GA Moves on Two Major Issues

by Dick Hall-Sizemore

While Steve Haner is doing his civic duty as a poll worker today, I will step in to provide important updates on two issues that have been discussed on this blog:  energy regulation and redistricting.

First, energy regulation: Dominion has won again. The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee late yesterday killed HB 1132, which would have reinstated the traditional review of Dominion’s rate base by the State Corporation Commission. The SCC would have been authorized to require Dominion to refund any profits above the allowed amount. The vote to kill the bill was 8-7, distributed in the following manner:

Yes (Kill): Saslaw (D), Norment (R), Obenshain (R), Lucas (D), Spruill (D), Barker (D), Marsden (D), Lewis (D)

No: Newman (R ), Edwards (D), Deeds (D), Ebbin (D), Surovell (D), Mason (D), Bell (D)

On redistricting: With the Governor threatening to call a special session if there were a stalemate on redistricting reform, the Speaker has apparently relented. The House Privileges and Elections Committee voted to send to the full House SJR 18, amending the state constitution to establish an independent commission to handle redistricting. Although approved overwhelmingly by the 2019 General Assembly and by the Senate this year, the amendment had been vigorously opposed by the House Black Caucus for not guaranteeing representation of minorities on the commission. Also, critics had complained that two legislative members from the same party could block any redistricting plan and, in such a case, the Virginia Supreme Court would draw the districts.

The vote was 13-8, with four Democrats and nine Republicans supporting it. All the votes against it were from Democrats.