Delegate James E. Edmunds II

60^th District

 General Assembly Update

April 6, 2012

 HALIFAX: The sweet smell of Southside Virginia’s spring grass is a wonderful thing after two months of wrangling over legislative issues, both large and small, while attempting to meet the needs of the Commonwealth.

 BUDGET:

~ As some of you may recall, we left Richmond without finalizing a budget.  We just went back last week to address that issue.  During session, the House of Delegates passed the House version of the budget, but the Senate did not pass their version.  This week the Senate finally approved their version.  Crafting the final budget lies in the hands of twelve House and Senate budget conferees, who negotiate remaining differences between the House budget and the Senate amendments to the House budget. Earlier this month, Speaker Bill Howell appointed Delegate Lacey E. Putney (I-Bedford), Delegate M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Delegate S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk), Delegate R. Steven Landes (R-Augusta), Delegate Beverly J. Sherwood (R-Winchester) and Delegate Johnny S. Joannou (D-Portsmouth) to serve as the House budget conferees.  These six members are meeting with their Senate counterparts, Sen. Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico, Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Prince William, Sen. Janet D. Howell, D-Fairfax, Sen. Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (R-Williamsburg), Sen. Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. (R-Mount Solon), Sen. John C. Watkins, (R-Midlothian), to prepare a final version of the budget .

 A budget agreement was reached this week, however it still must be approved by both the House and the Senate and go to the Governor for his signature before it becomes final.  I will keep you advised as specific details become available but here are a couple of highlights:

 - $44.7 million has been added for health and human resources;

- $214.7 million has been added for K-12 public education;

- Contingent on revenue, a 3% bonus for state employees in 2012 and a 2% salary increase in 2013

 We will return on April 17^th to vote on the final budget and I will have more specific details at that time.

 LEGISLATION:

~ Each year the Division of Legislative Services publishes a summary of legislation that was introduced during session.  You can long onto the following link and get information on some of the major bills that passed or were defeated:  http://dls.virginia.gov/pubs/summary/welcome.htm

URANIUM:

~ The proposed Coles Hill uranium site in Pittsylvania County is located about a mile from the Banister River which flows on through Halifax County, eventually into Buggs Island Lake.  The Banister is part of the Roanoke River Basin and this river has been named as one of the 2011 10 most endangered rivers in the United States because of its proximity to the proposed mine.  http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/protecting-rivers/endangered-rivers/.

 - I had the privilege of speaking to an ecology class at Halifax County High School concerning some of the dangers of uranium mining.  I hope that I was able to alert them to be vigilant on this issue.

 OF LOCAL INTEREST:

~ Congratulations to Libby Jordan of Prospect in Prince Edward County on turning 100 years old on March 31^st!

 ~ I attended a meeting in Brookneal where VDOT outlined proposed improvements to highway 501 in Halifax and Campbell Counties.

  ~ Congratulations to the Wylliesburg and Hunting Creek Woodmen of the World Lodges for turning 100 years old this spring!

 ~ At the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting last week, two local businesses were recognized as being the best of the best:  Charles Anderson Lawn Care as Business of the Year and Chris Lumsden, CEO of Halifax Regional Health Systems as Businessperson of the Year.  Kudos to both!

 CONTACT:

I am back in my district office at 60 South Main Street, Halifax, next door to the Courthouse.  Drop by anytime or give me a call at 434/476-0077.  You can continue to contact me through email by using This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or through my website, www.friendsofjamesedmunds.com.   I look forward to hearing from you.