SMITHFIELD
The budget, public safety, a tax exemption for religious organizations and the rights of college students are among the many issues that Delegates Roslyn Tyler (D-75) and Rick Morris (R-64) say they’re prepared to address when the General Assembly begins its new session next week.

Both representatives presented their concerns and plans on Thursday at the Richard J. Holland Pre-Legislative Breakfast. Senators L. Louise Lucas, Thomas Norment and John Cosgrove were invited, but were unable to attend the function, which is presented by the Isle of Wight, Smithfield and Windsor Chamber of Commerce.

“The budget is the number one priority,” Tyler said. “There’s already a 2.4 billion shortfall.”

Making reference to former governor Bob McDonnell ‘s recent sentencing on corruption charges, she supports action to strengthen ethical practices. But Tyler added that the assembly shouldn’t “get tied up with ethical concerns to lose sight of the budget.”

Getting money for the needs of sheriffs, EMT’s and firefighters to do their work is another of the delegate’s objectives.

“I will work to increase money for our deputy sheriffs,” she added as one example.

“My bills are common sense bills for common sense issues,” Tyler said, who described herself at one point as a “rural legislator.”

With his bills HB 1293, 1294, Morris would like for religious organizations to be exempt from the stormwater management fee — which he also referred to as a tax and a joke.

HB 1321, 1322 and 1323 will deal with student rights at places of higher education, such as colleges. The first, for example, would allow any student facing a student-run court for punishable offenses would be able to have representation at his or her own expense.

Morris said this matter had come up as “a very contentious bill last year.”

In other government-related matters, the delegate said, “We can always make government better,” and to do so he’s introducing HB 1383, which could enforce accountability. Appointees on local governing boards could be removed at any time.

During the question-and-answer session, Tyler was asked if Medicaid expansion had a chance this session.

“I’m a supporter of Medicaid Expansion,” she said. “There will probably be discussion, but not on the House site. Unless the governor implements it, it will probably be hard to expand Medicaid.”

To Morris, increasing Medicaid coverage is akin to ��an expansion of Obama Care [The Affordable Care Act]. Is it working or not? I see none. Make it right, but right now it’s not right.”

Both delegates said they favor school boards being allowed to set their own calendars.

“We agree on things,” he said smiling.

At the start of the breakfast, Dick Holland warned against partisan politics, calling them “shallow and selfish, and the result of ego and pride.”

Holland, the son of the late representative, is president and CEO of Farmers Bank, which annually sponsors the program.

“Check your ego at the door, and have an X-ray to see if your backbone shows up,” he added as advice to anyone who wants to be a legislator. “Don’t love the job too much, and have an honest check daily.”