More on "the flip"...
The potential closings in Southside become even more puzzling upon noting the specific services and mission statement of the VEC as listed on their website. Their official mission statement, in brief, is "to provide economic growth and stability". There exist no other localities in the Commonwealth that need such support as those in Southside.
In addition, one of the flagship workforce services of the VEC is their providing unemployment insurance. Again, there exists no other locality in the Commonwealth that needs these services or could stand to benefit from these services than those in Southside. Martinsville currently exhibits an unemployment rate 5.4% ABOVE the Virginia average, while Danville nudges in closely with a rate 5.3% above the Virginia average. One should note that these high unemployment rates are not only tops in Virginia, but compare with nationwide numbers as well. And you still can't rule out the closing of VEC offices in these 2 localities?
The funding aspect of this equation is pretty interesting, too. Currently,Virginia receives only about 30% of the money paid by state employers, the second lowest return of dollars in the nation. Why should the areas that need such services the most suffer because of funding cuts, when we do not get an equal proportion as a state to begin with?
The opposition to this move is both bipartisan and widespread. Del. Ward Armstrong, Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, Del. Danny Marshall, and even 5th District Congressman Virgil Goode have all stepped up in opposition and have lobbied the VEC Commissioner to keep offices open in areas that need them the most. Sen. Reynolds notes that such a closing would be "truly ironic", because it is federal programs such as various trade acts that helped outsource Southside manufacturing jobs overseas in the first place.
As is the case with so many issues, this area is hurt because it lacks the population to have the same impact as Northern Virginia, for example. So while unemployment rates may be higher in Southside, officials might seek to justify a decision to close offices here strictly based on numbers of those in the localities. My goal is to make sure they know that there is more to this decision than numbers, but there are people with real needs.
How do we act on this issue?
If Governor Kaine does already have legal authority -- he certainly should -- wouldn't it make more sense for him to execute such an Executive Order right now, rather than waiting until next January to demand that the General Assembly to act ?
And even if Governor Kaine doesn't already have the authority to execute what is clearly an emergency Executive Order, I can't think of a more compelling reason for him to call a Special Session to give him this authority. Can anyone on RK think of any more compelling need ? How about it, you legal scholars ? Can't Tim do this now, and if or if not does he have the authority to convene a Special Session, which probably wouldn't have to stay in session for more than a few hours and result in (hopefully) a near-unanamous YES ?! Tom C.
The Martinsville Bulletin Editorial Board lists how to contact our representatives in Richmond and D.C., and for what purposes. A heavy emphasis is placed on our federal representatives, since U.S. Senators and Congressmen are asked to formulate and support legislation to ensure that Virginia receive its fair share (50%) of FUTA tax dollars paid by Virginia employers.They lay the details out here. Comments