Over the next two months, Virginia legislators will address topics ranging from roadway panhandling to an $850 million transportation plan.
The General Assembly began its 2005 legislative session Jan. 12, which featured a State of the Commonwealth address from Gov. Mark R. Warner, and is scheduled to adjourn Feb. 26.
Of all the issues up for discussion, two stand out: various proposals to increase transportation funding, which Warner and legislators agreed was not addressed during last year's session, and the chartered universities proposal, which could fundamentally impact the University and its relationship with state government.
The session also occurs under two significant backdrops: first, the 100 members of the House of Delegates (but not the 40 members of the Senate) are up for reelection in November, and tensions remain from a bitter 2004 session, which lasted over 100 days and ended only when a split in the House Republican caucus led to passage of tax increases proposed by Warner.
Despite last year's circumstances, University Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said the 2005 session would be much quieter than last year's session.
"It's going to be an election year," Sabato said. "No one wants any more disruptions or extended sessions."
Warner and the General Assembly have agreed that transportation will need to be addressed this year.
"This year there's a good deal of momentum to get something done on transportation," Warner spokesperson Ellen Qualls said.
The focus on transportation comes after last year's revenue increases benefited areas such as education, but not transportation.
"The single biggest issue we're going to look at is transportation relief," said Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle. Warner has proposed an $824 million increase in transportation funding, but it consists mostly of one-time spending items and debt relief.
House Republicans have proposed a transportation plan costing slightly over $900 million, but it is not fundamentally different from Warner's proposal.
The focus on one-time programs is meant to encourage fiscal responsibility, Qualls said.
"The caution for the whole process is that we not create new spending commitments," Qualls said.
After the charter plan and transportation, legislators' attention is up for grabs. Bills on social issues like gay marriage and abortion could lead to high-profile debates.
In the meantime, legislators such as Bell and Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, have each already introduced several bills.
Bell's proposals include bills addressing school bullying, roadway panhandling, computer crimes, food stamp fraud and a bill that would increase penalties for crimes associated with date rape, such as aggravated sexual battery. Deeds, who is vying for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General, said he would work to address tax relief, especially regarding the food tax, and reforming the legislative redistricting process.
On the subject of prescription drugs and seniors, Deeds said he would focus on getting the state to provide assistance to seniors that would fill gaps in federal assistance, while one of Bell's bills would enact safeguards to increase prescription drug safety.
"I think it's imperative on the state to be prepared to help fill in those gaps," Deeds said.
Qualls said Warner had made other proposals he felt were important, such as Virginia Works, a series of economic programs designed to help rural and economically depressed areas of the state, and Healthy Virginians, which would promote health awareness and healthier lifestyles.
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