Delegate Tom Rust : Representing the 86th District

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Many of the events are open to the public and are free of charge, but some require reservations.

For more information on any of these events, or to ask me to attend a community event you are planning, please call my office at (703) 437-9400 or send me an e-mail at trust@tomrust.org

The Rust Report

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Posted: January 30, 2009

Greetings!

As with last week, I am writing this Friday to inform you of the progress we have made this week in Richmond. Currently, the House of Delegates has acted on approximately 1/3 of the bills proposed this session, which means we still have a lot of work to complete before Crossover Day, February 10. At Crossover, all bills, excluding budget bills, must be acted on in each respective body (House and Senate) and transmitted to the other body.

I am pleased to announce that this past week I had two more bills pass through the House of Delegates and two additional bills have passed through full committees.

Election

FAIRFAX COUNTY RESIDENTS VOTE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: This Tuesday, please remember to cast your vote for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. As a result of Jerry Connelly being elected to Congress, a new Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will be voted on next Tuesday. It is important that everyone take the time to vote! Pat Herrity (R) and Sharon Bulova (D) are seeking the office of Chairman.

Constituent Day

A group of constituents braved the harsh weather conditions on Tuesday and made it down to Richmond for Constituent Day. All those who were able to attend had a great time learning more about our process here in Richmond and touring the Capitol. For those who hoped to attend but were unable, I plan to have many more of these days in sessions to come. (This trip was funded by Friends of Tom Rust)

Safer Crosswalks

In a bipartisan manner, I along with several member of the Northern Virginia Delegation voted to pass Del. Ebbin's Crosswalk bill in House Transportation. The bill would require drivers to stop for those crossing at marked and unmarked crosswalks as opposed simply yielding for them. Our district has a number of these such crossings, and I hope this bill will help limit serious injuries at crosswalks, which has been on the rise.

My Bills

This week I was able to secure the passage of another Technology Bill which defined the powers of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. The bill allows an agency within the executive branch the power to provide for the centralized marketing, provision, leasing, and executing electronic access to public information and government services.

This week, I also had another bill pass through the Transportation committee. House Bill 1724 provides that local ordinances requiring "second signatures" before trespassing vehicles can be towed away only apply if the tow is performed during the normal business hours if verbal permission is received from the local jurisdiction. This is a bill that has come to me from members of the business community in the district. The bill provides protection to both property owners and visitors to the property.

Tobacco Tax Bills

Several constituents have contacted my office voicing opinions about the proposed increase in the tobacco tax. On Wednesday several of these bills were heard in front of a Finance Sub-Committee. HB 2379 was offered by Delegate Englin of Alexandria. That bill called for an $.89 increase per pack; the bill was unanimously defeated in a bi-partisan manner. HB 2389 offered by Delegate Brink of Arlington proposed doubling the tax per pack, and called for a $.25 increase on moist tobacco products. That bill was tabled 9-2 with both Republicans and Democrats voting against the bill. The fiscal impact of this action will result in an additional $154 million deficit in the budget as the Governor had included these proposed revenues in his submitted budget.

Visitors

This week I was visited by numerous groups including members of the Northern Virginia Realtors Association, Virginia Tech Students, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Virginia Catholic Conference.

Please do not hesitate to contact me in Richmond should there be an issue of concern to you. I can be reached by e-mail at DelTRust@house.state.va.us or by phone at 807-698-1086.

My Best,

Tom Rust

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