RICHMOND, VA – Following the opening of the 2012 General Assembly Session this afternoon, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) exercised his authority as presiding officer of the 100-member body to name delegates to the 14 standing committees of the House.  Since 2000, House Republican ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Following the opening of the 2012 General Assembly Session this afternoon, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) exercised his authority as presiding officer of the 100-member body to name delegates to the 14 standing committees of the House.  Since 2000, House Republican Leadership has apportioned committee membership in proportion to the body as a whole, which has 68 Republicans and Independents and 32 Democrats.  Ensuring fairness and proportionality, most standing committees now include 22 members, with 15 Republicans and 7 Democrats serving on each.  The membership of the Courts of Justice Committee was reduced from 22 members last session to 18 members, while the Rules Committee has 15 members.

PRIVILEGES AND ELECTIONS

Cole (Chairman), Putney, Ingram, Jones, Albo, Cosgrove, O’Bannon, Bell (of Albemarle), Miller (Vice Chairman), Landes, Hugo, Cox (of Hanover), Ramadan, Ransone, O’Quinn, Scott (of Fairfax), Alexander, Joannou, Sickles, Howell (of Norfolk), Dance, Spruill.

COURTS OF JUSTICE

Albo (Chairman), Kilgore, Bell (of Albemarle) (Vice Chairman), Cline, Iaquinto, Gilbert, Miller, Loupassi, Villanueva, Habeeb, Farrell, Minchew, Morris, Johnson, Watts, Toscano, Herring, McClellan.

EDUCATION

Tata (Chairman), Landes (Vice Chairman), Lingamfelter, Rust, Cole, Pogge, Massie, Greason, Bell (of Staunton), Stolle, LeMunyon, Robinson, Yost, Yancey, Dudenhefer,  Alexander, Ware (of Roanoke City), McClellan, Tyler, Bulova, Morrissey, Keam.

GENERAL LAWS

Jones (Chairman), Albo, Wright, Iaquinto (Vice Chairman), Gilbert, Peace, Anderson, Greason, Knight, LeMunyon, Cox (of Hanover), Helsel, Farrell, Watson, Rush, Ward, Dance, Bulova, James, Carr, Torian, McQuinn.

TRANSPORTATION

May (Chairman), Cosgrove (Vice Chairman), Rust, Hugo, Scott (of Madison), Tata, Villanueva, Comstock, Garrett, Cox (of Hanover), Habeeb, Anderson, Minchew, Yancey, Dudenhefer, Ward, BaCote, Brink, Toscano, McQuinn, Carr, Filler-Corn.

FINANCE

Purkey (Chairman), Orrock, Ware (of Powhatan), Byron, Cole, Hugo (Vice Chairman), Cline, Marshall (of Prince William), Anderson, Garrett, Villanueva, Pogge, Bell (of Staunton), O’Quinn, Head, Johnson, Watts, Lewis, Englin, Keam, James, Carr.

APPROPRIATIONS

Putney (Chairman), Tata, Ingram, May, Sherwood, Cox (of Colonial Heights) (Vice Chairman), Landes, Jones, O’Bannon, Lingamfelter, Poindexter, Massie, Scott (of Madison), Peace, Greason, Scott (of Fairfax), Joannou, Brink, Ware (of Roanoke City), Howell (of Norfolk), BaCote, Dance.

COUNTIES, CITIES AND TOWNS

Ingram (Chairman), Marshall (of Prince William), Marshall (of Danville) (Vice Chairman), Iaquinto, Crockett-Stark, Poindexter, Merricks, Knight, Morefield, Edmunds, Stolle, LeMunyon, Wilt, Morris, Hodges, Spruill, Ware (of Roanoke City), McQuinn, Howell (of Norfolk), Surovell, Kory, Torian.

COMMERCE AND LABOR

Kilgore (Chairman), Purkey, Byron, Ware (of Powhatan) (Vice Chairman), Hugo, Rust, Marshall (of Danville), Cline, Miller, Merricks, Loupassi, Cosgrove, Bell (of Albemarle), Comstock, Habeeb, Johnson, Joannou, Alexander, McClellan, Ward, Lewis, Tyler.

HEALTH, WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS

Orrock (Chairman), O’Bannon (Vice Chairman), Bell (of Albemarle), Peace, Crockett-Stark, Pogge, Merricks, Bell (of Staunton), Garrett, Stolle, Robinson, Helsel, Yost, Ransone, Hodges, Spruill, Sickles, Howell (of Norfolk), BaCote, Englin, Morrissey, Hope.

AGRICULTURE, CHESAPEAKE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Sherwood (Chairman), Ware (of Powhatan), Wright, Orrock, Scott (of Madison) (Vice Chairman), Marshall (of Danville), Poindexter, Pogge, Knight, Edmunds, Wilt, Morefield, Webert, Ransone, Fariss, Plum, Lewis, Bulova, Sickles, Englin, James, Torian.

MILITIA, POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Lingamfelter (Chairman), Sherwood, Wright (Vice Chairman), Cline, Gilbert, Merricks, Morefield, Edmunds, Wilt, Webert, Morris, Fariss, O’Quinn, Head, Rush, Lewis, Tyler, Filler-Corn, Hope, Surovell, Kory, Lopez.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Byron (Chairman), May, Purkey, Marshall (of Prince William), Rust (Vice Chairman), Cosgrove, Scott (of Madison), Crockett-Stark, Comstock, Anderson, Robinson, Helsel, Ramadan, Watson, Dudenhefer, Watts, Toscano, Plum, Herring, Surovell, Kory, Lopez.

RULES

Howell (of Stafford) (Chairman), Putney, Landes, Cox (of Colonial Heights), Kilgore, Ware (of Powhatan), Sherwood, Jones, Orrock, Gilbert (Vice Chairman), Knight, Joannou, Johnson, Plum, Alexander.

RICHMOND, VA – Following today’s Joint Republican Agenda press conference, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued the following statement:

“Building upon the successful 2011 Joint Republican Agenda, I was proud to stand with my fellow Republican leaders today and to announce our ambitious legislative agenda ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Following today’s Joint Republican Agenda press conference, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued the following statement:

“Building upon the successful 2011 Joint Republican Agenda, I was proud to stand with my fellow Republican leaders today and to announce our ambitious legislative agenda for the 2012 General Assembly Session.  Our Caucus will continue to press for efficient government, common-sense reforms and economic development alongside Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Senate Republican Leader Tommy Norment,” said Howell.

The Joint Republican Agenda is centered on the key principles of effective government, fiscal responsibility and promotion of education throughout the Commonwealth.  Specific joint initiatives include efficiency-minded government restructuring proposals, increased access to capital, strengthened Right to Work laws and improved access and variety in K-12 public education.  Many of the critical initiatives the Joint Republican Leadership are pursuing – including Project Labor Agreement legislation and Educational Improvement Scholarships – will be carried by members of the House Republican Caucus.

“Educational Improvement Scholarships in Virginia would dramatically improve education for thousands of children, save the state millions of dollars and buoy the public school system.  All three of these facts have been documented, via numerous independent studies and Florida’s model ten-year existing scholarship tax credit program,” said Del. Jimmie Massie (R-Henrico), who will carry legislation promoting private-sector funded scholarship programs, which increase educational access for children, particularly those underserved areas.  “I look forward to working with Governor McDonnell and the Senate towards providing Virginia’s families with this very important educational choice during the 2012 General Assembly session,” said Massie.

Also building off of last year’s successes, including Virginia being named the “Best State for Business” by CNBC, the House Republican Caucus will offer various proposals to increase strategic economic investments and further protect Virginia’s Right to Work climate.  Such proposals include House Bill 33 which forbids the use of so-called Project Labor Agreements, which impose union rates and rules on construction projects for state and local government contracts.

“House Bill 33 is common-sense legislation that will stretch our tax dollars on infrastructure projects and will guarantee that free enterprise and full and open competition will determine how public construction contracts are awarded,” said Del. Barbara Comstock (R-Fairfax) patron of the anti-PLA measure.

“Mandated project labor agreements have been estimated to raise costs by 10 to 20 percent or more with the most egregious example being Boston’s ‘Big Dig’ debacle.  Legislation similar to House Bill 33 already has been passed in 11 states as diverse as Louisiana and Michigan.  This will ensure that the 96 percent of the Virginia private construction workforce who choose not to join a labor union have a fair opportunity to compete for projects funded with our tax dollars,” said Comstock. 

“The Joint Republican Leadership has a great opportunity to come together and promote legislation that flows from guiding Republican values – innovation in business, efficiency in government and improvement in our schools.  I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in the General Assembly and Executive Branch as we tackle these important issues together,” said Howell.

RICHMOND, VA – Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after Governor McDonnell’s address to the Joint Money Committees of the Virginia General Assembly:

“I whole-heartedly support the reform measures and reprioritizations contained in Governor McDonnell’s proposed biennial budget. The ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after Governor McDonnell’s address to the Joint Money Committees of the Virginia General Assembly:

“I whole-heartedly support the reform measures and reprioritizations contained in Governor McDonnell’s proposed biennial budget. The Governor has been a great ally in the fight for common-sense fiscal solutions, low taxes and budgetary prudence for many years, and we look forward to championing many of the measures contained in his budget,” said Howell.

The 2012-2014 biennial budget is the first and only budget completely within the control of the McDonnell Administration. The Governor’s proposal is targeted to fund core functions of government – transportation, education, public safety, economic development and employee retirement funding – and does not raise taxes. Key investments include $2.2 billion in state and local contributions to the Virginia Retirement System, $438 million for K-12 public education, $230 million for higher education and $100 million to continue the Commonwealth’s highly successful economic development efforts.

“Tackling structural reforms to the VRS, transportation and education is an onerous task. The increase in VRS employer contribution rates and adjustments to increase transportation maintenance funding will significantly improve the long-term stability of these critical programs,” continued Howell.

The budget includes various measures to increase the liquidity of state assets, a step intended to address lingering economic uncertainty and preserve Virginia’s triple-AAA bond rating. The investment of $300 million into the Rainy Day Fund will effectively double those reserves by the close of the biennium, while an investment of $50 million into the newly created Federal Action Contingency Trust Fund and an unappropriated balance of $31.4 million will help guard the Commonwealth against unforeseen financial challenges.

“Governor McDonnell’s budget proposal is a study in restrained spending and the prioritization of funds to core government services. Fiscal prudence, liquidity and an aversion to government overreach are the basis of Governor McDonnell’s approach to budgeting. The House Republican Caucus shares in these values and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Governor on the ambitious reprioritization and reform measures in his budget,” said Howell.

RICHMOND, VA – Following Sunday’s House Republican Caucus elections, Speaker of the House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued the following statement: 

 “I am pleased to welcome Jackson Miller (R-Manassas) to the House Republican Caucus Leadership, where he will serve as the House Majority Whip.  Our Caucus also ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Following Sunday’s House Republican Caucus elections, Speaker of the House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued the following statement: 

 “I am pleased to welcome Jackson Miller (R-Manassas) to the House Republican Caucus Leadership, where he will serve as the House Majority Whip.  Our Caucus also voted to re-elect Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) and Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax) who will continue to serve our Caucus as Majority Leader and Caucus Chairman, respectively; and I am humbled to once again serve as Speaker of the House of Delegates,” said Howell.

 First elected to the Speakership in 2003, Speaker Howell has led the New World’s oldest, continuously operating legislative body and the House Republican Caucus for the past nine legislative sessions.  Delegate Tim Hugo has served as Caucus Chairman since April 2010 and Delegate Kirk Cox was elected Majority Leader in December 2010 after the previous Majority Leader, Morgan Griffith, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

 Delegate Miller replaces Del. Bill Janis (R-Henrico) as Majority Whip, who announced in August he would not seek another term in the House.  The elections were held this afternoon at a Caucus meeting.

 “Jackson will be a tremendous asset to our team,” said Speaker Howell.  “He is a gifted lawmaker with remarkable talent and an enduring dedication to his constituents and the Commonwealth.  Since 2006, Jackson has ably served the citizens of Manassas and Prince William County and now we are eager to put his energy and ability to work for Virginia.”

 “It’s a very humbling honor to be elected by my peers to this leadership position in the Republican Caucus.  I look forward to working with our leadership team in moving a common sense agenda forward,” said Miller.

 “The House Republican Caucus has grown to a 68-member majority, the largest majority held by Republicans in modern history.  The able leadership team our Caucus has chosen today will lead our ever-expanding Caucus during the 2012 General Assembly Session.  We look forward to working with Governor McDonnell to address the issues important to all Virginians.”

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement on the occasion of Veterans Day:

“In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson first designated November 11 to be a national holiday celebrating the heroism and sacrifice of our brave service members.  Nearly 100 ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement on the occasion of Veterans Day:

“In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson first designated November 11 to be a national holiday celebrating the heroism and sacrifice of our brave service members.  Nearly 100 years later, I want to take some time to thank all of our brave Virginians who have served in the United States Armed forces.  Our armed forces serve in the world’s finest military and are the lynchpin of America’s security and prosperity,” said Howell.

“Virginia is proud of its strong military heritage and my colleagues and I honor our brave veterans by working to make Virginia the best place in the nation for veterans and their families.  Today, I hope everyone will join me in reflecting on the sacrifice of our veterans and their families and thanking our brave service men and women for their service.”

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement regarding the 87th House District election:

“With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the House Republican Caucus is excited to welcome David Ramadan to the House of Delegates. We look forward to working ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement regarding the 87th House District election:

“With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the House Republican Caucus is excited to welcome David Ramadan to the House of Delegates. We look forward to working with David, whose victory brings our Caucus up to sixty-eight members, the largest Republican Majority ever in the Virginia House of Delegates,” said Howell.

Last night, Ramadan defeated his opponent Mike Kondratick in a race decided by only 50 votes. A graduate and member of the Board of Visitors of George Mason University, David is the founder of RAMA International, an international consulting business. He has been an active member of the Republican Party of Virginia and the Loudoun County Republican Committee for several years.

“We look forward to welcoming David into our Caucus during the 2012 General Assembly Session. My colleagues and I are confident that David will be a tremendous asset as we work together with Governor McDonnell and the Senate to address the issues important to Virginians.”

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued this morning the following statement in response to the results of the 2011 General Assembly elections:

“I am pleased that for the seventh General Election in a row, Virginians have selected the House Republican Caucus to ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued this morning the following statement in response to the results of the 2011 General Assembly elections:

“I am pleased that for the seventh General Election in a row, Virginians have selected the House Republican Caucus to lead the House of Delegates.  My colleagues and I are deeply honored to once again have the opportunity to lead through our service in the oldest continuously elected law-making body in the New World.  We will continue to fight for the policies that make Virginia the best state in the country to do business and raise a family,” said Howell.

“These are difficult and uncertain times, and a truly strong majority is one that can weather the bad times as well as the good.  In spite of the difficulties facing the Commonwealth, our Caucus has grown its majority to 68 seats in the House of Delegates – the largest Republican majority ever in the House – and a heartening indication that the Commonwealth approves of the work we are doing for them here in Richmond.”

“House Republicans have a strong record on the issues important to the Commonwealth and have worked alongside Governor Bob McDonnell to create jobs, attract business, keep taxes low and transportation moving.  During the upcoming 2012 General Assembly Session, we once again look forward to working with Governor McDonnell and a working Senate Republican majority as we continue our work on economic development, government reform, transportation and all issues important to Virginians.”

 “Across the board, I am thrilled with our election results and I am very excited to lead an ever-larger House Republican Majority.  Alongside our returning incumbents, we are pleased to welcome 15 new members to our Caucus – Delegates-Elect Mark Dudenhefer, Israel O’Quinn, Nick Rush, Randy Minchew, Joseph Yost, Chris Head, Michael Webert, Peter Farrell, Matt Fariss, Rick Morris, David Ramadan, Mike Watson, David Yancey, Keith Hodges and Margaret Ransone.  The entire House Republican Caucus, led by Majority Leader and Campaign Chair Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), worked with our candidates over the last several months.  From candidate recruitment to fundraising, research and organizational support, yesterday’s victory was a function of time, energy and devotion put into this race by each of our incumbents and candidates.  I thank everyone for their hard-work and dedication over the last several months.

“In these difficult and trying times Virginians demand and deserve elected officials who both understand the issues and have a proven pro-job, pro-growth track record.  Simply put, Republicans recognize that times are tough and voters recognized that Republicans have the best ideas for economic development and job creation.  Our Caucus is, as always, prepared to tackle Virginia’s challenges with the forward-looking, common-sense solutions necessary to keep Virginia heading toward economic recovery and a brighter future,” said Howell.

RICHMOND, VA – Today Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued the following statement highlighting last week’s Quinnipiac University poll in the Commonwealth.

“My colleagues and I in the House of Delegates were recently informed of the results of last week’s Quinnipiac poll gauging the Commonwealth’s ]]> Click here for a PDF of this release.

RICHMOND, VA – Today Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued the following statement highlighting last week’s Quinnipiac University poll in the Commonwealth.

“My colleagues and I in the House of Delegates were recently informed of the results of last week’s Quinnipiac poll gauging the Commonwealth’s satisfaction with various leaders and initiatives taking place in the Commonwealth,” commented Howell.

The poll, administered earlier this month by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, included approval ratings for U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb, Congressman Eric Cantor, Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as well as the Virginia General Assembly.

Governor Bob McDonnell continues to score high marks with a 63% approval rating. The Virginia General Assembly scored a 47-35 percent approval rating in stark contrast to the record-low 11-80 approval ratings for the United States Congress. Of all states polled by Quinnipiac, Virginia’s legislature was the only legislature that earned a positive approval rating.

“By more than 3-1, Virginians are happy with what’s going on in the state compared to the country and this optimism shows in their views of state politicians. All statewide elected officials, and even the State Legislature, get thumbs up for their job performance. In these tough times that is pretty remarkable,” commented Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Only 2 percent of Virginians polled were “very satisfied” with the overall direction of the nation, while an additional 17 percent of Virginians indicated they were “somewhat satisfied” with the direction of the nation. In contrast, 10 percent are “very satisfied” with Virginia’s direction and 56 percent are “somewhat satisfied” with the direction of the Commonwealth.

“We are proud that the Virginia General Assembly was the only state legislature to receive a positive approval rating in recent Quinnipiac polls. My colleagues and I work hard to understand the diverse issues facing Virginia and fix our problems with commonsense, forward-looking solutions. There can be no greater reward in this job than to see that the Commonwealth approves of the work we are doing for them here in Richmond,” said Howell.