Getting Results

Economic Development


Senator Herring has sought to make the 33rd District, the Northern Virginia region, and Virginia as a whole, a globally recognized center for science and technology based industry. During the 2010 Session, Senator Herring sponsored and passed the Virginia Innovation Investment Act, which provides a targeted, long-term capital gains tax exclusion for new investment in small, start-up technology companies in Virginia if the investment is made in the next three years. Science and bio-tech jobs are high-paying and fast-growing, and Senator Herring believes we must take every action possible to make sure they are created in the Commonwealth.

In 2009, Senator Herring sponsored and passed the Science and Technology Research Development and Commercialization Act, which encourages research, development, and commercialization of advancements in science and technology in the Commonwealth. For his efforts, the Virginia Biotechnology Association recognized Senator Herring with their 2009 Legislative Leadership Award.

Senator Herring played a leading role in helping to secure funding for launch infrastructure improvements at Virginia's spaceport at Wallops Island. Those improvements facilitated Loudoun County-based Orbital Science's Taurus II rocket program, to be located in Virginia. Orbital will invest $45 million dollars in Virginia to assemble, test and launch the Taurus II rocket, and the project will create 125 new jobs in the state, both at Orbital's Dulles headquarters and the Wallops Island site.

In addition, Senator Herring serves as a member of the Virginia Tourism Caucus.

Transportation


As our State Senator, Mark Herring has secured needed state transportation funding for infrastructure projects that have helped to alleviate congestion on some of our area's major roadways. These projects include:
  • Construction of Route 28 overpasses at Nokes Boulevard, Frying Pan Road, and Willard Road
  • Widening of Route 50 from Poland Road to Route 28
  • Completion of Battlefield Parkway
  • Completion of Atlantic Boulevard to parallel Route 28

 

Higher Education


One of Virginia's greatest assets is its world-class higher education system. Senator Herring has been a strong supporter of higher education in our area, securing funding for two additional classroom buildings at the burgeoning Loudoun Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. He helped initiate and supported a collaborative effort among the business community, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun County Public Schools, Loudoun County, and the Town of Leesburg to establish a permanent campus of George Mason University in Loudoun. Read the GMU Resolution.

Open Government


Senator Herring has been a strong proponent of common sense measures that promote transparency and accountability in government. In 2010, he sponsored and passed the State Government Spending Accountability Act. This legislation requires each state agency to post their check register on their website. It also directs the Auditor of Public Accounts to conduct a review of Commonwealth Data Point, the searchable online database of state revenue and expenditure information that Virginia currently uses, and incorporate the best practices of other states to bring it up-to-date and make it more user-friendly.

Senator Herring also sponsored and passed an anti-SLAPP suit law, to protect citizens who speak out at public hearings against rezonings from being sued by developers. In the wake of a 2007 scandal of suspected corruption involving local zoning decisions, Senator Herring sponsored and passed tough disclosure laws that make Loudoun County's zoning and land-use process more transparent and merit-based.

In order to ensure the integrity of elections, Senator Herring passed legislation directing a state oversight commission to develop rules for postelection audits of voting equipment, in order to make certain that every vote is tabulated accurately.

Military/Veterans Affairs


Virginia is fortunate to be home to so many military personnel, their families and veterans. Senator Herring strongly believes it is important to honor their service by ensuring that they have the full support of the state and communities throughout our Commonwealth. Senator Herring is the Co-Chair of the Virginia National Guard Caucus in the General Assembly.

During the 2010 Session, Senator Herring sponsored and passed legislation that exempts payments to individuals from the Virginia Military Family Relief Fund from state income tax. In 2008, he sponsored and passed the Virginia Military Parents Equal Protection Act, which protects military parents from losing important child custody and visitation rights as a result of their deployment out of the Commonwealth.

Senator Herring is a supporter of and advocate for the soldiers and their families of the local hometown unit, Company C, 3rd Batallion, 116th Infantry Division of the National Guard based at the Leesburg Armory. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Virginia War Memorial.

Energy and Conservation


Senator Herring believes that Virginia should be a national leader in the production and use of renewable energy. In 2009, he introduced and passed Energy legislation to increase the Commonwealth's renewable portfolio standard goal from 12 to 15 percent by 2025. Additionally, the law requires electric utilities to offer real-time variable rates to customers, allowing consumers to conserve energy and save money. The law also increases payments to customers who generate their own electricity from renewable sources and can now sell their surplus energy back to the electric grid.