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House Republican legislators pass legislation to reform Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need Laws

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Chief Co-Patron Chris Peace commends his colleagues, Dels. O’Bannon and Byron on its Passage RICHMOND, VA – At the beginning of the 2016 session, Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) joined several other senior Republican members of the Virginia House of Delegates to introduce legislation to reform Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) laws. Policies spanned from full repeal to various other significant reforms to COPN, to create a more free-market healthcare system, improve access to quality and affordable care for patients while controlling costs.

Virginia is one of 36 states with certificate of public need (COPN) laws. Currently, Virginia regulates far more than those states with almost 20 different services, including but not limited to general acute care services, diagnostic imaging, ambulatory surgical centers, capital expenditures, and facilities construction. Under current law, if a healthcare provider wants to build a new facility, add new CT or MRI services, or change the services it provides, it must go through a lengthy and costly application process with state regulators who determine if there is a “public need” for such a service.

The application process can take nine months or longer which on its face is a barrier to market. It nearly derailed a stand-alone emergency department being pursued in New Kent and initially rejected the moving of imaging equipment within Bon Secours from a location at Reynolds Crossing (Glenside/Broad) to Short Pump. “The COPN system is the epitome of central planning and lacks common sense,” according to Del. Peace.

“Virginian’s deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare,” said Delegate Chris Peace (R-Hanover). “Yet far too often, local communities are denied increased access to basic services such as outpatient emergency rooms, CT scanners or MRIs by healthcare regulators based on decisions made by unelected bureaucrats. Virginia should reform our COPN laws so that local communities and private business to partner in the selection of services they need in their backyard while allowing competition to drive costs down.”

Passed today, HB 193 creates a three phase process to sunset most of Virginia’s COPN laws over a three year period. Phase one includes eliminating COPN for imaging services. Phase two would eliminate COPN for ambulatory and outpatient surgery centers. The third phase would eliminate COPN for hospitals and all other categories. The legislation leaves an exemption for nursing homes, open-heart surgery facilities, and tissue transplant services. The final major piece of the bill includes strict charity care requirements for all providers. The bill requires charity care contributions to be tracked, monitored, and enforced by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Additionally, HB 350, changes numerous administrative processes to make the program more efficient and transparent. It adds an expedited 45 day review period for noncontroversial projects, and is based on the recommendations approved by a work group convened by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel in 2015. Speaking to the bill, Del. Kathy Byron stated, “Despite an onslaught of negative ads and paid phone calls, a majority of Delegates understood we have to act to lower healthcare costs.”

HB 193, chief co-patroned by Peace, passed the House by a vote of 52-46. HB 350, also chief co-patroned by Peace passed by a vote of 94-4. The measures will now head to the Senate for consideration.

“We are now one step closer to meaningful COPN reform in Virginia,” asserted Del. John O’Bannon.

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House Republican legislators introduce legislation to reform Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need Laws

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Three Republican members of the Virginia House of Delegates are introducing legislation in the 2016 General Assembly session to reform Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) laws.  Delegates John O’Bannon (R-Henrico), Kathy Byron (R-Bedford) and Christopher Peace (R-Hanover) are proposing eight legislative ideas to repeal or reform COPN, create a more free-market healthcare system, improve access for patients, and control costs. “As a physician, I see firsthand the negative effects that burdensome COPN regulations are having on healthcare in Virginia,” said Delegate John O’Bannon (R-Henrico).  “COPN laws limit competition, which means fewer choices and higher costs for Virginia families.  Reforming COPN is the best way to improve access for patients, expand healthcare services and keep costs under control.  I look forward to working with my colleagues this coming session to enact meaningful reform.”

Specifically, Delegate O’Bannon’s proposal would create a three phase process to sunset most of Virginia’s COPN laws over a three year period.  Phase one includes eliminating COPN for imaging services.  Phase two would eliminate COPN for ambulatory and outpatient surgery centers.  The third phase would eliminate COPN for hospitals and all other categories.  The legislation leaves an exemption for nursing homes, open-heart surgery facilities, and tissue transplant services.  The final major piece of the bill includes strict charity care requirements for all providers.  The bill requires charity care contributions to be tracked, monitored, and enforced by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“In my district, and in rural communities across Virginia, access and affordability are the biggest healthcare challenges facing patients,” said Delegate Kathy Byron (R-Bedford), Chairman of the Health Insurance Reform Commission.  “The Federal Trade Commission says COPN ‘laws undercut consumer choice, stifle innovation, and weaken markets’ ability to contain health care costs.’  Virginia needs comprehensive COPN reform to allow the free market to create competition, increase choices, and reduce costs.”

Delegate Byron will introduce several measures aimed at reforming COPN laws, including legislation related to repealing the COPN requirements for ambulatory surgery centers, medical equipment, and LASIK equipment.  Delegate Byron will also introduce a bill that would enact an immediate repeal of Virginia’s COPN laws but would protect rural hospitals and nursing homes by exempting them from the repeal.

“Virginian’s deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare,” said Delegate Chris Peace (R-Hanover).  “Yet far too often, local communities are denied increased access to basic services such as outpatient emergency rooms, CT scanners or MRIs by healthcare regulators based on decisions made by unelected bureaucrats.  Virginia should reform our COPN laws so that local communities can decide which services they need in their neighborhoods, and allow for competition to drive costs down.”

Delegate Peace will introduce legislation to repeal the COPN requirements for CT scanning, MRI, MSI, PET scanning and nuclear medicine imaging provided the medical provider meets the following criteria: has the appropriate accreditation, adheres to the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria or other evidence-based national standards to discourage utilization, registers equipment with the Commissioner and regional health planning agency and meets certain equipment standards that will be left up to the regulatory process, and provides the same amount (at a minimum) of the average percentage of indigent care provided in the health planning region in the previous year in which the physician’s office resides. If the physician is unable to meet this requirement, the option to provide a monetary contribution instead remains. Peace has also introduced legislation that would enact an immediate and partial repeal of Virginia’s COPN laws.  This bill would exempt nursing homes, open-heart surgery centers, and tissue transplant services from the repeal, and would enact strong charity care requirements to ensure the most vulnerable have access to vital healthcare services.

Republican legislators participating in the press conference included Delegate John O’Bannon (R-Henrico), Delegate Kathy Byron (R-Bedford), and Delegate Chris Peace (R-Hanover).

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC endorses Chris Peace for Re-Election

Delegate Christopher K. Peace received the endorsement of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) AgPAC, a political action committee of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, in the race for the 97th House District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Expressing appreciation of the endorsement, Peace said, "I'm honored to have received this endorsement; it is a strong vote of confidence from the farmers of the Commonwealth. Agribusiness is an important part of Virginia's economy. I am focused on working with my colleagues in the General Assembly and the agricultural community to get Virginia's economy moving again. By embracing a solution-oriented approach, I will work to enact the right policies at this critical time to assure a more prosperous future for farmers and every other sector of Virginia's economy. I support the right to farm and forest."

Peace is among 87 candidates that Virginia VFBF AgPAC has endorsed for House seats. Endorsements were made based on the recommendations of local committees of farmers.

“Each of these candidates has demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs and challenges farmers are facing and/or have proven their support through their favorable voting records while holding positions in the General Assembly.  We believe these candidates will help agriculture and forestry maintain its vitality as the number one industry in Virginia”   said Wayne F. Pryor, chairman of VFBF AgPAC and VFBF president. “We look forward to working with them in the 2016 Virginia General Assembly.”

The non-partisan VFBF AgPAC was created by Farm Bureau in 1999 and employs in-kind contributions to support candidates who can best support agriculture and Farm Bureau issues. A full list of candidates endorsed by the committee can be viewed online at www.VaFarmBureau.org

 

Pictured: Hanover farmer, Wayne Kirby, Del. Peace, and King William farmer, J.N. Mills

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DELEGATE CHRIS PEACE ANNOUNCES RECEIPT OF RE-ELECTION ENDORSEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN BRAT

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Congressman Dave Brat (7th District) recently endorsed Christopher K. Peace and his bid for re-election as Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly (97th District). In his endorsement, Congressman Brat applauds Peace for his conservative leadership in Richmond, his thoughtful approach to representative democracy and respect for the Constitution. “I am proud to endorse my friend, Chris Peace, for reelection. Chris has served his constituents with honor, integrity and compassion, and his voting record shows a consistent focus on opposing tax increases, protecting family values, defending the Constitution, and promoting job creation with a high quality of life in Hanover, King William and New Kent counties. I strongly support his reelection and look forward to continuing to work with him.”

Delegate Peace’s priorities promote an atmosphere which will encourage job creation in the private sector, a state government which will partner with localities to improve our schools, and ensure that college is more affordable, and ultimately to protect our most vulnerable citizens.

Speaking about the endorsement, Peace stated “I am honored to have Congressman Brat’s support. Dave and I have worked together for some time and I admire his willingness to challenge entrenched special interests in Washington. He and I will work every day to find common sense conservative solutions for hard working middle class families so that our community becomes a better place to live, work and raise a family. I believe that there are no problems that we cannot solve together.”

If you would like to contact the Peace campaign, please feel free to contact the Delegate personally at 804-730-3737, by email at info@chrispeace.com, on the web at www.chrispeace.com, or remit correspondence to his office at P.O. Box 819, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.

Letter from Speaker Howell to Governor McAuliffe regarding the status of the General Assembly

August 27, 2015

Dear Governor McAuliffe,

I am writing to inform you that the Virginia General Assembly remains in session pursuant to your July 16, 2015 call for a special session, House Joint Resolution 5001 and Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia.

As you know, the General Assembly reconvened on Monday, August 17 at your call to address the U.S. Eastern District Court’s ruling in Page v. Va. State Board of Elections et. al. The House of Delegates convened at 11:00 a.m. to begin the redistricting process, despite a strong belief that the defendants should have the opportunity to fully litigate their appeal. The Senate of Virginia convened at 12:00 p.m.

The House of Delegates recessed at 3:12 p.m. on August 17 to allow the House Committee on Privileges & Elections to hold a public hearing and solicit citizen input on potential redistricting plans. The House Majority Leader stated on the floor that the House intended to reconvene before September 1 to continue work on redistricting. The House stands in recess subject to my call pursuant to House Joint Resolution 5001, which passed both chambers unanimously.

Shortly thereafter, the Senate of Virginia attempted to adjourn sine die. Despite requests by Senate Majority Leader Norment for an explanation, Lt. Governor Northam offered none when he ruled incorrectly that the Senate could adjourn sine die without the concurrence of the House.

The Constitution of Virginia is clear, unambiguous, and emphatic: “Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn to another place, nor for more than three days.” The language in Virginia’s Constitution can be traced back more than 150 years and similar clauses are found in the constitutions of nearly every state.

Virginia’s 1776 Constitution specifically provided that either house could adjourn unilaterally. This provisionwas changed in 1830. The primary author of Virginia’s current constitution, Professor A.E. Dick Howard notes in his commentaries the provision has remained substantively unchanged since then and that the constitutions of nearly every other state, and the U.S. Constitution, contain similar provisions. Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure also contains a similar provision.

The attempt by Senators in your party to adjourn without the concurrence of the House of Delegates is a plain violation of the Constitution. The Senate simply cannot adjourn sine die without the concurrence of the House, which the House has not offered. Therefore, the General Assembly remains in session.

Several state supreme courts have concluded that neither house can adjourn sine die without the concurrence of the other. The Alabama Supreme Court has reached this conclusion repeatedly, In re Opinion of the Justices, 47 So.2d 642 (1950); In re Opinion of the Justices, 257 So.2d 336 (1972); Alabama Citizens Action Program v. Kennamer, 479 So.2d 1237 (1985). A majority of the justices of the Florida Supreme Court concluded that such an adjournment was improper in Joyner v. Florida House, 163 So.2d 503 (2015).

Moreover, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concluded in Frame v. Sutherland, 327 A.2d 623 (1974) that one chamber of the legislature could not adjourn without the concurrence of the other. In that case, the Governor attempted to make “interim” appointments which were challenged in court by members of the legislature. The Court found that such appointments would only be valid if the Senate had finally adjourned. However, the Court held that "the Senate's attempt to adjourn sine die failed because of the absence of consent by the House of Representatives. Our holding rests on a conclusion that the Constitution prohibits either house from adjourning sine die without the consent of the other." The Court ultimately invalidated all of the Governor’s attempted appointments that were challenged.

Several official opinions of state attorneys general reach the same conclusion. The Minnesota attorney general concluded in 1986 that “final adjournment 'of the legislature' like other actions of 'the legislature' requires the action of both houses to be complete.” The Michigan attorney general wrote in 1937 that an attempt by the State Senate to adjourn “was unconstitutional because the House did not concur[.]” Official opinions in Idaho and Iowa are the same.

Based on the joint procedural resolution agreed to by all members of both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, the plain language of the Constitution of Virginia and a review of relevant case law and legal opinions, it is without question that the General Assembly remains in session.

Sincerely, William J. Howell

Republicans escalate fight with McAuliffe over Supreme Court judge

Senate Democrats unconstitutionally attempted to adjourn the 2015 Special Session Monday at the direction of Governor McAuliffe, defying a federal court ruling and ending any opportunity of a legislative remedy on redistricting. However, as Speaker Howell and Senator Norment stated Tuesday, the General Assembly remains in session, leaving the Governor without the power to make interim judicial appointments and calling into question any legal rulings made subsequent to that appointment. From the Washington Post:

Republicans on Wednesday warned Gov. Terry McAuliffe that his plan to reappoint the Virginia Supreme Court justice at the center of a toxic political showdown could subject her rulings to legal challenge. ...But Republicans said McAuliffe’s actions could not only cloud Roush’s tenure but also give aggrieved litigants reason to challenge her authority on the bench. A University of Virginia law professor and the principal draftsman of the current version of the state constitution agrees with them. ... They argued that only the Senate adjourned and the House is still technically in session — so McAuliffe’s power to make appointments does not kick in.

The situation is unheard of in Virginia, making the legal questions murky, but some believe that chaos could ensue. A.E. Dick Howard, the U-Va. law professor, said if Republicans challenged McAuliffe’s authority to reappoint Roush, her judicial opinions could be in doubt.

“That would be sticky,” he said. “Presumably, the authority of that judge to preside over cases would be called into question.” L. Steven Emmert, a lawyer based in Virginia Beach and publisher of Virginia Appellate News & Analysis, called the predicament “a mess largely without precedent.”

If a court eventually rules that Roush’s appointment was improper, he said: “I would expect losing litigants to pounce on it.” That Roush’s current term on the bench expires in mid-September, in the middle of a week-long session of the Supreme Court, only adds to the questions, Emmert said.

“What happens to folks who have arguments [that day]? Who’s going to be sitting there, if anybody? Who will decide if there’s a legal challenge to who’s entitled to that seat?” he said.

Governor McAuliffe and Senate Democrats had no explanation Wednesday for their orchestrated walkout.

A spokeswoman for McAuliffe did not respond to requests for comment on the Republicans’ stance about Roush. ... Sen. A. Donald McEachin (Richmond), an attorney and the Democrat who made the motion that abruptly ended Virginia’s session, said Republicans are wrong — but he declined to explain because the case may end up in court.

House Republicans to introduce oversight legislation in response to latest EPA Regulations from Obama administration

Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates will announce oversight legislation in response to the latest EPA regulations at a pro-energy rally in Richmond Monday night. Delegate Israel O’Quinn (R-Washington) will introduce legislation ahead of the 2016 session to require General Assembly approval and oversight of the Commonwealth’s plan to comply with the E.P.A.’s “Clean Power Plan” regulations. The EPA released the final Clean Power Plan rule last week. “The 1,500-plus pages of regulations released by President Obama’s E.P.A. could drive up energy prices and damage Virginia’s already struggling economy,” said House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “The House of Delegates will fight to protect the working families, seniors and small businesses that will be hurt by these burdensome regulations. The Commonwealth should delay the implementation of any compliance plan while the regulations are litigated and the General Assembly should have final approval and oversight of the plan.”

“For Virginians, the impact of complying with President Obama’s regulations will be severe. Energy prices will go up, disproportionately hurting senior citizens and the poor, and the rules will deal yet another blow to small businesses who are already struggling.” said Delegate O’Quinn. “These people who will be affected by these regulations should have a say in how we comply with that plan through their elected representatives.”

“Our proposed legislation would require General Assembly approval and oversight before Virginia complies with the EPA’s new regulations,” O’Quinn continued. “Governor McAuliffe must send his plan to the legislature for review, and the House and Senate will then take a vote on behalf of the Virginians they represent. If the plan fails to pass, Governor McAuliffe tries again. He cannot implement the plan without approval of the General Assembly and, by extension, the citizens of Virginia. It is that simple.”

The legislation will be formally introduced Monday night at the Americans for Prosperity Power-Up Virginia Rally at the University of Richmond. House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Delegate Jimmie Massie (R-Henrico) and Delegate O’Quinn will all speak.

“Virginians are frustrated. The economy is flat lining, families are struggling paycheck to paycheck and businesses are just trying to get by,” said Leader Cox. “The Obama-Clinton-McAuliffe regulatory agenda is stifling growth. The higher energy prices from this plan will only make it worse. It is time for the people to have a say in these regulations and that is what our approval and oversight legislation would do.”

“Whether it is a main street retailer in Hampton Roads, small auto-repair shop in the Shenandoah Valley, major manufacturer here in Richmond or large data center in Northern Virginia, all businesses will be impacted by these costly and burdensome regulations,” said Delegate Massie. “The higher energy prices caused by these regulations either cut in to the bottom line or they’re passed on to customers. Either way, someone loses. Our approval and oversight legislation is a commonsense step to protect Virginia families and their jobs.”

For more information on the Power-Up Virginia Rally, click here.

Today is National 811 Day. Always Call 811 Before You Dig

Planning a home improvement job? Planting a tree? Installing a fence or deck? WAIT! Here's what you need to know first. Whether you are planning to do it yourself or hire a professional, smart digging means calling 811 before each job. Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call – even small projects like planting trees and shrubs Call 811 at least  three business days prior to digging, tell the operator where you're planning to dig, what type of work you will be doing and affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. They'll send a locator to mark the approximate location of public underground lines, pipes and cables, so you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely.

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Delegate Peace Statement on Initial Bureaucratic Review of the Private Sector Application for a Trauma Center in New Kent County

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Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) today issued the following statement on recent reports of the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) initial review of an application for construction of a level 2 trauma center with MRI and CT imaging services to be located in New Kent County: “I am disturbed by a recent report stating VDH staff’s initial review of a COPN application for imagining equipment to be located at a proposed level 2 trauma center in New Kent recommends denial. I am appalled that state bureaucrats may deny rural New Kent residents access to high quality health care and jobs. Reports like these may affect the future need for a Certificate for Public Need (COPN) program in Virginia. I will express my concerns directly to the State Health Commissioner and am strongly considering taking steps toward legislative action.”

“In my letter of support to the State Health Commissioner, I firmly stated the positive impacts this proposal will have for New Kent County and citizens. This project will be extremely beneficial for New Kent County, its residents and families. I also believe that it may help with attracting jobs and new taxpayers to the county. Notwithstanding the health benefits, New Kent County has recently experienced the loss of a major industry and economic engine in Colonial Downs and economic growth is a priority of mine for the county. The potential addition of a new industry that employs locally and provides health and well-being to families would be a welcomed event.”

“I ask, shouldn’t private industry such as a for-profit hospital be able to make up its own mind about how to invest in expansion of services into new areas? Are the citizens of New Kent less worthy of a scanner than those in other larger localities? I feel the COPN system in Virginia may be past its sell by date. I will continue to stand firm in my support of this project on behalf of my constituents and friends in New Kent.”

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Virginia State Board of Elections Proposes Changes to Voter Registration Form

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Del. Peace questions changes to regulations removing currently required inquiries on citizenship or felony convictions Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) announced his concern that Virginia’s Secretary of Administration and the State Department of Elections are proposing regulations to overhaul the voter registration form. "What they are proposing may violate the Virginia Constitution, and go against the Code of Virginia," said Del. Peace.

The Constitution of Virginia, Article 2, Section 2 states very clearly:

“Applications to register shall require the applicant to provide the following information on a standard form: full name; date of birth; residence address; social security number, if any; whether the applicant is presently a United States citizen; and such additional information as may be required by law. All applications to register shall be completed by or at the direction of the applicant and signed by the applicant, unless physically disabled. No fee shall be charged to the applicant incident to an application to register….and whether the applicant has ever been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent or convicted of a felony, and if so, under what circumstances the applicant's right to vote has been restored."

The McAuliffe Administration's proposed changes announced by the Virginia State Board of Elections would allow people registering to vote to skip questions on their citizenship or felony convictions.

Speaking to the proposal, Peace asserted, “If implemented, these changes could of course make it easier to commit voter fraud, and would substantially undermine bills passed in recent years to address voting by felons, residents of other states, and photo ID. This proposal would never pass our House of Delegates, which may explain why it is being brought administratively through the State Board.”

Local registrars have reviewed the proposed changes to the application and the regulations. The greatest concerns expressed by the Voter Registration Association of Virginia (VRAV) Region 3 registrars, which includes Hanover, King William, and New Kent, were about the proposed regulations which set forth what would be considered a material omission from the application and what would be considered an immaterial omission.

VRAV Region 3 noted that §24.2-418 of the Code of Virginia mandates that a voter provide certain information in order to register to vote. However, the proposed regulations counter those specific mandates in several instances. The group feels and strongly urges that the regulations be revisited and revised to be in accordance with the specific mandates of the Code of Virginia.

House Speaker William J. Howell applauds creation of GO Virginia business coalition

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) on Tuesday applauded the Virginia business community for the launch of Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity in Each Region, or GO Virginia. GO Virginia is a coalition of business leaders working to promote collaboration between state and local government and the private sector in order to grow Virginia’s economy. The coalition was announced Tuesday in a press conference at Virginia’s Biotechnology Park. "Today’s announcement is the result of nearly two years of hard work by Virginia’s most prominent and successful business leaders and the beginning of a collaborative effort to grow and strengthen Virginia’s economy," said Speaker Howell. "This coalition was necessitated by the clear acknowledgement that Virginia’s economy is struggling. We rank near the bottom of the nation for economic growth and our status as one of the nation’s best states for business is rapidly falling. More needs to be done to create good paying jobs for Virginia families, inspire entrepreneurs to build new businesses and attract the world’s best companies to the Commonwealth."

Speaker Howell continued, "Whether it is prioritizing existing economic development funding to incentivize regional collaboration or streamlining and improving our workforce development programs, I am confident that the General Assembly will be able to work with this coalition of business leaders to develop ideas that can be turned into actionable policies in order to power a brighter future for Virginia."

"Finally, I want to thank Dubby Wynne, Tom Farrell, Heywood Fralin, Wick Moorman, and other business leaders from around the state who put their time and energy in to building this coalition,” Howell concluded. “I look forward to making GO Virginia a success."

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Peace Statement on New Kent Level 2 Trauma Center Proposal

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Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) today issued the following statement on the recent announcement of a proposed level 2 trauma center to be located in the Bottoms Bridge area of New Kent County: “I was honored to be asked in March to submit a letter of support on behalf of the County and the applicant to establish an outpatient imaging center with CT and MRI services at a freestanding emergency department in New Kent County to the Virginia Department of Health.”

“This project will be extremely beneficial for New Kent County, its residents and families. I also believe that it may help with attracting jobs and new taxpayers to the county. Notwithstanding the health benefits, New Kent County has recently experienced the loss of a major industry and economic engine in Colonial Downs and economic growth is a priority of mine for the county. The potential addition of a new industry that employs locally and provides health and well-being to families would be a welcomed event.”

In a recent article authored by Andre jones of the New Kent Chronicle dated 7/20/15, County Administrator Rodney Hathaway confirmed the possibility of a medical facility in Quinton and he was quoted therein: “The proposal is currently going through a variety of public hearings being hosted by the Virginia Health Commission (VHC),” Hathaway said. “Their next one is July 29 and I know it is becoming a topic of discussion that is gaining steam.”

 

State Grant Funding Awarded to New Kent County Airport

Delegate Peace, Chairman of House Appropriations Transportation Committee, Welcomes Needed Support for County Airport Central VA –Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-97th District) who serves as the Chairman of House Appropriations Transportation Committee today announced that the New Kent County Airport was issued a grant agreement for maintenance improvements in the amount of $21,587.  Funds were awarded by the Virginia Department of Aviation.  “I am so pleased that the state can provide these funds for capital costs helping to keep the New Kent airport well maintained into the future,” said New Kent’s Delegate Peace.

Grant funds will be utilized for the purchase of much needed equipment to help maintain the premises.  State aviation grant funding programs assist public-use airports with a variety of maintenance and improvement activities.

In a letter to Delegate Peace, Randall P. Burdette, Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation stated, “We are pleased to be able to provide this financial assistance to the New Kent County Airport, which we believe is an important component of the Commonwealth’s statewide transportation system as well as an important contributor to the region’s overall economic development.”

The Virginia Department of Aviation is a state transportation agency whose mission is to cultivate an advanced aviation system that is safe, secure, and provides for economic development; promotes aviation awareness and education.