PHOTOS: Botetourt County Chamber legislative luncheon yields little good news
It was a heartburn kind of event even though the food and company were palatable. The annual Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon was held and numerous local businesses helped sponsor the event at Greenfield Technology and Education Center on October 24.
The biggest local bomb dropped during the last moments of the luncheon when Del. Lacey Putney told the assembly of Chamber members and paying guests, that some of his constituents in the General Assembly are ready to send back “the unfunded liability of teacher’s Virginia Retirement System” to the locality to hold on their accounting books. “Teachers are not employees of the state, they are paid by the local school division who sets their salaries, the state does not,” Putney told the diners.
He is also the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and is privy to what is going on with law makers in the state. According to Dr. Tony Brads at the last school board meeting, that unfunded liability would be 12.6 billion dollars statewide divided amongst 132 school divisions.
Steve Clinton, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, presented a power point to address growth and improved economy in Botetourt County. He estimated the loss in revenue when Ext 150 goes into upgrade mode in 2013 as $100, 000 per year (not sure where the figure came from as others have said more,) in lost revenue over the three year span of improvements.
Del. Chris Head who represents three precincts in the county spoke of the Business caucus in the General Assembly and the need for less oppressive regulations.
6th Congressional Rep. Bob Goodlatte addressed the growing national debt, the need for job creation and a balanced budget amendment. Heartburn all around.
October 24, 2012 - 4:18 PM
Great meeting.. Highlighted the challenges facing all. Need to thank our elected officials (federal, state and county) for their service. We may not always agree but their service is truly a sacrifice…..Thank You