March 1, 2008

HRTA Struck Down By Supreme Court

Yesterday, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the transportation plan passed by the General Assembly last year was unconstitutional.  The citizens in my District were overwhelmingly opposed to it.  In 2002, my husband and I led the kNOw Campaign to oppose a similar plan which was defeated at the polls by nearly 75% in the 96th District. You may remember that I spoke against this authority as being unconstitutional last fall during my campaign. Click here for press release.

March 1, 2008

Senate Democrats Oppose Parental Rights - HB1400

On Thursday, the Senate Education and Health Committee killed a piece of legislation which I authored that would ensure parents would be allowed to get the results of non-diagnostic drug screenings for their minor teenagers.  This bill passed the House in a spirit of  bi-partisanship with a unanimous vote.  I put this bill in because a constituent told me that he had taken his grandson to a clinic to have him checked for drugs and the grandson was told by the clinician that according to Virginia law, he did not have to consent to the drug test.

After checking the law, I realized that the clinician was wrong, that minors cannot refuse a drug screening for non-diagnostic drug tests.  The confusion arose because there is a law in the code which deems children 14 years old and above as adults for certain medical decisions. Evidently this problem had occurred before because in 2003 the Attorney General issued an opinion stating that the law does not pertain to non-diagnostic drug tests.  My bill simply clarified existing law to ensure that this is not misinterpreted when a parent or legal guardian suspects their teenager is using illegal drugs.  A representative from the Attorney General's office testified before the committee that my bill was correct, it did not change existing law, it only clarified what was in the code.  I was very disappointed that parents across the Commonwealth may be denied this important tool again when they suspect illegal drug activity of their minor child, because of a misinterpretation of the law.

All of the Republicans on the committee voted for the bill.  All of the Democrats voted against it, including Democratic Senator John Miller who shares a portion of my District.  Since the Democrats have a slim majority in the Senate they were able to stack this important committee with 10 Democrats and 5 Republicans. This committee is notorious for killing conservative, family-friendly legislation.  I have listed the  members of the committee below.  If any of these Senators represent you, please contact them and thank them for their vote or ask them to please put parents first the next time similar legislation comes before them.  I intend to file the same bill next year.  View HB1400.

How the Senators Voted
Click on the Senator's name to send an email.

February 14, 2008

Pogge Says Cuts to K-12 Education Ill Advised

Responding to Governor Kaine's proposed $220 million in cuts to dedicated funding to K-12 education; Delegate Brenda Pogge issued this statement:

"By his willingness to raid education funding in order to finance $600 million in new and expanded programs, I believe that the Governor is sending a mixed message to all Virginians concerning the importance of funding core services in uncertain economic times. Furthermore; out of the $220 million dollars being cut from education, $165 million will be taken from lottery profits. This adds insult to injury. When Virginians went to the polls and gave their approval to institute a statewide lottery it was with the understanding that the proceeds would go to benefit K-12 education. We must ensure that this promise is kept."

"In the three localities that comprise the 96 th  House District these cuts represent over $10 million dollars in school construction grants and school building projects that we cannot afford to lose."

"I am in agreement with my Republican colleagues in the House that these cuts are ill-advised and will only put pressure on the localities to raise taxes on Virginia's hard- working families to make up the difference. We must remember the Governor's own words when he said we need to "adhere to our tradition of fiscal responsibility."

February 7, 2008

Wednesday, the Virginia General Assembly honored a former member and friend, the late Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis.  All the members of the House of Delegates and the Senate joined me in patroning House Joint Resolution 286, Celebrating the Life of Jo Ann Davis.  I was honored to present Jo Ann's husband, Chuck, with a framed resolution in a center aisle presentation during the morning session.  It was an emotional moment for all in attendance.  Chuck was joined by his son, Charlie and Jo Ann's sister, Melinda.

Jo Ann passed away at her home on October 6, 2007 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.  She was a good friend, a great representative and a true patriot.  She will be missed by all who knew her and those whose lives she touched.

Click here to read the resolution.

February 3, 2008

Complete the 2008 Legislative Survey (PDF) and share your perspectives with Brenda.  

Visit the "Governor's Commission on Efficiency and Effectiveness" refereneced in question five. 

February 3, 2008

We are closing in on the half way point of the 2008 General Assembly Session. After a very busy three weeks, I feel as if I have comfortably settled into my role as your representative in the 96^th House District. I am happy to report that my first three pieces of legislation passed out of the House last week unanimously. I fully expect that tomorrow will bring the passage of the fourth.  I owe much to my Legislative Aide, Debra Belcher.  Debra was Delegate Melanie Rapp's Legislative Aide and has been instrumental in helping me navigate the daily business of the General Assembly.  Also, kudos to Bruce Jamerson, the House Clerk, and his great staff.  They have helped make my transition into the House of Delegates very smooth.

Several of you have come by and visited me in Richmond.  It has been great to see some of the "folks back home" and hear your input on upcoming legislation.   I have also received many phone calls, letters and emails.   Please continue to express your opinions and if you are able to come to Richmond during session, please stop by and see me.  My door is always open.

I have learned many things in the last three weeks and was able to successfully negotiate a wetlands bill for James City County that initially had some opposition from business interests and those in the mitigation bank arena.  After ten days of working together to craft a bill that met all of the stakeholder's approval, my former opponents spoke in favor of the bill instead of against it in the subcommittee.  It will now pass on to the full committee and onto the House floor.  This bill, when passed by the Senate, will save taxpayer dollars in the building of municipal projects. 

To see all of the bills that I am patroning and co-patroning, click here and go to the "legislation" tab.

This Wednesday marks the fourth month since the passing of our dear friend Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis.  I will be presenting to her husband Chuck and members of her family a framed House and Senate Joint Resolution, that I patroned and successfully had every member of the House and Senate co-patron. It will be presented in honor of her life and her many contributions to the Commonwealth in a center aisle presentation on that day.

Our new sign went up yesterday on Route 17 in York County at our new office site.  We will be formally moving in as soon as this session is over, March 9^th. The office will be open Tuesday thru Thursday, 9-5 in York County and on Mondays and Fridays we will be at my home office in James City County.

Authorized and Paid for by Brenda Pogge for Delegate
Copyright 2007-2008, Brenda Pogge for Delegate