Del. Gilbert Lays Out House GOP Priorities

House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert rose from the House of Delegates floor for a Point of Personal Privilege today to lay out the House Republican Caucus priorities for the 2019 session.

Gilbert began by mentioning his appreciation for the softer tone of Governor Northam’s State of the Commonwealth Address. Last year Northam’s State of the Commonwealth Address was full of needless fire and brimstone, while this year’s address was closer to the long accepted “Virginia Way.” After all, Northam is the governor of Virginia, not the governor of just the radical left.

Then Gilbert began to lay out the most important priorities for House Republicans this session. He started with taxes and tax relief as the top item on the list. Gilbert described the governor’s tax increase plan as “dead on arrival” for the House. He promised to protect tax payers against increases and maintain the ability to continue to allow for itemized deductions. He noted that House Republicans’ position is not to create a tax break for the rich, a common mindless accusation from Democrats. House Republicans want to cut taxes for all of Virginia’s tax payers.

The next priority mentioned was school safety. Gilbert mentioned a number of ways to improve school safety and reduce the threat of any kind of attack on a school. The House will take up several proposals from a special committee’s recommendations on school safety this session. Gilbert did not specially mention Lee County’s plan to arm teachers.

And because this was all during a Point of Personal Privilege, where speeches are meant to be short and to the point, Gilbert did not elaborate in detail on the rest of the House Republican priorities, but he did run off a list that included lowering healthcare costs, fighting the opioid crisis, reforming higher education, promoting economic development, and supporting local and state law enforcement. Bills and resolutions on those important areas will be forthcoming.

The House Republican Caucus is ready for another active session. Let’s hope the State Senate and the governor will be able to see the need for conservative improvements in the policy areas mentioned. Republicans currently hold a 51 to 48 majority in the Virginia House (a special election will be held on Feb. 19 to fill the vacant 100th seat).

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