Op-Ed columns
by elected officials

General Assembly at midpoint of session

February 2, 2007
Staunton News Leader

By Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave
steve@stevelandes.com

The General Assembly is now at the midpoint of the 2007 session, as evidenced by the rapid pace of events. My fellow legislators and I are moving quickly from committee meetings to subcommittee meetings to the House floor, working to consider bills filed by our colleagues while simultaneously working on legislation we're sponsoring. It sometimes makes for a breakneck pace and, occasionally, it can be challenging just to keep track.

As we reach the midpoint of this year's session, known as "crossover," there will be even more to report. The House and the Senate have to complete work on all of the legislation filed by their respective members by Ronald Reagan's birthday, Feb. 6. Next week, I will fill you in on the progress of my legislation, and other significant developments from this year's session.

Issues 2007

While transportation and payday lending are getting headlines, there are other important issues under consideration during this year's session of the Virginia General Assembly. Protecting Virginians from the effects of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Kelo v. New London (a case that expanded the taking powers of government under eminent domain) is one of the top concerns.

That decision, which permitted a local government in Connecticut to seize the property of a private citizen for a project that would allow the locality to collect more tax revenue, caused genuine alarm among advocates of individual property rights -- and rightfully so. The ability of government to seize land under eminent domain has been controversial throughout our history. Because the Kelo decision greatly expanded that power for governments, the debate has taken center stage.

Some states have already passed legislation to protect citizens from the effects of the court's decision. Again this year, House Republicans are working to pass legislation to protect the property rights of individuals in Virginia.

Bills I am sponsoring

This week I would like to focus on House Bill 3171. My bill provides that the General Assembly may appropriate grants to the Virginia Economic Development Authority for use by a nonprofit, public benefit research institute that

Conducts research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses, foundations, and other organizations and

Commercializes technology. The authority is authorized to create a nonprofit, nonstock corporation to administer the payment of such grants. This bill will help promote our economy by benefiting such companies as SRI International, an independent, nonprofit research institute, which is establishing its new Center for Advanced Drug Research in Rockingham County.

House Bill 2534 regarding truck climbing lanes requires the Virginia Department of Transportation to post signs requiring trucks and combination vehicles to keep to the right on Interstate Highway System components where terrain is likely to slow the speed of such vehicles climbing hills and inclines to a speed that is less than the posted speed limit. This bill hopefully will keep traffic running more smoothly and safely on Interstates 81 and 64.

Resolutions

In addition to passing new laws, each year the General Assembly considers resolutions offered by its members. Some of these resolutions are designed to honor distinguished citizens who have passed away. Others are intended to give recognition to individuals or groups that have accomplished impressive feats.

These resolutions sometimes bring important recognition to citizens close to home. This year, I filed a resolution (House Joint Resolution 671) commending the outstanding student team of conservationists from Fort Defiance High School of the Augusta County Public Schools. The FDHS Envirothon Team won the 2006 Canon Envirothon Championship, North America's largest high school environmental education competition, which was held July 23 through 29, 2006, at Manitoba University in Winnipeg, Canada.

Visitors

This week, we had more visitors from home. The education contingent came to represent the many faces involved in educating our children. Martha Ledford and Jane Donnelly came to represent the Virginia Association for the Gifted. Sandy Hite and Pat Lynn stopped by to put in a good word for the Virginia Counselors Association. Sylvia Henderson and Troy Rexrode spoke for the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals of Albemarle and Augusta Counties. And, ever faithful to the promotion of education, Bea Morris and Agatha Coleman shared concerns of retired teachers from the Valley. Jarrett Ray and a large contingency of young James Madison University Republicans stopped by to visit and offer support.

McKee Foods and State Farm Insurance sent representatives to visit and discuss issues important to their businesses. Also, Jerry Thomas of the Valley Community Services Board stopped in to bring me up to date on issues of concern. And as this is being written, I am awaiting visits from our local government officials if they are not halted by the sleet, snow, and Afton Mountain.

How to contact us

My legislative aide, Judy Wyatt, is staffing our office here in Richmond, located in Room 528 of the General Assembly Building. You can contact us here by e-mailing us at steve@stevelandes.com or by mailing us at P.O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218-0406, or, if you just want us to know what you're thinking about particular issues or bills, by calling us on the toll-free Constituent Viewpoint Hotline at (800) 889-0229.

Visits by residents from home are always a welcome sight here in Richmond, so if you're planning to visit the capital between now and late February, stop by our office to say hello.

I hope you have a great week. I don't know about you, but I'm rooting for the groundhog to not see his shadow on Friday. We'll see how that works out.

Virginia should retain its single-term limit rule for governors

January 7, 2007
Staunton News Leader

by Del. Ben Cline
Columnist

For over 300 days each year, the elected members of the Virginia General Assembly live and work with our constituents under the laws that we pass. We go to soccer games with them, shop for groceries with them, and discuss important community issues with them. When January arrives, we close our offices or turn off our tractors and go to Richmond to make laws that reflect those views. That is the essence of a part-time legislature, and it is why our constitution places the legislature at the center of Virginia's government. In Virginia, power rests with the people exercised through their elected representatives.

This power has historically been protected by balancing a part-time legislature with a governor who cannot serve consecutive four-year terms. Recently, proposals have been made to upend this balance and amend Virginia's constitution to permit the governor to serve two consecutive four-year terms. Giving the governor a second term would weaken the power of the citizens to influence government through their chosen legislators and strengthen the power of the executive bureaucracy in Richmond.

Weakening the voice of the people

When we travel to Richmond each January for session, we carry with us the life stories and real-world experiences of our constituents. As their elected representatives, we become their voices on issues that are important to them. We become the peoples' lobbyists amongst a sea of professional lobbyists. For many of our constituents, we are their only tangible link to their government in Richmond.

But while we return home after a few weeks, the governor remains in the Executive Mansion. Instead of being surrounded by constituents, the governor is surrounded by over 50,000 state employees. Instead of interacting with citizens, he is interacting with over 1,000 paid lobbyists. He is surrounded by a sprawling state bureaucracy that limits his ability to interact with the voters. By placing power with the legislature, Virginia's Founding Fathers entrusted power with those closest to the people rather than with one individual who was often removed from them. To retreat from this principle is to retreat from our Founders' vision.

Check excessive executive power

When we leave Richmond after each legislative session, we leave behind a governor whose constitutional responsibility is to execute the laws that the Assembly enacts. Because Virginia's Founding Fathers knew the dangers of executive tyranny, they limited the amount of time the governor can serve to prevent him from accumulating too much power while they were away. Virginia's first governor following independence, Patrick Henry, served for three years during his first term. He served an additional two-year term five years later. Thomas Jefferson only served for two years. Even when the selection of Virginia's governor was entrusted to the legislature (1776-1852), no governor was allowed to remain in office for more than three consecutive years. Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe understood the dangers of an executive with too much power, and they designed a system that would protect against it.

Discouraging career politicians

Virginia is one of a dwindling number of states where the ideal of the citizen legislator is still embraced. By limiting the session to six or eight weeks, our system encourages citizens to take time from their jobs and families to serve their communities and their Commonwealth. Similarly, limiting our governor to one four-year term encourages citizen governors. An interested candidate for governor knows that because they will serve for only four years, they will return to their job after their term ends. This has resulted in candidates with diverse backgrounds in business and law who are more interested in serving their commonwealth than in building a political empire.

Myths: Complexity and consistency

Finally, some argue that Virginia's government today is so complex that a first term is needed just to get up to speed. Isn't complexity in this case simply another name for bureaucracy? Excessive bureaucracy is not something that we should be embracing in Virginia as a fait accompli. Rather, we should be working to streamline our state government to make it work more efficiently and effectively.

Others argue that Virginia's economy is harmed by the lack of consistency in our executive bureaucracy. Isn't consistency in this case simply another name for entrenchment? The current system does not appear to hurt Virginia's economy, which is currently ranked by Forbes magazine as the best state to locate a business. In fact, the changing of administrations every four years allows new people with new ideas to participate in their government, preventing stagnation in executive agencies and avoiding a decline in critical state services.

Our Founders created a system of limited government for Virginia, centered on a balance between a part-time legislature and a one-term governor. This system ensures that power would remain where it belonged -- in the hands of the people. We should not disrupt this balance and weaken the vox populi. We should retain the current prohibition against consecutive terms for Virginia's governor.

Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge, represents the 24th District in Virginia's House of Delegates, an area which includes Rockbridge and Amherst counties, the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, and part of Augusta County. Readers may e-mail him at DelBCline@house.state.va.us

Accountability, not more taxes, will solve state road problems

September 16, 2006
Staunton News Leader

by Steve Landes
Columnist

Reforming the way we do business regarding transportation must be our guiding principle in the special session for transportation that the General Assembly will hold the last week of September. It is imperative for the quality of life of all Virginians that we develop new ideas and change the direction of government to support a 21st century approach to improve our transportation network.

Earlier this year and last year as well, House Republicans initiated and supported innovative solutions to transform the Virginia Department of Transportation, better coordinate land use, and increase investments in our transportation system. We acknowledge that Virginia cannot afford to accept a status quo system that has failed, and this is apparent in the reform measures which were advanced. The premise that this challenge can be solved solely by throwing more money at it has already failed, as evidenced by our current transportation situation.

House Republicans know that real solutions to Virginia's transportation challenges can -- and must -- be implemented without further burdening our citizens. Embracing an outdated and failed approach to address this challenge, Gov. Kaine and his supporters have chosen to advance another record-breaking tax increase. In contrast, House Republicans know that a problem as complex as this requires a multi-faceted plan, making transportation a top priority and delivering common sense solutions.

Our current model of doing business is not working; we need to enact concrete measures to ensure a vibrant transportation system for the long-term. VDOT must institute quantitative performance measures that advance projects based on reducing congestion, enhancing safety and improving mobility in a cost-effective manner. This may sound obvious, but VDOT's current process has failed to implement these common-sense goals that are clear and measurable so accountability is assured.

Although "on time" and "on budget" is a laudable goal for a business, the allocation of resources by VDOT should be focused on two areas -- improving safety and reducing congestion. Increased accountability and tangible analysis of the costs and benefits of investing in certain projects based on those goals will deliver economical solutions and real progress. This is the most practical way to ease congestion and guarantee a safer network.

Opponents of a comprehensive approach to transportation dwell on the lack of massive tax hikes in the House's plan. It is reckless and irresponsible to demand more of Virginians' hard earned dollars to be thrown into a broken system. The House has demonstrated a commitment to improving transportation by having government live within its means and implementing innovative reform measures that address challenges head on.

Reforms such as innovative traffic demand management tools, widespread use of technological advances, and increased linkage of land use decisions with transportation impacts are needed. For Virginia to realize real results, we must reform the failed 1930 Byrd-era policies and adopt new remedies that are available and used successfully in other states and countries.

Overhauling the way Virginia does business in transportation is no small challenge. Throwing money at the problem and expecting better results will not deliver the improvements Virginians expect. Voters elect legislators to make tough decisions on how their tax dollars are spent. House Republicans have embraced that charge. We will keep working to make transportation a top priority and shall continue to seek new ways to deliver the tangible transportation results Virginians want and deserve.

Delegate R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, represents portions of Albemarle, Augusta, and Rockingham Counties, and the city of Waynesboro in the House of Delegates. Readers may e-mail him at steve@stevelandes.com

Ergenbright rebuts editorial

December 17, 2005
Staunton News Leader

It is evident that your Editorial Board was informed that my subscription to your newspaper expires on Sunday and that it will not be renewed. You found it necessary to take one (but likely not) last shot before I no longer read your politically biased editorials.

From 1994 until 2003, there was never a time that the citizen's tax bills were not in the taxpayers' hands weeks before the deadline. What changed in 2004? City Manager Bob Stripling and City Council decided that they wanted the commissioner of revenue to violate his oath of office and do things their way. I chose not to abandon my oath and the political playing field became bloody; mostly with my blood.

The cry from City Hall in 2004 was; "[paraphrase] ... the tax bills had to be delayed because the commissioner of revenue was trying to get the bills out on the new R-MASS software system and it cost the city $3.1 million in delayed revenue ..." Fast forward to 2005: The city manager unlawfully interferes and delays the delivery of the tax bills. The word from City Hall is "[paraphrase] ... the tax bills will be delayed so that the bills can go out on the new MUNIS system but the $3.5 million in delayed revenue that it will cost the city will be a minor consideration ..."

A certified book was delivered to City Treasurer Elnora Hazlett on Nov. 11, 2005. I agreed to proceed with getting the data into MUNIS by running parallel with the AS400 system. It was agreed, between the city manager, the commissioner of revenue and treasurer that if we got to a point that MUNIS could deliver a valid book, we had a certified book from the AS400 with which to validate the accuracy of the MUNIS system. Plan B; the AS400 was a back-up that would allow the treasurer to get the bills to the taxpayers in time for them to meet the original deadline of Dec. 5 and not delay revenue coming into the city coffers. But Bob Stripling would have nothing to do with that plan. We had to follow his empirical (sic) plan; not that of an elected official with clearly mandated duties and one whom he could not intimidate or coerce. The due date was changed and Bob Stripling unlawfully blocked the city treasurer's computer access to generate the properly certified tax bills. Thus taxpayers did not receive their bills with the deadline looming.

The main difference here is that when I took office I was required to take an oath to obey the laws of Virginia. Bob Stripling can violate the law so long as City Council allows him to so do; I do not have that option and certainly do not want it. The laws are clear but such does not concern Bob Stripling, for he has the political bias of your newspaper on his side.

I will leave this office on Dec. 31 with the same commitment that I entered it with in 1994. That I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as commissioner of revenue according to the best of my ability, so help me God.

Your newspaper cannot shame me, nor can the city manager or City Council bully me, into violating my oath of office. I only hope that my successor will listen carefully to her answer when she takes the same oath before taking office in January. The law is clear; but one must call upon their personal integrity whether or not to obey it.

Ray Ergenbright
Guest Columnist

Ray Ergenbright is the commissioner of revenue of Staunton.

Published: May 15, 2005
Staunton News Leader

Improving government doesn't have to cost more

by Delegate Chris Saxman

Each winter, members of Virginia's General Assembly make their annual trek to Richmond to "do the people's business" with ideas of how to make Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family. Part of doing the people's business requires legislators to be good stewards of the taxpayers' hard-earned money that is sent to Richmond in the form of taxes and fees. Good government does not just provide roads, schools and services, but it must also show taxpayers that it is doing the best job possible managing the state budget. In order to make sure this responsibility of government is not forgotten in the legislative process, legislators have joined together to promote ideas and legislation that streamline state government while actively seeking ways to operate government better and save Virginia taxpayers money. This bipartisan coalition -- the Cost Cutting Caucus -- develops and promotes innovative ideas to improve Virginia by bringing transparency, accountability and competition to state government.

Over the past four years, the Cost Cutting Caucus has introduced many legislative initiatives to increase efficiency and transparency in the process. After becoming chairman of the Caucus in 2003, I was pleased to see us gain momentum and support for our initiatives. With the passage of significant measures including Del. Michele McQuigg's Roadmap for Virginia's Future, and the Taxpayer's Budget Bill of Rights introduced by Del. Gary Reese, followed by my Competitive Government Act (the "Yellow-Pages Test"), the caucus gained attention for our efforts. We also began involving other branches of state government in our efforts while advocating for citizen involvement and understanding of this process.

The caucus has grown and gained support over the past four years to become an active, bicameral, bipartisan group committed to the belief that government must continually strive to become more efficient.

This session, the caucus introduced a legislative package consistent with its goals of fostering transparency, creating accountability and building competition in government. The caucus sought to maximize the efficiency and creativity of the private sector and applied new approaches to old problems. We supported legislation affecting public policy across a wide range of issues and achieved success on several bills.

* House Bill 1945 allows an expansion of public-private projects by including improvements necessary or desirable to unimproved state-owned real property.

* House Bill 1946 improves the employee suggestion program that encourages state employees to make suggestions to improve state government by ensuring that receipt of suggestions is confirmed within 30 days and responded to within 60. State employees need to be recognized and rewarded for their good ideas.

* House Bill 2612 expands opportunities for state employees to telecommute or develop alternative work schedules, giving them greater flexibility and increased efficiency in their work.

* House Bill 2872 allows any state employee to express opinions to state or local elected officials on matters of public concern. This encourages them to share ways to make state government more effective and efficient without the fear of retaliation.

* Building on our successes, the caucus will continue to put forth initiatives to save money while promoting transparency, accountability and competition. Initiatives that the caucus will focus on next year include:

* Requiring state agencies to procure services when possible from the private sector as determined by the Commonwealth Competition Council.

* Establishing a K-12 education Tuition Tax Credit program to allow educational choice that also generates a cost-savings. Through a public-private partnership the savings from this program will benefit both the state and local governments and therefore public schools.

* Limiting the state general fund growth to population plus inflation.

* Prohibiting the state from creating unfunded mandates and requiring localities to provide these services without revenue assistance from the state.

* Continuing to explore ABC retail store privatization as recommended by the Wilder Commission.

* Continue efforts to transform the state budget document into a more "citizen-friendly" document in which the budget is more readily accessible and understandable for citizens and legislators can continue to oversee efforts to transform state budget document into a citizen friendly budget. It must be transparent.

The Cost Cutting Caucus has partnered with the Thomas Jefferson Institute's Center for Public Policy to provide independent research, analysis and counsel to Caucus members. The Center provides fresh ideas for possible legislation, often drawing on the experiences of other states, to make recommendations for improving Virginia.

With a vision for improving state government and an approach geared toward cost-cutting and efficiency, members of the Cost Cutting Caucus are well-positioned to positively effect change in Virginia's government. Achieving these goals of increased government transparency, accountability and competition is a real victory for Virginia taxpayers who will reap the benefits of our actions for years to come. A better government -- that's what Virginians want and deserve.

Published: September 18, 2004
Waynesboro News Virginian

Remaining Resolute about September 11th

by Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Three years ago, on a beautiful September day, America's collective national memory was seared with devastating images of crumbling skyscrapers, a smoldering Pennsylvania field, and the very symbol of our military might, ablaze. The terrorists who perpetrated these acts sought to instill fear in the hearts of Americans -- perceiving us as weak, unwilling or unable to fight back -- seemingly content to shrink from the international stage, and fade into the shadows of history.

In this they misjudged.

Hours after the attacks, homemade banners fluttered over railings of highway overpasses, seeking divine protection for a shaken nation. Old Glory was flown proudly from porches and storefronts alike. Out of the ashes, Americans united, and found strength.

As September 11th becomes a fainter memory, there is a risk that our outrage at an unprovoked attack will be tempered, resulting ultimately in weakened vigilance.

The nature of the battle in which we are engaged simply does not permit us this luxury.

Since that deadly strike, America has pursued justice-- in defense of freedom, we have embarked on an international campaign to combat an ideology that spreads hate and destruction.

Congress and President Bush have tripled funding for homeland security and trained half a million first responders. We created the Select Committee on Homeland Security, and then approved the corresponding Department, in an effort to coordinate our national anti-terrorism efforts and increase information-sharing among our intelligence agencies.

While we are working to secure the Homeland, including innovative defenses like Project Bioshield, we are also on the offensive, doing everything possible to face our enemies on the foreign battlefield rather than here at home. The Taliban is toppled in Afghanistan, marking the removal of a government that provided a safe haven for Al Qaeda; Libya is dismantling its weapons programs; a madman dictator, who represented a grave threat to both 25 million of his own people and the larger civilized world, has been removed in Iraq, and more than two-thirds of Al Qaeda's key members have been captured or killed and their terrorist financing networks frozen. The attacks of that day ripped apart families--severing earthly relationships. There are those who still mourn in a very personal way the death of a loved one. With great somberness we mark their loss three years later, while at the same time finding strength in our continued resolve. That resolve was captured by Judge William Young, during the sentencing hearing of the now infamous Richard Reid, the "shoe bomb" terrorist. Judge Young reminded Reid, before handing down a term of life in prison, that "It is yet true that we will bear any burden, pay any price, to preserve our freedoms."

Published: June 18, 2003
Staunton News Leader

Funding for schools on right track

by Delegate Chris Saxman, R-Staunton

A recent editorial paraphrased Winston Churchill's quote about the Soviet Union in which he said it was "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma," tying the quote to the General Assembly's funding of education in grades K-12.

Here are some facts that might help you draw a clearer picture of educational funding here in Virginia.

The 2002 Census shows:

* Virginia ranked 22nd in total per pupil spending at $7,278 per child

* Virginia ranked 20th in total per pupil spending for instruction

* Virginia ranked 15th in per-pupil spending for salaries only.

The American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Virginia tied for second in teacher/pupil ratio with an average of 12.9 students per teacher.

In 1993, Virginia appropriated $2.36 billion for aid to K-12 education. In the current fiscal year ending June 30, the General Assembly appropriated $4.1 billion. This is an increase of 74 percent over 10 years. In that same 10 years, student population grew from 1.02 million to 1.16 million students. This is an increase of 14 percent.

When the General Assembly amended the biennial budget in the most recent legislative session, we appropriated an additional $90 million for K-12 education. In this biennial budget, the General Assembly has appropriated over $525 million toward covering the $1 billion Standards of Quality funding gap. We raised teachers' pay and appropriated money to cover $100 million in school construction. All this was done during extremely tight fiscal times. The General Assembly has clearly made K-12 education the No. 1 funding priority in our Commonwealth. We are raising priorities, not taxes.

The most recent proposals from the State Board of Education for SOQ funding will require an additional $323 million per year. This proposal will be given serious consideration and I am certain much of it will be funded over the next four years. Unfortunately, funding alone cannot educate children.

Virginia has established accountability standards that are producing real results. Our SATs are the fastest growing in the South. In fact, since SOLs were implemented our math SATs have jumped 18 points. Prior to 1995 there was very little improvement.

Parents, teachers, and students are working hard to educate Virginia. The General Assembly is working hard to fund our needs, not wants, in education. There has been real progress in Virginia's schools during the last decade and while we are pleased with the results, we are not satisfied. We are headed in the right direction.

Here are some recent quotes from Virginia educational professionals:

In May, Don Ford the superintendent for Harrisonburg city schools wrote, "I just wanted to take a few minutes to express my appreciation to you for the increased funding that Virginia's schools will have next year. In tough economic times, I realize what a remarkable accomplishment this is."

In April, Candyce Cassell, president of the Virginia School Boards Association wrote, "We are indeed fortunate here in Virginia to have state leaders who listened to local school board members this year and concluded that k-12 education funding was their number one priority ... at the recent annual meeting of the National School Boards Association ... I was proud to represent the only state that not only held harmless K-12 education funding but also increased it this year." She also called Virginia "unique in its level of commitment to public education this year."

We are moving in the right direction; however, to quote Winston Churchill, we will "never give in--never, never, never, never in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and common sense."