Blog Posts
Written on May 15, 2013 in News
Delegate Robert G. “Bob” Marshall addressed the Commonwealth Transportation Board today in opposition to the proposed final route for the North-South Corridor of Statewide Significance. This route follows the previously proposed Bi-County Parkway, sometimes called the Battlefield Bypass, Tri-County Parkway or Western Transportation Corridor. Delegate Marshall’s testimony is below.
The CTB had an “action” item on its agenda for the May 15, 2013 meeting to adopt the final route for this project. Delegate Marshall spoke with Secretary Sean Connaughton and requested that the vote be delayed until further public hearings could be held. The next public hearing on this proposed roadway will be June 3, 2013 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the George Mason Campus in Manassas from 6-9 PM.
Written on May 14, 2013 in News
Below is the resolution I received from the Commonwealth Transportation Board in response to a request for more information about an “action” item on the agenda for their May 15, 2013, meeting. This appears to be a resolution to adopt the route for the new North-South Corridor which will follow the proposed Tri-County Parkway route despite strong opposition to this route and the plan as a whole.
I have long opposed this plan sometimes called the Battlefield Bypass or Western Transportation Corridor. I have raised concerns about the cost effectiveness the proposed project and its ability to relieve traffic congestion in addition to the effects on citizens living in and around the proposed route area. I believe that citizens would be better served by enhancements to existing roads including:
1) Doubling the exiting capacity at the Rt. 28 exits off of I-66
2) Building a grade separated interchange to relieve the backup caused by congestion at Walney Rd/Braddock Rd and Rt. 28 which spills back onto I-66.
3) Spending $5 million to create reversible lanes on Rt. 28 between the Fairfax County line and Manassas Park to relieve the congestion there.
Implementing these changes would create a much less congested North/South route without the exorbitant costs associated with buying right-of-way and building a brand new road.
There has been a lack of candor about this roadway that needs to be remedied. For example, at a town hall meeting on March 4th at Bull Run High School on this issue one of the primary speakers, I believe Gary Garczynski, [for VDOT/Commonwealth Transportation Board] stated that both UPS and FedEx endorsed this road. I spoke with a representative from UPS who is in charge of transportation for UPS for Northern Virginia. He knew nothing about this and resented the fact that it had been implied that UPS endorsed this road.
Additionally, at a recent Prince William Committee of 100 meeting, Mr. Garczynski stated that the Commonwealth Transportation Board had not endorsed a plan to close Rt. 234 and Rt. 29 through the Manassas Battlefield Park prior to the Bi-County Parkway/Battlfield Bypass being completed. This is patently false since there are documents available which show the CTB voted for exactly that in February of this year. This lack of candor has to stop.
This proposed road is a developers road and I would like to know who currently owns the property that would be purchased for right-of-way and who has taken options to purchase property along the right-of-way. I believe that it is primarily developers and that rather than helping create a road to move traffic in a timely manner this would be an opening for extensive development which would only create more traffic problems. There are other better options out there and I hope that VDOT and the CTB will consider them.
If you have concerns about this road please plan to attend the CTB meeting May 15, 2013 at 10 AM at the VDOT Central Auditorium located at 1221 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA.
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Written on March 1, 2013 in News
Dear General Cuccinelli,
In the 2013 Budget there is a provision that purports to delegate to the newly created Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission, comprised of primarily but not exclusively legislators, the ability to make decisions on behalf of the entire legislature with respect to Medicaid reform and whether certain conditions have been met to proceed to the expansion of our Medicaid program.
I would like to request an official opinion with regard to whether such delegation can be done under the Virginia Constitution and Code of Virginia?
Thank you for your time and assistance. I would appreciate a response in time for something to be done prior to the April veto session if necessary. If you have any questions please contact me at 703-853-4213.
…
Read the full letter by clicking the link below:
Download Del. Marshall’s Letter to Cucinnelli
Written on February 27, 2013 in News
Here are my official letters requesting opinions for the constitutionality of HB2313, the recent tax hike that I voted against.
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Written on February 4, 2013 in News, Press Highlights
A great article in Forbes in support of Delegate Marshall’s HJ590 to study the possibility of a return to the gold standard in monetary policy. The bill has passed the House Rules Committee and should be heard today (Feb 4, 2012) on the House floor.
“Last week, the Virginia House of Delegates Rules Committee passed, by an 11 – 1 bipartisan majority, a bill to establish “a joint subcommittee to study the feasibility of a United States monetary unit based on a metallic standard, in keeping with the constitutional precepts and our nation’s founding principles….” Such a study could prove to be a very big deal indeed.”
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Read the full article here: Forbe’s Magazine
Written on January 10, 2013 in News
The Virginia General Assembly Session began January 9th, and continues for 45 days.
I would greatly appreciate your support of the bills I have introduced. Unless legislators hear from their constituents, bills fail for lack of support. So far I submitted the bills below after talking to Virginians all around the Commonwealth. If one or more measures interest you, please take a minute to send an email asking your own delegate or senator to co-patron and vote for them.
If you are not sure who represents you, or how to contact your own state delegate or senator, here is the link to find that information: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/VGAMain?openform
Since so few people take the time to contact their legislators, especially at the state level, your action can have a huge impact!
HB 1313:Reverse Obama Health Tax Increases: A provision of Obamacare raised the threshold for deducting unreimbursed medical expenses from 7.5% to 10% of adjusted gross income and reduced the maximum amount that can be spent from flexible spending accounts from $5000 to $2500. This increases the tax burden on families, especially those with high medical bills for chronic illness, disabled children and seniors. My bill will de-conform Virginia’s income tax, (which usually conforms to the federal income tax) to keep the 7.5% threshold and $500
HB 1314: Obama Abortion Pill-Birth Control Mandate: Protects Virginia Employers from having to provide coverage for birth control, early abortion pills and sterilization operations if against their conscience.
HB 1315: Obama Abortion Pill-Birth Control Mandate: Protects Virginians from having to purchase health insurance which covers birth control, early abortion pills and sterilization operations if against their conscience.
HB 1316: Sex-Selection Abortions: Prohibits abortion procedures to select the gender of the child and imposes a Class 4 felony for abortionists performing illegal abortions.
HB 1369: Sex Offenders near School Bus Stops: Provides that families of school children be informed if a school bus stop is located within 500 feet of the home of a convicted sex offender.
HB 1417: Obama Abortion Pill-Birth Control Mandate: Provides that the Commonwealth of Virginia cannot be mandated by the federal government to include coverage for contraception, abortion pills or sterilization in health insurance policies offered by the Commonwealth to employees or beneficiaries.
HB 1529: Compensate Forced Sterilization Victims: From 1924 to 1971 approximately 7,400 Virginians were forcibly sterilized often without their knowledge, pursuant to Virginia’s now repealed Eugenic Sterilization Law. My bill will award $50,000 to each victim to provide some sense of justice to the few remaining victims. Government is required to compensate for taking away property; how much more should it compensate for taking away the ability to have a family.
HB 1557: Concealed Carry Training for School Personnel: Establishes minimum training standards to certify persons designated by a school board to carry a concealed handgun on school property to protect students. Because elite politicians have armed body guards and secret servicemen guarding their children, and their children’s private schools employ armed security officers, all children should be afforded similar protection. Training shall include, but not be limited to, situational assessments pertaining to the use or display of a firearm, the safe carrying and storage of a concealed firearm, the use of a firearm, and proper response to emergency situations on school grounds until the arrival of law enforcement.
HB 1571: Unfair Towing Practices: Requires that before any vehicle is towed by a tow truck operator as the result of a towing request (i) made by a law-enforcement officer or (ii) made by the owner or operator of the vehicle to be towed based on the recommendation of a law-enforcement officer, the officer making such request or such recommendation shall supply the owner, if the owner is present, or the operator of the vehicle to be towed, with a written statement of the amount to be charged for the towing and storage of the vehicle. Significant abuses have come to my attention regarding some towing practices.
HB 1576: National Guard: Provides Virginia armed forces with educational materials about constitutional declarations of war or use of force and the doctrine of the Just War.
HJ 542: Constitutional Amendment: Provides that each fiscal year, any surplus tax funds collected which exceed that required to be deposited to the Rainy Day Fund shall be refunded to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth provided the surplus exceeds $50 million. Refunds will be based on the proportion of the taxpayer’s share of the total income tax revenues of the Commonwealth in the calendar year in which the fiscal year surplus occurs.
HJ 590: State Legal Tender Laws: Establishes a joint subcommittee to study whether the Commonwealth should adopt an alternate medium of commerce or currency to serve as an alternative to the currency distributed by the Federal Reserve System in case of a major breakdown of the Federal Reserve System, or if foreign powers seek to disrupt our national monetary system through economic warfare.
HJ 599: Intrastate Commerce Powers: Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution and Virginia’s ability to regulate intrastate commerce, manufacturing and agriculture.You can also watch the proceedings of the General Assembly on your home computer. Session usually begins at noon (non-televised committee meetings are held before and after session). Session can last a few hours or many depending upon the agenda! Remember that we are all elected to serve, and are employed by you! Here is the link to watch the proceedings:
Thank you!
Delegate Bob Marshall
Written on November 6, 2012 in News
There are two proposed Constitutional Amendments on the today’s ballot. I urge you to vote yes on both of them.
EMINENT DOMAIN: Ballot Question One proposes to amend the Virginia Constitution to restrict the condemning or taking of private property only if the property taken (for which the owner is to be compensated) is for a public use, not merely a public purpose which in Virginia had included taking land for economic development purposes.
This controversy surfaced in 2005 as a result of a US Supreme Court decision, (Kelo v. City of New London) which held that private property could be taken and transferred to a private business to produce more tax revenue. That decision also allowed states to enact laws to restrict such actions.
The General Assembly did enact a more restrictive law in 2007 over strong opposition from real estate developers, Chambers of Commerce, and local elected officials who make zoning decisions.
Because state laws can be changed by a future General Assembly by a simple majority vote, security for property owners is best achieved by a Constitutional Amendment which only the voters may change.
The Amendment provides that private property ownership is a “fundamental” right; that private property takings do NOT include taking or damaging of private property if it is for private gain, private benefit, private enterprise, increasing jobs, increasing tax revenue, or for economic development.
Just compensation for property taken includes the value of the property taken, lost profits and lost access, and damages caused by the taking. The terms “lost profits” and “lost access” are to be defined by the General Assembly in future legislation if voters approve the Amendment.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS: Ballot Question Two will permit, but not require, the General Assembly to change the date on which the General Assembly must meet to consider Governor’s vetoes and amendments of legislation passed in the regular session. Presently, the law requires meeting on the sixth Wednesday following the end of each yearly regular session.
If approved, this amendment will permit the General Assembly to delay the start of the veto session for up to one week only. The General Assembly proposed this change to avoid the scheduling of the veto session on a religious holiday such as Passover. The veto session usually lasts for one day and must end within ten days.
Virginia’s tradition of protecting religious liberty was affirmed in the 1786 Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom law authored by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and which remains in the Code of Virginia. It provides “that no man shall be . . . molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but that all men shall be free . . . in matters of Religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.”
Written on October 23, 2012 in News
Please join me for a Victory Rally with Mitt Romney this Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Battlefield High School in Haymarket! Check out the flyer for information about how to obtain tickets.
Written on October 3, 2012 in Press Releases
Delegate Marshall receives the Courageous Leadership Award from Chairman Donald Blake of the Virginia Christian Alliance
[Award was given in Ken Cuccinelli’s office on July 25, 2012.]
The “Courageous” Leadership Award for the 2012 Virginia General Assembly session for members of the House was presented to Delegate Kathy Byron (R-22nd) for her steadfast courage in supporting her pro-family, pro-life legislation. In the face of much public pressure and personal attacks, she stood strong on her position. [Del. Byron’s award will be given at a later date due to scheduling.]
The “Courageous” Leadership Award for the 2012 Virginia General Assembly session for members of the Senate was presented to Senators Phillip P. Puckett (D-38th) and Charles J. Colgan (D-29th). Both of these long-serving members of the Virginia Senate, under much duress, broke rank with their party and voted for positive pro-family, pro-life legislation. They both deserve special recognition for their steadfastness in standing for their beliefs and standing for life. [Senator Puckett’s award will be given at a later date due to scheduling.]
The Pastor’s Leadership Award was awarded to Bishop Dr. Joseph D. Henderson, Sr. and the Bragg Family Life Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Bishop Henderson’s leadership contributed greatly to the “changing of the old guard” in the Virginia Senate. The “changing of the old guard” in the Senate allowed for passage of long delayed pro-family, pro-life, “pro-Virginia” legislation.
The Freshman Legislator of the Virginia General Assembly 2012 Session Award was presented to Senator Bryce E. Reeves of Fredericksburg, Virginia (R-17th). Bryce Reeves played an active and important role in his leadership of pro-family, pro-life legislation in his first session.
The Virginia Christian Alliance’s Affiliate of the Year Award was presented to No Excuse Ministries and its founder, Mrs. Terry Beatley. Terry Beatley and her ministries were the force behind the election in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County that brought back pro-family, pro-life leadership to the Virginia Senate.
The Virginia Christian Alliance is very pleased to present these awards and very grateful for the efforts of each of these ladies and gentlemen for their efforts to promote and protect the families of our Commonwealth.
CONTACT:
Virginia Christian Alliance, Chairman, Don Blake (804) 651-1700 don@vachristian.org
Written on September 13, 2012 in Blog Posts
The words attributed to my husband, Delegate Bob Marshall, almost 3 years ago, were taken out of context and the student reporter later admitted it was a paraphrase, not an exact quote. My husband strongly believes that every child is a gift from God regardless of the circumstances of his or her birth or stage of life. He also opposes abortion which is often used to end the lives of disabled preborn children.
For many years I volunteered and worked with disabled children. One of our grandson’s died of Trisomy 13 at three months of age. One of our three adopted children had a 50-50 chance of inheriting a genetic condition which would have caused disability and death in early adulthood. (Years later we found out her birth mother did not carry this gene.) Our family gladly cared for in our home, my father who had dementia and could never be left alone. My husband incurred the wrath of his own Republican Party leaders because he refused to back down after meeting with hundreds of families who had children with autism, when Republicans refused to vote on providing insurance coverage for autism. Read more
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