Friday, January 31, 2014

General Assembly Update

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Norment News 

General Assembly Update: Week Four
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Contact our Office:

Senator Tommy Norment
P.O. Box 6205
Williamsburg, VA 23188
(757) 259-7810
district03@senate.virginia.gov

Kalia Sokos
Legislative Aide
kalia@senatornorment.com  
 
 
norment new pic
 
 

 
 
Senator Norment visiting with the children from St. Benedict School during their visit to the General Assembly this week  
 
In his first interview this week Senator Norment sat down for VCTA Cable Reports for New Kent and King and Queen County to discuss the 2014 General Assembly session.
VCTA Cable Reports 2014- New Kent/King & Queen- Sen. Tommy Norment
VCTA Cable Reports 2014- New Kent/King & Queen- Sen. Tommy Norment
 January 31, 2014

This Week In Richmond 

 

In temperature and temperament, Capitol Square felt as though it moved north this week.  The chill outside and the politics inside Virginia's Capitol made Richmond feel a lot more like Washington.

 

The Democrats, with the tie-breaking vote of Lt. Governor Northam, became the majority party in the Senate of Virginia on Tuesday.  Although the Senate was organized for the full four-year term in 2012 and changing the rules governing the Senate requires a two-thirds vote, Democrats ignored the rules and abandoned precedent to wrest control of the Senate. As could be expected, their tactics were in no way genteel.  

 

Not only was this bare-knuckled partisanship not "The Virginia Way" so frequently mentioned lately, but the Democrats also managed to impose a new rule on the Senate that is profoundly undemocratic.  This rule grants a single Senator, the Chairman of the Rules Committee, the power to prevent a Senate Bill from being approved by the Senate if it has been "substantially" amended by the House. In effect, this rule gives one legislator the ability to single-handedly kill legislation with no accountability or recourse. 

 

The Senate of Virginia has 40 members; giving just one senator the power to derail legislation without a vote violates the foundations of representative government.  This remarkably irresponsible granting of veto power to a single legislator would not even be contemplated in Washington, where partisan bickering and gridlock have become commonplace. It brings shame on the Senate of Virginia that such an undemocratic rule has been forced upon this historic and proud body.

 

Of course, ignoring rules seems to have become accepted behavior among some in public office.

 

Continuing the erosion of legal and constitutional protections in Virginia, Attorney General Mark Herring announced that he will refuse to defend the Virginia Constitution's definition of marriage. This decision comes less than two weeks after swearing an oath to defend the Constitution.  

 

At the federal level, President Obama declared in his State of the Union Address that he will enact policies unilaterally, as he has failed to effectively work with Congress to pass his agenda thus far. If he follows through on this pledge, he will effectively usurp the power reserved for Congress by the Constitution.

 
The rule of law and constitutional government protect our liberties and preserve our freedoms.  Abandoning those foundations in the name of political expediency, convenience, or power poses a direct threat to representative government. Reversing the trend away from the principles underpinning our democracy will be very challenging.
Legislation

Despite the chaotic situation in the Senate and the snow falling outside, I was able to successfully advance a large portion of my legislative agenda this week. 
 
SB 444, which would allow localities to prohibit ownership of hybrid canines- a hybrid of a dog and a wolf, passed the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee by a unanimous vote. I had several bills passed by the Courts of Justice Committee this week as well. SB 478 and SB 489 would increase penalties for those convicted of trafficking in contraband cigarettes. SB 482 would raise penalties for those drivers who have been convicted of a DUI four or more times within 10 years. SB 487 would increase the penalty for those operating a boat while intoxicated where that boat operator severely injures the victim. SB 496 will clarify the provisions for appointing special police in localities.

 

All legislation being considered during this year's session can be tracked on the General Assembly's website, virginiageneralassembly.gov

Visitors

Another snowstorm discouraged some visitors from traveling to Richmond this week.  But, some made it through in spite of the snow and the below-freezing daily high temperatures.
  • Ann Davis, James City County Treasurer
  • Tara Thomas, Gloucester County Treasurer
  • Harry Whitt, King William County Treasurer
  • Ruth Larson, Williamsburg-James City County School Board
  • Heather Cordasco, Williamsburg-James City County School Board
  • Dr. Hugh M. Bryan III, Gloucester
Location

Hopefully we will get better weather over the coming weeks so that more visitors can come visit our office in Richmond. I will continue to work away diligently in in Richmond until the General Assembly adjourns on March 8. My legislative assistant, Kalia Sokos, is also in Richmond, and our office is in Room 621 of the General Assembly Building.  You can contact us by sending an e-mail to District03@senate.virginia.gov, or by sending a letter to me at Senate of Virginia, Post Office Box 396, Richmond VA 23218-0396.  You can also call us at 804.698.7503.

 
 
Very truly yours,
 
Senator Tommy Norment
Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Tommy Norment
This email was sent to alexanderofyork@yorkteaparty.org by senator@senatornorment.com |  
Senator Tommy Norment | PO Box 6205 | Williamsburg | VA | 23188

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Winter Weather News

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Norment News 

Winter Weather Information
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Contact our Office:

Senator Tommy Norment
P.O. Box 6205
Williamsburg, VA 23188
(757) 259-7810
district03@senate.virginia.gov

Kalia Sokos
Legislative Aide
kalia@senatornorment.com  
 
 
norment new pic
 
 

 
 January 28, 2014

Winter Storm Preparations

Our area is under a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service from 3:00 p.m. today until 1:00 p.m. Wednesday. The temperature will be ranging from the mid-20s, heading into the mid-10s at night. Below are some tips for staying safe during this storm:

General

* Please make sure to remain in layers, and keep your children in layers as well, as the weather will get extremely cold tonight. Watch out for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
* Be sure to fill up your gas tanks, as the winter conditions may make getting around very difficult for at least the next day or two. * Please do NOT leave pets outside! The cold temperatures may be deadly for pets, so be sure to keep them indoors. 

Transportation

* To keep up with the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) progress in plowing, please see the following
information packet, which provides information on VDOT's plan for snow removal, as well as contact numbers to check on their progress.
* VDOT has sent out an advisory to the Hampton Roads area that over 400 pieces of equipment will be used to keep the roads clear, and that the interstates and high volume primary and secondary roads will be the first focus.

Electric

* For Dominion, please visit the following site for basic emergency contact information. You can report an outage to Dominion by calling 1-866-DOM-HELP, and you can go to the following website to see outage information. Dominion also has pages for general preparedness tips for winter weather, which you can locate here and here
* For the Prince George Electric Cooperative, you can report an outage by calling 804-834-2424, or by visiting the following
site. They also have a winter weather preparedness website, which you can visit by going here

Keep up with updates for James City County by checking with
James City County Alert Systems. In addition, please see the following county and city specific sites for recommendations on how to prepare for the upcoming storm, as well as contact information for local services:


 Be sure to stay safe and stay warm! 
 
 
Very truly yours,
 
Senator Tommy Norment
Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Tommy Norment
This email was sent to alexanderofyork@yorkteaparty.org by senator@senatornorment.com |  
Senator Tommy Norment | PO Box 6205 | Williamsburg | VA | 23188

Friday, January 24, 2014

2014 General Assembly Update: Week 3...plus RSVP for District Day!

The Pogge Post

2014 General Assembly Update:  Week 3

96th District, Virginia House of Delegates     January 24, 2014
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Contact Delegate Pogge

 

During Session:

General Assembly Building

Room 403

Capitol Square

Richmond, VA 23219

804-698-1096

DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov

 

Please send mail to:

P.O. Box 196

Norge, VA 23127
 
Legislative Aide
Amanda Johnston
Amanda@brendapogge.com
This week's weather roller coaster--60 degrees on Monday, snow on Tuesday, and lingering arctic air--mirrors a tumultuous week inside Virginia's capitol. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day brought thousands of visitors to the General Assembly Building.  The halls and elevators were filled with Virginians who chose to spend their holiday in Richmond and take the opportunity to share their opinions with legislators. Wednesday was equally busy, as several high profile bills, including Sunday hunting, the Tebow Bill, and the Farm Bill were heard in committee. Wednesday also marked the passage of my first bill, House Bill 527, which is profiled below. 

Also on Wednesday, I ran into my friend, former Delegate Mike Watson, who was in Richmond to advocate on behalf of bills that are on the legislative agenda of the Business Development Caucus (BDC).  As you may recall, Mike established the BDC to champion legislation ensuring that Virginia is attractive to entrepreneurs and conducive to job creation. Although Virginia's low unemployment rate and continued addition of new jobs are encouraging, House Republicans remain committed to prioritizing job growth. A recognized need in Virginia is training for today's manufacturing job opportunities. Highlighted below is a budget amendment that I am sponsoring to provide funding for planning the construction of an Advanced Manufacturing Center at Thomas Nelson Community College.

On Thursday, legislators were greeted with the news of Attorney General Mark Herring's refusal to defend the Virginia Constitution. This blatant disregard for fulfilling the duties of the Attorney General establishes a sobering precedent.  To read House Speaker William Howell's response, click HERE.

As is usual on Fridays, the day concluded quietly with most legislators leaving immediately after session to return home to their districts.  Virginia offers a true system of citizen legislators, so please be sure to continue writing and calling me so that I can share your feedback with my colleagues in the General Assembly. 
Mark your calendar for District Day!
On Tuesday, February 18, I will host a District Day in Richmond.  If you are a resident of the 96th District and desire to learn more about the legislative process, please mark your calendar!  The day will run from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  Lunch will be provided, and there is no charge to attend this event.  Attendees are limited to the first twenty respondents from the 96th District, so please reply promptly!  To RSVP, call 804-698-1096 or email amanda@brendapogge.com.  A detailed agenda will be provided as the date approaches.  
2014 Budget Amendment: Support for Higher Education
Today's changing workplace presents new opportunities and challenges for Virginians. In response to identified workforce needs, I am requesting funding to plan construction of an Advanced Manufacturing Center at Thomas Nelson Community College.  This investment will support current workers in the manufacturing sector and also offer training for veterans, entrepreneurs, and students who are seeking to enter the growing field of advanced manufacturing.  The development of this Center will benefit the entire Hampton Roads region by providing workers with the skills demanded by contemporary employers.  To view the budget amendment, click HERE.
2014 Legislation:  Bringing Virginia into compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act
House Bill 527 will bring Virginia law into compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act and prevent interpretations that may jeopardize the ability of individuals with disabilities to live in Virginia's communities. The law also protects localities that may be at risk of lawsuits due to interpretation of the current law.  The bill passed with unanimous support in subcommittee, full committee, and on the floor of the House. As chair of the Disability Commission, I am excited about the passage of this legislation and believe it will help individuals with intellectual disabilities to live in their home community, where they enjoy the support of a network of friends and family.
Visitors in the General Assembly Building
Because I spent so much time in committee, I did not have a chance to personally meet with as many visitors this week. Stopping by my office in Richmond were the following individuals and groups:

Mike Watson: former 93rd House District Delegate
Nate Green: Williamsburg-James City County Commonwealth's Attorney
Walt Latham: York County General Registrar
Jacqui Carrington
Dr. Timothy Farrell
Carolyn Greathouse
Wayne Moyer
John Schwenkler
Alice Marie Schwenkler

Visitors Welcome!
As always, if you are in Richmond during the upcoming weeks, please stop by my office in Room 403 of the General Assembly Building located at the corner of 9th and Broad Streets. 
 
Have a great weekend--stay warm!
Signature  
Delegate Brenda Pogge

Paid for and Authorized by Brenda Pogge for Delegate
This email was sent to alexanderofyork@yorkteaparty.org by brenda@brendapogge.com |  
Brenda Pogge for Delegate | P.O. Box 196 | Norge | VA | 23127