COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RICHMOND UGO

SCOTT A. SUROVELL
PO BOX 289 MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA 22121 FORTY-FOURTH DISTRICT

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: CITIES, COUNTIES & TOWNS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MILITIA, PUBLIC SAFETY & POLICE

2013GeneralAssemblySessionRecap March11,2013 Constituent 1234FortHuntLane Alexandria,VA223___ DearConstituent: Twoweeksago,theHouseofDelegatesadjournedSineDie.Thishistoricsessionwasfullofmajorinitiatives regardingeducation,transportation,andhealthcare.ItendedwithVirginiasfirsttransportationpackagein28years andaprocesstoexpandMedicaidcoveragefor400,000Virginians. Inadditiontothesetwomajorpolicychanges,$2millionhasbeensecuredforaU.S.1transitstudy.Thisis thenextlegallyrequiredstepbeforeanymajorimprovementscanbemadetoU.S.1andsomethingthatIhavebeen workingtowardssinceIwaselectedin2009.ItisacriticalsteptowardstheeconomicrevitalizationoftheU.S.1 CorridorandmaintainingourqualityoflifeinMt.Vernon&Lee. TransportationFunding Thetransportationfundinglegislation,HouseBill2313,ifsustainedbythecourts,significantlychangestheway thatVirginiageneratesrevenuefortheconstructionandmaintenanceofourtransportationsystem.Todayssystem isfundedlargelybythreesources(1)anannuallicenseandregistrationfees,(2)the3%titlingtaxoncarsales,and(3) a$0.175/gallongastaxleviedatthepump.ThegastaxhasnotbeenadjustedsinceMarch,1987.Theplanchanges Virginiassystemasfollows: TheplanrepealsVirginias$0.175/gallongastax Placesa3.5%unleadedtax(equaltoabout$0.11/gallon)and6.0%dieseltaxatwholesalelevel Raisesthevehicletitlingtaxoncarsalesfrom3%to4.3% Raisesthesalestaxby0.3%fortheGeneralFundraising$900millionbyYear5 Enactsanew$100feeonVirginiashybridvehicles Redirects$700millionoftheGeneralFundforschools,publicsafety,andhealthcaretotheTransportation TrustFundoverfiveyearsorabout$1.5billionovertenyears

ThebillalsoenactsthreeregionaltaxesforNorthernVirginiaandHamptonRoads: 0.7%salestax 3%hoteltax A"regionalcongestionrelieffee"of0.25%per$100forsellingahome(about$1250ona$500,000sale)

OftheNorthernVirginiamoney,$300millionisinitiallydedicatedtolowerthetollstofundtheconstructionofthe SilverLine,anddedicatedrevenuesmustbespentontransitandlocalroads.

DISTRICT: (571) 249-4484 RICHMOND: (804) 698-1044 EMAIL: DelSSurovell@house.virginia.gov

Thereisnodenyingthatthestateandourregionespeciallyarestarvedfortransportationfunds.However,I votedagainstthisplanbecauseitsatisfiesonly30%ofourlongtermneedandisunlikelytogeneratesufficientfunds toimproveU.S.1orextendYellowLine.Also,itwasnottherightwaytoraiserevenue.Weareprobablytheonly stateinthenationthatisreducinggastaxesandincreasingregressivesalestaxes. ThebillalsoraidstheGeneralFundwhichfundseducationsystem,healthcare,andpublicsafety,punishes individualswhoareenvironmentallyfriendlythroughthehybridtax,andeliminatesVirginiassystemofrelyingon userbasedfeestofundtransportationneeds.SenatorEbbinandIhavestartedapetitionurgingtheGovernortoveto thehybridtax.Youcansignitatnohybridtax.com. IalsohavereservationsaboutNorthernVirginiaandHamptonRoadscarryingalargertransportationfunding burdenvianewregionaltaxes.Thesenewtaxesbearzerorelationshiptoourtransportationuseandleaveuswithout anymeaningfulprotectionagainsttheCommonwealthTransportationBoard(CTB)raidingourshareofstatefunds inlightofourregionaltaxes.Furthermore,NorthernVirginias2.2millionresidentsstillhavethesamevoteas 380,000peopleintheBristolDistrictaftermylegislationtogivetheurbandistrictsafairshareofvotesontheCTB waskilledforthefourthyearinarow.TherestofVirginiaowesusafairerdealinlightoftheburdenNorthern Virginiabearsforfundingotherprogramssuchasschools. Finally,IhaveseriousconcernsabouttheconstitutionalityofregionaltaxesenactedbytheGeneral Assembly.ThereisnorealprecedentforanythinglikethisandifthisispermissibleunderVirginiasConstitution,the nextstepcouldbeaNorthernVirginiaonlyincometaxnexttimewehaveabudgetdeficit. MedicaidExpansion TheexpansionofMedicaidinVirginiastillhangsinthebalance.Asapartofsomelastminutewrangling, languagewasincludedinthestatebudgetthatallowsthestatetoextendMedicaidcoveragetotheworkingpoor oncecertainreformsareblessedbyapanelmadeupofseveralopenlyantiMedicaidexpansionappointees.There arealsoconstitutionalconcernsaboutdelegatinglegislativeauthority. IhavebeenaconsistentadvocatefortheexpansionofMedicaid.TheMedicaidexpansionwould: Create30,000jobsinVirginia Reducehealthpremiums Providecoveragetoanadditional400,000Virginians SaveVirginia$17millionperyear.

Theexpansionwouldalsohaveadramaticimpacthere.InFairfaxCounty30,000newadultswouldbeeligiblethrough Medicaidexpansion.Also,thisplanwouldbringcoveragetothousandsofresidentsofthe44thDistrict.Oneinthree kidsinthe44thDistrictreceivestheirhealthcarefromMedicaidtoday. Icontinuetohaveconcernsaboutwhethertheexpansionwillactuallyoccurnotwithstanding.TheAttorney Generalhasissuedanopinionthatthiscommissionmaybeunconstitutional.Wewillnotknowforsometimeabout theissueofconstitutionalityorwhatreformstheymaypropose. SixSurovellBillstoTheGovernor,ThreeMoreStudied&ThreeBudgetAmendmentsThru Thiswasmymostsuccessfulsessionyet.SixbillsthatIwaspatronorChiefCoPatronofareontheirwayto theGovernorandarewaitingtobesignedintolaw: HB1913ProtectingConsumersfromUnlicensedContractors:Prohibitsanunlicensedcontractorfrom recordingamechanicslienwhenavalidlicenseorcertificateisrequiredforthelabortobeperformed.This preventsanunlicensedcontractorfromtakingadvantageofconsumersandbusinesses.

HB1917PromotingRenewableSolarThermalEnergy:Allowsconsumersandbusinesstosellrenewable energycertificatesforenergygeneratedbysolarthermalenergysystemssuchassolarhotwaterorair heatingsystems.Solarthermalsystemsarethemosteconomicsystemsonthemarket. HB2322PromotingMentalHealthInCommunityColleges:RequiresCommunityCollegestodesignatean individualasapointofcontactforamentalhealthservicesproviderforreferralsofanystudentswhomay haveurgentmentalhealthneedsanddevelopanofficialpolicyforreferringstudentsinmentalhealth distress HB1360BanningTextingWhileDriving(ChiefCoPatron):Prohibitsuseofamobilephonewhiledrivingfor anythingotherthanaphonecallaprimaryoffenseandclassifiesitasrecklessdriving.Itwouldbepunishable byasmuchasayearinjailanda$2,500fine.ThisbillwasincorporatedintoHouseBill1907whichprohibits theuseofacellphoneforsolelytextingandmakesitaprimaryoffenseandpunishablewith$250forafirst timeoffender. HB1695AgriculturalRenewableEnergyNetMetering(ChiefCoPatron):Allowsforagroupoffarmersto collectivelybuildrenewableenergyprojectsandnettheenergyagainsttheelectricitybillontheirownbills.I hopetoexpandtotheresidentialsettingnextyearsothat10homesinMt.Vernoncouldnettheirhome electricalmetersagainsttheenergygeneratedbyasolarpanelonachurchinMt.Vernon. SB1112StreamlinedEvidenceforDrunkDrivingVictims:Streamlinesevidencerequiredtoprovebreathor bloodalcoholconcentrationinacivilactionforinjuriesofvictimsbyaccidentscausedbyadrunkdriver. LegislationisidenticaltomyHB1909thissession.

ThreeotherbillsIauthoredwerereferredtocommissionsforstudy. HB1915FairOnlineLearninginSchools:Prohibitsaschoolsystemfromofferingstudentsanelectronic textbookoutsideaschooluntiltheschoolsystemcanshowtheyhavetakenstepstoensurethatevery studentinthelocalityhasaccesstoapersonalcomputingdeviceandbroadbandinternetserviceintheir residence.ReferredtotheJointCommissiononTechnologyandScienceandtheVirginiaBroadband Commission HB1973ClarifyingControlofRealEstateBrokerages:Clarifiestheeligibleindividualsandpriorityof personsabletorunarealestatebrokerageintheeventofthedeathofthebroker.Thislegislationwas suggestedbylocaltrusts&estatesattorneyDeborahMatthews. HB2321SunlightontheStateCorporationCommission:SubjectstheStateCorporationCommission(SCC) totheVirginiaFreedomofInformationAct.TheSCCregulatesallutilities,securities,insurance,andrailroads inVirginiaincludingrates,premiums,anddisputeresolution.

Finally,threeofbudgetamendmentsIproposedwereincludedinthefinalbudgetamendments: Route1TransitImprovementStudyBudgetamendmentcarriedbySenatorPullerandIprovides$2Million inordertofullyfundtheRoute1TransitImprovementStudywhichwillanalyzeseveraldifferentmodesof transportationincludingtheextensionoftheYellowLinefromHuntingtontoLorton,lightrailand/orbus rapidtransitinadditiontoregionalandemploymentforecastsforourarea.ThestudywillfocusonRoute1 southofAlexandriaCitytotheOccoquanRiver Amendment539HFillingJudicialVacancies:RestoresoneofFairfaxCountysCircuitCourtJudgeships.This willhelpreducecongestionintheCourtsystemsandensureanefficientdocket. Amendment1084HDedicateMortgageSettlementtoHTF:Providesanadditional$2.5milliondollarsto theHousingTrustFundwhichassistsvictimsofwrongfulforeclosure,remedyblightandassistswith foreclosurecounselingandfirsttimehomeownership.

OtherLegislativeNews Onepieceofdisappointingnewsisthatwefurtherrestrictedvotingrightsbypassinglegislationrequiringa photoIDtovote.IhaveconsistentlyopposedthislegislationandithasbeenrejectedbytheDepartmentofJusticein TexasandSouthCarolina.Wewillseeifitstandsuptoreview.

 SeveralbillsdealingwitheducationreformthatwereproposedbytheGovernorpassed.Thefirstwasaplan thatwouldgradeschoolsonanAFscalemodeledonaplanpromotedbyJebBushandJohnPodesta.Ourcurrent systemisdifficulttounderstandandsimplifyingthissystemwillprovideeveryoneclearerinformationonthequality ofourschools.Makinginformationreadilyavailableandeasytoaccessisanimportantstepinimprovingourschools. IwasoneofonlytwoDemocraticlegislatorstosupportthislegislation. TheGeneralAssemblyalsopassedaplanmodeledonaLouisianaplanthatwouldallowthestatetotakeover failingschoolsbymovingthemintosomethingcalledtheOpportunitySchoolDistrict.Onceaschoolisremovedfrom localcontrol,localtaxpayerswouldstillhavetobearthecosts,buthavenosayinschooloperationsorpolicies.I adamantlyopposedthisplananddonotbelieveacentraltakeoveristhewaytofixlocalschoolproblems. TheStateBudgetincludeda2%raiseforteachers,fundsadditionalMedicaidwaiverslotstoallow intellectuallyand1bdevelopmentallydisabledadultstobecaredforinhomesettings,andfundsanother1,000spots atVirginiasuniversitiesforinstatestudents. Overall,itwasamixedsessionbutVirginiaprobablyinchedforwardabit.Medicaidexpansionstillhangsin thebalanceandwewillhavetoseeiftheconstitutionalityofthetransportationbillholdsup.Wemadestepsinthe rightdirectionwithpayraisesforourteachers,greaterinvestmentinourhighereducationanddevotingmoretothe HousingTrustFundbutthereisstillmoreprogresstomake. LookingAhead AsIcontinuetorepresentourcommunityIhopetobeasaccessibleandtransparentaspossibleaboutmy legislativegoalsandviewsonstatepolicy.Thereismuchmoreinformationonmyblog,TheDixiePig,regardingthis pastsessionslegislation,thebudget,myviewsonanumberofissues,andthe6,000+/votesIhavetakenoverthe lastfouryears.Youcanfinditatscottsurovell.blogspot.comormywebsiteatwww.scottsurovell.org. Iamalsohappytoansweranyquestionsyouhaveaboutmylegislation,votesorpolicypositions.Wealso standreadytohelpserveourconstituentsregardinganydifficultiesyouhavewithstategovernmentorstatepolicy. Youcanemailmeorsendmealetter: P.O.Box289 MountVernon,VA22121 DelSSurovell@house.virginia.gov Office571.249.44TH(4484) InApril,wereturntoRichmondforthevetosessiontovoteontheGovernorsamendmentsandvetoesandthen thisNovember,Iwillstandforreelection. ItisanhonortoserveyouinRichmondandIhopeIhaveearnedyourvoteforathirdterm. SincerelyYours,

DelegateScottA.Surovell 44thDistrict

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 289 Mt. Vernon, VA 22121 Telephone: 571.249.44TH (4484) Facsimile: 703.542.3741

Web: www.scottsurovell.org Email: DelSSurovell@house.virginia.gov Online Newsletter: scottsurovell.blogspot.com Twitter: @ssurovell Facebook: www.facebook.com/scottsurovell

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

Problemswithdriverslicenses,identificationcards,vehicle registrations,liensortitledocuments? Needapotholefixed,problemswithsidewalks,trees,road improvementrequests,andpavementproblems? DifficultyStatetaxissues,liens,businesstaxes,andcollection problems? Eligibilityproblems,coverage,andreimbursement?

Needacommendation,50thAnniversaryThankYou,100thBirthday ThankYou,CommendingResolutionforMajorAccomplishmentor Anniversary,orMemorializingResolutionforsignificant44thDistrict deceasedresident?

RequestaTourofHistoricStateCapitolinRichmond

HAVEAPROBLEM?CALLDELEGATESCOTTSUROVELL
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WELCOMETOTHE44THDISTRICT

The44thHouseofDelegatesDistrictisentirelyinsideFairfax CountyandrunsalongthePotomacRiverfromHuntingtonAvenue toBacklickRoadinFortBelvoir,takinginbothsidesofU.S.1,and theHayfieldareaeastofTelegraphRoad. ThedistrictincludesareascommonlyknownasBellehaven, Groveton,HyblaValley,FortHunt,GumSprings,Mt.Vernon, Woodlawn,FortBelvoir,HayfieldandtheVillageofPohick.

QUICKFACTSABOUTYOURCOMMUNITY THE44TH DISTRICT 2010Population 80,796People

Demographics
White55.4% Hispanic24.1% Black22.7% Asian7.4% Other12.4% Immigration 13.1%NonU.S.Citizens 25.8%ForeignBornPopulation 52%LatinAmerica 22.6%Asia 18.6%Africa 6.3%Europe

Age
Age02433.3% Age254937.4% Age506418.1% Age65+10.6%

Income,Education&Employment
MedianHouseholdIncome:$79,035 MedianHomeValue: $484,000 85.4%SameResidenceOneYearAgo 13.1%Veterans 45.1%AdultsWithBachelorsDegreeorHigher

HighSchoolPyramids
WestPotomacH.S. MountVernonH.S. HayfieldSecondarySchool

MajorWatersheds
PotomacRiver DogueCreek LittleHuntingCreek QuanderBrook

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