Sheriff Bob McCabe's Blog

2011-09-20T19:21:00.000-04:00

State pension: Passing the buck

Credit: Bob Brown / Times-Dispatch

In 16 of the past 21 years, the General Assembly has appropriated less for the state pension fund than VRS recommended.

By: Times-Dispatch Staff
Published: September 18, 2011

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During a radio interview the other day Gov. Bob McDonnell intimated that state workers might have to cough up more dough to help fund their own retirement plans. The Virginia Retirement System, he said, faces an $18 billion unfunded liability that "even tremendous stock market returns" cannot offset.
If so, the fault does not lie with state workers. Nor does it lie with the professional managers who run the VRS. Virginia's retirement system ranks among the better-run state pension systems. VRS has incorporated modest assumptions about rates of return on investment. That marks a sharp contrast to the shady practice in many other states that have built unrealistic expectations into their assumptions in order to divert pension contributions to more politically sexy outlays.
How has Virginia's political leadership rewarded this sober approach? By undermining it at every turn. In 16 of the past 21 years, the General Assembly has appropriated less for the pension fund than VRS recommended. Last year the state skipped making $620 million in payments to fund current operations.
Certain Republican lawmakers tried to reassure skeptics of the move by insisting that, in fact, the state actually had been over-investing, and that robust stock market returns would more than make up for any cutbacks. Their own behavior gave the lie to that when they passed a law making new state hires contribute to their pensions, and giving localities the option of making local new hires to do the same. There would have been no need for the measure if the pension system was bursting with revenue.
The graying of the baby boom generation presents pension systems with a challenge that is playing out at the national level in the debate over the sustainability of Social Security and Medicare. The weight of demographic trends should not be discounted.
But that's not the problem with the VRS. The problem with the VRS is that elected officials have chronically under-funded the system — and now they want someone else to clean up their mess. The governor calls that "a discussion I'm going to have with the General Assembly this year." We call it welshing on a promise.

2011-07-11T19:01:00.000-04:00

Hampton Roads Leaders Launch Bipartisan
“Virginians for Northam” Committee
~ Co-chairs cite Senator Ralph Northam’s independence, willingness to work across the aisle as marks of true leadership in the General Assembly ~
NORFOLK – “Today we announce the formation of an independent committee of Republicans, Democrats and Independents in support of Ralph Northam’s re-election to the Virginia Senate,” says co-chair Matt Hales, the committee’s treasurer and small business owner in Norfolk. “While Republican Party activists have been divided for the entire summer over choosing their nominee, a broad coalition of business and community leaders, elected officials and supporters, regardless of party affiliation, are sticking by Senator Northam.”
“In less than four years as a member of the General Assembly, Ralph Northam has established an impressive record of independence and putting Virginia’s interests first,” says Onancock native and co-chair Vernon Brinkley, President and CEO of A&N Electric Cooperative. “While today’s hyper-partisan climate rewards party loyalty above all else, we are fortunate enough to have someone like Ralph who is willing to stand up to political pressures and do what is best for his constituents.”
“For many families today, the struggles have never been more challenging,” says former Accomack County Republican Committee treasurer Lou Marshall, a lifelong Republican. “Representing a diverse district geographically, racially, culturally, and economically, Ralph Northam has balanced the needs of all of his constituents. His brand of leadership is the right approach to solving Virginia’s problems at a time when we cannot afford to play political games at the expense of the taxpayers.”
In the coming weeks “Virginians for Northam” will be expanding its membership and highlighting Senator Northam’s broad base of support in the 6th District from the Eastern Shore across the Chesapeake Bay to Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and up to Mathews County. “Virginians for Northam” is co-chaired* by:
Dr. Barbara Allison-Bryan, North, pediatrician
Vernon Brinkley, Onancock, President and CEO of A&N Electric Cooperative
Dr. Hugh Bryan, III, North, orthopedic surgeon and president-elect of the Medical Society of Virginia
Matt Hales, Norfolk, small business owner
Alula “Lou” Marshall, Temperanceville, former Accomack County Republican Committee treasurer
H. Spencer Murray, Franktown, member of the Northampton County Board of Supervisors
Debbie Stitzer-Brame, Virginia Beach, Executive Director of Edmarc Hospice for Children and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Norfolk
John E. “Ed” Tankard, III, Cape Charles, owner of Tankard Nurseries and Virginia Marine Resources Commission member, recently re-appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell
Richard Tankard, Franktown, current member of the Northampton County Board of Supervisors
*All co-chairs have offered their personal endorsement that does not extend to their affiliations, business or otherwise
Working with Democrats and Republicans, Ralph Northam has established a reputation of bipartisan leadership on creating jobs, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and defending Virginia’s sporting traditions, promoting public health, adequately funding and equipping public safety professionals, and keeping Hampton Roads a military-friendly community.
Pro-business leader
With the backdrop of CNBC naming Virginia the best state in the nation to do business, Senator Northam has supported traditional efforts to re-energize the state’s economy as well as innovative initiatives unique to Hampton Roads. From encouraging public and private investment in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island to the development of wind energy projects off Virginia’s coast to the extension of high speed interned broadband infrastructure to the Eastern Shore, Senator Northam has made jump-starting the economy a top priority.
As a pro-business legislator, he has favorable ratings from Virginia FREE, a non-partisan organization dedicated to ensuring Virginia’s long-term leadership in economic growth and business-friendly government. Northam is ranked 1st out of the 10 first-term senators in legislative effectiveness and 2nd in overall business rating for the 2011 General Assembly session. Virginia FREE also ranked him, out of all 40 senators, 6th overall for his business-friendly voting record and 10th overall in legislative effectiveness.
Protecting Virginia’s natural resources
Senator Northam believes in the Second Amendment and has worked to ensure Virginia’s hunting and fishing traditions live on for future generations. Equally important is protecting the environment. Senator Northam has been a champion for the Chesapeake Bay, working to improve water quality standards and resource management practices. He has supported efforts to rebuild our blue crab populations and ensure that non-native oysters would not be introduced into the Bay. More recently, he co-sponsored legislation to ban phosphorous, a key nutrient pollutant, from most lawn fertilizers sold in Virginia.
When it comes to environmental standards and economic development opportunities, Senator Northam does not believe there has to be a choice between the two. He has supported efforts to promote alternative energy solutions such as wind, solar, and biodiesel, worked to promote low impact development and improvements to wastewater treatment plants, and searched for ways to advance sustainable agriculture and aquaculture.
A doctor who puts patients first
As a physician who treats young children, Senator Northam knows better than anyone the challenges that both patients and doctors face with modern medical care. He has been an advocate for more affordable and more accessible health care focused on health outcomes, not insurance company profits. Partnering with the Virginia Foundation for Health Youth Board of Trustees, Senator Northam has helped dramatically reduce teen smoking rates in Virginia, and also sponsored legislation allowing the Foundation to take on childhood obesity, which is becoming an epidemic in our country. He sponsored the Student Athlete Protection Act, which requires new guidelines for protecting young athletes from brain damage due to sports related concussions.
Public safety advocate
After working hard to shield first responders, including sheriff’s deputies, police officers, emergency medical personnel and fire fighters, from detrimental budget cuts, Senator Northam was recognized in June with the “Outstanding Legislative Service Award” by the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, an organization whose membership approaches 9,000 sheriffs and deputies. Northam also sponsored successful legislation to protect first responders from blood borne pathogens.
A veteran who understands sacrifice
As an army veteran, Ralph Northam knows first-hand the sacrifices the men and women of the armed forces and their families make. With Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world, located in the 6th Senate District, Senator Northam is committed to helping government work for the thousands of active duty and retired military personnel living in Hampton Roads and across Virginia. He co-sponsored legislation to eliminate property taxes for 100% disabled veterans and their spouses, and has been instrumental in securing state funding for BRAC-related projects around NAS Oceana.
Background
Ralph Northam was born and raised in Onancock, Virginia, and is third-generation native of the Eastern Shore. At an early age Ralph learned the value of hard work as a farmhand, grocery store clerk, and mate on an offshore fishing boat during his teen years. After graduating from Virginia Military Institute and later from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, he completed his pediatric residency and a child neurology fellowship, working at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Northam served 8 years active duty in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Major. Stationed in Landstul, Germany during Desert Storm, Northam treated wounded soldiers returning from the front lines. He was honorably discharged in 1992. Since that time, he has worked as a pediatric neurologist in his Norfolk-based practice at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.
Senator Northam resides with his wife Pam in Norfolk, where they raised their two children, Wes and Aubrey.
The 6th Senatorial District includes all Accomack and Northampton Counties and parts of parts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Mathews County.
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Informal 05/03/11Meeting - Norfolk City Council

2011-05-03T23:02:00.000-04:00

2011-03-28T08:52:00.000-04:00

An inadvertent mistake in the state budget last year left a two-year hole of more than $30 million for sheriff's departments and regional jails across Virginia.

Gov. Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly have filled all but $7.4 million of the hole, but that shortfall still would mean the loss of more than 200 law-enforcement positions in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The gap includes a shortfall of almost $1.3 million for sheriff's departments and three regional jails in the 20 localities across the greater Richmond region.

Richmond itself is the biggest potential loser, with $288,489 and more than eight positions at stake as the governor considers budget amendments to present to the General Assembly next week.

"The Richmond City Sheriff's Office is responsible for one of the largest jail and courts systems in the commonwealth of Virginia," said Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. "Any reduction to our budget which may affect our ability to maintain the highest level of public safety can be seen as nothing less than devastating."

The Virginia Sheriffs' Association has asked McDonnell to amend the budget to provide the $7.4 million. "It's a serious concern," said John W. Jones, the association's executive director.

The governor's office isn't saying what McDonnell might do. "I know the governor is very aware of the concern for the law-enforcement community," spokesman Jeff Caldwell said. "It's something he pledged to look at and review in the budget."

The governor has addressed the problem three times since it was discovered last spring after the State Compensation Board already had allocated money that was not actually appropriated in the budget.

The shortfall was the result of a budget compromise that eliminated a half-percent tax on property and casualty insurance premiums that had been proposed by then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to finance a new Public Safety Trust Fund.

The House of Delegates refused to accept the tax, but the budget conference report still showed about $30.4 million for sheriffs and regional jails over the biennium.

"I think it was overlooked," Jones said.

McDonnell provided about $8.5 million to fill the hole in the current budget and the same amount for fiscal 2012. He then proposed an additional $6.5 million this year that the assembly whittled to $6 million.

"He's been taking bites at that apple for a long time," Caldwell said, "and it's still on his list."

The sheriffs aren't alone in their concern over reduced state funding for law enforcement. Police departments are expecting $6 million less in money due them next year under funds pledged in 1978 in exchange for a moratorium on cities' ability to annex from surrounding counties.

Sen. Janet D. Howell, D-Fairfax, chairwoman of the Senate finance subcommittee on public safety, tried to restore at least the $18.5 million that was cut from the funds last year. Ultimately, the assembly restored about $12.4 million.

"I would hope the governor would see the justice in putting additional money in both sheriffs and local police," Howell said.

Michael Martz

Richmond Times Dispatch

Proud Dad

2011-03-20T13:47:00.001-04:00

Youngest son Jeremy just completed his 96 hour field exercise and graduated from US Army boot camp in Ft.Leonard Wood, MO.
Congratulations Private McCabe you are officially a United States soldier!

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