Weekly Update February 5
February 5, 2016 | Uncategorized

As we are wrapping up the fourth week of the 2016 General Assembly Session, this was a busy week in the House on an issue that I know is very important to you and your family: jobs and economic growth. 

 

The House is moving forward on several major pieces of legislation to foster private-sector job creation, encourage long-term economic growth, and protect small businesses. I continue to hear from constituents that these must be our top priorities. Be assured the House is committed to ensuring the Commonwealth is prosperous.

 

Jobs Agenda

 

Virginia’s economy continues to struggle.  The Commonwealth is recovering at a slower rate than the national economy and registered zero percent growth in 2014.  That is why this week we rolled out a comprehensive agenda to promote a pro-business climate, incentivize economic growth, and protect small businesses.  My House colleagues and I are introducing specific proposals that will help improve our economy and give your family a better opportunity to succeed. To read more about our jobs agenda, click here. [http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/02/house-republicans-outline-jobs-agenda/]

 

Economic Development

 

This week the House Appropriations Committee heard a presentation reviewing the Commonwealth’s spending for performance and ongoing economic development incentives.  Virginia has spent $679 million on economic development since 2010.  The presentation revealed that annual incentive payments grew 298 percent since the 2004-2006 biennium.

 

This presentation detailed our commitment to improving the economy of the Commonwealth. Also, it reminds us that we must carefully guard taxpayer dollars. The committee is taking steps to carefully review all economic development spending and ensure that we are wisely investing your tax dollars. You can read more about this report here:  [http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/01/virginia-spent-679-million-on-economic-development-incentives-since-2010/]

 

GO Virginia

 

We must ensure that proper oversight is part of every economic deal to protect scarce taxpayer dollars.  Our partners in the private sector can help ensure bottom-up, free-market growth and opportunity through the Go Virginia initiative. This partnership can help vet and secure our economic development dollars are spent wisely.

 

GO Virginia is a business driven initiative to facilitate more collaboration between the business community, higher education and local governments. There are two bills in the House to establish an innovative new economic development model and encourage local governments to work together to create jobs.

 

This legislation incentivizes localities, school divisions, and universities to work together on economic and workforce development. It builds on existing efforts and strengths of each region to attract new business, providing a business lens through which to examine economic, and workforce development proposals. After regional councils vet proposals, start-up funding can be awarded, to be matched by local and private resources, for transformational projects that boost private-sector growth and reflect collaboration among business, education, and at least two local governments.

 

The goal is to create good paying jobs in high demand fields and make our economic development dollars go further.  This is not just another jobs program but will establish the framework and infrastructure for real, long-term economic growth.

 

House Majority Leader Kirk Cox gave a detailed overview of GO Virginia on the House floor this week. You can watch the speech here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HXqthPTJIQ]

 

Right-to-work

 

This week the House passed a constitutional amendment to solidify Virginia’s right to work status.  The amendment, carried by Delegate Dickie Bell (R-Augusta), prohibits union membership as a condition of employment. Virginia already has a right to work statute, but including right to work in the Constitution solidifies this important pro-business policy. This legislation will protect hard working Virginians from being forced to join a union.  The Senate also approved the amendment this week, meaning it will be on the ballot for voters to consider this fall.

 

Jobs for our Veterans

 

The House is focused on helping our veterans find the jobs they need and are trained to do.  Introduced by Delegate Chris Stolle (R-Virginia Beach), HB825 establishes a pilot program in which military medical personnel may practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician.  Military medics and corpsmen receive extensive health care training while on active duty.  Once they transition to civilian life, their military health care experiences do not easily translate into comparable certifications and licenses required for health care jobs.  As a result, many veteran medics are unable to gain employment.

 

Virginia has already made progress on efforts to translate veterans’ military experience into academic credit. However, significant hurdles still exist with health care licenses.  This legislation will create a pilot program to help military medics smoothly transition to a medical career in the private sector without having to go through training they have already received in the military.

 

The House passed the bill this week. You can read more about it here: [http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/02/house-passes-delegate-stolles-legislation-to-help-veterans/]

 

I encourage you to keep in touch with me and my office over the coming months.  I value the feedback you provide on a continual basis as it helps me do my job of representing you better.  You can email me at delborrock@virginia.house.gov or call me at (804) 698-1054.

 

Links of interest

 

 

 

 

  • Kirk Cox speech on GO Virginia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HXqthPTJIQ

 

 

  • House of Delegates passes ‘Right to Work’ Constitutional Amendment

http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/03/house-of-delegates-passes-right-to-work-constitutional-amendment/

 

  • House passes Delegate Stolle’s legislation to help veterans

http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/02/house-passes-delegate-stolles-legislation-to-help-veterans/

 

  • House Republicans outline jobs agenda

http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/02/house-republicans-outline-jobs-agenda/

 

  • Virginia spent $679 million on economic development incentives since 2010

http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/01/virginia-spent-679-million-on-economic-development-incentives-since-2010/


© 2024 Delegate Bobby Orrock