Rerras Hijacks Bill

By: elevandoski
Published On: 2/18/2007 10:21:47 AM

Over the course of 3 legislative sessions, Senator Mary Margaret Whipple has introduced legislation establishing a Homestead Exemption to exempt certain homeowners from taxation.  She introduced it in 2005 as SJ449 where it was left in Senate Finance.  She introduced it in 2006 as SJ79 where it was left in Privileges and Elections.  In 2007, she introduced it as SJ398, where it was rolled into Sen. Nick Rerras' SJ354. And, poof like magic, in the course of just 30 days, this Homestead Exemption bill clears Privileges and Elections, clears Senate Finance, and sails through on a 38-1 vote. 
The Virginian-Pilot reported on this bill recently, unwittingly giving all credit to Rerras.  But an astute follower of General Assembly ins-and-outs would have noticed one revealing clue as to the genuine history of this bill... "Although the signature of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine isn't required, Kaine has strongly endorsed the concept."  Kaine campaigned on the concept of offering a Homestead Exemption Act if elected.  I know my former boss, Supervisor Chuck Harris, in the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors office talked to Mark Warner about this even as far back as 2003.  This has been an issue championed by Democrats for many years to only see year in, year out for it to die in the hands of the Republican majorities in both the Senate and the House.

Senator Whipple naturally expressed a level of frustration when telling me about what Rerras had done and asked me to definitely introduce her to Ralph Northam, which I was only too delighted to do.  She remains constant the classy lady she is and one happy to finally see her bill meet success. The good it will do for so many Virginians outweighs the petty power grabs inflicted by insecure Republicans such as Rerras - a single instance where the ends justifies the means. 

Assuming this bill passes the House, it remains a first reference.  Like all constitutional amendments, it has to pass both houses twice with an election in between.  Then it goes to the voters for a thumbs up or thumbs down in November 2008.  I like that need for an election in between.  When Ralph Northam defeats Rerras this November, what goes round comes round as Sen. Whipple rightfully has her name on what is legitimately her bill. 

Comments



Great diary... let's set the record straight immediately! (Dianne - 2/19/2007 8:25:42 AM)
So now it is time for the Virginia Democratic "communications directors", "spin meisters", bloggers, etc. to get the story right!  The story in the Pilot doesn't even mention that this was part of Governor Kaine's campaign platform.  I remember attending one of Gov. Kaine's first visits to Fredericksburg where he discussed that idea at length with the local community and it got a lot of interest and questions, especially among older folks who's property had appreciated and property taxes increased, but whose income remained fixed. 

Glad you have posted this important issue.  Now we need to get to work to set it straight in the minds of the public and the press!

Or the Republicans will get credit for this in November!!!