Barely two weeks into the General Assembly's election-year "short session," local legislators relay the goings-on in Richmond. <b>State Sen. Janet Howell (D-32)</b> and <b>Del. Thomas Rust (R-86)</b> assess the ever-changing political and legislative landscape in the commonwealth.
<b>Q</b>. What's your initial assessment of the short session, so far?
<b>Rust</b>: It's been a lot more hectic and there seems to be a lot more work this go around. Obviously, we are working in a much more compressed time frame. From 7 a.m. breakfasts to 7 p.m. meetings, it has been very hectic. It is clearly a result of the budget constraints. The budget is on all of our minds. There have been a lot of bills come to the floor that patrons evidently think are important.
<b>Howell</b>: Hectic, frenetic, and occasionally ugly. I think that is a fair description. The Senate is holding as a moderate force in the legislature. The House side is certainly more overtly political, it seems.
<b>Q</b>. After two weeks, what has surprised you the most?
<b>Rust</b>: I was surprised at the action that sent the 'red-light camera' [HB 1696] bill back to committee. I was looking forward to a full debate on the floor. There are a number of legislators that are very hesitant to further expand the camera systems.
<b>Howell</b>: Nothing really surprises me down here anymore.
<b>Q</b>. What has been your biggest victory, if you have had one?
<b>Rust</b>: Everything is preliminary at this stage, but I've had five bills make it out of committee. While my transportation allocation bill was not sent to the floor, it was sent to a study group. I was very pleased with the message that accompanied it. I think people are beginning to understand that time has come to study this important issue.
<b>Howell</b>: All of my bills are still alive and moving forward. I am very hopeful that my bill requiring all clergy to report suspected child abuse will succeed.
<b>Q</b>. And your biggest disappointment?
<b>Rust</b>: I was disappointed that one of my two bills to improve operations at the DMV did not pass.
<b>Howell</b>: That we are not giving any attention to restructuring the tax system. It is vitally important and in the Finance Committee we are "studying" the issue. We need to act.
<b>Q</b>. Not even half-way through the session, give the General Assembly a mid-term grade.
<b>Rust</b>: The performance grade up to this point would have to be 'average,' but I would commend the assembly's effort and hard work. We are all working very hard, long hours.
<b>Howell</b>: I give us a C+. We are acting responsibly and business-like, in general. Unfortunately, because it is an election year, there have been some politically-motivated flare-ups. And, like I said, there is just an incredible reluctance to tackle the restructuring of the tax code. I am also disturbed and disappointed that all the tobacco tax bills in the house are getting killed. They haven't come up in the Senate, but it doesn't bode well for bills like mine. It's an election year.
<b>Q</b>. Finally, what are some things to look for in the next couple of weeks?
<b>Rust</b>: The biggest budget amendments will get to us on Feb. 4 or 5. These amendments are clearly driving everything we do. It will be interesting to see what Appropriations does.
<b>Howell</b>: Keep an eye on Finance and Appropriations. We are working incredibly long hours. We are sifting through the various proposals. We have some very difficult positions ahead of us because these cuts are impacting real people everyday.