VACo keeps you current with the latested legislative news.
Listed below are past years of VACo's Legislative News. Click on the year to view past news reports.
Overview of Compensation Board Funding Contained in the Governor's Recommended Budget
Please find below and attached a summary of Compensation Board funding in the Governor’s budget recommendations for FY 2010-2012. Gov. Kaine’s proposed budget includes major funding reductions for the Compensation Board and funding is reduced for every constitutional officer.
Robyn deSocio, Executive Secretary (Compensation Board) has distributed the attached analysis to the constitutional officers. VACo is preparing a budget analysis, but given the extent of reductions, additional time is needed for analysis in some major programs. We anticipate details of the budget to be available early January. Mike (Edwards) and I will be meeting with DPB over the next two weeks to understand programmatic impacts.
Following is her letter and attached is her analysis.
Also included is the link to DPB – budget, revenue report, summary of spending. Virginia DPB Home Page
New Elected Officials' Guide to Emergencies and Disasters
Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has updated the Elected Officials’ Guide to Emergencies and Disasters. In addition to a basic explanation of the disaster process, the guide offers reasons why meeting National Incident Management System requirements are essential, relevant sections of the Code of Virginia, summaries of FEMA’s Individual and Public Assistance programs and tips for dealing with the media. The new version is based on a similar guide developed in 2006 by VDEM, the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League. The first elected officials guide to disasters was developed by Prince William County in 2005.
VACo comments on proposed stormwater management permit program regulations
On November 25 the Virginia Association of Counties submitted comments in response to an amended version of the proposed Virginia Stormwater Management Permit Program regulations. These proposed regulations were considered and amended by Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Board on Oct. 5. On that date, the Board voted to re-open the public comment period on the proposed VSMP regulations until Nov. 26.
On Dec. 9, the Board will vote on the final version of the proposed rule.
During a period when the Commonwealth and its local governments are
experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, VACo
reaffirms its commitment to protecting state and local fiscal stability. Fiscal
stability enables the Commonwealth to provide core public services critical to the
long‐term economic vitality of Virginia. Difficult financial times require government, at all levels, to evaluate its service delivery and determine the
continued importance and viability of the programs created to meet critical
service needs. The counties in Virginia stand ready to partner with the Commonwealth to make the tough decisions required and offer the following
strategies to state leaders.
In preparation of the 2010 session of the Virginia General Assembly and in light of the recession, VACo and VML initiated a timely budget survey in July to all 95 counties and 39 cities and the two towns that support school systems.
The survey results will help to draw the public attention of the public, the General Assembly and the new governor to the severe fiscal situation localities are facing. Mike Edwards, VACo Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs, summarizes the results in video and PowerPoint presentations.
CTB receives proposals to address $851.5 million in transportation revenue reductions
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) continued grappling with reductions in available transportation funding at today’s CTB meeting in Richmond. Transportation revenue estimates have improved since August estimates that forecasted needed reductions of $883 million for transportation agencies over the next six years. The latest revenue estimates require the transportation agencies to propose $851.5 million in reductions to administrative, operational, maintenance and construction programs to balance their budgets.
CTB considers revisions to Six-Year Improvement plan
The Commonwealth Transportation Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 1, to solicit public comments about essential rail, transit, transportation demand management, bicycle, pedestrian and highway projects in the Working Draft of the Revised Fiscal Year 2010-2015 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) to be approved by the CTB in December 2009.
On Nov. 9, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) received staff reports on 10 years of state spending in response to Code of Virginia §30-58.3.
State announces local grant program for UDA assistance; local match not required
The Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation announced a competitive program to provide technical assistance to qualifying localities in the designation of their Urban Development Areas (UDAs).
VACo's Preliminary 2010 Legislative Program and Schedule of Conference Committee Meetings Released
The Preliminary 2010 Legislative Program is now posted on VACo’s web site. The document includes a host of Important and timely proposed policy statements including new language regarding K-12 education funding, stormwater regulations, land use authorities, and state and local fiscal relations.
Energy Efficiency Block Grants Now Available to Local Governments
On Oct., 6 Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced the availability of $9.7 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG). These grants will be distributed to smaller local governments (not eligible for formula based EECBG funds) for the following purposes...
Draper Aden Associates' 21st Annual Virginia Water and Wastewater Rate Report turned up no surprises this year as it reflected a continued rise in both water and wastewater residential rates in the Commonwealth.
Soil and Water Conservation Board acts on stormwater regulations
On Oct. 5, the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board adopted on a 7-1 vote a heavily amended version of the Virginia Stormwater Management Permit (VSMP) Program regulations. Because of many substantive changes made to the original version of the regulations as they were adopted by the Board more than a year ago, the public will be provided with an additional 30-day period to review the amendments and provide comments. The new public comment period will formally begin on Oct. 26 when the amended VSMP regulations are expected to be published in the Virginia Register.
VACo's summary of Gov. Kaine's FY2010 budget reduction plan
Yesterday Gov. Kaine released his FY 2010 budget reduction strategies totaling more than $1.2 billion. These actions are required to balance revenues to expenditures.
The national and state recessions continue to affect local and state revenues. The Commonwealth’s economy during the 2008-2010 biennia has continued to experience the impact of reduced consumer confidence, job losses and housing market declines.
VACo continues to apprise county officials about ongoing state revenue and budget actions. The following summary outlines specific reductions including those directly affecting local governments. VACo will continue communicate timely updates and new information.
On Aug. 21, VACo submitted comments to the Department of Conservation and Recreation on the proposed Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Permit regulations.
The chief request in VACo’s letter commenting on the proposed regulations is to delay by at least one year the adoption of “Part II.”
Part II contains the technical criteria that would establish a limit of .28 pound per acre per year of phosphorus from construction sites. The current limit for phosphorus is .45 pound per acre per year.
The technical criteria also require that the “total phosphorus load of projects occurring on prior developed lands shall be reduced to an amount at least 20 percent below the predevelopment total phosphorus load.” Many local government representatives have commented to VACo that these would be difficult standards to meet, and they should not be adopted without additional analysis and review by all stakeholders.
Concerns have also been raised that the “20 percent reduction” standard for redevelopment would serve as a financial disincentive for redevelopment projects and encourage sprawl. VACo also commented on the proposed fee structure, and proposed requirements relating to enforcement and inspection.
Over the next six weeks the Department of Conservation and Recreation will be reviewing all public comments on the VSMP Permit regulations. A vote on adoption by the Soil and Water Conservation Board is currently scheduled for Oct. 6 when they will meet (starting at 9:30 a.m.) in the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond.
The VACo staff contact on the proposed VSMP Permit regulations is Larry Land.
Kaine administration to institute significant budget reductions in early September; Governor forecasts a $1.5 billion state revenue shortfall
VACo provides links to Kaine's speech, and revenue report
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine forecasted a $1.5 billion revenue shortfall this morning in Richmond. He intends to begin instituting necessary reductions in early September to close the $300 million FY 2009 shortfall and the $1.2 billion FY 2010 shortfall. The state budget authorizes the governor to introduce administrative reductions of up to 15 percent.
Local governments will not be immune from the governor’s September cuts. Kaine stated the following before a joint meeting of the General Assembly’s revenue and budget committees: “We will close this gap, just as we have in past rounds, by relying on expense reductions, reprogramming of unexpended balances, targeted withdrawal of reserve funds, focused use of Federal Recovery Act funds and other reasonable strategies. We will make these decisions carefully, but they will be painful to those who rely on public services in this most challenging time.” The legislature must approve rainy day fund transfers.
The VACo Board and the Education and Finance Steering Committees received timely economic reports on Friday, Aug. 14, in Richmond from James J. Regimbal, Jr., of Fiscal Analytics, Ltd.. Regimbal is VACo’s economic consultant.
Regimbal updated his presentation after the governor’s revenue forecast was released on Wed. Aug 19. The updated presentation is linked below and summarizes the impact of the economy on state and local revenues and outlined key strategic policy decisions the next governor and General Assembly will consider.
Transportation Commissioner David S. Ekern's presentation
On Aug. 14, Transportation Commissioner David S. Ekern presented his “Blueprint” for restructuring VDOT to VACo’s Transportation Steering Committee. These changes have been necessitated by an estimated reduction of $2.6 billion over the next six years in state and federal transportation revenues. Major areas affected will be VDOT’s construction, maintenance and support programs. For the current Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (FY10 – FY15) this translates into minimal secondary allocations for counties and the reduction in VDOT’s workforce by nearly 1,000 positions.
Gov. Kaine to call special session
of General Assembly for Aug. 19
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced on July 22 his intention to call a special session of the General Assembly to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 19. In agreement with the leadership of the General Assembly, the session will focus solely on the required law changes to assure Virginia's compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, which deals with the circumstances under which evidence must be presented at trial to comply with the confrontation clause of the U.S. Constitution. The session will occur in conjunction with the annual August meeting of the General Assembly's Joint Money Committees.
Gov. Kaine announces $1 billion milestone in ARRA funding allocated for infrastructure projects
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced on July 20 that more than $1 billion in American Restoration and Recovery Act funding has been allocated for infrastructure projects in Virginia. The infrastructure projects, and jobs created, would not have been possible without the stimulus money provided by the federal government.
The economic downturn continues to impact state revenues and key programs.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has directed state agencies to prepare 5, 10 and 15 percent reductions plans for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012. As outlined by Wayne Turnage, the governor's Chief of Staff in a statewide memo on June 30, "These new reductions will be in addition to the reduction amounts already contained in the [state budget.] The reduction plans are due to the Department of Planning and Budget no later than 5 p.m. on July 22, 2009. VACo obtained a copy of the memo.
VDOT is asking the Commonwealth Transportation Board to approve a $50 million program at its June 18 meeting but currently is accepting applications. The deadline to apply is Aug. 14.
Applications must include:
-A Revenue Sharing Detailed Designation of Funds Form for each project.
-The submission of an electronic application in addition to signed hard copies.
-A governing body resolution endorsing the application and project/s.
FY 2010 "Tier one" or priority projects must be administered by the city, county, or town. "Local administration must include all remaining phases of the project. The locality may request VDOT perform certain services on a reimbursement basis and VDOT may agree based on resource availability." (VDOT)
VACo and VML testify about the SOQs before the Board of Education
VACo and VML recently provided joint testimony to the Board of Education’s Standards of Quality Committee about the current and proposed standards and state funding for education. The organizations also offered timely recommendations. The board is charged with revisiting the standards every two years.
VACo and VML were invited to testify along with a host of statewide education groups on Wednesday, May 27 in Richmond. The public meeting was the first of approximately seven the committee intends to conduct. In addition to scheduled June and July meetings, the committee will schedule additional meetings in the fall. County leaders should plan to testify.
