The Good & The Bad: General Assembly Update
Dear Smart Growth Supporters,
Now that the snow is falling, we hope you're warm and cozied up at home, fully stocked with groceries. But snow isn't slowing things down at the General Assembly -- and our Executive Director Stewart Schwartz is down in Richmond tracking several bills that could affect our communities. We've outlined the good and the bad below.
While you're snowed in this weekend, we hope you'll take a few minutes to weigh in with your Delegate and Senator. It's best to write your Delegate about the House bills and your Senator about the Senate bills.
Outer Beltway Update (aka Transportation Bills We Don't Like)
Last week we told you about a particularly bad bill: HB277, which would prioritize construction of a toll bypass around DC called the Washington Bypass. Tolls wouldn’t be enough so this road could cost taxpayers $1 billion or more. According to numerous studies, it also wouldn't provide any traffic relief. Thanks to everyone who took action. Unfortunately, this bill is still alive and there's now a second bill to oppose.
HB277: Prioritizes New Outer Beltway -- OPPOSE
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We oppose HB277, HB779, and SB442.
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This bill would divert limited resources away from projects that would help reduce congestion in Northern Virginia. This type of project has been studied over and over again, and found not to be justified due to its failure to ease traffic congestion and multi-billion dollar price tag. Patrons: Delegates Albo (R-District 42) and Rust (R-District 86).
Take Action >>
HB779: Ignores our Regional Transportation Plan–-Pushes New Potomac Bridges -- OPPOSE
This bill would require VDOT to do costly, redundant congestion studies despite the fact that Northern Virginia has completed a comprehensive traffic analysis and transportation plan, and that the entire region will update its transportation plan this year. It also tries to justify Outer Beltway Potomac Bridges (20-30 miles from DC) as necessary for DC evacuation. Patrons: Delegates James LeMunyon (R-District 67), Barbara Comstock (R-District 34), Timothy Hugo (R-District 40), L. Kaye Kory (D-District 38), and Thomas Rust (R-District 86).
Take Action >>
We also oppose:
SB442: Authority to Suspend Regulation -- OPPOSE
This sweeping bill would allow a small group to suspend environmental, health, safety, consumer and numerous other rules and regulations developed through long-standing public procedures. The Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (JCAR), a committee of 12 legislators, could suspend any rule or regulation with the concurrence of the Governor.
Patron: Senator Frank Wagner (R- District 7).
Take Action >>
More Information about the Outer Beltway idea >>
Bills We Like: Energy Efficiency, Land Conservation, Local Foods
HB441: Community Renewable Energy -- SUPPORT
This bill would permit individuals to form a group and collectively generate renewable energy for their own use under a net metering agreement. The bill would expand opportunities for small-scale renewable generation, and make it easier for homeowners to produce energy, taking pressure off of the grid. Patron: Delegate Toscano (D-District 57).
Take Action >>
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We support HB441, SB71, HB447, and HB398.
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SB71: Energy Efficiency Standard -- SUPPORT
This bill would jumpstart energy efficiency initiatives in Virginia, and sets reasonable, enforceable goals for reductions in energy consumption over the next twelve years. Patron: Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-District 9).
Take Action >>
HB447: Funding for Easement Monitoring & Enforcement -- SUPPORT
Easements that conserve land, farms, and natural areas need to be monitored and enforced. This bill would fund monitoring and enforcement, by removing the $10,000 cap on the 2% fee imposed on the transfer arising from the sale of land conservation tax credits. The resulting revenues would be paid to the Department of Taxation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation first. The remaining revenues will be transferred to the public or private conservation agencies responsible for enforcing the conservation purposes of the easement. Patron: Delegate R. Lee Ware, Jr. (R-District 65).
Take Action >>
HB398: Purchase of Virginia-Grown Food Products by Schools and State Agencies -- SUPPORT
This bill would establish procedures to facilitate the purchase of Virginia-Grown food products for use in local public schools and state agencies. Patron: Delegate Matthew J. Lohr. (R- District 26).
Take Action >>
We'll continue to send you updates from the General Assembly. They'll be in session for a short time, so hang in there with us -- it's a sprint that happens just once per year. In the meantime, you can track the status of these bills and read their full text on the General Assembly website by entering the full bill number in the search box.
We hope you enjoy the snow this weekend and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Perring
Coalition
for Smarter Growth
action@smartergrowth.net
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