Lynwood Lewis

BY: DELEGATE LYNWOOD LEWIS

The 2010 Virginia General Assembly convened on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at noon. We will be in session in Richmond through March 13 for a 60-day session. Session is longer in even numbered years because of the Assembly's budget writing duties.

On Wednesday evening, we heard from outgoing Gov. Tim Kaine in his state of the Commonwealth address. The address reflected upon some of the highlights of his term in office. Saturday marked the inauguration of Gov. Bob McDonnell, who was to address the Assembly and give his opening State of the Commonwealth address on Monday evening.

This week has been spent setting up and organizing my General Assembly office and filing bills that have been drafted and working with Legislative Services on drafting some additional legislation.

In addition, we received our committee assignments on Jan. 13 and I am pleased that my committees have remained the same. I will continue to serve on the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, Finance Committee, Commerce and Labor and Militia and Police. Four committees is somewhat of a heavy load; however, they are all important to the 100th District.

In addition, I have signed on to two budget amendments, one of which is a bipartisan effort to address problems and inequities in the local composite index which controls state funding to our public schools.

I have already had several Eastern Shore visitors, including a visit from our Eastern Shore Community College students and members of our agriculture community.

As indicated in the media, the budget will dominate this session as we now face what is now an approximately $4 billion shortfall in revenues --this after $7 billion in cuts already has been made to the budget.

Further, the Unemployment Trust Fund is under stress because of the rise in claims from unemployment as well as the Virginia Retirement System.

This is going to be a very difficult session, requiring decisions about where significant cuts need to be made in the state budget in order to bring it into balance as required by the Virginia State Constitution. There will likely be no tax increase this session.

As always, we welcome and encourage visits to the Capitol and my office will be glad to help coordinate and facilitate visits by any group.

Do not hesitate to contact me while I am in Richmond, at 804-698-1000 or by e-mail at DelLLewis@house.virginia.gov or by mail at Delegate Lynwood Lewis, P. O. Box 406, Richmond, Va. 23218.