With the 2003 General Assembly put to rest in Richmond, Del. Dave Albo (R-42nd) feels one big accomplishment was achieved with the budget. Although he wasn't directly on the Budget Committee, what was passed will be acceptable to his constituents.
"This is the worst recession in 40 years," he said. "We managed to balance the budget, and that's a pretty good sign."
Cuts had to be made, but "they hurt the people that get stuff from the government and might hurt depressed rural areas more," Albo said.
Albo introduced a personal record of 42 bills, including ones that ban driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, adoption, truck and trailer parking bill and direct shipment of wine. He supported a sexual predator bill, which was initially introduced by Morgan Griffith, out of Salem, Va. In six weeks, Gov. Mark Warner (D) will get a chance to veto some of the bills.
"I'm worried about what he's going to do to my bill that keeps illegal aliens from getting a driver's license," Albo said. "If you're an illegal alien, you shouldn't have access to taxpayer-funded services. I always try to highlight the 'illegal' part." Two bills of Albo's that were killed included the education funding formula and the Fairness in Education act.
"I was trying to alter the school funding formula. The other one dealt with localities having to pay for more than 65 percent of their education. Localities shouldn't have to pay more," he said.
Homeland security was the focus of a few bills Del. Tom Bolvin (R-43rd) put through as well. His included a bill on capability assessments for localities and a bill to enable apartment owners and management companies to do more accurate background checks. He also backed Albo on the driver’s license bill. Bolvin's position on Virginia's Security and Preparedness Council influenced his attitude.
Trooper Charles Mark Cosslett's widow attended a special ceremony in which Bolvin submitted a memorial resolution honoring the trooper. Cosslett was killed last October while responding to call on the sniper situation along Backlick Road. He also lived in Bolvin's district.
"That was a memorial resolution recognizing his sacrifice," Bolvin said.
Warner supported Bolvin on the capability assessments and didn't voice any concerns on his other bills, either.
"I think he'll sign off for the bills," Bolvin said.
Budgetwise, Bolvin called the shifting of funds "fiscally responsible."
"I'm proud of the work that the Republicans did," he said.
Del. James Dillard (R-41st) was happy that even though there weren't any extra funding sources available, the legislature did manage to get some additional funding for education. Teachers will get a 2.5-percent increase this year "given the fact that we didn't have any money," Dillard said.
His attempt to raise the sales tax 1 cent wasn't as publicized as the tax referendum last year, but it almost made it. Dillard was happy that even though it was defeated, the vote of 10-9 was closer than he expected.
"Everyone said it would be dead on arrival," he said. "I'll be putting that out again next year."
Dillard was passed an "invasive species" bill, which dealt with non-native plants and animals’ being introduced to the ecosystem.