in Virginia, making government more accountable and cost-effective. It has been a privilege to serve the 20th District as your representative for these past five years, and I look forward to continuing to serve you and all Virginians alike.

For more information on these or other bills, please visit the General Assembly’s website at http://legis.state.va.us/. If you have any questions about any bills brought before the General Assembly this session, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached via email at DelCSaxman@house.state.va.us or by phone in Staunton at (540) 886.8284. Thank you for your continued support and suggestions, as I look forward to continuing to work with you to build a better future for Virginia.

Sincerely,

Chris Saxman