SMITHFIELD
Everything for this year’s General Assembly depends on the budget. On that, all the legislators who participated  in the annual Richard J. Holland Pre-Legislative Session Breakfast Forum on Thursday could agree.

Del. Roslyn Tyler (D-75), first to speak, said this year is a short session of 45 days and the atmosphere is “one of compromise — we’ve got to get the budget done; it’s priority.” She added that this is also an election year for delegates such as herself.

“There are quite a number of bills to be introduced,” Tyler said, these include aiming to eliminate the suspension of a person’s license when they can’t pay court costs. Funding for education and mental health are also a concern of hers. She’ll also be there to address public safety and education for rural areas.

Del. Rick Morris (R-64) was called away at the last minute owing to a trial that had to be continued, according to his legislative aide, Tim Mitchell.

“He’s looking forward to a successful session,” he said, adding that Morris will concentrate on core values, small farmers, small businesses and government transparency.

Sen. John Cosgrove (R-14), formerly a delegate until 2013, also reiterated the budget will be the factor when it comes to bills. One of them concerns establishing a veterans mental health docket in the circuit courts, though he added that the Supreme Court might be taking care of that issue.

The protection and management of the menhaden fish in the Chesapeake Bay is one of his bills; calling the fish “critical to the wellbeing of the bay.”

He urged students who were present at the breakfast to contact their legislators.

“Call your senators, delegates, councilmen or supervisors and ask questions,” Cosgrove said.

Sen. Louise Lucas (D-18) said, “We do want a balanced budget,” and brought up her continued work to establish a casino in Portsmouth. Mental health and Medicaid waivers for persons with intellectual disabilities are also a concern.

Sen. Thomas Norment Jr. (R-3), who is the Senate Majority Leader, said his objective for this session is just to survive.

“We balance the budget by cutting … it’s a painful process.”