Governor McAuliffe Statement on General Assembly Actions on His Vetoes

English: 1830 Constitution of Virginia, Page 1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement after the General Assembly failed to override any of his line item vetoes to the 2015-2016 biennial budget:

“I am pleased that the General Assembly upheld six of the eight vetoes that I applied to the budget without controversy.

“With respect to the Speaker’s ruling on my veto of the Stanley floor amendment, I am continually surprised and disappointed by the lengths to which Republicans in the House of Delegates will go to prevent their own constituents from getting access to health care. Instead of putting all of my vetoes through the process prescribed by the Constitution of Virginia, House Republicans robbed the voters of their voice by using a procedural gimmick to obstruct the normal legislative process where this veto was concerned. If my veto was as objectionable as House leadership claimed, they should not have had any difficulty overriding it in both chambers. Instead, the Speaker elected to exercise powers that the Constitution of Virginia reserves solely for members of the Judicial Branch.

“As my team and I evaluate the House’s failure to override my veto, I remain focused on expanding access to health care for Virginia residents, and I intend to move forward on that goal as I have promised. Virginians elect their leaders to act in their best interests, not to bog good public policy down in parliamentary gimmicks.

“With respect to the his ruling on the judges veto, Speaker Howell once again resorted to procedural tricks in order to prevent the representatives of the people of Virginia from voting on the vetoes that I lawfully submitted to the General Assembly. I have no objection to the General Assembly’s authority to appoint these judges while in session; my veto was aimed at defending the powers of the Governor against an unconstitutional overreach by the legislature. It is unfortunate that the Speaker elected to cast these judicial slots into unnecessary uncertainty, particularly after I proposed a straightforward legislative remedy this afternoon.  My team and I will evaluate the Speaker’s ruling on this veto and I will take the actions I deem best for the people who elected me to serve.”

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Governor McAuliffe’s Statement on the Budget Impasse

Virginia General Assembly (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Over the past two months, I have traveled across the Commonwealth and met with hardworking Virginians who are caught in the health care coverage gap. These are people who do not qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford health insurance on the federal exchange. These Virginians, as well as local business leaders, healthcare providers, and public safety officials have urged Virginia’s elected officials to put partisan politics aside and close the coverage gap. But as of today, our legislature is nearly five weeks past their deadline of passing a budget. As the body responsible for negotiating a budget, the General Assembly has failed to deliver on one of the primary duties they were elected to fulfill.

Virginia has long been known as a state where leaders work together in a bipartisan fashion to get things done for the citizens they serve. Members of both chambers of the General Assembly found compromise this year on reforming our SOLs, fixing our broken mental health system, and passing ethics reform. It is now time for the House and Senate to work together to do what their constituents are urging them to do - pass a budget that closes the coverage gap. More than 400,000 uninsured Virginians have waited long enough to get the quality healthcare they deserve, and our businesses have waited long enough to have the certainty they need to grow and lead in a 21st Century economy.

There have been a number of proposals offered that would close the coverage gap. The House and Senate know that I am open to a variety of options that could be used to expand healthcare coverage, including a private marketplace option. It is time for members of both chambers to come together and get this done.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Successful Launch of DMV/VDH Vital Records Partnership

Birth certificate (actually, excerpt from the protocol of baptised) of Nikola Tesla. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People Born in Virginia Will Now Have More Access to Birth Certificates Than Ever Before

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the successful launch of the partnership of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Division of Vital Records to provide increased access to Virginia birth certificates. As of March 1, 2014, copies of Virginia birth certificates are available statewide at all 75 DMV customer service centers and five mobile offices.

Already, approximately 5,000 Virginians have requested birth certificates at DMV locations. Most of these customers are able to leave DMV with copies of their birth certificates printed and in hand.    

“By increasing access to these vital records, the DMV and VDH are making life a little easier for Virginians,” said Governor McAuliffe. “That is an example of what government should do for its citizens. Efficiency, innovation and good service are and will continue to be cornerstones of my administration.”

The process for obtaining vital records through DMV is the same as doing so directly through the Division of Vital Records. Customers complete an application, submit the required documentation, and pay a fee to the agency. The fee for a birth certificate at DMV is $14.

“We are excited to partner with VDH to offer this option to Virginians,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “DMV is dedicated to providing security, integrity and convenience in delivering this important service.”   

“The Division of Vital Records has long been a trusted steward of Virginia records,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa Levine. “Together with our partners at DMV, we look forward to continuing that tradition while offering new avenues to access important documents.” 

The DMV/VDH partnership was authorized by legislation (SB 1039, Newman) passed by the General Assembly in 2013. In addition to birth certificates, the legislation provides that DMV will begin issuing copies of death, marriage and divorce records on January 1, 2015. All original records will continue to be stored securely at the Vital Records office.

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Governor McAuliffe Signs Caboose Budget Bill

English: Photo of the Virginia State Capitol before renovations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today after signing House Bill 5001, the Caboose Budget Bill, which funds state government through the remainder of this fiscal year:

“Today I signed a budget bill that funds state government for the remainder of the year, and proves that Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly are capable of working together to get things done for the Virginians who sent them to Richmond.

“This budget is the product of earnest negotiations between Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly, with whom I was pleased to work to ensure that a final product came to my desk that I could sign.

“This budget is a compromise – it is not perfect. Today I signed it over reservations that I have expressed to Republicans and Democrats in the legislature about spending over $300 million on a new General Assembly building at a time when some legislators continue to refuse to use our own tax dollars to close the health care coverage gap.

“As negotiations on the next biennial budget move forward, I hope those legislators will recognize the message their actions send to 400,000 Virginians who need access to health care, not a new building for 140 state legislators.

“The bill I signed today is proof that the General Assembly is capable of negotiating and passing a budget that reflects the varied values and political views of its members and their constituents. There is no reason that the House and Senate cannot bring that same approach to the biennial budget I introduced last week. The sooner the General Assembly puts politics aside and negotiates a way forward, the sooner we can end this gridlock, close the health care coverage gap and give Virginians the budget they deserve.”

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Governor McDonnell Announces New Leadership Elected to the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority

English: The state seal of Virginia.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Consortium to promote Virginia’s role as a key leader in nuclear energy

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today the election of leadership to the newly formed Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC) Authority.  The 17-member board of directors has elected as its chairman Marshall Cohen, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications at The Babcock and Wilcox Company.  The board elected Donald Hoffman, President and CEO of Excel Services Corporation and President of the American Nuclear Society, to serve as its vice-chairman. Sama Bilbao y Leon, Associate Professor and Director of Nuclear Engineering Programs at VCU was elected treasurer for the Authority.  Bob Bailey, Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Engineering & Research was elected as Secretary. 

“Nuclear energy is an important piece of our ‘all of the above’ approach to energy development not just in Virginia, but across our nation,” said Governor McDonnell.  “Virginia has a unique opportunity to lead in the nuclear energy sector, creating jobs for our citizens, developing a workforce that can meet the needs of the industry and conducting research to advance new nuclear technologies. We are home to two nuclear power generation facilities, operated by Dominion Virginia Power, a shipyard that builds the nation’s nuclear Navy, strong research institutions expanding their work in nuclear engineering and related fields, Babcock &  Wilcox, Areva and other significant companies in the nuclear energy sector. Bringing these assets together around the table to develop research partnerships, workforce pipelines, information resources and educational opportunities will support and expanding industry and be good for all Virginians.  I thank the newly elected leaders for their service and commitment to making Virginia a nuclear energy leader.”

Following today’s meeting of the VNEC Authority, Chairman Marshall Cohen said, “I appreciate the opportunity to lead the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium in its first year as we work to promote Virginia’s rich, diverse and important nuclear industry and encourage additional collaboration and partnerships here in the Commonwealth.  Nuclear energy is responsible for thousands of good-paying jobs and millions of dollars in economic activity in Virginia. We appreciate Governor McDonnell and the General Assembly’s leadership in the formation of the consortium and for recognizing the importance of nuclear industry in Virginia. I look forward to continuing our important work with Governor-elect McAuliffe in the coming years.”

The VNEC Authority was formed as a result of Governor McDonnell’s legislation during the 2013 session of the General Assembly.  Senator McWaters patroned SB1138 and Delegate Scott Garrett patronedHB1790 to establish the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth for the purposes of making the Commonwealth a national and global leader in nuclear energy and serving as an interdisciplinary study, research, and information resource on nuclear energy issues.

The full membership of the VNEC Authority Board of Directors is below:

·         Marshall Cohen of Fairfax, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications at The Babcock and Wilcox Company

·         David Christian of Toano, Executive Vice President of Dominion Resources and CEO of Dominion Generation

·         Colleen Deegan of Rockville, Maryland, Vice President of Government Programs for Bechtel

·         Donald R. Hoffman of Bethesda, Maryland, President and CEO of Excel Services Corporation and President of the American Nuclear Society

·         Maureen Matsen of Richmond, Counsel for Christopher Newport University

·         Matthew J. Mulherin of Yorktown, President of Newport News Shipbuilding and Corporate Vice President of Huntington Ingalls Industries

·         Dr. Ganapati Myneni of Yorktown, Senior Scientist at Jefferson Lab

·         Michael Rencheck of Powell, Ohio, President and CEO of AREVA, Inc.

·         Ron Sones of Gladstone, Professor of Business at Liberty University and President of SIBS LLC

·         Kiyoshi Yamauchi of Arlington, Chief Executive Director of Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems, Inc.

·         Director of the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy or his designee

·         President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership or his designee

·         The Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System or his designee

·         The President of the University of Virginia or his designee

·         The President of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or his designee

·         The President of George Mason University or his designee

·         The President of Virginia Commonwealth University or his designee

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Governor McDonnell Announces State Rainy Day Fund to Exceed $1 Billion at Close of FY 2016

Virginia General Assembly (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Balance Will be 3rd Largest in Virginia History

Fund Will Have Grown 350% from Close of Fiscal Year 2010 to End of Fiscal Year 2016

Recovery of Fund Puts Commonwealth in Strong Financial Position

RICHMOND- Three days before he delivers his fourth and final annual ‘end of the fiscal year’ address to the members of the money committees of the General Assembly, Governor Bob McDonnell announced that a portion of his remarks will highlight the news that Virginia’s Rainy Day Fund is on pace to exceed $1 billion by the close of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. The projection represents a dramatic upswing in the balance sheet of the Commonwealth’s emergency cash reserve, which stood at only $295.2 million at the conclusion of FY 2010, midway through the governor’s first year in office. The growth in the Rainy Day Fund, made possible through conservative budgeting in Richmond and ongoing private sector job-creation across the Commonwealth, helps to restore the state’s financial health and places Virginia in a strong position for both future economic growth as well as the navigation of any potential future financial downturns.

            Based on the size of the overall budget surplus, the McDonnell Administration’s fourth in as many years, the Constitution prescribes an additional $313.9 million will be deposited to the Rainy Day Fund in FY’s 2015 and 2016. The governor will include that amount in the new budget he will propose this December. The amount is based on actual collections of general fund revenues in fiscal year 2013 and the official budget estimate for general fund revenues in FY 2014. The governor has previously announced that the Commonwealth concluded FY 2013 with a revenue surplus of over $261 million. This is the first time a single gubernatorial administration has posted four consecutive revenue surpluses since the Allen Administration in the mid-1990’s. On Monday the governor will announce the second half of Virginia’s final surplus amount: savings within state government generated through the administration’s conservative fiscal policies. Taken together the revenue surplus and savings surplus will provide the total surplus amount for the Commonwealth for FY 2013.

            Speaking about the rapid, positive turnaround in the financial health of the state’s Rainy Day Fund, the governor remarked, “We all know these are uncertain fiscal times. In the states, that uncertainty is only heightened by the failure of the federal government to provide budgetary certainty and make the long-term decisions necessary for proper planning moving forward. With that in mind, it is crucial that we have the liquidity necessary to weather any potential disruptions and downturns in the years ahead. That’s the role of Virginia’s Rainy Day Fund, which was wisely created by the General Assembly after Governor Doug Wilder devised the smart idea of a “Revenue Reserve.” This Fund provides the Commonwealth with a financial safety-net of sorts. It is also watched closely by the bond rating firms that are so important to our financial standing in the global markets.”

            The governor continued, “With today’s announcement, I am pleased to note that a significant portion of the revenue surplus for this year, as has been the case previously in our administration as well, will not be spent.  Rather, it will be saved and deposited to the Rainy Day Fund allowing that Fund to grow to nearly $688 million by the end of FY 2014 and cross $1 billion by the end of FY 2016. That is the result of our four consecutive budget surpluses, which have provided the means by which we have been able to replenish Virginia’s nest egg. In our first year in office, the Fund was only $295 million. By the end of 2016 it will have grown by 350%. It will reach the third-highest amount in its history, and the highest amount since the end of FY 2007, just prior to the economic downturn. The work to restore the Rainy Day Fund is yet another bipartisan accomplishment in Richmond. We’ve budgeted conservatively, saved taxpayer dollars and properly planned for the years ahead. These steps have put the Commonwealth in a much stronger financial position than we saw just three years ago. I thank the members of the General Assembly for their work with us in achieving this important step forward for Virginia’s fiscal future.”

            A chart detailing the financial history of Virginia’s Rainy Day Fund can be found here.  

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Governor McDonnell Appoints Steven Frucci to Circuit Court

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the appointment of Judge Steven Frucci to the Second Judicial Circuit to fill a vacant circuit court positions that was not filled during the 2013 General Assembly session. According to Article VI, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia, Judge Frucci will “serve until thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly.” Continued service on the Circuit Court will require election by the General Assembly.

            Speaking about the appointment, Governor McDonnell said, “Judge Frucci has served honorably on the Virginia Beach General District Court for several years.  He has developed a reputation as a fair and respected jurist, and I am pleased he will take this tradition of service to the circuit court.  I appreciate the many highly qualified candidates who expressed an interest in this vacancy for their willingness to serve the Commonwealth.”

Judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit- Steven C. Frucci

Steven C. Frucci, was elected to the Virginia Beach General District Court by the General Assembly in 2009.  Prior to taking the bench, he worked in private practice for eighteen years throughout Hampton Roads in federal and state court, handling both trial and appellate matters.  He resides in Virginia Beach with his wife and two children.