Bob Hull's Richmond Report

Packing Up

We are now into the waning hours of the 2005 General Assembly session and everyone is preparing to leave soon. The scheduled adjournment is on Saturday, but there has been talk that we might be able to finish today or tomorrow. That is probably wishful thinking at this point, however, because we still need to approve the budget and we do not seem to be close to that yet.

Budget fights are divisive, but not partisan in nature. The two sides in this perpetual fight are the Senate and the House. These budget battles over the past few years have caused our sessions to be extended, most notably last year when we went for a record 115 days.

Comrades Take Up Arms

This has also led to some of the most vitriolic public comments about each other that we have ever heard. Yet, amazingly, both chambers are controlled by Republicans.

In fact, since they gained a majority in 2000 we have extended our sessions several times because of the budget battles. That is because each is governed by differing philosophies. There is a more populist tone in the House since we must go before the voters every two years.

The Senate, on the other hand, is more rooted in tradition and decorum. An example of that was this year’s reaction of Senators to the so called “baggy pants” bill.

At the request of constituents who were offended by this style of dress, a Norfolk Delegate introduced the bill to make it a misdemeanor to have your underwear show above your pants.

I did not vote for the bill, but I absolutely supported Delegate Howell’s right to introduce it. Surprisingly, it passed the House. But, there was so much negative press about it that a Senate Committee scheduled a special meeting to kill the bill and gave the sponsor insufficient notice to appear.

The reason sighted for killing the bill was that the worldwide criticism of it was an embarrassment to the General Assembly. You might say that House members are a little closer to the ground than Senators and are more open willing to the views of our constituents.

Sticking Points

The two main areas of difference between House and Senate negotiators this year are accelerated tax collections and transportation funding.

For the past two years, our budgets have mandated that businesses make their July tax deposits before the end of June. This has the effect of showing more revenue in the fiscal year that ends on June 30, thereby allowing more spending.

Obviously, businesses hate this and the House wants to get rid of this bad practice, but the Senate is less willing to do that. On transportation funding, I understand the position of both sides. The House wants to apply $884 million from the $1.2 million surplus towards roads and rail.

The House leaders also want a steady future source of transportation funding from the General Fund. The Senate rejects that idea. They know that transportation funding has traditionally come directly from the gasoline tax and federal funds, while the majority of the General Fund goes to education.

Senators so not want to hurt education by tapping the General Fund, but they are open to $670 million in one-time cash for transportation projects.

There is some middle ground there, but it may be hard to find because of the animosities that built up over last year’s budget and tax debacle.

That was evidence of the stubbornness of House members. But, Senators also know that Delegates cannot afford to do that politically this year.

So, they are playing the waiting game. Hopefully, it can be resolved. But, we learned that they were farther apart by midweek than they were last weekend.

The House has six and the Senate has five budget conferees. The other 129 of us just hope that they do not spoil this weekend for us – or you.

Delegate Bob Hull may be emailed at del_hull@house.state.va.us