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What's
Happening in the Region
2009
Election Post-Mortem
One year ago, President Obama became the first Democrat since
LBJ to claim Virginia on his triumphal march to the White House.
As is their wont, pundits and prognosticators began to wonder if
Obama had created a new Democratic coalition in the Commonwealth
and speculated about how Republicans could claw their way back
from the political wilderness. What a difference a year makes!
Republicans swept all three races at the top of the ticket and
expanded their majority in the House of Delegates. When the
General Assembly begins next year, the House will have 61
Republicans (including 2 independents that caucus with
Republicans) and 39 Democrats. The Democrats currently retain a
21-19 advantage in the Virginia Senate but that number will
likely change following specials elections to fill the seats
being vacated by current Senators Ken Cuccinelli and Ken Stolle.
A comprehensive overview of election results can be found here.
What can one conclude from the results of the 2009 election? A
year is an eternity in politics and predictions about what may
or may not happen in future elections are about as reliable as
the daily horoscope. Anyone taking bets on 2010?
To the Victors, go the . . . ?
With the sound and fury of the
November 3rd elections in their rear view mirror, Virginia's
Governor-elect and members of the General Assembly will face
several daunting challenges when they return to Richmond
in January:
How to Fix a Structurally Imbalanced Budget?
At a House Appropriations Committee retreat earlier this
week, Virginia's budget writers learned that while economic
activity has begun to improve, a slow recovery in the real
estate sector, the labor market, and consumer spending will
continue to wreak havoc on Virginia's finances. In a
presentation full of painstaking detail, Robert Vaughan, staff
director of the House Appropriations Committee, predicted that
another $250 to $300 million in cuts will need to
be made to the current budget. These cuts come on top of nearly
$6 billion that has already been sliced out of the current
budget. Going forward, legislators will also have to manage a
projected $2.6 billion shortfall over the next two fiscal
years. While revenue growth is forecast for 2011 and 2012,
increases in mandatory spending on Medicaid and other programs
combined with the end of federal stimulus funds to state and
local governments in FY 2011 will force legislators to make
dramatic cuts to areas that have been largely immune from
previous budget reduction measures, including K-12 education. As
Vaughan points out, the "low hanging fruit" has been
picked. Sensing the urgency of Virginia's fiscal problems,
Delegate Lacey Putney, chair of the House Appropriations
Committee, asked House budget writers to avoid vague,
generalized statements about cutting waste and inefficiencies
and instead offer specific proposals to reduce or eliminate
programs. To read Chairman Putney's remarks on the budget or to
view any of the presentations from this week's House
Appropriation's Committee Retreat, click here.
What About Transportation?
On Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Transportation
submitted a proposal to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB)
that would cut an additional $84 million from its current budget
and more than $850 million from its six-year plan.
Locally, two much needed upgrades, improvements to the Elm
Avenue interchange and Exit 150 on I 81, are among the 190
proposed projects to be trimmed from this most recent draft of
the six-year plan. In addition, more than $32 million has been
cut from several secondary and urban road projects throughout
the Salem District. See more here
and here.
During his campaign, Governor-elect McDonnell proposed several
creative ideas to fund Virginia's transportation needs worthy of
consideration by the Virginia General Assembly. However, the
chances of finding a long-term, sustainable funding solution
appear dim as the House and Senate are likely to rehash familiar
arguments instead of negotiating a compromise. While this
legislative stalemate may yield temporary partisan advantages
for one side or the other, the failure to adequately fund
Virginia's growing transportation needs will likely tarnish
Virginia's reputation as the best state in which to do business.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board is hosting a public
hearing on revisions to the Draft Fiscal Years 2010-2015
Six-Year Improvement Program on December 1st at their Central
Office in Richmond. They are also taking written comments until
December 11, 2009. Chamber members are urged to submit
comments in support of keeping the Elm Avenue interchange and
improvements to Exit 150 in the six-year plan. For more
information on how to submit comments to the CTB, click here.
Update
on Federal Health
Care Reform
On November 7th, the House passed its version of health care
reform by a slim five vote margin. Over the last few weeks,
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been working diligently to
produce a health care reform package that brings together
elements from the Senate Finance Committee bill and the Senate Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee bill. On Wednesday evening,
Reid unveiled the latest iteration of the Senate Health Care
Reform plan.
Legislative Summary:
Coming in at a mere 2, 074 pages (text here),
the latest Senate bill differs from the House version of health
care reform in several key areas. For example, unlike the House
bill, the Senate version contains a public option that would
allow states to opt out. In addition, the Senate bill would not
require employers to provide coverage but employers with 50 or
more employees would pay a penalty if they do not offer
insurance. A Congressional Budget Office score of the Senate
bill revealed a price tag of $849 billion over ten years. The
CBO also found that the Senate bill would reduce the federal
budget deficit by $127 billion over ten years through a mix of
spending cuts and tax increases. As the CBO report readily
acknowledges, there are a lot of assumptions built into their
estimates. See more here
For an overview of the key differences between the House and
Senate health care reform packages, click here
and here.
Status:
All eyes will be on the Senate this weekend as Democrats try
to navigate the health care bill to the Senate floor for debate.
Without any Republican backing, Senate Majority Leader Reid will
likely need all 60 Democrats (including two independents) to cut
off debate on a motion to proceed. If Reid is successful, the
Senate will adopt a motion to proceed to the bill and Senators
will depart for the Thanksgiving recess. Earlier this week,
Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) threatened to force the entire
bill to be read on the Senate Floor, a process that would likely
take a few days. On Thursday, Coburn withdrew his demand.
For a look at how another committee dealt with a similar demand
to read a bill in its entirety, click here.
With the Senate off for Thanksgiving next week, debate on the
Senate bill and the hundreds of amendments to be offered won't
begin until November 30th at the earliest and will take 3 to 4
weeks.
Position:
The Chamber opposes
legislation that would shift additional significant health care costs to businesses, especially small businesses, and
has further concerns about the potential impact of a new,
complicated regulatory scheme.
Update
Card Check in 2010
With the health care debate gobbling up so much oxygen in
Washington, labor's biggest concern, the Employee Free Choice
Act (EFCA), has been relegated to the legislative backburner.
Recently, Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees
International Union (SEIU), indicated that 2010 would likely be
the final opportunity for Democrats in the Senate to move
forward on this legislation. See more here.
A recent internal memo from the SEIU provides details on how
labor is trying to reframe the debate over the Employee Free
Choice Act. See more here.
Position:
The Chamber opposes the Employee Free Choice Act.
Business
One-Stop Becomes Business Wizard
Earlier this month, Governor Kaine dropped by the Chamber to
highlight the success of Virginia's Department of Business
Assistance Business One-Stop, an on-line tool launched in May
2008 to help entrepreneurs navigate the maze of licensing,
registration, and permitting paperwork that can make starting a
business quite cumbersome. In December, the Business One-Stop
will become the Business Wizard, an even more user-friendly tool
for budding entrepreneurs. For more information, click here
and here.
Chamber staff encouraged the state to find a way for
entrepreneurs to be directed to Small Business Development
Centers when they need additional assistance.
Local
Government Briefing
Roanoke
County
On
Tuesday, November 17th, Roanoke
County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Mike Altizer, delivered
the annual State of the County Address to over 200 guests at the
soon-to-be opened Green
Ridge Recreation Center. In the course of his speech,
Altizer reflected on how the new Recreation Center will bolster
the region's sports marketing efforts and enhance the County's
ability to retain and attract new companies and young
professionals. Altizer also highlighted several other capital
projects, including the recently completed North County Fire and
Rescue Station and the Fleet Service Center, and mentioned the
South County Library Head Quarters, scheduled for completion in
2011.
To
read Chairman Altizer's address, click here.
 
For more pictures of the State of the County Address, click here.
City
of Roanoke
Only 16 potential candidates remain from the more than 100
who applied to replace Darlene Burcham as Roanoke's next City
Manager. Councilman Rupert Cutler, who is overseeing the city's
search process, plans to cull the list to around six before a
final decision is made in mid-December.
Public
Hearing on Route 419 Corridor Study - Dec. 3rd
Representatives from the Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO) and the Virginia Department of
Transportation (VDOT) have scheduled a public meeting to hear
citizen input on proposed plans to address short-term and
long-term transportation needs along Route 419. The meeting has
been set for Thursday, December 3rd from 6-8 PM at the
Brambleton Recreation Center. For more information, click here.
Botetourt
County
The next public forum on Botetourt County's Comprehensive
Plan is scheduled for December 5th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Lord
Botetourt High School and from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at James River
High School. County officials would like extensive citizen input
on the County's goals and policies related to economic
development, housing, infrastructure, and natural resources. For
more information, click here.
Franklin
County - A Fond Farewell
According
to a recent article in The Roanoke Times, Franklin
County's director of commerce and leisure services, Scott
Martin, will be leaving his post early next year. Known for his
irreverent sense of humor (his performance at the Chamber's 2008
Economic Summit still draws laughs) and his passion for outdoor
recreation, he has accepted a new position with a non-profit
parks group in Louisville, Kentucky. He will be missed. See more
here.
Update
on Quality of Life Projects
One
of the Chamber's priorities is to monitor the development of
quality of life projects in our region. Enhancing our
region's considerable amenities is vital to attracting and
retaining young workers, fresh capital, and innovative thinking.
Below is a list of recent developments:
Explore
Park - Future is Murky
At this week's Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority
(VRFA) retreat, Florida-based developed Larry Vander Maten
stated his vision to develop "Blue Ridge America," a
tourist destination featuring a diverse mix of restaurants,
lodging, and outdoor amenities, will remain on the drawing board
for at least another year or two until economic conditions
improve. In his talk with members of the to VRFA Board
members, Vander Maten requested yet another extension beyond the
current June 2010 deadline to begin construction on the former
Explore Park property. Over the last several months, a local consortium
of stakeholders has been meeting periodically to devise
alternative development ideas for the property. The VRFA Board
is not expected to make any decisions on how to move forward on
Explore Park before the end of the year. See more here.
Position:
The Chamber supports
the concept of the proposed development as a catalyst for
economic development for the region.
For
more information on Explore Park, click here.
Washington
Park Pool Facelift
Roanoke City Council recently voted to move forward with a
$1.9 million upgrade to the Washington Park Pool that includes
new features such as a 5,400-square-foot lap pool, six 25-yard
lanes, a leisure pool, climbing wall, and sprayground. Funding
for this upgrade and other capital improvement projects was
approved by City Council in September. See more here.
Update
Rocky Mount Amphitheater
Those hoping for an outdoor live music venue in the region
got their first glimpse at architectural plans for a
small-scale amphitheater in Rocky Mount's Mary Elizabeth Park.
The amphitheater would be located on the eastern edge
of the Crooked
Road, a trail celebrating the rich musical heritage of the
mountains of Southwest Virginia. Funding for the project would
come from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, the Virginia
Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia
Commission for the Arts. The Rocky Mount venue would be named
The Furnace after a local historical landmark. See more here
and here.
A
comprehensive list of these projects can be found on the
Chamber's website.
Last month's newsletter can be found here.
This listing is updated on a daily basis and your input is
welcome in the comments section.
Do
you have ideas on projects you'd like for us to follow? Send us
an e-mail or
write a comment on the Chamber's blog
on local and state public policy issues. RSS feeds are available
for both the quality of life projects page and the legislative
blog.
If
you have questions about any of the blog features on the
Chamber's Web site, please contact Tori Williams at twilliams@roanokechamber.org
Upcoming
Events
Annual
Meeting of the Membership, Thursday, December 3rd, 6:00 to
9:00 PM, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. For more
information, click here.
Save-the-Date
Capital Dinner, Tuesday, January 26th, 2010, 6:00 to 8:00
PM, Richmond Marriott. More details coming soon.
For
a list of more Chamber events, click
here
and
to access the Chamber's Community
Calendar,
click here.
If
you have problems reading this newsletter, you will find a copy
on our website: www.roanokechamber.org
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