News

Notes from the 60th District

Delegate James E. Edmunds II

60^th District

May 17, 2013

HALIFAX: The Month of May has been named Lyme Disease Awareness Month. The governor will light the Executive Mansion lime green Thursday, May 16 to commemorate the observance. As many of you know, I believe my father died of undiagnosed Lyme disease so I am very supportive of HB 1933 that passed in this year’s General Assembly session. This bill requires physicians to provide to each patient for whom a test for the presence of Lyme disease is ordered a written notice about Lyme disease. Check out the bright green ribbon on the front door of my Halifax office provided by the Lyme Disease Association in recognition of May as the Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

- Virginia Uranium has launched a full-scale PR campaign with direct mailings to households across the state containing prepaid post cards addressed to Governor McDonnell asking him to “direct state agencies to develop a regulatory process for mining uranium.” Virginia Uranium, Inc. (VUI) has vowed publicly that they are not going to cease their efforts to lift the moratorium. CommonHealthVA, The Virginia Coalition and RRBA have taken steps to expand and deepen their efforts to meet and defeat VUI’s challenge once again .

The Roanoke River Basin Association Board voted unanimously to accept CommonHealthVA as an integral part of the RRBA family. CommonHealthVA emerged in 2012 when several organizations and localities that advocated maintaining the moratorium on uranium mining began a more organized collaboration and coordination of activities. More information can be found about the CommonHealth organization at www.commonhealthva.org. Building on the enormous success of last year’s inaugural fundraising event, The Virginia Coalition will once more host an event this fall. Stay tuned!

- The Commonwealth Transportation Board will conduct a public hearing on June 4, 2013 at Northside High School, 6758 Northside High School Rd., Roanoke, VA 24019 to give the public a chance for comment on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s six-year Improvement Program, including highway, rail and public transportation initiatives. The working draft six-year program is online at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/syp-default.asp.

- The Week of May 12-18, 2013 is Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Week in Virginia. There have been 487 law enforcement heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our Commonwealth including three line-of-duty deaths in 2012 and an additional two to date in 2013. Join with me as I acknowledge the dedication of and pay tribute to the officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

- Revenues in Virginia grew 3.8 percent through April. Virginia’s fiscally responsible management is making a positive impact on our economic recovery yet more than 225,000 Virginians are unemployed and the sequester is threatening up to 200,000 additional jobs. For those of you who are into numbers, I have included the link to the April revenue numbers: http://www.finance.virginia.gov/KeyDocuments/RevenueReports/FY2012-2013/2013ReportsList.cfm

- Virginia’s unemployment rate has fallen to 5.2%. That’s the lowest unemployment rate in Virginia in 4 ½ years!

- This weekend Republicans gathered in Richmond and nominated candidates for Ken Cuccinelli for Governor, E. W. Jackson for Lieutenant Governor and Mark Obenshain for Attorney General.

CONTACT: I am back in my district office in Halifax and you can contact me by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or give me a call at 434/476-077. You may also reach me through my website, www.friendsofjamesedmunds.com. I encourage you to express your concerns at anytime.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Notes from the 60th District

Delegate James E. Edmunds II

60^th District

May 10, 2013

HALIFAX: It’s been a very wet spring since I got back from the 2013 session of the General Assembly but it’s good to be home.

- Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed May 6-10, 2013, as VIRGINIA TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. Let me add my sincere appreciation to each of you who dedicates your lives to igniting the spirit of learning in young minds. My hat is off to all of you!

- Governor Bob McDonnell has issued Executive Order No. 63, establishing the Governor's Teacher Cabinet. The Cabinet, comprised of teachers from across the Commonwealth, will advise the Governor and Secretary of Education on policies related to the status of teaching in Virginia. The Cabinet will focus on strategies for enhancing teacher quality, leadership and professionalism for 21st Century learning.

I sent out information on this initiative last week but you can find a copy of Executive Order No. 63 here: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/PolicyOffice/ExecutiveOrders/viewEO.cfm?eo=63

- Since arriving back in the district I have had the pleasure to speak to several groups, including the Halifax County Chapter of AARP last week. I recently conducted a constituent workday in Charlotte Court House. Please be on the lookout in your local newspaper for future constituent workdays. I look forward to hearing personally about any issue you may be having that I possibly could be of assistance.

- Governor Bob McDonnell has also announced the “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000,” an initiative to match more than 1,000 children in foster care in Virginia with 1,000 adoptive families. The official kickoff will take place May 17 at the Executive Mansion in Richmond and comes during Foster Care Month in Virginia.

- Governor McDonnell issued a proclamation designating the week of June 2-8, 2013 as Virginia’s first ever Fire and EMS Memorial Week. The memorial week will serve to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the Commonwealth as Fire or EMS personnel. Official events for the week will begin with the annual Virginia Fallen Firefighters Memorial on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the Richmond International Raceway’s Main Exhibition Hall. I extend my deepest appreciation for all those countless hours spent volunteering to keep our communities safe. Thank you volunteers for all you do!

OF LOCAL INTEREST:

- Halifax County has received a grant of $12,500 for a feasibility study on establishing a meat processing facility for Southside Virginia and Prince Edward County has received $20,000 to be used to develop an operational plan for the Southside Food Enterprise. Both of these grants were awarded from the Governor’s Agriculture & Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID). The AFID planning grants program was developed to encourage local governments and regional organizations to analyze and plan strategically about how they can support and integrate agriculture and forestry-based industries into their communities’ overall economic development efforts.

The creation of the AFID was part of Governor McDonnell’s jobs-creation and economic development agenda during the 2012 session of the General Assembly. Funded at $1 million in each year of the biennium, the AFID is broken into two categories with $750,000 going to large grants to assist local efforts in expanding current or attracting new agriculture and forestry processing facilities using Virginia-grown products (http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml) and $250,000 dedicated to small grants to assist localities in improving local economic development efforts relating to agribusiness (http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/planning.shtml).

- Hearty birthday wishes go out to Ms. Bertie Pollard of Keysville. Ms. Pollard continues to be active in her community and church at the age of 97! Happy Birthday!

I look forward to hearing from you.

End of Session Recap

Dear 60^th District Constituent:

2013 represents the fourth year of my representation of the 60^th District. This year saw four additional precincts added to the district. I now represent the entire counties of Charlotte, Halifax and Prince Edward and three precincts in Campbell County. It has been good to hear from those new constituents.

I would like to update you on some of the issues that dominated the General Assembly this session. This session began on January 9 and concluded on Saturday, February 23^rd – 45 days. During this session, we looked at almost 2500 bills, many of which were not passed. My committee assignments remained the same this session: Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources; Counties, Cities and Towns; and Militia, Police and Public Safety. In addition, I served on two sub-committees.

I am enclosing a separate sheet (above under NEWS) with a partial listing (and a brief description) of some of the most important legislation that was passed by both the House and Senate. The full text of any bill can be found online at http://virginiageneralassembly.gov and typing in the bill number. The transportation bill and education reform were both well vetted as was fox penning, gun control, voter ID and others.

By far, the issue I spent the most time on was working to prevent Virginia’s 30 year ban on uranium mining from being lifted. We were successful this session, however Virginia Uranium has already started working towards the same goal (of lifting the ban) for 2014. We must remain vigilant – stay involved – stay in communication with your legislator and with the Governor. I will be hosting another fund raiser at a later date so that we can continue our fight to keep Southern Virginia uranium free! I hope you will join in the effort.

All of my bills passed including placing the Banister River on the list of scenic rivers, and allowing DGIF to offer hunting and fishing licenses for periods that are more convenient than the standard 3 and 5 days that currently exists. I also put in several budget amendments that I will continue to work for through the conference process.

I have been encouraged this year by the amount of feedback I received on numerous pieces of legislation. I strive to reflect the values and concerns of our district in every vote, and pledge to continue to represent you to the best of my ability. I appreciate hearing your views and concerns as this helps me be more responsive to the people I represent. It is an honor to serve you.

I will be back in the district office on Main Street in Halifax on February 25^th. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time at 434/476-0077, by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Additional information can be found on my website, www.friendsofjamesedmunds.com. Please continue to share your thoughts and opinions with me.

Sincerely,

James E. Edmunds II

General Assembly Update

Delegate James E. Edmunds II

60^th District

February 15, 2013

CONTACT: With only one week left in this session, I still encourage you to contact me any time you have a concern by phone at 804/698-1060; by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; by mail at PO Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218; or through my website, www.friendsofjamesedmunds.com.

I will be in Richmond until February 23^rd. If you visit the city please come by my office in Room 805 of the General Assembly building. I look forward to hearing from you.

RICHMOND: With one final week left in the 2013 session, a lot of contentious issues have been put to rest. This week, I thought I would highlight some of the more controversial bills – those that generated the most emails and calls - that have been decided:

- Probably number one (behind uranium) was the fox-pen bill that would have banned competitions where dogs are trained to hunt foxes in penned enclosures. The bill passed the Senate but was defeated in the House Agriculture Natural Resources sub-committee, on which I sit.

- A bill to make texting while driving a primary offense has passed both the House and Senate. I supported this bill as I believe it will save lives.

- A Senate bill that prohibits disclosure by circuit court clerks to the general public of information about anyone who has a concealed handgun permit was passed.

- A voter ID bill was approved that removes utility bills, bank statements, government checks, paychecks and Social Security cards from the list of acceptable identification at the polls. You must now have a photo ID with name and address.

- The “Tebow bill” was defeated in the Senate. This bill would have allowed home schooled children to participate in public schools sports.

- The Senate also defeated the “Boneta Bill” that would have lifted restrictions on small farmers selling products produced on their property.

- A bill that would have made it illegal to smoke in a car with children was defeated

- HB 2004 Provides that the owner of real property owes no “duty of care” to someone trespassing without permission passed. I’m very glad this one passed!

BUDGET: Both the House and Senate versions of the state budget have been approved and now it will go to a panel of Budget conferees. Those named this week are: Senator Walter Stosch (R-Henrico); Senator Charles Colgan (D-Manassas; Senator Janet Howell (D-Arlington); Senator Tommy Norment (R-Williamsburg); Senate Emmett Hanger (R- Augusta); Senator John Watkins (R-Powhatan); Delegate Lacy Putney (I-Bedford); Delegate Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights); Delegate Beverly Sherwood (R-Winchester); Delegate Steve Landes (R-Augusta); Delegate Chris Jones (R-Suffolk); and Delegate Johnny Joannou (D-Portsmouth). These 12 individuals will be responsible for reconciling the budget.

OF LOCAL INTEREST:

- South Boston has received notice that they will receive a $100,000 grant towards the purchase of the John Randolph Hotel by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The purpose of the program is to encourage the revitalization of derelict and industrial structures.

I was pleased to welcome a number of groups and individuals again this week. The Halifax County 4-H group presented me with their annual shamrock while visiting.

Delegate Matt Fariss and I spoke with the Farmville Leadership group hosted by Dr. David Marion. I also met with two fine-looking groups of Longwood students (pictured above). A trip to visit with the Virginia legislature is a learning experience for any school group and I would very much like to have more groups participate.

We also celebrated Valentine’s Day this week and the General Assembly building bloomed with decorations and flowers! A good herald of spring!

For the first time this year, I participated in the annual basketball game between the House and the Senate. Although I was preparing to be known as “airball Edmunds”, I actually played respectable defense and did not require oxygen after the game! This is a good opportunity to put the contentions of session aside and forge relationships outside the General Assembly building. The House prevailed with a score of 35 – 25!

I will be in Richmond until February 23^rd. If you visit the city please come by my office in Room 805 of the General Assembly building. I look forward to hearing from you.

General Assembly Update

Delegate James E. Edmunds II

60^th District

February 8, 2013

RICHMOND: Crossover was Tuesday of this week. That means that every bill that was introduced in the House of Delegates must be acted upon by that date or would be dead for the session. The same applies for Senate bills. Now all House bills that were approved are being head in the Senate and vice versa. This year 2,289 bills were introduced with a total of 1,373 passing their respective houses of introduction. The House introduced 1,431 pieces of legislation and passed 829, while the Senate introduced 858 bills and passed 544.

BUDGET: This week each chamber addressed its own version of the state budget. Debate over budget amendment items occurred for most of the day on Thursday in both houses. As usual, this made for a long day of haggling over items large and small before finally voting to pass on the entire package to the Senate. The next step will be for budget conferees to be appointed and these 12 people will be responsible for consolidating all versions of the budget into one final version that will be presented and voted on in both the House and Senate.

REDISTRICTING: A very controversial issue was decided this week when the Speaker of the House, Bill Howell, ruled that the Senate’s rewritten boundary districts were not germane to the intent of the original bill, HB 259, that made minor technical adjustments to boundaries.

TRANSPORTATION: Also this week, the House narrowly passed Governor McDonnell’s transportation plan that would eliminate gasoline taxes and increase sales tax. Its fate is uncertain in the Senate. A final compromise will most likely be reached in a committee of compromise.

BILLS: This week we were inundated with phone calls and emails concerning a bill relating to the practice of fox penning, SB 1280, that will be heard next week by the House. The Humane Society has led a massive effort to have this practice outlawed, but hunting groups are working just as hard to keep it. This made for a very interesting week! I support our proud hunting tradition and plan to vote against this bill.

OF LOCAL INTEREST: I was very pleased to welcome several large groups of visitors this week. Prince Edward County was well represented by a group of Longwood students and by a group from the Prince Edward County Republicans and Prince Edward County Realtors.

Halifax County was also well represented by the Halifax Regional Hospital Leadership group and some of Halifax County’s finest from the Sheriff’s office.

With only two weeks left in this year’s session, there is still much work to be done before session is scheduled to end on February 23. Personal visits and earnest conversations have made a tremendous impact on several critical issues this session and I encourage each of you to stay involved and to keep up the good work.

CONTACT: I encourage you to contact me any time you have a concern by phone at 804/698-1060; by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; by mail at PO Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218; or through my website, www.friendsofjamesedmunds.com.

I will be in Richmond until February 23^rd. If you visit the city please come by my office in Room 805 of the General Assembly building. I look forward to hearing from you.

More Articles...

<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next > End >>

Page 1 of 5