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Virginia GOP Leaders Announce 2011 Legislative Agenda

January 11, 2011
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Governor McDonnell (front) is joined by Delegate Tag Greason (R-Potomac Falls), Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-McLean), Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach), Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest), Sen. Steve Martin (R-Chesterfield) and Lt. Governor Bollling to announce their 2011 agenda.
Michaele White, governor's photographer
Governor McDonnell (front) is joined by Delegate Tag Greason (R-Potomac Falls), Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-McLean), Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach), Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest), Sen. Steve Martin (R-Chesterfield) and Lt. Governor Bollling to announce their 2011 agenda.

By Dana Farrington

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and other state Republican leaders announced a "Smaller Government, Stronger Economy" joint legislative agenda on Tuesday for the state's 2011 general assembly session. The proposal outlines seven priorities that aim to reduce the size of state government and spur job growth.

The "reform, fiscal responsibility and restructuring" goal includes recommendations for spending cuts and reform for the Virginia Retirement System, which would require all state employees to contribute 5 percent to their retirement, matched with a 3 percent pay raise.

Other parts of the package include approximately $55 million in new grants and incentives for job creation as well as investment in road and transit projects. The agenda also endorses the establishment of a "Repeal Amendment" in the U.S. Constitution, which would allow states to reject a federal law for policy reasons.

"This is a positive, forward looking agenda that recognizes the need for a smaller, smarter state government but also commits to job creating efforts in the areas of transportation, economic development and higher-education," McDonnell says.

The 2011 Virginia General Assembly session is scheduled to convene on Wednesday.

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