Archive for February, 2010 Page 2 of 3
Tuesday was the deadline by which a bill must have passed the House of Delegates and crossed over to the Senate (or visa-versa) to remain alive. The vast majority of bills that passed the House were bipartisan and without controversy, including a number of important economic development initiatives. However, during several extended floor sessions, the House debated and voted on many controversial bills, including several throwback “states’ rights” bills, bills to expand access to guns, and a bill that will threaten our right to breathe clean air. After the dust settled, I am pleased to report that several of my own bills moved forward.
Spurred on by the Tea Party movement, Republicans in Richmond this year are pushing a slate of bills intended to assert Virginia’s independence from the U.S. Government. These bills range from the patently unconstitutional (House Bill 10 violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution) to the outright dangerous (guns manufactured under House Bill 69 could be exempt from Federal domestic violence laws.) Of course, I opposed these measures.
One bill intended merely as a symbolic restatement of the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution could have unintentionally threatened tens of thousands of jobs by denying the U.S. Government’s purview over Federal and Federal contractor jobs located in Virginia. Continue reading ‘Richmond Report: Englin bills move forward while House debates states’ rights, guns, pollution’
Richmond – The General Assembly today passed House Bill 267, sponsored by Delegate David Englin (D-45), that will enable the Virginia Department of Health to launch a statewide Advanced Health Care Directives Registry in April.
Today’s bill begins the final phase of a two-year effort that started with 2008 legislation sponsored by Englin and Senator George Barker (D-39) to establish Virginia’s Advanced Health Care Directives Registry as a statewide registry for living wills and advanced medical directives so medical professionals and emergency responders can access these documents when they are needed most.
The General Assembly today amended that law to remove the requirement that directives be notarized before being entered into the registry. This conforms the law with private sector best practices and enables the Department of Health to move forward with a public-private partnership to deliver the registry at no cost to taxpayers or users. By adding an emergency clause to the legislation, the General Assembly ensured that the law will go into effect as soon as Governor Robert F. McDonnell signs it, so that the Department of Health may launch the registry before April 16, which is Advanced Directives Day. Without the emergency clause, the bill would have gone into effect July 1.
Englin noted that this bipartisan effort, which began under the Kaine Administration and has enjoyed the continued support of the McDonnell Administration, brings together sometimes divergent interests.
Continue reading ‘General Assembly clears path for Advanced Health Care Directives Registry launch’
Many thanks to all of the state and local government employees, plow crews, public safety workers, and utilities crews for their Herculean efforts in response to the overwhelming snow emergency. Our area has already received more than four times our usual annual snowfall, with more snow on the way. In addition to the personal challenges this has created for us all, this is putting tremendous strain on already scarce resources, and it should serve as a reminder to the General Assembly that we need a sustained, dedicated funding mechanism for transportation sooner rather than later. While Governor McDonnell appears for now to be punting on any serious transportation funding ideas, transportation issues — from transit resources to HOT Lanes — have continued to occupy my time, and I continue pushing for progressive tax reform to help the middle class and small businesses while protecting money for education and infrastructure.
My new position on the House Finance Committee has given me the opportunity to support and advocate for responsible transportation funding solutions and other revenue and tax reform proposals. For example, last week, I was one of a small handful of votes in favor of a bipartisan, comprehensive, sustainable transportation funding package. The proposal had the strong support of virtually the entire Northern Virginia business community — including businesses whose taxes would increase — because they understand that investing in our transportation infrastructure is necessary for job creation and economic growth. Continue reading ‘Richmond Report: Snow emergency drives home need for transportation funding, while tax reform plan spurs discussion’
Richmond – Delegate David Englin (D-45) announced today that the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has reversed its prohibition on hotel manager’s receptions that include complimentary wine and beer for guests and their visitors. This is the result of Englin’s efforts with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Alexandria hotels that have been at a competitive disadvantage with hotels in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, where such receptions are permitted.
“We are very pleased to have worked with Delegate Englin to effect positive change not only for Alexandria hotels but for all ABC licensed hotels in Virginia,” said Tina Leone, president and chief executive officer of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. “With this revision, Alexandria will be more competitive in attracting additional business and leisure travelers. This change is a real victory for the hotel and tourism industry in Virginia.”
Thursday was ALS Awareness Day at the General Assembly, and David met with constituents working to raise awareness of what is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“The moving personal stories of these advocates help all of us better understand the challenges these families face as they try to be voices for their loved ones who can’t speak for themselves,” said David.
ALS attacks and kills the nerve cells which control muscle movement, causing people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease to lose the ability to move, to speak, to swallow and finally to breathe. While there is no known cause or cure, as many as 30,000 Americans have Lou Gehrig’s Disease at any given time, and recent studies have shown that military veterans are more likely to develop Lou Gehrig’s Disease, although the reasons for this are not yet known. For more information, visit www.ALSinfo.org.
