This has been a busy week in the General Assembly.  Both the House and Senate passed their proposed budgets earlier this week.  As you can imagine, there was passionate debate about what should be included in the budget, but because Virginia must balance their budget, cuts had to be made.  During the next two weeks a Conference Committee will work to bring into concurrence the House budget and the Senate budget.  We are committed to making minimal cuts to core services and maintaining our status as the best managed state in America.

Aging Gracefully

As many have written, the population of those 65 and over will double in Virginia over the next 20 years. One of the bills I introduced this year is House Bill 514, also known as the "Blueprint for Livable Communities".  It seeks in part to ensure that Virginia and our communities are prepared to embrace the diverse needs of an aging population with respect for individual choice and empowerment. Further, when making decisions, older relatives need good information readily available.  Those providing aging services are already feeling the impact of the "Age Wave" or "Silver Tsunami," as demand for essential services steadily increases.

Older Virginians want to stay in their own homes and be involved in their communities for as long as possible. Accommodating the needs of our older adults will not just happen; it will require working together - and encompass a broad range of community services and supports, many of which have not traditionally been viewed as aging-related long term services and supports. Provisions necessary to enable adults with disabilities are often similar and need to be part of this work as well.  What will be considered? Such items as-

· Helping seniors maintain a positive quality of life in their chosen residence.

· Developing a senior-friendly, comprehensive continuum of affordable services for older people regardless of income, cultural heritage, location, health status or level of functioning.

· Creating and fostering an active, caring and welcoming community that promotes respect, diversity, and inclusion of all ages and cultures.

· Creating a use of land that seamlessly integrates public spaces, vibrant private enterprise, and people of all ages in safe, affordable, enjoyable communities.

· Increasing the ability of people of all ages to meet the challenges of later life.

· Encouraging input from diverse groups in developing resources and assuring that seniors are involved in decisions that affect them.

· Ensuring that seniors have opportunities to share their knowledge and skills.

· Creating and enhancing opportunities for enjoyable participation in life

This "blueprint" is vital to ensuring the planning is useful, comprehensive, practical and collaboratively developed. Various state agencies and service providers are tasked with developing plans and coordinating services to allow older adults and adults with disabilities to stay in their homes and communities as they age...and to do it as efficiently as possible. Then we will be able to say we have a Commonwealth of opportunity for ALL Virginians.
 
Reading and Writing and Arithmetic

While the 2008-2010 budget was cut about $6.3 billion, public education (K-12) was largely spared from reductions during this period while every other area of the budget was reduced to close the revenue gap.  The budget for fiscal years 2010-2012 is equally challenging with cuts again required in the magnitude of $4.2 billion.  Cuts are proposed in K-12 public education but they are the least of any area in the budget.  The overwhelming portion of educational budget reductions are in the support cost areas.  Also, structural changes to the retirement system for NEW (after July 1, 2010) employees will offset about $500 million of the proposed reductions.  With all the structural changes, the actual decrease in the 2010-2012 budget for K-12 compared to 2008-2010 is about 1.9% ($249.3 million).

To be more specific, I will provide some information on the Fairfax and Loudoun School systems.  

                                2010                                 2012

Fairfax                $447,862,147                      $485,203,263

Loudoun              $187,631,672                      $223,386,625

 
As you can see, funding for these two school system has actually increased.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of inaccurate information in the press.  
 
Finally, I would add some general information about statewide K-12 public education.  Over the past 10 years funding for public education has increased by 58.9% from $3.7 billion in FY2000 to $5.9 billion in FY2010.  Including the federal stimulus funding of $365.2 million, the public education budget increased by 68.7%.  In comparison, over the same 10 years student membership only increased by 7.2% while funding has increased between 58.9% to 68.7%.  I am committed to protecting our school system even during these extremely difficult times.
 
Slow Down - Move Over

The Virginia State Police want to bring to remind you to "Slow Down - Move Over" when passing emergency vehicles - it's the law!  This requires that motorists change into another travel lane or slow down when passing emergency personnel.  Violation of this law is a Class one misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to a $2,500 fine and/or a year in jail.  In the first seven months of 2008, twelve troopers have been struck on the side of the road.  Slow Down - Move Over - Save lives!  
 
Bill Update

Five of my bills have been passed by both House; seven are in the Senate; one bill is in Appropriations; three 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.

The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on March 13, and I invite you to visit 'your' Capitol if you are ever in Richmond.  

If you want to contact my office during the General Assembly session, please send me an email at
delTRust@house.virginia.gov.  Have a wonderful week.
 
Warm regards,