David Toscano

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David Toscano
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Press Releases

A Bright Future for Virginia

December 3, 2012 by Carmen Bingham

Toscano’s HB1686 (2011) Clears Path for SCC’s Approval of Pilot Solar Energy Generation Project
Charlottesville, VA

Responding to a 2011 Bill introduced by Delegate David Toscano, the State Corporation Commission on Wednesday approved Dominion Virginia Power’s request to initiate pilot solar-energy generation projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dominion proposes to construct up to 30 MW of solar distributed generation facilities, using approximately 30 – 50 installations that would be owned by Dominion but be placed on leased commercial, industrial and community locations, such as rooftops.

Cale Jaffe, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said that without the efforts of Delegate Toscano this project would not have been possible. “This is an essential first step towards the beginning of a solar energy boom in Virginia, and his bill was a key to the SCC approval”.

HB 1686, passed in the 2011 session, directed the SCC to consider for approval utility petitions for distributed solar energy generation facilities. Delegate Toscano, the patron of HB 1686 and the Democratic Leader in the Virginia House of Delegates, expressed pleasure at the SCC action.

“This effort shows that great things can be accomplished when environmental groups and utilities work together; this project could lead to a dramatic expansion of solar-energy generation in Virginia”

According to Dominion Virginia Power, the demonstration project should provide enough electricity to power about 6000 homes during peak daylight hours, and is estimated to add less than 20 cents to a typical residential electric bill. The initial phase of the project is expected by the end of 2013.

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Senate Passes Mandatory Ultrasound bill

February 28, 2012 by David Toscano

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2012
Delegate David J. Toscano

SENATE PASSES BILL MANDATING UNNECESSARY ULTRASOUND
HB462 Tells Virginia’s Doctors How To Practice Medicine

Richmond – The Senate today passed HB462, a bill to mandate women undergo a medically unnecessary procedure prior to receiving an abortion.  Presented as an “informed consent” measure, the legislation intrudes upon the physician-patient relationship.  The bill passed the Senate on a 21 to 19 vote.

“This version of the ultrasound bill has unmasked its true purpose,” said Delegate David Toscano (D-Charlottesville).  “It is neither about women’s health nor safety nor determining the age of a fetus.  It is about forcing women to undergo – and doctors to administer – a costly and medically unnecessary procedure that will provide little useful information and serves simply to intimidate women, their families, and their doctors.”

The bill sponsored in the House by Del. Kathy Byron (R-Bedford), originally required women to undergo a physically intrusive transvaginal ultrasound but was amended after national public outcry to allow women to “opt out”.  Senator Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) was successful in exempting women who are victims of rape or incest from undergoing the intrusive procedure.  It now goes back to the House for final approval.

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Toscano Elected New House Minority Leader

November 19, 2011 by Carmen Bingham

GLEN ALLEN, VA — Delegate David J. Toscano was unanimously elected new House Democratic Caucus Minority Leader by his Democratic peers in today’s Organizational Meeting held at the Wyndam Crossings in Glen Allen, Virginia.

“It has been an honor serving the Charlottesville-Albemarle community in the General Assembly for the last six years ” said Delegate Toscano. “As House Minority Leader, I look forward to continuing the work we have begun by building an effective House Caucus team that projects a positive vision for the Commonwealth and works to implement that vision for the benefit of her citizens over the next several years.”

Toscano was overwhelmingly re-elected to serve a fourth term to represent Virginia’s 57th district in the House of Delegates earlier this month.  He was first elected to represent the 57th district in 2005, upon the retirement of former Delegate Mitch Van Yahres.  Toscano previously served for twelve years on Charlottesville City Council (1990-2002), including one term as mayor (1992-1994).  Toscano and his wife, Nancy Tramontin, and their son Matthew reside in the City of Charlottesville.

Toscano officially took the reins as the new Minority Leader following the unanimous vote today.  He replaces former House Minority Leader, Delegate Ward Armstrong, who lost his re-election bid to the House of Delegates this year.

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Toscano on Governor McDonnell’s Budget Announcement

July 22, 2011 by Carmen Bingham

Surplus is Artificial and Generated by Cuts to  Localities and Employees

Charlottesville, VA – Governor McDonnell today announced a projected $311 million state surplus. Delegate David Toscano (D-Charlottesville) released the following statement in response:

“While this budget surplus is certainly preferable to a shortfall, we should be clear about its origins. First, our national economy is improving and revenues are up as a result.  Second, we neglected our obligations in the last budget to adequately fund our state’s retirement plan. Third, the surplus was generated because of substantial cuts made to localities and our social safety net.

“These substantial cuts to localities and our failure to honor our commitment to state employees to adequately fund their pensions are not consistent with responsible budgeting. Restoring funds now to the retirement system is simply what we should have done two years ago. And maintaining assistance to localities is key to keeping property taxes low.

“It is important that we honor our commitments in a timely fashion that is transparent and without gimmicks. Generating surplus on the backs of localities and our state employees is not only disingenuous, but is a disservice to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.”

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: Virginia budget, Virginia Retirement System funding

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211 E. High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
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david@davidtoscano.com

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