Eliminating tolls on Interstate 66 inside the Beltway, limits on the EPA’s ability to impose regulations without state legislative concurrence, and codifying in the state constitution the establishment of charter school’s and Virginia’s right-to-work status are among the first bills of the 2016 General Assembly session to have been filed by Republican delegates.
The amendments are up for second passage and, if approved, will be on the 2016 general election ballot.
“The Republican-led House of Delegates has consistently demonstrated over the years that we are the party of ideas, our majority is a governing majority and we are focused on the issues most important to our citizens,” said House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “These are the first pieces of what I expect to be a broad, bold agenda to govern and lead our Commonwealth. Over the next several weeks, our members will continue to introduce and roll out our policy priorities for the 2016 session. Like the bills filed today, our goal will be to address the challenges that Virginians confront every day, whether it is traffic congestion, rising energy bills, fewer educational opportunities or a still stagnant job market.”
“We do not hesitate to say that every major legislative initiative passed in the last few years has been the work of the Republican-led House of Delegates. We expect this year to be no different,” said House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights). “These first pieces of legislation are the start of a strong agenda for the 2016 session. They demonstrate our commitment to being the party of ideas, offering solutions and governing.”
The opposition to the tolling is widely based on that the road has already been built and paid for, but the revenues will be directed towards other forms of transportation, such as rail or even bike paths. HB 1 is in direct opposition to the governor’s proposal.
HB2, which seeks General Assembly oversight and approval of the implementation of the Clean Power Plan in Virginia, is meant to examine (and likely limit) the EPA’s latest round of carbon emissions regulations. According to House Republicans, the State Corporation Commission Staff estimates a potential $6 billion in higher energy prices for Virginia consumers.
Should this bill pass, it’s a likely court case waiting to happen and another example of a state seeking to reassert its authority within the Republic.
Regarding the two constitutional amendments, House Joint Resolution 1 provides the Board of Education the authority to establish additional charter schools in Virginia.
“Traditional public schools may be a good fit for many students, but others need additional choices,” said Delegate Rob Bell. “Public charter schools have been successful in many other states as a way to provide additional educational options to students and their families. New York has 197 charter schools. Washington D.C. has over 115 charter schools. Virginia has nine. This Constitutional Amendment will make it much easier for charter schools to be opened in Virginia.”
No issues there. Consider me a “yes” vote next November.
And, House Joint Resolution 2 will ensure Virginia’s right-to-work law is in the state Constitution.
There is some debate whether this is necessary, given labor potentially no longer seeing it as an issue and this being a possible tool to motivate the union base heading into 2016 under the Democratic banner. But there is also the real danger that the right-to-work status is not entirely protected from being infringed upon during other legislative processes (unlikely during Republican-led assemblies…but never guaranteed).
