Richmond Roundup
January 29, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richmond, VA
January 29, 2004
CONTACT: Sue Rafferty,
Legislative Assistant,(804)698-1047
Delegate Al Eisenberg issued the following Richmond Roundup on January 29, 2004
"It seems like the opening of the General was a hundred years ago-even though it's only been two weeks. Obviously, an eight-week session is incredibly fast-paced. During that time, some 3000 bills and resolutions get introduced, and we can expect as many as 900 of them will get passed. I want to thank my legislative assistant, Sue Rafferty, who served Jim Almand for many years, along with my new district assistants, Susan Prokop, Tom Hasman and Marybeth Tschetter, without whose help I could never do this job. Needless to say we have an enormous job ahead. Let me fill you in on some of the things that I've been engaged in.
Tax Reform The biggest issue facing the legislature is, of course, the Governor's tax reform program, which is based on principles that feature a fair tax system, state fiscal integrity so we can keep our triple A bond rating, and sufficient revenues to address critically neglected needs in transportation, education, health care, and the environment. Senator John Chichester (R-Stafford), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee has put in a major tax reform and revenue package of his own. Sorting out this highly complicated set of issues may require a special session. Already, the most conservative side of the assembly has taken to the floor to denounce the Governor's program, and on my side of the aisle we have sought to point out that the old creaky tax and revenue system we have today will soon crumble to everyone's detriment, unless a comprehensive program can be crafted that truly guarantees the state's future.
As I've settled into the routine of delegate life here at the state capitol, I have pursued a widely varied group of legislative measures. In some cases, the path to enactment looks clear. In other cases, we know the legislation will fail but we will have opened an important dialogue that will continue long after the General Assembly adjourns. In still other situations, I've introduced measures that will be settled through administrative actions. Let me tell you about these measures.
My Legislation
1. HB 813 - legislation modeled on federal law that I helped craft back in 1978 to create a program that would enable frail elderly citizens to remain independent in their apartments and avoid unnecessary placement in institutions. HB 813 would save substantial Medicaid funds, but the estimate of upfront costs to the state necessitated its movement to the Joint Commission on Health Care for study.
2. HB812 - would prohibit the sale of veterans' grave markers, which are typically metal devices that families have placed next to the graves of their relatives. Five states have enacted this law. These devices have the emblem of various veterans groups, some dating back to just after the Civil War. Unfortunately, they are being stolen from cemeteries and are showing up on Internet auctions. Like the Medal of Honor, which is unlawful to sell, the sale of these veterans' grave markers should be prohibited as well. The Subcommittee on Criminal Law of the House Courts' Committee unanimously recommended reporting this bill. I'm hoping that this measure will be sent to the Floor for a vote very soon.
3. HB 1341 - would abolish the death penalty for juveniles aged 16 and 17. Only the United States, Iran, and China currently execute teenagers. In the last two years, the only jurisdictions in the whole world to execute high school students were Oklahoma, Texas, and China. While teenagers can and do commit senseless crimes and our hearts go out to the families that have suffered loss, I believe that among those so young we should not throw away any chance to salvage a life even though a life has been lost. Teenagers' brains do not mature until age 18-22, and the specific areas of the brain that mature the last control inhibition, judgment, and impulse. That's why teenagers are not allowed to take out a mortgage, buy alcohol, vote, or serve on juries-juries, the very juries that might ultimately sentence them to death. Killing teenagers to stop killing is in my view a barren policy. Twenty-five members of the General Assembly, both Democratic and Republican, have co-patroned this bill, and the Baltimore Sun, the Virginian Pilot, and the Roanoke Times have all opined against this death penalty. While the bill was laid on the table in the Courts of Justice Committee, a parade of witnesses, including one gentleman who lost a son to teen violence, argued that the death penalty for juveniles is wrong.
4. HB814 - would prevent insurance companies from canceling homeowners' insurance policies just because the homeowners inquired about a potential claim, even though no money changed hands. Evidence of such unfortunate insurance practices have been reported in the Washington Post. I have agreed to work with the insurance industry to find an effective means of ending the victimization of unwary policyholders. If they cannot come up with one to my liking, I have promised them that I will bring this bill back. And the House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee made it clear to the industry that such legislation would definitely come back to the Committee if the industry did not act in good faith. They voted to carry-over this bill.
5. HB 371 - Re-unites Barcroft Precinct in the 47th district by returning a block that had been placed in the 49th District upon the redistricting in 2001. The House Privileges and Elections Committee reported the bill from Committee. Adam Ebbin becomes the patron of the bill and I am listed as the chief co-patron. About 100 people will be affected.
6. HB 815 - provides for "family friendly" visiting spaces in Virginia correctional facilities, thus encouraging bonding among families with incarcerated relatives. Instead of pushing the legislation, I am working with the Department of Corrections to establish a pilot program that the Department will fund out of existing appropriations.
7. Next week, I plan to introduce a floor amendment to restrict some of the provisions in a pretty awful gun bill. My amendment would ban a new, unregulated, semi-automatic assault weapon that fires .50 caliber slugs and is ripe for sale to terrorists and can be used to pierce the armor worn by public safety officers. This weapon has more than double the firepower of an AK-47 or an M-16-standard military weapon.
8. I am a co-patron of a number of important measures that others have introduced. These include: a new program to establish a natural and historic resources fund to protect our wetlands, forests, and historic sites and landmarks; a bill to ensure pain management in long-term care facilities; the prohibition of firearms possession by people convicted of stalking or sexual battery; establishment of a Public Defender's office in Arlington and Falls Church; a bill to more effectively regulate power plant air pollution; the granting of equal taxing authority between cities and counties in order to broaden the tax base to lower property taxes; and a gas tax to replenish the state's transportation fund.
Into the life of every freshman delegate some rain must fall. The early sessions of the House of Delegates were veritable whirlwinds. Casting a vote must be done within 4 or 5 seconds, so you have to be quick. A bunch of freshmen either did not cast a vote or voted the wrong way on one or more bills and had to fill out a form that changes the record in the "The Journal of the House" recording the vote that should have been made. Sadly, I fell into that trap on an abortion related bill (HB116), pushing the wrong button. The vote did not affect the outcome, and the record was corrected to reflect the correct vote.
So, in just a little over two weeks, we have been plunged directly into the wild and wacky world of the Virginia General Assembly, the oldest such governing body in the western hemisphere, dating back to 1619. It's an honor to serve you in this body, working to ensure that our community and our state receives the attention it deserves to ensure the best possible quality of life.
I look forward to hearing from you by phone at (804) 698-1047 or email at del_eisenberg@house.state.va.us And on the weekends, email me at aleisenberg@comcast.net. If you come down during the session, I would love to welcome you!"
Our Contact Information In Richmond: Phone: 804-698-1047; email:
del_eisenberg@house.state.va.us; website: www.aleisenberg.com. |
