By Delegate Lynwood Lewis
One thing that we can agree on in the often partisan and divided Virginia General Assembly is how to better treat our veterans by rewarding them for their service and also making their transition into civilian life easier.
There have been a number of bills addressing our veterans, two of which I have patroned. The two bills
One thing that we can agree on in the often partisan and divided Virginia General Assembly is how to better treat our veterans by rewarding them for their service and also making their transition into civilian life easier.
There have been a number of bills addressing our veterans, two of which I have patroned. The two bills
Pictured: Delegate Lewis meeting with Bill Wrobel,
Wallops' directory, and Lesa Roe, NASA Langley's
center director, in Lewis' office overlooking downtown
Richmond on the General Assembly's Aerospace Day 2012.
Credit: NASA/Sean Smith
which I was proud to sponsor along those lines were House Bill 195 and House Bill 194. House
which I was proud to sponsor along those lines were House Bill 195 and House Bill 194. House
Bill 195 which is on its way through
passage in the State Senate directs our state public institutions of higher education to develop policies in coordination with the State Council of Higher Education for awarding academic credit in our public colleges and universities for experience in the military. This will give our veterans a leg up if they seek to enroll in our state colleges and universities for new or additional training. House Bill 194 helps with integration into the workforce after military service by directing the Division of Motor Vehicles to develop policies to aid veterans in obtaining commercial drivers licenses by awarding credit towards those CDL's, particularly in the skills area, for activities and skills obtained during military service.
The General Assembly is also considering bills that will provide a Real Property Tax Exemption for disabled veterans. We have also considered a bill which would expedite the issuance of licenses, permits, or certificates for spouses of individuals who are transferring into the Commonwealth with their military spouse. We have also taken up legislation directing our boards of professions and occupations to accept military training, education, or experience of a service member returning from active military service to the extent that training is substantially equivalent to the requirements as established by law regarding the issuance of a license, permit, or certificate by that board to give credit for substantially equivalent service or training in the military. Finally, we have adopted legislation to extend the grace period for the replacement of plates, decals, or vehicle registration to the spouse and dependent children accompanying an active service member who is serving outside of the United States and have also extended the grace period for driver's license expiration from 90 to 180 days after return of service from outside of the United States on active duty or as a civilian employee of U. S. Government, Federal Agency, or contractor. All these bills in some small way are our effort to show our appreciation and also to make life easier for our veterans for their service and sacrifices.
Next week Virginia's budget will be front and center as the House of Delegates and the Senate unveil their budget committees versions of the Governor's budget Sunday afternoon (February 19th). The budget impacts all areas of our Commonwealth so next week's report will focus on the budget and in particular its impact on the District. It will address very complex issues of transportation and Virginia Retirement System funding.
Please feel free to contact me on any issue as it is important to me in my representation of our district to hear from the people that I represent. We will be in Richmond until March 9. Please feel free to contact my office at (804) 698-1000 or delllewis@house.virginia.gov.
The General Assembly is also considering bills that will provide a Real Property Tax Exemption for disabled veterans. We have also considered a bill which would expedite the issuance of licenses, permits, or certificates for spouses of individuals who are transferring into the Commonwealth with their military spouse. We have also taken up legislation directing our boards of professions and occupations to accept military training, education, or experience of a service member returning from active military service to the extent that training is substantially equivalent to the requirements as established by law regarding the issuance of a license, permit, or certificate by that board to give credit for substantially equivalent service or training in the military. Finally, we have adopted legislation to extend the grace period for the replacement of plates, decals, or vehicle registration to the spouse and dependent children accompanying an active service member who is serving outside of the United States and have also extended the grace period for driver's license expiration from 90 to 180 days after return of service from outside of the United States on active duty or as a civilian employee of U. S. Government, Federal Agency, or contractor. All these bills in some small way are our effort to show our appreciation and also to make life easier for our veterans for their service and sacrifices.
Next week Virginia's budget will be front and center as the House of Delegates and the Senate unveil their budget committees versions of the Governor's budget Sunday afternoon (February 19th). The budget impacts all areas of our Commonwealth so next week's report will focus on the budget and in particular its impact on the District. It will address very complex issues of transportation and Virginia Retirement System funding.
Please feel free to contact me on any issue as it is important to me in my representation of our district to hear from the people that I represent. We will be in Richmond until March 9. Please feel free to contact my office at (804) 698-1000 or delllewis@house.virginia.gov.
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