General Assembly has concluded for 2009

On April 8, the Virginia General Assembly met for its annual veto session. At the conclusion of every legislative session, bills passed by the House of Delegates and the Senate are given to the governor for his approval, amendment or veto.

While the vast majority of the legislation is signed into law, many bills are either vetoed or amended. Once the governor acts on legislation, the House of Delegates and the Senate are able to respond to the governor’s decision.

An amended bill requires a majority in both houses to pass the governor’s amendments into law. In contrast, a vetoed bill requires a two-thirds majority by both chambers to overturn the governor’s veto.

Some, but not all, amendments that the General Assembly passed include:

* Stricter regulations for payday lenders.
* Allowing small business employees, who were involuntarily terminated and who do not have access to federal COBRA, the option to continue their existing group health insurance coverage.
* Requiring local school boards to establish educational objectives in financial literacy for middle and high school students.
* Authorization for health insurers to offer to small employers policies that do not include coverage for state-mandated health insurance benefits. However, these policies must include coverage for preventive medicine such as mammograms, pap smears and colorectal cancer screenings.

One key amendment not passed is related to unemployment benefits. If passed, this amendment would have provided an additional 26 weeks of benefits for unemployed workers who are enrolled and making satisfactory progress in state-approved training and would have provided benefits to part-time workers. While I voted for this amendment, it was defeated in the House of Delegates.

Virginia is ranked 49th out of 50 states in average unemployment insurance taxes per employee. $125 million in federal funding would have covered the additional costs. Thus, for employers, there would be no increase in unemployment insurance taxes until 2011.

The Virginia Employment Commission projects the cost of these amendments to average 22 cents per employee per month ($2.62 per year). Because of its defeat, Virginia’s share of the federal stimulus will go to other states.

In other important news, the Senate Rules Committee met the day before the veto session to approve nominations to various state boards and commissions. As a member of this committee, it was my distinct honor to nominate Tony Troilo, owner of Rosson & Troilo in Culpeper County, to the Board of Towing and Recovery Operators. During my many years representing Culpeper County, I have had the privilege of meeting and getting to know Tony.

Without question, he is a good businessman and an outstanding individual. I look forwarding to working with him. 

With the conclusion of the veto session, the 2009 General Assembly Session has ended.  However, my office remains available to serve you throughout the year. I can be reached at the e-mail above or by phone at (540) 786-2782.