Broken Government at Work

by: Elaine in Roanoke

Sun Jan 29, 2012 at 15:10:08 PM EST

According to the Virginian-Pilot, Del. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) saw his bill, designed to shine some sunlight on exactly who gets tax breaks worth more than $1,000, shot down in committee even though two tea party advocates spoke in favor of it.

Dave Toscano (D-Charlottesville) had a sensible suggestion. JLARC found that one of the most egregious do-nothing tax breaks was intended to spur coal companies to increase employment, but at the same time jobs have continued to decline drastically in coal country. The credits cost the state $31 million in lost revenue in 2008. Toscano's bill to end that credit was killed on a unanimous vote after coal company lobbyists spoke against it.

That wasn't the only action on the coal corporate shakedown of the tax code, though. The coal tax break was scheduled to end in 2015. Quinn Israel (R-Bristol) tried to get approval to make the coal tax break perpetual. The committee wouldn't go that far, but it did something almost as bad. It decided to extend the coal tax credit until 2020.

Sadly, that's how the present system in Richmond works. Those who can afford armies of lobbyists and fat campaign contributions pretty much get exactly what they want, whether it makes fiscal sense or not. The rest of us? We aren't represented in the General Assembly as it now is operating. Governance for the good of the Commonwealth is a joke, and the joke is on us.

It's Time To Control Tax Credits

by: Elaine in Roanoke

Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 09:00:52 AM EST

So far, the 2012 session of the legislature has seen six bills introduced that propose tax credits, some of which might be nice except for the fact that the legislators introducing them have no idea of their cost to the General Fund, nor have they proposed any way to replace the lost revenue at a time when the state faces another huge budget deficit.

There are, however, two pieces of legislation pending that would help the state make tax credits more transparent and more controllable. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) has a introduced a bill that would require the publication of the names of certain entities receiving tax credits of more than $1,000. Ben Cline (R-Amherst) has a bill that would place a five-year expiration date for all tax credits and require the tax commissioner to report the estimated revenue loss of each state tax credit that is scheduled to expire in the next two calendar years.

These bills would be a start to finding a rational way to show legislators that tax credits are tax cuts, which result in either less money for vital state services or an increase in taxes on the rest of us. When tax credits equal 90% of the amount of money collected each year - the case in Virginia - something has to change.

VA Dems Blast McDonnell's VRS Plan as "unfunded mandate," Forcing Cuts to Kids, Seniors' Healthcare

by: lowkell

Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 12:15:08 PM EST

In response to McDonnell's latest irresponsibility, Virginia Democrats are piling on. According to Sen. Donald McEachin's (D-Henrico) office:

{McDonnell's proposal} is yet another effort to impose more of a burden on local governments, which are already strapped and which are responsible for critical vital services like public education, public safety, and public health. Local governments cannot afford to absorb this. To use an overused expression, it is an 'unfunded mandate.'"

For his part, Del. Scott Surovell (D-Mt. Vernon) weighs in with several points (and questions). First, "how is {McDonnell} gonna pay for this?" Second, "We're giving an extra $200M to Higher Ed, Jacking up VRS contributions, taking $110 [million] from General Fund to pay for roads, and now fully funding VRS?" Third, that inevitably means "Cut healthcare for kids & low-income seniors (Medicaid)." Fourth, Surovell notes that Republicans claimed "there wasn't a problem" with VRS at all. Hmmm. Surovell concludes:

Del. Scott Surovell Endorses Jaime Areizaga-Soto for State Senate

by: lowkell

Tue Jun 21, 2011 at 13:05:08 PM EDT

ARLINGTON, VA. - Today the Jaime Areizaga-Soto for State Senate campaign announced the endorsement of State Delegate and Former Chairman of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee Scott Surovell.

"We need Jaime in Richmond taking on the backwards policies of Cuccinelli and standing up for progressive priorities," said Surovell.  "Jaime will be a strong voice for Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun and we need him fighting in Richmond."

"Fairfax County and Loudoun County represent 43% of the 31st Senate District that have needs that are unique from Arlington County.  Jaime will fight for the Fairfax County and Loudoun County areas of the 31st District with as much vigor as the Arlington County precincts," said Surovell.  

Delegate Surovell also cited Jaime Areizaga-Soto's experience and perspective in his endorsement decision.  "He represents a new generation of leadership in Northern Virginia that brings a fresh perspective to Virginia's problems.  Jaime also has experience in Richmond having worked at Senator Whipple's side for the last two years. He knows what it takes to work with people from around the state who have different perspectives in order to get things accomplished for his constituents."  

Fairfax County Democratic Board Fires Back at Surovell, Puller

by: lowkell

Sun Jul 11, 2010 at 07:30:00 AM EDT

Well, today they received their response in the form of another Washington Post op-ed, this one by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, plus two other Democratic Supervisors (Jeff McKay, Gerry Hyland). According to Bulova et al., the op-ed by Puller and Surovell was "simply mind-boggling," "unbelievable," and "pit[ting] one end of the county against the other, and the county against the state."  As the expression goes, "dem dere's fightin' words."

To the contrary, the Fairfax County Board Democratic members write, "While the transformation of Tysons Corner has received quite a lot of media attention as the Comprehensive Plan Amendment has worked its way through the approval process, there has been no less commitment to other needs in the county, especially in the Richmond Highway Corridor."  They point out that "Fairfax County's State Secondary Fund allocation has dwindled from $29.4 million in 2004 to a measly $1,989 this year -- not even enough to install a traffic light." And they suggest that Puller and Surovell "turn their attention toward becoming real partners for transportation funding...start[ing] with getting the Virginia Department of Transportation to repave Route 1 and cut the grass in the medians throughout Fairfax County."

So, the battle is joined in Fairfax County. Anyone else care to weigh in?

Del. Scott Surovell Named "Legislative Rookie of the Year" by VEA

by: lowkell

Fri May 28, 2010 at 12:00:55 PM EDT

Delegate Scott Surovell was named a "Legislative Rookie of the Year" by the Virginia Education Association in recognition of his efforts to strengthen public education throughout the Commonwealth during the 2010 legislative session. "As a product of Fairfax County Public Schools, I am honored to be recognized by the VEA," said Surovell. Surovell was one of six newly elected delegates to receive a 100% rating from the VEA.

The VEA, founded in 1863 comprises over 60,000 educators in Virginia. Dr. Kitty Boitnott, president of the VEA said of Surovell: "Delegate Surovell has begun his legislative career as a solid supporter of our public schools. We have acknowledged his 100% pro-education voting record by awarding him VEA's Rookie of the Year award. We look forward to working with Delegate Surovell in the years ahead. He is a welcomed friend of public education."

Scott Surovell: "The Gun Movement Comes to Fort Hunt"

by: lowkell

Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:04:12 AM EDT

For all of Del. Surovell's thoughts on today's anti-government, "open carry" rally in Fort Hunt Park, click here. What do you think?

P.S. As the Washington Post story points out, "Those coming to the "Restore the Constitution" rally give Obama no quarter for signing the law that permits them to bring their guns to Fort Hunt, run by the National Park Service, and to Gravelly Point on the banks of the Potomac River. Nor are they comforted by a broad expansion of gun rights in several states since his election." That's right, Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress have expanded gun rights since they took office in January 2009. Why don't they get any "credit" for this from pro-gun folks?

UPDATE: Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th, VA) weighs in.

The free association and gathering of individuals is a constitutionally protected right that all Americans should support, regardless of whether one agrees with the substance of the protest. Holding an armed rally at a public park however, raises major public safety concerns.

These anti-government demonstrations are fueled by the belief that our constitutional rights under the Second Amendment are somehow under attack and urgent action is needed. While this may be a powerful rallying point for special interest groups, the claim could not be further from the truth. In fact, much to my dismay, virtually every action the federal government has taken in the past decade has weakened commonsense gun laws already on the books.

I understand that the Park Service is well aware of the situation and is working to ensure the public's safety is protected. I urge anyone attending the event to protest in a peaceful manner, respectful of the park and its visitors. I maintain my belief that firearms do not belong in national parks but unfortunately, that's now the law of the land.

Scott Surovell: "Harry Byrd Rolls Over"

by: lowkell

Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 16:21:34 PM EDT

Going into this budget cycle, we were faced with a $2.1 billion hole to plug after $7 billion of cuts already if we rejected Governor Kaine's proposal to eliminate car tax relief and increase the state income tax. The budget that the House & Senate just passed on Sunday night was "balanced" by using the following maneuvers.

[...]

There are some problems with these methods. The Virginia Retirement System is not our Rainy Day Fund. I do not view "borrowing" monies allocated for retirement as balancing a budget. While it is not technically "debt" borrowed from a third party, it is borrowing from the future. It perverts our state's pay-as-you-go history.

[...]

The reality is that Virginia's Budget suffers from significant structural deficits that we did not address this session. Our annual expenses exceed our annual revenue. The FY 2010-2012 hole was plugged with one-time fixes that papered over a problem instead of dealing with it. While I am glad that we fought and lessened the impact today, I am very worried about the future.