Delegate Jim Scott's Richmond Report

Many of the bills we consider here in Richmond fly pretty much under the radar screen. Already this session, we have passed relatively uncontroversial bills that deal with everything from hunting in Buckingham County to school safety audits.

But some of the bills we consider do arouse both public interest and public involvement. State government makes decisions about things that matter in people’s lives – their roads, their schools, their nursing homes. Virginians care passionately about these issues. So when they learn about legislation that affects one of these areas, they can become passionate.

This week, because of the federal holiday, the Capitol hosted many groups from our home towns. These citizen lobbyists visit their elected representatives to try to put a human face on the legislation we are considering.

They communicate their message in creative and innovative ways. The supporters of clean water wore blue scarves. People lobbying for more funds for drug treatment brought around orange balloons.

And, of course, the citizens groups may bring food. One of the highlights of the week for all of us was the arrival of the Girl Scout cookies.

Most importantly, however, these citizens bring their personal experiences and expertise on issues that we may know little about. Once you’ve heard from an unemployed textile worker talking about his struggle to find work in an area where there simply aren’t any jobs, you look at unemployment payments in an entirely different way. And once you’ve listened to the mother of a child with severe disabilities talking about the problems she faces in getting mental health treatment for her child, you view the programs that provide a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens in a new light.

A number of people from home stopped by my office this week. We welcomed Jean Auldridge from Virginia CURE, Suzanne and Fred Lepples from Clean Water Virginia, and Robert Lambeth from the Virginia Independent Colleges Association, as well as Dr. Patricia Cormier, President of Longwood University.

We’re not always available when constituents come by to see us, of course. Our committee meetings often start as early as 7 in the morning and can run late into the night. But our aides are always happy to listen carefully and to report the concerns of our constituents. My legislative package is moving through the system. This week a subcommittee reported my bill to prevent juvenile offenders convicted of violent crimes from acquiring firearms. The full committee will act on the bill on Friday.

Sometimes, a good idea takes more than one year to move through the process. Last year, Delegate Kris Amundson introduced a bill that would have allowed community groups to sell baked goods at polling places. This legislation was strongly supported by PTA’s and other non-profits groups. But the House raised all sorts of objections

This year, Republican Delegate Bob Marshall decided to reintroduce the bill. This time, for the first time, the bill passed once, but failed on the second, and crucial, vote and is dead for the session. Perhaps next year we will be more successful..

Thank you to all of you who have called, written, or emailed me to let me know your views on legislation that is before us. Hearing from you helps me do my job better. And if you can come to Richmond during our session, which lasts until February 26, please give my office a call at 804-698-1053. We may be able to arrange for you to sit in the Gallery to see the House in action.

Please feel free to contact me at the phone number above.. Hearing from you helps me represent you better. Delegate Jim Scott may be emailed at deljscott@aol.com