Session Overview
For the first time since Reconstruction, the 2000 General
Assembly Session convened with a Republican Speaker, a Republican
President of the Senate, and working Republican majorities at
each end of the State Capitol. Power in the Senate shifted
visibly and substantially to Republicans as a four-year power
sharing agreement, forged in the throes of a 20-20 stalemate,
expired, and Republicans assumed singlehanded control of floor
and committee business. Although a power sharing agreement in
the House, similarly forged in the face of a 50-50 deadlock,
nominally remained in force, the ascension of S. Vance Wilkins,
Jr., to the all-powerful Speakership effectively shifted control
of the lower chamber to Republican hands, as well.
The transition to control was a smooth one - so much so that
the new leadership managed the virtually unprecedented feat of
adjourning the Session a full day early!
For constitutional officers, the 2000 Session was a positive
one, notable for the absence of crisis issues like those that
typified the mid-1990's. Among the major budget accomplishments
for constitutional officers were:
* An across-the-board 3.25% increase in compensation for
principal officers and deputies, to take effect December 1, 2000.
* Extension of the health insurance credit for retired constitutional
officers to all retired deputies.
* Provision of additional positions in all five constitutional
offices for the first time in more than two decades.
Notable legislative actions included the enactment of party
identification on the ballot, a goal long championed unsuccessfully
by Republicans while in the minority. Governor Gilmore and the
Republican leadership also successfully removed the power to
make interim appointments in constitutional offices from the
circuit courts and placed it in the hands of the people, acting
through special elections. House Bill 1537 and Senate Bill 688,
which go into effect on October 1 of this year, provide that
the chief deputy in a constitutional office (if there is one)
will automatically assume the principal officer's responsibilities
in the event of a vacancy, and that a speedy special election
be set down to fill the vacancy for the balance of the unexpired
term.
Outside the realm of election law, 2000 was a year largely
notable for what did not happen. Numerous efforts to enhance
retirement and other non-salary benefits (for example, by including
deputy sheriffs in the enhanced VaLORS retirement system created
in 1999) were shelved for further study and reflection. Efforts
to add new responsibilities to constitutional offices - notably
the commissioner of accounts function - similarly were deferred
for further study. The issue of campaign finance reform once
again was relegated to a study.
As always, your calls and letters helped make VALECO's and
the five associations' important achievements possible. VALECO
has grown enormously in its effectiveness precisely because constitutional
officers have made one-on-one advocacy with their home legislators
a priority. Thank you!
Further Information
Alan Albert: 757/624-3055 (Norfolk), 804/697-1368 (Richmond)
E-mail: aalbert@maysval.com
Anne Leigh Kerr: 804/697-1465
E-mail: alkerr@maysval.com
(c) 2000 Virginia Association of Local Elected Constitutional
Officers.
This report may not be reproduced in whole or in part without
the written permission of the copyright holder.
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