Dickie Bell proposes drug tests for needy ... is it really needed?

When the Staunton News Leader starts sounding more conservative than our Republican elected officials, it gets my attention. I'm talking about Del. Dickie Bell's proposal to require drug testing of recipients of the Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in order to receive benefits.

The News Leader's editorial "Bill panders to prejudice" asked, "Because poor people use illegal drugs? And 'needy families' is a euphemism for addicts?"

On the surface, this sounds like a good idea but in the end it could cost Virginia taxpayers more money, specifically to the tune of $1.3 million.

Florida has a similar program that uses more than $1 million on drug testing but only 2% of the recipients fail the drug test.

In these hard economic times when the state is holding back money from localities that could be used to fund law enforcement, wouldn't it be wiser to spend that money to put more deputies on the streets to catch drug dealers rather than fishing for offenders among those who have fallen on hard times?

The News Leader wondered about the money, too:

In just about every political campaign, the candidate says he or she must cut the waste out of the budget. As funds get tighter, services are slashed and more people are left hurting, you hear about cutting waste. Then something like this comes along and those same leaders find $1.3 million to drug test poor people?

As history has shown us regarding bills like the one Dickie Bell is promoting, it passes with funding from the state but then after a few years the program is thrown onto the localities as an unfunded mandate, and the state takes credit for saving $1.3 million in the budget at the expense of those localities.

Perhaps the spending for new programs needs to stop.

UPDATE 2/12/12: The Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial agreed that drug testing would use money that could be used elsewhere:

Drug-testing welfare recipients, a proposal that was running full steam ahead, slammed into a wall when its high cost became apparent. Good. Florida adopted this reform, only to find out the vast majority of those on public assistance are clean. If the Assembly is going to test those on welfare for drugs, then it should include corporate welfare recipients as well as the poor.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

SWAC area joint town hall update

A first in my memory and that of others, the three delegates who cover various areas of of the SWAC area -- Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County -- held a join town hall meeting Thursday night at the point closest to where the three districts meet.

A crowd of about 50 people turned out at Stump Elementary School in Stuarts Draft to listen to Del. Steve Landes, Del. Ben Cline, and Del. Dickie Bell address issues and listen to questions and ideas from constituents.

A brief update by each delegate reinforced that the upcoming General Assembly session that begins next week will be just as challenging as last year's as they tackle issues like jobs, transportation, education, illegal immigration, ABC privatization, and economic development.

The short session, which begins January 12, lasts 45 days so the pace will be fast as they cover those issues and more.

Del. Cline commented that they are beginning to see the economy turn around a bit after two consecutive years of negative growth in the Commonwealth, something not seen before. He joked that it was like a new lawn that was beginning to flourish but it wasn't time yet to mow because it still needed fertilizer and watering.

Del. Landes was interested in economic development to bring jobs into Virginia and said they were tracking to see what works and what doesn't, encouraging investment in small businesses to create new jobs. He also suggested a study to consider the pros and cons of year-round schools in Virginia.

Questions from the audience were answered by the delegates for about an hour and 45 minutes and covered subjects from education to the state budget. The delegates encouraged everyone to contact their offices and to stop by and visit while the General Assembly is in session in Richmond.

More about last night's meeting can be found at the Staunton News Leader.

Del. Dickie Bell resigns teacher position to remain in VA General Assembly

In the summer of 2009, when popular five-term Del. Chris Saxman (R-20th House) unexpectedly decided to retire from the Virginia House of Delegates during his reelection campaign, long-time Staunton City Councilman Dickie Bell was tapped to run as the Republican candidate.

Caught off guard at the sudden opportunity but rising to the occasion, the future seemed bright for this special education teacher in the Augusta County public school system located in the central Shenandoah Valley. He handily won his election with 71% of the vote during the history-making 2009 election that saw Republican candidates sweep the top three spots of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.

Getting time off from school to attend the 2010 General Assembly in January and February became somewhat of an issue with the school system but was eventually resolved when he was granted unpaid leave. Part of the agreement, Bell thought, was the additional days necessary for all legislators who have committee meetings scheduled throughout the year in Richmond.

Bell is hardly unique in holding a teaching job while serving as a representative. The Virginia General Assembly includes a college professor, an education administrator, four currently-employed teachers, and two retired educators. Former Rockingham Sen. Kevin Miller taught at James Madison University while representing that area of the Shenandoah Valley.

Now comes news that Del. Bell has announced his retirement from the Augusta County public school system because he was not able to obtain the days off beyond session, days needed to continue his work in the General Assembly.

Harrisonburg's WHSV TV-3 reported:

[Bell] had an agreement that he would take unpaid days off while the General Assembly was in session. He also took another seven unpaid days off this year, after the session ended, to do other legislative matters. Bell says that was part of the agreement but now the school board says he cannot take those extra days next year.

According to reporter Bob Stuart at the Waynesboro News Virginian, school board chairman John Ochletree expressed the school system's concern in a written response to Del. Bell:

“We are pleased to accommodate you and support you as a citizen legislator in the Virginia General Assembly. We trust, however, that you recognize that your extended absence from your teaching duties creates hardship for the school division and that the board must strike a reasonable balance between meeting the instructional needs of our students and accommodating your service in the legislature.”

After trying to resolve the issue for the past two months, Del. Bell has now handed in his letter of resignation to the school superintendent and will no longer teach special education in the Augusta County schools.

Cross-posted at The Washington Examiner

May SWAC Conservative Breakfast with Del. Dickie Bell

Kurt Michael led the May SWAC Conservative Breakfast with special guest speaker Del. Dickie Bell and guest Staunton Councilwoman Andrea Oakes.

Dean Welty, Director of the Valley Family Forum, passes out information about the David Barton "Salute to the Family" lunch to be held May 24 from 12-1:30 p.m. at JMU. The dinner for the same night has been sold out. Here he talks with Constitution Party members Steve Bright and Dave Mason.

Andrea Oakes, Staunton City Councilwoman. At later week's City Council meeting she was the lone council member to vote against raising water and sewage fees and personal property taxes.

Del. Bell addresses breakfast. He discussed the 2010 General Assembly and answered questions.

Churchville attorney Francis Chester talks about the real estate assessment issue that has been perculating in Augusta County the past year. Here he asks people if they will sign and collect signatures on a petition asking the Commonwealth Attorney to look into the 2009 assessments.

Kurt Michael, who served as a reserve officer in US Army, stated that he took an oath, like all who serve in the military, that he would support and defend the Constitution of the United States. He reminded the group that it was Armed Forces Day and paid tribute to the men and women who risk their lives to preserve our constitutional freedoms.

Mr. Speedy Hite talks with Del. Dickie Bell. He was recognized and thanked on Armed Forces day for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was recognized for his birthday on Thursday when he turned 92 years young.



Katie and David Karaffa.

Photos by Kurt & Mike
15 May 2010

Saturday: Del. Dickie Bell townhall meetings

Del. Dickie Bell (R-20th House) will be hosting two townhall meetings on Saturday, May 15.

Staunton City Hall
Council Chambers
10:00 a.m.

Turner Ashby High School
Auditorium - Bridgewater
4:00 p.m.

This is your chance to ask questions about the 2010 General Assembly session as well as any other concerns for the 20th House District.

Del. Bell's Office: (540) 332-3998

SWAC Conservative Breakfast ... education, inspiration, action

Kurt Michael led the SWAC Round Table Breakfast on Saturday as newly elected Staunton Republican Committee Chairman Alex Davis (left) listened.

It was another packed room at the April SWAC Conservative Round Table Breakfast Saturday as approximately 55 people from Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, and even Luis Padilla from Harrisonburg, gathered for fellowship and to listen to community leaders. Breakfast began with Staunton GOP Chairman Alex Davis opening in prayer followed by Del. Dickie Bell who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Local conservative leader Kurt Michael emphasized that the SWAC Conservative Round Table is not a political party or organization but rather a gathering of like-minded people who care more about their country and community than they do about political labels.

Kurt laid out the three goals of SWAC Breakfast which are:

1) Social ... a place for networking with like-minded individuals and groups.
2) Educational ... a place to educate each other on current conservative thought, to keep each other informed of current events and issues.
3) Political Action ... encourage conservative individuals to become politically active.

Tracy Pyles, Supervisor, County of Augusta:
The first speaker was Augusta Board of Supervisor member Tracy Pyles, the only Democrat on the board (and he happens to be my supervisor). His was a lively discussion about the 2009 real estate assessments that were protested by more than 10,000 county residents, and an explanation of the composite index and how its formula is used to decide state funding for schools and other local expenditures. He talked about the flawed assessments and the inequality in deciding the value of properties, adding that something cannot be right when 49% of county lots were assessed at $50,000.

He talked about the need to cut spending, to cut redundancy in services, and the need to look closely at the county budget to find cuts. His comments were peppered with jokes and jabs at himself as he spoke honestly and bluntly about the problem of often being the lone voice on the board against the other six supervisors. He was well received by the crowd ... his remarks were interesting and left folks wanting more information.

Seth Waugh, National Rifle Association:
Seth has accomplished much in his 25 years. As Grassroots Coordinator for the National Rifle Association–Institute for Legislative Action, he coordinates the day-to-day grassroots electoral efforts and legislative outreach activities for NRA-ILA in fourteen states.

In addition, he coordinates and conducts the Association’s legislative and election workshops, and represents the Association in public speaking engagements nationwide. He has been a lobbyist on Capitol Hill, worked for the Ohio House of Representatives, and on various political campaigns. Because I knew his background, his youthfulness took me by surprise but he got started while in his teens. He stressed the NRA "will work with anyone who supports the Second Amendment." That means Democrats, Republicans, independents ... anyone. Emphasizing all the programs they provide, he also talked about the Heller Decision and other issues, and then answered questions and talked with folks afterwards. Our thanks to Jason Bibeau for working with the NRA to bring Seth to address our breakfast.

Conservative leaders from the community:
Del. Dickie Bell, who attended with his wife Anne, thanked Tracy Pyles for his work in the community and thanked voters for their attention to issues. He also put a word of support in for Staunton City Council candidate Carl Tate whom he has endorsed.

Alex Davis, newly elected Chairman of the Staunton Republican Committee, emphasized the positive energy that he has seen from those in the community and said the Staunton Committee has an open door to anyone who wants to work together in the best interest of the country.

Bruce Richmond, director of the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots, thanked everyone for coming out to the tea party on Thursday in Gypsy Hill Park where reports were 800-1,000 people listened to speakers who stood up for our freedoms.

Charles Kraut, Constitution Party and tea party member, briefly addressed the issue of the country's financial state and his belief the stock market may take a plunge.

Francis Chester thanked everyone for their help over the past 14 months of the real estate tax battle with the Augusta County government.

Chuck Neff of the Rocket Boys case:
We were honored to have Chuck Neff and his wife join us for breakfast. Chuck is President of VAST, the rocketry club that was shut down by Augusta County in the summer of 2009. VAST was denied a special use permit to shoot model rockets on 500 acres in sparsely-populated western Augusta County (something he was told was merely a "formality") and retained attorney Francis Chester to represent them in a lawsuit againt Augusta County. Read about the Rocket Boys here.

Augusta County Budget Public Hearing Wednesday,
April 21:
The Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing for the Augusta County 2010-11 budget on Wednesday at 7:00 pm at the Government Center on Rt. 11 in Verona.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
17 April 2010