David Toscano

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David Toscano
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The Budget and Adjournment

March 11, 2016 by David Toscano

House and Senate budget conferees came to an agreement late Tuesday, March 8, and published their proposed two-year budget on Wednesday in a “conference report.” The agreement contains many good things for which we have fought.

Highlights include:

  1. Major increases in K-12 education funding over the current biennium, including almost $200 million in lottery funding for school divisions, which will greatly help Charlottesville and Albemarle, a 2 percent salary incentive effective December 1, 2016, and additional money for eligible students to receive free or reduced lunch and breakfast at schools.
  2. Major new funding for higher education, including a 3 percent across-the-board raise for faculty. UVA will receive about $10 million for access and affordability, as well as $4 million for the Focused Ultrasound Program, a cutting edge research initiative, and monies for bioscience incentives.
  3. Full repayment to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) of money the General Assembly borrowed several years ago – a move I voted against – and funding 100 percent of the VRS board-certified contribution rates. Both of these actions will enhance the fiscal viability of the system.
  4. An additional $76.2 million for mental health services.
  5. Fully funding the “Rainy Day Fund,” the special account we reserve for use if Virginia experiences a dramatic economic downturn.
  6. Additional monies for our community colleges to develop new programs to train the workforce of the next decade.
  7. Monies for the “Presidential Precinct,” an initiative developed by UVA, William and Mary, Monticello, Ash Lawn and Montpelier to bring scholars and elected officials from around the world to Virginia to be educated on how democracy works. This is an initiative that I and others in our area have supported, and worked with the Governor to get in his budget.
  8. Major initiatives for job creation through the “GoVirginia” concept. This will allow regions to cooperate in competing for economic development grants and projects necessary to build the New Virginia Economy. GoVirginia creates a great opportunity for our region given the degree to which the University, the city and the county cooperate on policy initiatives.
  9. Monies to fund a new General District Court judgeship in our Judicial Circuit.

In addition to these larger categories, some specific items I proposed are included in the Conference Report, such as:

  1. $900,000 extra funding for court-appointed counsel who take on complicated cases defending indigent clients.
  2. An increase in fees for court appointed mediators.
  3. Support for the Fostering Futures Program, which allows foster care and adoption assistance to be extended for youngsters who would otherwise “age-out” of the foster care program on their eighteenth birthday. Funded with $1.9 million from the general fund (Virginia tax dollars) and $3.9 million in non-general fund money (from the federal government or other sources), the program will benefit a large number of foster children who otherwise might experience tremendous difficulty transitioning to adult life.
  4. Additional money for the Centers for Independent Living. We have a wonderful center in Charlottesville called the Independence Resource Center, and this new money will help the IRC and other centers around the Commonwealth build their programs on behalf of disabled persons.

The largest missed opportunity continues to be the Republicans’ refusal to embrace Medicaid expansion under the ACA. It is ironic that despite their negative rhetoric, our budget does expand some Medicaid services, but in the most inefficient way possible. Under present law, every dollar we appropriate for Medicaid is matched by the federal government with another dollar. Consequently, when we implement new Medicaid spending for substance abuse treatment or to provide new waiver slots for intellectual or developmental disabilities in this budget, we are saying that we trust the federal government to fund its 50 percent of these programs. Yet we still hear the argument that Virginia cannot trust the federal government to continue funding “Medicaid expansion” if it happens under the ACA, where the federal government would pay 90 percent of the costs. This rejection of readily-available Medicaid money has become an article of faith for our Republican counterparts; without a change in the General Assembly’s political composition, Medicaid expansion is unlikely for the next several years.

On Thursday, the General Assembly approved a new Supreme Court Justice after an extremely flawed process. I did not support the appointment and you can see my speech explaining why in the video below.

As the session concludes, I thank you again for all of your input and support over the last sixty days. I am happy to be returning to Charlottesville to be with my family and continue my law practice. I remain available to serve constituents’ needs, and will shortly organize a series of town halls and smaller meetings to discuss the successes and failures of this General Assembly session.

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Filed Under: General Assembly 2016 Tagged With: Affordable Health Care, Education, Job Creation, Judicial Appointments, K-12 Education funding, Medicaid expansion, Mental Health Policy, State Employee Compensation, Virginia budget, Virginia Higher Education Funding, Virginia Retirement System funding

Time to Change the Frame

August 8, 2011 by David Toscano

August 8, 2011

Watching the recent debt ceiling debate in Washington was discouraging, not just because of the vitriol pervasive in the exchanges, but the nature of the discussion itself. We have now come to the point in this country where our focus is not on how we can rebuild our economy and create jobs in a fiscally responsible manner, but on how quickly we can defund proven programs that the American people support without asking all portions of our society, particularly the wealthy, to share the pain in putting our financial house in order.

Our national political debate has shifted away from a policy discussion about jobs, investments, and economic recovery to cuts and deficit reduction. It is time to change the debate.

Remember how we got here. When Bill Clinton left office, we had a budgetary surplus in this country. After eight years of President George W. Bush, with his legacy of massive tax cuts for the wealthy, a new prescription drug benefit that was never properly funded, two wars paid for by massive borrowing, and an economy heading into a recession deeper than anything experienced since the Great Depression, this country had a budget deficit of $407 billion and a debt of $10.6 trillion.

To think we could be pulled out of this ditch without a massive change in direction was fanciful. The stimulus program (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ARRA) brought some measure of relief, especially to states like our own, but the economy still lags. Now, the recent actions of Congress, and worse yet, some proposals yet to be realized, run the risk of further depressing job growth at a time when we need it more than ever. For example, Republicans in the House of Representatives are now proposing to dramatically cut transportation funding. All that will mean is that thousands of well-paid jobs will be lost and our infrastructure further ignored. That will be the consequence of a cuts-only approach to our budgetary challenges.

What does this mean for Virginia? Our governor recently praised this year’s so-called state budgetary “surplus,” but failed to acknowledge that we could not be in the black this year without our receipt of ARRA monies from the federal government (a program he decried), cuts to education and the social safety net, and “borrowing” from our state retirement plan (VRS). Because our state’s economy is so dependent on federal spending, we will likely lose jobs and revenues because of the debt ceiling deal, thereby putting greater pressure on our budget.

Even before the federal deal, a report from the independent think tank, The Commonwealth Institute, projected a budget shortfall for Virginia in the next budget biennium approaching $800 million. And a recent study by George Mason University documents the Commonwealth’s inadequate investment in our transportation network, a dynamic which depresses job growth and hurts our competitiveness.

Unless we change the debate and begin discussing ways to close budget gaps without solely resorting to further cuts, the Commonwealth could look very different in five years than it does at present.

What could we do to enhance revenue in Virginia? If we reformed our tax structure to reduce the rate to 5.6% for those who make less than $75,000 a year and increase to 6.85% the rate for those who earn over $400,000, we could raise an additional $300 million in 2013*.

And even if one is skittish about reforming the income tax, what about closing some tax preferences for some of Virginia’s largest industries? If we were to eliminate special tax preference for the coal industry, which costs Virginians $94 million per year**, we could reduce the tax rate for all Virginia corporations by one-half percent, providing them all with monies they could reinvest in factories and jobs, while creating additional tax revenues of approximately $26 million per year to help fund schools and public safety.

Most Virginians recognize the way to address budgetary challenges is through a balanced approach. They recognize the need to further invest in education and transportation to create jobs and a high performing workforce. They realize that helping those most in need, whether they are the elderly in nursing homes or children with inadequate access to health care, are central to what it means to be a Commonwealth. And they believe that everyone should share in the gains of economic growth and the restraint necessitated by fiscal discipline.

In this country and in our Commonwealth, we are at risk of losing our balance. The only way to restore it is to change the nature of the debate.

Sincerely,

David

Reminder: The City Democratic Firehouse Primary for City Council and Clerk of Court is Saturday, August 20, 2011. This is likely to be THE ELECTION for City Council, so I hope we will have a big turnout. If you want your voice heard, vote between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Burley Middle School.

* This proposal was made in HB 2588 a 2009 bill patroned by Delegate David Englin and which I co-patroned. The bill was tabled in the House Finance Committee.

** This represents $44.1 million of credits claimed under the Coalfield Employment Enhancement Tax Credit, and an estimated $50 million claimed under the Virginia Coal Employment and Production Incentive Tax credit, as estimated by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. The exact amount for the latter is not released by the Department of Taxation because three or fewer companies actually claim the credit.

 

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Filed Under: General Assembly 2011 Tagged With: Virginia budget, Virginia Retirement System funding, Virginia transportation

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

New Laws go into Effect July 1, 2011

July 1, 2011 by David Toscano

General Assembly Update (7/1/11)

Today marks the effective date on hundreds of new laws passed by the 2011 General Assembly. I am proud to have passed several bills this year that will promote solar energy generation, make mortgage refinance easier, and streamline adoptee’s access to birth records, among others.

Here is a summary of several other interesting bills that are now law. Please share your thoughts on these with me by email or facebook.

  • Persons in dating relationships are now eligible to obtain protective orders. In the past, abused spouses or those in a familial relationship with an abuser were eligible but those in dating relationships that did not live with their abuser or have a child with him or her were not. My bill on this subject, HB 2422 was incorporated into the final legislation (HB 2063).
  • Localities can now permit school systems to install video cameras on school buses to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses that may be picking up or dropping off children (HB1911).
  • Victims of sexual abuse now have 20 years–up from two years–to file lawsuits against their alleged attackers. As a member of the Courts of Justice Committee, I heard hours of testimony on this bill which, while not perfect, provides more time for victims to come to terms with their traumatic experience and initiate civil court proceedings (HB1476).
  • Motorcyclists, mo-ped operators and bicyclists can now proceed through steady red lights after two light cycles or two minutes if their vehicle doesn’t trigger a light change as long as they exercise due care (HB1981).
  • Restaurants licensed by the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board can permit customers to bring in and consume their own wine and can charge a corkage fee (SB1292).
  • Individuals who have cast absentee ballots but who die before Election Day will now have their ballots counted (HB1568).
  • State workers will receive a 5 percent pay raise in exchange for being required to pay 5 percent of their salary toward the Virginia Retirement System, which was recently found to have a $17 billion “unfunded liability.” (Read more about that issue here)
  • Producers selling agricultural produce or eggs in farmers markets and roadside stands will be exempt from the sales and use tax if the seller’s annual income from sales does not exceed $1000.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in the General Assembly, and I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July Weekend.

Sincerely,

David

 

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Filed Under: General Assembly 2011 Tagged With: Environmental Protection, Renewable Energy, Virginia Retirement System funding

Agreement on the Budget

March 1, 2011 by David Toscano

General Assembly Update (3/1/11)

At 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 27, the General Assembly approved a new budget (one day late) and adjourned. This budget represents a major improvement from that which was approved by the Republican-dominated House of Delegates two weeks ago and is a major victory for higher education, mental health, and our local school divisions.

During the debate on the House version of the budget several weeks ago, a number of us took the floor and began our criticism of the proposal with the phrase, “Transportation is important, but…”, followed by a discussion of a particular issue that we considered important, from education and aid to localities to mental health and public safety. Governor McDonnell and the majority party in the House attempted, in their proposed budget, to take monies from these priorities and move them into the transportation fund. Democrats in the House said that while we wanted to increase transportation funding, we refused to take money from schools to do it.

Despite our arguments, the House passed its budget two weeks ago. The battle, however, was not over, and the budget that was finally passed late Sunday evening reflects many of the priorities that we consider important. It restores the cuts the House Republicans made to K-12 education. This dramatically affects Charlottesville and Albemarle, which, under the House plan, would have lost substantial funding. The final budget also increases investments in higher education by $100 million, including for community colleges. The University of Virginia will also receive another $3 million for cancer research and clinical trials. Public broadcasting was saved from elimination, but did incur a 10% cut.

Other budget highlights include:

  • Additional money for transportation through accelerated bonding, not at the expense of schools and public safety
  • A contribution of $64 million to the Rainy Day Reserve Fund
  • Increased funding for Medicaid providers, restoring some cuts made in the House proposed budget
  • Restoration of funding for Drug Courts and AIDS awareness cut in the House budget
  • Additional money for local police (HB 599)
  • Funding for judicial vacancies
  • Restoration of funding for Planned Parenthood cut in the House budget

The serious problems with the $17.6 billion VRS unfunded liability have not been fully addressed by this budget. The Governor’s proposal, however, to have state employees pay more back into VRS than they would receive in raises was defeated and, instead, they will be required to pay 5 percent of their salary toward their retirement and get reimbursed the full 5 percent in a pay raise. This will inject some additional money into the fund but not enough to make a substantial dent in the unfunded liability. VRS funding will continue to be an issue over the next several years unless the General Assembly starts making larger, consistent contributions to the fund. For employees in the Optional Retirement Plan, the state will not reduce its contribution this year.

I will be back in Richmond on April 4, 2011 for the special session on redistricting and the veto session. I will do my best to keep you informed of the redistricting process and what we can expect for the 57th district.

I appreciate the input you have given me over the last 47 days of session and hope you will continue to be engaged in the pressing issues facing our Commonwealth. Please feel free to contact my office any time with questions, concerns, or suggestions. My number in Richmond is (804) 698-1057 and you may reach me by email at deldtoscano@house.state.va.us. I look forward to serving you in the coming weeks.

 

Sincerely,

David

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Filed Under: General Assembly 2011 Tagged With: Education, K-12 Education funding, Mental Health Policy, Virginia budget, Virginia Higher Education Funding, Virginia Retirement System funding, Virginia transportation

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