On Wednesday, June 17th, Senator Barker chaired the year’s first meeting of the Joint Subcommittee on the Feasibility of Creating a Regional Rapid Transportation Network. The meeting was held at 10am at the Prince William County Development Services Building. Last year Senator Barker patroned legislation to study options for developing an enhanced regional rapid transit network in Northern Virginia. The legislation was successful, and legislators began looking at mass transit options that could be implemented such as Bus Rapid Transit and extensions of Metrorail. Due to Senator Barker’s efforts, the study continues this year. Speakers at Wednesday’s meeting included Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer, who presented information regarding what federal stimulus funding is available for transit projects in Virginia.

The Small Buisiness Commission held its first meeting on May 22nd. Small businesses represent approximately 98 percent of all existing business establishments in Virginia. Recognizing the important role these businesses play in our economy, the Virginia Small Business Commission is tasked with considering proposals that will affect small business.  Many bills introduced in the 2009 session will affect small business, including legislation dealing with health insurance policies, unemployment compensation and taxation issues. This year Senator Barker and the Commission will be examining how Virginia can streamline its small business programs. Senator Barker wants to ensure that government is properly positioned to support business formation and growth.

During the April 8th Veto Session, Senator Barker supported Governor Kaine’s amendments to expand Virginia’s unemployment benefits so that Virginia could take advantage of additional funds available through the federal government’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  “The economic downturn has affected many Virginians,” said Senator Barker, “It is important in times like these for government to provide a safety net for hardworking citizens who are struggling to make it. An important facet of this safety net is unemployment insurance.” Unfortunately, despite the tremendous need for these expanded benefits, the House of Delegates voted in April to turn down these funds, which will now be given to other states unless the decision is reversed.

Currently, Virginia qualifies for only one third, or $62.8 million, of the federal dollars available to us for unemployment insurance. There are four options Virginia could pursue to expand its coverage; Virginia would have to do at least two of the four to come into compliance and qualify for the remaining $125.5 million in federal funds. Governor Kaine’s amendments would have expanded unemployment compensation to laid-off part time workers and provided extended benefits for at least 26 weeks to unemployed workers who are enrolled and making satisfactory progress in state approved training programs. Businesses already pay unemployment for part-time workers. These amendments passed in the Senate.

The expansions would have cost Virginia about $18 million per year. The money Virginia could have received from the federal government would have covered these additional expenses for nearly seven years. At any time after the first two years if it was felt the program was no longer needed, or was too costly, the General Assembly could have made the decision to eliminate the expansions.  Virginia would have received more funds than the expansions would have cost the state.

On February 9th, Senate Bill 1501 passed the Senate with a vote of 27-Y to 12-N. Senator Barker introduced this bill on behalf of some of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens. Senate Bill 1501 will eliminate the waiting list for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities over the next 10 years. Currently, many of these individuals must wait for years in order to receive the services they require. Senator Barker has been actively working with the Arc of Northern Virginia on advocacy for this legislation. This organization is a renowned leader in providing advocacy and service for children, adults, and families with disabilities.

Over 4,500 people with intellectual disabilities are on the MR Waiver wait list at the moment; of those, half are in the urgent need category. This list has been growing rapidly the past three years. Currently, there is no plan in place to eliminate this waiting list.  Senator Barker’s proposed bill will deliver some relief to those with disabilities by reducing the time they will have to wait for services.

The House’s committee of Health and Human Resources is now reviewing Senate Bill 1501.

Five students testified at a Senate Transportation Subcommittee meeting last Thursday, January 29, in support of Sen. Barker’s proposed legislation, S.B. 1502. The bill, developed by students, Bree Dumas and Michael Hyon, calls for a change to the existing secondary seat belt law. The proposed legislation will require passengers to wear seat belts regardless of age and seat position in a motor vehicle.

The students from Centreville High School in Clifton, Va. support strengthening the existing law that requires only passengers in the front seat to wear a seatbelt. The student’s articulate and well thought out testimony was instrumental in the success of this bill.

The students informed committee members that other states have updated their laws to require seat belt use of all passengers in vehicles. Utah and Rhode Island, for example, which have recently implemented more stringent seatbelt laws, have seen a noticeable decline in their vehicle fatalities since these laws passed.

S.B. 1502 passed the Transportation Subcommittee with a vote of 8-Y, 4-N, and 2-A. It went on to pass the first reading of the Senate with a unanimous vote of 39-Y.

Delegate Mark Sickles and Senator George Barker held their winter Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 AM in the Franconia Government Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310. The first part of the meeting featured Supervisor Sharon Bulova, who updated citizens on county affairs and answered questions about the state of the county budget in the midst of the current recession.

For the remainder of the meeting, Delegate Sickles and Senator Barker discussed their respective legislative agendas, as well as key issues under consideration during the 2009 General Assembly Session.

Senator Barker focused on several pieces of legislation he is carrying, including bills related to school construction, the distribution of transportation funds for road maintenance, and health care. He also addressed legislation he is carrying that would eliminate the waiting list for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Senator Barker discussed several budget amendments he introduced. One amendment would require Mental Health Law Reform Funds to be distributed on a per capita basis. Under the current distribution formula, Fairfax County receives far less per capita than many other areas of the state. He also is working to preserve funding for the Poison Centers that serve Virginia.

Senator Barker and Delegate Sickles were joined late in the meeting by Delegate Vivian Watts. The three legislators answered questions from the audience of over 60 residents that attended.

Delegate Bob Marshall, Senator Chuck Colgan and Senator George Barker will be hosting the Manassas/Western Town Hall Meeting on January 9, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Manassas City Council Chambers at the Manassas City Hall located at 9027 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110. Delegate Jackson Miller will be unable to attend due to his duties as a Manassas City Police Officer but will have a statement read at the event.

The public will be given an opportunity to speak and ask questions of the delegation and there will be a sign up sheet at the event.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Johnson at 703-303-1426.

Senator Barker and Delegate Paul Nichols will hold a town hall meeting on November 15^th at 11:30am at Woodbridge High School in Room 1309. The Prince William legislators want to hear from residents about issues important to them and their suggestions for legislation to be considered in the 2009 legislative session.

Paul and George also will discuss issues relevant to the upcoming General Assembly session, including transportation, education and implications of the budget shortfall. They will answer questions and provide information about the legislation they plan to sponsor.

Elected in 2007, Senator Barker and Delegate Nichols are striving to live up to the standards of the people they represent. “I am always eager to hear from my constituents,” says Delegate Nichols, “Their insights and feedback are integral to the policy making process.” During the 2008 legislative session, both legislators worked closely with Prince William residents and County officials to address local priorities. Together they have worked to tackle issues such as congestion on our roadways, overcrowding in our schools, and financing capital projects.

George and Paul have gone door to door in the community this year to hear voters’ concerns first-hand. They have benefitted greatly from the perspectives shared with them and have enjoyed the conversations they have had with voters in a year in which they are not running for office. “By maintaining an open dialogue with my constituents I am able to better understand the concerns and needs of the community. Town hall meetings are an important way to facilitate these discussions” explains Senator Barker.

To learn more about Delegate Nichols, visit his website at delegatenichols.com.

Senator Barker was a special guest speaker yesterday morning at the Allies in Prevention Summit Breakfast held at the Old Hickory Golf Club in Prince William. The summit focused on ways we can be more effective in our efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect in Northern Virginia. George has been a foster parent to 13 children and so knows first hand that while offering support to neglected and damaged children is necessary, prevention would be so much better. Senator Barker’s remarks focused on how Virginia’s child welfare services compare to that of other states, and what is being done to improve our services at the state level. The Northern Virginia Community Foundation sponsored the event, which was held in partnership with Allies in Prevention Coalition, Stop Child Abuse Now, The Child Protection Partnership, and the Prince William Health Partnership.

Senator Barker met yesterday with Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, Delegate Vivian Watts, Fairfax County Planning and Zoning Staff, VDOT staff and Vornado, the mall owner, to discuss plans for the renovation of Springfield Mall. The new plans include residential, office and retail developments. Vornado hopes the improvements to the Springfield Town Center will attract local residents and will be a choice destination for shopping, dining and other activities. They plan to take advantage of transit options already in close proximity to the site, such as the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. Their vision also includes many improvements to make the area more pedestrian friendly in order to cut down on single vehicle trips. Ultimately, Vornado aims to make the Springfield Town Center the centerpiece of the Springfield community.