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Committee, on which I serve.
After the committee vote. I received some letters from home in favor of HB 82. They pointed out how critical to the general welfare of our people the totally volunteer rescue squads are. The letters respectfully reminded me that there were no general funds available to them and that to hire state or county employees to do the work of the rescue squad volunteers would cost millions.
They also pointed out that the vehicle registration surcharge had not been increased in a decade, while vehicles and other equipment had climbed mightily in price.
I pondered the arguments my friends from home were making about the need for additional funds for volunteer rescue squads in the 15th District, and across the Commonwealth. I realized that while my principal that monies for necessary services like the rescue squads should be appropriated by the General Assembly, in fact there were no such funds being appropriated.
I changed my mind about increasing the vehicle surcharge to $4 and I changed my vote. When HB 82 came to a vote on the floor of the House, I was one of 70 members who voted for it, and for that I thank my “lobbyists” from home.
Until next time?
Delegate Allen Louderback represents Rappahannock County in the 15th District. He may be reached at P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va. 23218 or b\ phone 1-804-698-1015 or 1800-889-0229.
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