Lynwood Lewis

By Delegate Lynwood Lewis

The first full week of the Virginia General Assembly began with Gov. Bob McDonnell's State of the Commonwealth address on Monday evening. It was a lengthy address, well-delivered and with an optimistic tone.

It followed what was a very good inaugural address the previous Saturday on the portico of the Capitol. His remarks indicated what many of us have been discussing for some weeks now, that this extreme fiscal crisis may well result in a meaningful and useful discussion about the role and function of government in our Commonwealth.

It will force us to think in new ways about how we approach core services of government and also the state's relationship with localities.

The governor, in his State of the Commonwealth address, mentioned the exciting things at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and also reaffirmed his commitment to a $1.3 million budget appropriation for the Spaceport.

Clearly, he recognizes the value of the activity there, not only to the Shore but to the Commonwealth as a whole. I look forward to working with him as we find ways to advance and expand the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's competitiveness to ensure its position as one of the premier points of entry for commercial space flight.

Last Friday marked the deadline for requesting drafts of legislation from Legislative services. Friday, Jan. 22, was the deadline by which all legislation had to be filed. I have filed approximately 15 pieces of legislation and am a co-patron on several others. I will discuss some specific legislation in one of my later reports.

I also signed on to a letter to the United States Attorney General, Eric Holder, regarding the transfer of convicted murderer Jens Soering back to his native Germany under a recommendation to the United States State Department made by then-Governor Kaine in the final days of his administration. Soering was involved in a very brutal murder of an elderly Bedford couple more than twenty years ago. He is serving a life term and his girlfriend, and accomplice, is also serving a lengthy prison term. It is highly unlikely that the German authorities will hold him for any significant time beyond two years after his transfer. This is entirely inappropriate, and I joined several other legislators in sending this letter to Holder.

The work of the Assembly has begun in earnest with the usual round of 7 a.m. sub-committee meetings and lengthening floor sessions. I still look forward to visiting with Eastern Shore folks as they make their way to Richmond to see how their state government works.

The most important thing that the legislature does is construct a budget and in this dire fiscal situation the budget that emerges over the next six weeks will be even more important. There are a host of issues in addition to the budget that will affect the entire Commonwealth and the Eastern Shore. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ideas.

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.