2008 session will take on many weighty topics
COMMENTARY
By John Watkins (R - 10th) SENATE OF VIRGINIA

Watkins

The 2008 session of the Virginia General Assembly has just begun. This is the 60-day "long" session, primarily because of the introduction of the new biennial budget effective July 1. As we have already seen in previous press, there are differences of opinion about the governor's new budget. This is not an unusual occurrence and is probably more predictable than not because it is the only opportunity any governor has to present his budget, which will remain in place through the balance of his term of office. Needless to say, this budget will reflect the programs and priorities of this administration.

With the reduction of revenues in the current year and anticipated reductions next year, it will become necessary to reduce some programs in order for new programs and priorities to be implemented. Most of the debate will be around where the funds will come from to address the administration's priorities. Two major areas of focus will be the utilization of the "Rainy Day Fund" and the utilization of general obligation and revenue bonds.

Another topic that indirectly will be focused in a parallel to the budget will be that of transportation. The governor has recommended moving some of the General Fund dollars that were obligated last year back into the General Fund expenditures this year. The reasoning is that the transportation projects are not ready at this time to go under contract to use the dollars. It is anticipated that they will be replaced in the new budget beginning in July.

Another area of focus will be legislation that would allow the Richmond metropolitan area to utilize the same authority mechanism that northern Virginia and Tidewater are using to raise funds for regional projects. This step will require much consideration on the part of the local governments in this area, the community, the taxpayers and consumers. That said, while I am interested in finding a mechanism to fund regional projects, I am quite reluctant to let the state "off the hook" in terms of major interstate and arterial projects.

Another area that will indirectly focus on transportation will be the potential of removing cash proffers and putting in their place impact fees for the development of onsite and offsite road construction, school construction and public safety facilities. The cash proffer system is part of the problem with the continuing rise of assessments. It is an artificial mechanism that adds to the costs of new homes and by doing so inflates the adjacent home values by assessment. It amounts to legalized extortion of the homebuilder, the new homeowner and all of the adjacent taxpayers.

The third area of interest this year will be on what Virginia needs to do about illegal immigration. Many of the ideas that come to mind are specifically pre-empted by federal law. Federal requirements in health care and education preclude the state from denying these services to anyone. The alternative of arresting and incarcerating all illegal aliens sounds helpful, but in reality, if the state undertakes that, the cost of the prisons, the judicial system and deportation would then be borne by the citizens of Virginia. To date the federal government has been quite unwilling to live up to its responsibility to assist financially to a substantial degree in any of this.

The Virginia Commission on Immigration has been formed and will be attempting to determine an appropriate direction for Virginia. This commission began its work at the end of September 2007 and will be forwarding recommendations for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2009 and 2010 sessions. I do not envision that much legislation will be passed on this issue prior to that time.

These are just a few of the important issues that will be addressed at the 2008 session of the General Assembly. Please do not hesitate to contact my office on these and other issues of importance to you. I can be reached at 698- 7510 or District10@sov.state.va.us. My Web site is www.senatorjohnwatkins.com.

I would also suggest that for those particularly desiring to follow action on the budget, the entire budget will be available at the state Web site: http://legis.state.va.us. The Virginia Commission on Immigration report will be available at: http://www.hhr.virginia.gov/Initiatives/ImmigrationCommission/.