This is my 7 ^th session as a delegate to the Virginia General Assembly so the tremendous pace of activity generated from the start should not surprise me . . . but it does. We have just over six weeks to consider and respond to 2600 pieces of legislation—1550 of which originated and will be dispatched in the House of Delegates, where we outnumber the Senate 100 to 40.

Of course only a fraction of that number are complex and significant bills requiring thorough investigation and understanding, but each is important to some person, community or organization and deserves at least a modicum of attention.

A snapshot of some of my own legislation is a reflection of that spectrum.

I am carrying legislation that addresses specific issues in each of the localities within the 12 th District. One bill will authorize the Town of Blacksburg to establish an Arts and Cultural District. While minor on the surface, the legislation represents a piece of Blacksburg’s comprehensive plan that includes attracting, encouraging and promoting the myriad artists and artistic endeavors to further build on the town’s vitality. The Arts and Cultural District will be a positive complement to the plans being developed by Virginia Tech for a performing arts complex that will unite arts disciplines and blend technology and traditional art experiences.

I have initiated a budget amendment to assist Craig County in their effort to create a recreational/sports complex. The County has limited opportunities for children and youth and this project, initiated by caring parents and community leaders, means an important commitment to the welfare of Craig County into the future.

I have requested a total of $1million for the Alleghany Highlands multi-regional economic development initiative. The funds would be used to supplement local funding to jump-start a comprehensive regional plan for an area that has been hard hit by economic factors.

I have introduced a budget amendment to provide $300,000 to Bath County in their efforts to build an E-911 Center. The County is looking for an adequate setting to house the equipment and personnel needed for emergency communication needs.

That represents the local component of my legislative agenda, but I also introduced legislation that goes well beyond towns and regions and would have achieved significant progress for voters across the Commonwealth. I have long been appalled by the egregious partisanship linked to determining voter districts. The current spoils system of allowing the political party in control to draw the boundaries for House and Senate districts was inequitable when it was first devised, but years ago there were limited mapping capabilities and our population was geographically stable. Virginia’s meandering district boundaries bare little to no relevance to the multifaceted nature of Virginia communities. In particular, the unique environmental resources of rural areas, because of their small populations, have been ignored by the process and their economic needs have been stymied by the narrow mindset of redistricting laws. Equally as significant, from local to global, the issues facing voters are dynamic and citizens no longer align themselves easily with one party or another.

Today we have sophisticated means to easily merge complex components—population, geography, economic and arterial connections—to craft districts that can actually bring people together and strengthen a meaningful political voice.

I have carried legislation for the past five years to require a non-partisan structure for drawing district lines. This year my bills were joined by numerous other House and Senate initiatives to bring an end to our antiquated system. Regrettably, every redistricting proposal that came before the committee was ultimately defeated on a solidly partisan vote, with almost no discussion. In my view it is an injustice to continue a process that silences the diverse voting patterns of a changing nation. Voting districts could, actually should, be so much more than tools for reelection—but not this year.

There is, of course, a fine line between partisanship and a legitimate difference of opinion or conflicting philosophical base. The continuing saga of transportation progress in Virginia illuminates both. There are myriad plans with, in some cases, overlapping provisions and in others wide disparity. In the past the exasperating discussions have resulted in dead-ends and wasted time. Once again we are beginning the work of clarifying transportation ideas and separating chaff from wheat. I am ready to continue the process, but I must admit to being both wary and weary of the posturing, the lack of forethought, the regionalism and the refusal by the leadership in the House to see transportation as a clearly discrete, fiscally independent and CRITICAL need in the Commonwealth. That debate is ahead and I hope yields more positive results for Virginia citizens than efforts to reform our current system of redistricting.

I hope if you have questions or concerns about legislation mentioned in this column, or any legislative matter, you will not hesitate to contact me at any of the following addresses.