Finishing up in Richmond - Final Report from the 2012 General Assembly Session.  There are good things in the budget, but critical transportation funding (silver line to Dulles) was not inluded.   Video report from the General Assembly, April 20, 2012.

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Reports from Session 1 – 8:  January 15 – March 8, 2012

Welcome to General Assembly 2012: Video Report from the General Assembly #1, January 15, 2012..

Cost of Competing:  Impact of the proposed reduction to Northern Virginia schools. Video report from the General Assembly #2, January 25, 2012.

Safety Net Reductions in Health Care Services: Governor McDonnell’s budget proposes a $5.4 M reduction in health care services though organizations such as the Free Clinic, services relied by our most vulnerable citizens.   Video report from the General Assembly #3, January 27, 2012.

Over-reaching their power:  Gun purchases and voter identification.  Is this what Virginians were voting for in the last election?  Video report from the General Assembly #4,  February 3, 2012.

100 Miles from Arlington and McLean:  Constituent , local government and organization visits to Richmond help keep a focus on the real needs and the real reasons for serving in Richmond.  Video report from the General Assembly #5,  February 13, 2012.

Population Shift Impact…   Three quarters of Virginia’s population now lives in a crescent from Loudoun to Virginia Beach.  In a democracy representation follows population. We can expect to see the General Assembly become more responsive to the needs of our metropolitan communities in the future.  Video report from the General Assembly #6,  February 20, 2012.

Producing a Budget – Principal Item of the 2012 General Assembly Agenda:  after spending the first half of the session studying the Governor’s proposed budget, hearing subcommittee reports  and listening to constituents, the House has passed a budget – not perfect, but much improved over the proposed budget.  Video report from the General Assembly #7,  February 27, 2012.

Importance of Housekeeping -  Though budget and social concerns have been the most reported from this session, “housekeeping” issues are time consuming and important to the General Assembly’s role in making state government as efficient as possible.  For example, the title of vehicles ceased for delinquent taxes through a distraint warrant.  Video report from the General Assembly #8,  March 8, 2012.

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