Floor Speeches & Statements

Do we have a responsibility to help Virginia’s hospitals as engines of economic opportunity and providers of critical services? Last week, we heard several floor speeches exploring whether, how, when, and under what conditions we can expand health care coverage to up to 400,000 uninsured Virginians. I am optimistic that we can find a way — a Virginia […]

Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, I rise today in support of the new Governor’s efforts to assist some 400,000 Virginians who do not presently have health insurance. In the Governor’s recent address to this joint assembly, he made a strong business case for why it is in our economic interest to find […]

Ladies and gentleman of the House, This is perhaps the most important vote that I have cast in my eight years here in this chamber. Many of our constituents are very cynical about politics these days. You hear them all the time. Some of them simply call your office and ask that something be done […]

“We speak a lot about responsibility and accountability in this chamber. Today we have the opportunity to make a statement, loudly and clearly, that we not only value those two principles but one that lies at the heart of Mr. Jefferson’s University – the concept of honor. The events of last spring at the University, […]

“Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House: I rise this morning to again draw attention to what should be one of the number one priorities in this year’s budget – education. Education is important not just to provide our children the skills they will need to compete in a complex economy, but for continued […]

The 2012 General Assembly Session got under way on January 11, 2012, at 12:00 noon. Delegate David J. Toscano gave his first floor speech today as the new House Democratic Leader. Below are his comments.  You may view the speech here. “I rise today with a new role in this chamber, but not with a […]