This week in the General Assembly we reached the half way point of the session, which is also referred to as "crossover".  At this point, both houses have completed work on all legislation filed by its respective members.  From this point forward, members of the House of Delegates will be reviewing bills filed by senators, while members of the Senate will be considering bills sponsored by delegates.  The number of bills which the House will be reviewing will be much less than the number we were reviewing prior to crossover.
 
Budget Update

The greatest challenge we face this session is balancing the state budget.  This week Governor McDonnell released the revised mid-session reforecast of general fund revenues to assist in the final budget preparations and address the historic $2.2 billion shortfall.  Governor McDonnell's top priorities include enhancing economic development, job creation, ensuring Virginia maintains our Triple A bond rating (one of only 7 states), maintaining as much funding as possible for core services, and creating no general tax increase on Virginians.  Just as families across Virginia have to make difficult decisions - often curtailing spending - during difficult economic times, Virginia's government is doing the same.  The goal is to emerge from the recession more quickly, generating more private-sector jobs by practicing government spending restraint.  It makes the process of constructing a budget more challenging in the short run, but also makes our economic outlook brighter in the long run.
 
Bill Update
 
Two of my bills have been passed by both Houses (one of which is the Transient Occupancy Tax); eleven are in a Senate committee; one bill is in Appropriations; two bills were killed; and two bills were carried over until 2011.  For a complete list of my bills and their status, please visit Delegate Thomas Davis Rust

100 Years and Counting...
 
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts, and to commemorate this achievement the House of Delegates passed House Joint Resolution 236.  I have attended both Arrow of Light ceremonies and Eagle ceremonies and I'm always impressed with the quality of young men that I meet.  Their virtues (which are reflected in the Boy Scout Law) include trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.  I commend the Boy Scouts of America on their 100th anniversary and the impact they have made on our community.
 
Pothole Patrol

As I travel back and forth on Interstate 95, I find myself dodging the numerous potholes that have developed as a result of the snow storms.  I'm sure you have experienced the same.  VDOT relies on resident's to report these problems either by visiting VDOT's website and submitting an online work request form or calling 703-383-VDOT.  Please remember to give specifics on the location of the pothole.

In the weeks ahead, the House and Senate are scheduled to approve their respective versions of Virginia's budget.  The House revisions to former Governor Kaine's introduced budget will be released Sunday, February 21. In next week's Rust Report, I'll provide more details of the progress on the budget.  If you want to contact our office during the General Assembly session, please send me an email at delTRust@house.virginia.gov.  

Warm regards,