Each day at noon after the House of Delegates is called to order, the members rise and are led in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.  Our prayer is offered by ministers from across the Commonwealth.  This past Tuesday, the opening prayer was delivered by Pastor Brad Hales of Reformation Lutheran Church in Culpeper.  Pastor Hales’ uplifting words set the proper tone and mindset for us as we began another floor session.

This year I am working with the McDonnell Administration on several pieces of legislation.  House Bill 292 adds the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry and the Secretary of Technology to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority board of directors.  Agriculture and forestry are Virginia’s largest industry with a $79 billion economic impact.  Technology has contributed significantly to Virginia’s economic growth over the last decade.  Having these two Cabinet Secretaries contributing to the work of the Commonwealth’s leading economic development agency should improve the breadth of the Authority efforts to grow our economy.  House Bill 292 passed the House of Delegates 99-0 on January 25.

House Bill 293 is a recommendation of Governor McDonnell’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring.  House Bill 293 requires the Soil & Water Conservation Board to consult with the Department of Emergency Management in implementing the dam safety program.  Combining the engineering resources of the Department of Conservation and Recreation with the public safety expertise of the Department of Emergency Management should improve the efficacy of emergency action plans developed for dams across Virginia.  House Bill 293 will come before the House Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee this week.  It passed out of subcommittee unanimously last week.

Three other bills of local interest have passed the House of Delegates.  I introduced House Bill 296 at the request of the Gordonsville Town Council which will amend the town’s charter to reduce the size of Town Council from seven members to five.  House Bill 294 preserves full state funding for the Madison County Library.  Finally, House Bill 299 extends the sunset on a sales tax exemption for the distribution of textbooks and educational materials to college professors as samples.  This measure helps to retain the presence of MacMillan Publishing Services in Orange.  I am pleased that the House’s continued focus on job creation and retention resulted in this bill’s unanimous passage.

We continue to see a number of visitors from home each week.  This week I had the opportunity to meet with Steve Grayson of Madison and several of his colleagues with the Virginia Association of Rescue Squads.  We also had constituents offering perspective on education issues, including the Orange County Education Association and Sue Bridges of A. G. Richardson Elementary School.  Students from Woodberry Forest School watched a portion of the House floor session last Monday from the gallery.  We also had visitors advocating for social services, community service boards, and the arts, among other topics.  We welcome your visit to Richmond, as well as your input on matters before the General Assembly via phone at (804)-698-1030 or via e-mail at DelEScott@house.virginia.gov.

This week’s column from Richmond is being written after the General Assembly has completed its first full week of business.  Subcommittees and committees are meeting and acting on legislation, and some measures have been passed by the full House of Delegates in our daily floor session.  One notable measure to pass both the House and Senate is a bill that will re-apportion Congressional districts for the next ten years.  This bill is now being reviewed by the Governor for his approval.

Governor McDonnell also made an announcement this week regarding one of the most important issues pending before the General Assembly this year.  The Governor is asking the General Assembly to take no action to permit uranium mining during its 2012 session, calling instead for the continuation of the state’s moratorium on uranium mining pending a comprehensive and on-site study of the issue to be completed by a newly-created multi-agency state workgroup. The Governor’s directive that the state work group look further into the specific issues surrounding mining at a particular site in the Commonwealth follows a thorough review by the McDonnell Administration of the recent National Academy of Sciences report that looked broadly at uranium mining in Virginia. The report noted, “At present, there are gaps in legal and regulatory coverage for activities involved in uranium mining, processing, reclamation and long-term stewardship. Some of these gaps have resulted from the moratorium on uranium mining that Virginia has in place; others are gaps in current laws or regulations, or in the way that they are applied.” 

 While the Governor’s directive is focused on a site in Pittsylvania County, the implications of actions here could directly impact Culpeper, Madison, and Orange as potential uranium deposits were previously identified in this area.  I have traveled to the Coles Hill site at my own expense and see many similarities to our region.   The opportunity for high-paying jobs and contributing to energy independence must be balanced with public safety, environmental protection, and possible negative economic impacts for property owners and farmers in the area of mining and milling.  Further evaluation and understanding of how uranium mining and milling might be regulated for the life of the mill and beyond appears warranted, and the Governor’s action, while not universally agreed to, seems to be particularly appreciated by legislators from the region where uranium mining might occur.

Last Monday’s holiday brought a number of citizen lobbyists to the capital.  It is encouraging to see public participation in state government, and we continued to welcome visitors throughout the week.  If you would like to visit during this year’s session, we would be glad to see you.  Please call the Richmond office at (804)-698-1030 or e-mail us at DelEScott@house.virginia.gov so that we can make arrangements to hear your interests and concerns.  If you are not able to make the visit, we welcome your input, and I would again encourage you to complete our annual survey which is available online at http://survey.house.virginia.gov/Survey.aspx?surveyid=2661.

Greetings from Richmond where the 2012 General Assembly session is underway.  The 2012 General Assembly started off on an upbeat note on Wednesday, when all 100 members of the House of Delegates took the oath of office. It truly was a privilege to take the oath, and I am honored to be your voice for the 30th District in the House of Delegates for the 2012 & 2013 General Assembly Sessions.

Also on Wednesday, committee assignments were announced.  I am pleased to continue serving on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee where I am Vice-Chairman, as well as the Science & Technology and Transportation Committees.  I am also grateful to have been appointed to the House Appropriations Committee which reviews and revises the Governor’s budget. On the Appropriations Committee, I will serve on the Economic Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation, K-12 Education, and General Government subcommittees.

On Wednesday evening, Governor McDonnell delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth address in the House Chamber. It was a thoughtful speech that challenged Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate to work together for the benefit of all Virginians. Governor McDonnell also laid out a number of proposals that will likely receive bipartisan support, including additional investments in job creation and economic development, increased funding for our colleges and universities aimed at expanding enrollment at an affordable cost, and a record investment into the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for teachers and state employees. Of course, not all of the Governor’s proposals will enjoy bipartisan support, such as some proposed budget cuts, and there will be spirited debate about some proposals.

Thursday brought bankers from Stellar One and Wells Fargo to our office, as well as students from Germanna Community College.  Members of the Virginia Federation of Republican Women were also in town, and it was good to see members of the Madison County Republican Women as well as the Susan Allen Republican Women from Orange County.  The evening’s Virginia Agribusiness Banquet is always a session highlight and brought a number of people from the 30th District to Richmond for a celebration of the bounty of Virginia agriculture.

On Friday, Governor Bob McDonnell announced that he is sending down a number of executive budget amendments. The bulk of the amendments are directed at increasing state funding to K-12 education. Combined with the governor’s $438 million increase in state funding for public education in his introduced budget, the amendments bring additional state funding for Virginia’s public schools to $497.2 million, or nearly half a billion dollars.  I will report more on the budget in future columns, but the Governor’s increased funding for public education is significant and worth highlighting.  Visits, letters, phone calls and e-mails on these and other topics are welcome as our work moves forward.

On the opening day of the 2012 General Assembly session, House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell announced committee assignments for members of the House.  Delegate Edward T. “Ed” Scott will serve on four House committees in the 2012 session.

Delegate Scott will continue his service on the House Committees on Transportation, Science and Technology, and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources where he has served the previous four terms.  Additionally the Speaker has appointed Delegate Scott to serve on the House Appropriations Committee.  The Appropriations Committee reviews and revises the Commonwealth’s biennial budget.  Delegate Scott was also re-appointed as Vice-Chairman of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee.

In making the announcement of committee assignments, Speaker Howell commented, “Ed Scott has proven himself to be a valuable member on important House committees.  As he begins his fifth term in the House of Delegates, it is appropriate to extend to him this additional opportunity to contribute to good government and responsible fiscal management in Virginia.  I am confident that Ed will be an effective voice for the citizens of his district and the Commonwealth as a whole in this new role.”

Delegate Scott noted the importance of committee work to the General Assembly’s legislative process.  “I appreciate the Speaker’s recognition of my past committee service and the opportunity to add an additional committee assignment.  All four of these committees tackle issues that are relevant to the 30th District and critical to 21st century Virginia.”

First elected in 2003, Delegate Ed Scott represents the 30th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.  The 30th District is comprised of Orange, Madison, and most of Culpeper County.

2012 General Assembly Session

– CONSTITUENT POLICY SURVEY –

There are some important public policy issues which may be considered by the General Assembly during the 2012 Legislative Session.  If you are a constituent of the 30th District, your opinion is very important to me, so please take a few moments to let me know where you stand on these important issues.  To complete the online survey, go to http://survey.house.virginia.gov/Survey.aspx?surveyid=2661

Delegate Ed Scott last week received the endorsement of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC, the organization’s political action committee, in the race for the 30th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

 “I am honored to again receive the support of Farm Bureau’s AgPAC as I seek re-election to a fifth term in the House of Delegates,” said Scott upon receiving word of this endorsement.  “I look forward to continuing to work with Farm Bureau on the important issues facing farmers locally and across the state, including water quality, eminent domain, and the marketing of Virginia agricultural and forestry products.”

 Delegate Scott is among candidates that VFBF AgPAC has endorsed for House seats in its initial round of endorsements.  Endorsements were made based on the recommendations of local committees of farmers.

 “Each of these candidates has demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs of agriculture and forestry or has a favorable voting record in support of agriculture and Farm Bureau issues,” said Wayne F. Pryor, chairman of VFBF AgPAC and VFBF president.

 The non-partisan VFBF AgPAC was created by Farm Bureau in 1999 and employs in-kind contributions and endorsements to support candidates who can best support agriculture and Farm Bureau issues.  A full list of candidates endorsed by the committee can be viewed online at VaFarmBureau.org.

 With nearly 150,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy group.

October 3, 2011 — Nicole Riley, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said today that Delegate Ed Scott has earned a score of 100 percent on the 2010-11 NFIB/Virginia Voting Record.

NFIB/Virginia is the Commonwealth’s leading small-business association, with 6,000 small-business members statewide.

“What this means is that Delegate Scott has stood up for Virginia’s job creators time and again on important issues such as tax relief, health-care reform and the right of employees to cast secret ballots in union organization elections,” Riley said.

Small businesses account for 98 percent of the Commonwealth’s employers and employ nearly half of Virginia’s non-government workforce, according to federal government statistics.

“Our members truly appreciate the efforts of legislators such as Ed Scott to help Virginia’s small-businesses grow and create jobs,” Riley said.

“As a small businessman myself, I understand the critical role that small businesses play in our local economy here in the 30th district, as well as across the Commonwealth and the nation,” said Delegate Scott.  Scott added, “Small business concerns are of paramount importance to the House of Delegates as we work to create a climate for economic recovery and job creation.  I appreciate this recognition by the National Federation of Independent Businesses of my efforts to keep Virginia a great place to engage in commerce and to start new businesses.”

Download a PDF copy of the 2010-11 NFIB/Virginia Voting Record at:
  http://www.nfib.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=wIMSfMVzYeQ%3d&tabid=1066.

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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends its views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

Governor Bob McDonnell has ceremonially signed eight pieces of environmental stewardship legislation that will help Virginia’s agriculture industry grow and thrive while also enhancing water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and other Virginia watersheds.  The bill signing took place during an afternoon event at Brookmeade Sod Farm in Hanover County.  Legislation signed includes measures to regulate the use of certain fertilizers, allow agricultural land to be deemed in full compliance with its total maximum daily load allocation (TMDL) upon implementation and maintenance of a resource management plan, and authorize the Secretary of Natural Resources to study the expansion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Nutrient Credit Exchange Program.  Governor McDonnell was joined today by members of the General Assembly, as well as stakeholders from the agricultural and environmental communities.

Speaking about the legislation, Governor McDonnell remarked, “Agriculture is the largest industry in Virginia, generating an annual economic impact of $55 billion and providing more than 357,000 jobs across the Commonwealth.  It is essential that we continue to implement environmentally sound measures that ensure this industry will grow and thrive, while simultaneously working towards enhancing water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s other watersheds.  The eight pieces of legislation signed today are a positive step in that direction.

McDonnell continued, “Through legislation to regulate the use of certain fertilizers, we can ensure that less phosphorous drains into our rivers and streams, and that our growers and producers, golf course owners, and citizens throughout the Commonwealth are using the most environmentally friendly fertilizers available.  Other legislation will allow owners of agricultural land with an approved resource management plan to be deemed in full compliance with their allocation of the TMDL and Virginia’s Watershed Implementation Plan.  This legislation will effectively recognize our agriculture land owners that are in compliance with efforts to enhance the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s other watersheds.  When developing Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan, we worked closely with our agricultural industry, environmental groups, and local government representatives to make sure that goals in the plan were realistic and achievable.  The eight pieces of legislation signed today will bring us much closer to effectively enhancing the water quality of the Bay and Virginia’s other watersheds and ensuring that our agriculture industry continues to use environmentally sound practices.”

Speaking at today’s bill signing, Delegate Ed Scott (R-Madison) remarked, “One essential part of enhancing the quality of our waterways, and particularly the Chesapeake Bay, is reducing the amount of phosphorous draining into the water.  Through legislation passed during the 2011 General Assembly Session we will now prohibit, with certain exceptions, the sale and use of fertilizer or deicing agents containing phosphorous.  As we look to enhancing water quality in the Bay and Virginia’s other watersheds and become more environmentally friendly, we must make sure we aren’t harming our largest industries simultaneously.  This legislation is an example of Virginia’s agriculture community taking the lead on commonsense measures that enable the agriculture industry and all fertilizer users to contribute in the cleanup of our waterways.”

Delegate Harvey Morgan (R-Gloucester), chairman of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, added, “As we work to execute Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan that was approved by EPA in December, we need to collaborate with land owners and assist them in complying with the goals outlined in the plan.  We must also recognize those who have implemented a resource management plan and ensure that they are deemed to be in compliance.  Through legislation passed this spring, we will establish a program that will deem agricultural land owners who successfully implement a resource management plan to be in full compliance with load allocations in both our TMDL and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.  Working together, the Commonwealth can provide farmers the certainty they seek, as well as the watermen in my communities who need clean water for their successful livelihoods.”
Legislation Signed Today
SB1055 (Stuart)/HB1831 (E.Scott) – Fertilizer; regulation of application and labeling.

• Prohibits the sale, distribution and use of lawn maintenance fertilizer containing phosphorus beginning December 31, 2013.  Additionally, this legislation requires golf courses to implement nutrient management plans by 2017 and also requires the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish reporting requirements for contractor-applicators and licensees who apply lawn fertilizer to more than 100 acres of nonagricultural lands annually.

• Prohibits the sale of deicing agents containing urea, nitrogen or phosphorous intended for application on paved surfaces.
HB1830 (E. Scott) – Resource management plans; effect of implementation, exclusions

• Allows farmers who develop and maintain agriculture resource management plans to be deemed as being in full compliance with any load allocation contained in a TMDL and any state water quality requirements for nutrient and sediment.
SB990 (Stuart)/ HB2057 (Poindexter) – Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS); regulation of fertilizer, penalties.

• Revises the laws governing the manufacture and application of fertilizer to, among other things: (i) incorporate by reference the guidelines adopted by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, (ii) adopt precautionary labeling guidelines to prevent fertilizer runoff into waterways, (, (iii) require distributors of commercial fertilizer to submit an annual statistical report to the VDACS Commissioner regarding the amounts and localities of distributed product, (iv) authorize the  VDACS Board to impose civil penalties for the violation of a written stop sale, and (v) allow the imposition of late fees for failing to obtain or renew a registration, license, or permit..
SJ334 (Whipple) – Chesapeake Bay Watershed Nutrient Credit Exchange Program; Secretary of Natural Resources to study

• Requests that the Secretary of Natural Resources study the expansion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Nutrient Credit Exchange Program, ensuring that the stakeholder committee has representatives from local government, state government, environmental organizations, nutrient source sectors identified in the Bay TMDL, and private sector interests experienced in nutrient credits and trading.
SB1441 (Obenshain)/ HB2486 (J. Cox) – Impaired waters; requires plan developed and implemented to restore waters be controlling

• Requires that the plan developed and implemented to restore impaired waters be controlling unless it is amended or withdrawn by the State Water Control Board.

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Published in The Star Exponent by Rhonda Simmons

Delegate Ed Scott, R-Madison, was one of four legislators recognized by the Virginia School Boards Association during the 2011 VSBA Governor’s Conference on education in Richmond on Tuesday for his work for public education.
Starting in 1985, the VSBA has honored at least one representative from each chamber of the General Assembly and a state official, presenting them with the VSBA Award of Excellence.
“The purpose of the award is to recognize those who have worked diligently on behalf of public education and the VSBA,” wrote Gina Patterson, assistant executive director for the VSBA.
Reached by phone Wednesday evening, Scott said he’s very honored to receive this award.
“I’m very appreciative that the superintendents and school board members from Culpeper, Madison and Orange made the trip and I appreciate the recognition for my efforts this session and my close work with our local school boards,” Scott said.
Scott, who serves the 30th District, has been a member of the House of Delegates since 2004, representing Culpeper, Madison and part of Orange counties.
Even though Scott doesn’t sit on an education committee, he is part of the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources, general laws, transportation, and science and technology committees.
“Del. Scott is recommended for an award because he sponsored HB2494, which provides that any school board, on behalf of one or more of its schools, may request from the board of education releases from state regulations and approval of an individual school accreditation plan,” the news release states. “Del. Scott was successful in getting it passed in the House 99-0 and the Senate 33-7 despite the opposition of the Virginia Education Association.”
Harry B. Blevins, R-Chesapeake, who represents the 14th district, Richard Pulley, a retired VSBA lobbyist, and D. Patrick Lacy, a VSBA lobbyist, also received this year’s VSBA Award of Excellence.

The 2011 General Assembly session has adjourned.  Adjournment followed shortly after the unanimous approval in the House and Senate of amendments to the budget that cut fees, reduced authorized debt, invested in core government services, and deposited an additional $64 million into the Rainy Day Fund.  Unanimous approval is rare in Richmond and reflects the fact that our budget is fiscally sound, structurally balanced, and funds core government services.
At the insistence of the House of Delegates, the final budget agreement includes no new fees or higher taxes.  The budget has $67 million less in authorized debt.  The accelerated sales tax payment is eliminated for 80% of Virginia retailers.  Equally important, there are also prudent investments in education, health care, transportation, and economic development. 
While our budget maintains state spending below 2007 levels, the 2011 session will also be noted for putting nearly $4 billion into transportation over the next three years.  This is the largest commitment to invest in transportation in over a decade.  This funding will result in road and transit projects across every region of the Commonwealth, including here in the 30th District.  Taking advantage of the lowest construction prices in a number of years, critical projects like the widening of Route 3 in Culpeper will move forward.
House Bill 2527, which I was pleased to co-patron, also expands the VDOT revenue-sharing program by raising the per-project state match from $1 million to $10 million and increases the overall funding for the program from a maximum of $50 million per year to $200 million each year.  This will help advance the western loop project in Culpeper and may be a source of funding for other important local projects.
Our budget challenges are not behind us, which makes economic development initiatives critical.  Legislators in both houses recognized this by passing tax incentives that can help make the Port of Virginia the top port on the East Coast.  Additionally, the Virginia Winery and Vineyard Development Tax Credit was established to expand Virginia vineyards and wineries.  Additionally, there was successful legislation to encourage emerging technologies that create the industries, businesses, and jobs of the future through the Commonwealth Research and Commercialization Fund.
In his State of the Commonwealth Address in January, Governor McDonnell encouraged the General Assembly to focus on results, not rhetoric.  I am pleased to report that legislators of both houses and both parties largely followed this suggestion and responsible budgeting and legislation are a result.  I am pleased to provide this positive end of session report.