Speaker Howell announces House Budget conferees

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) on Thursday named House Appropriations Committee Chairman S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk), Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman R. Steven Landes (R-Augusta), Majority LeaderKirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Delegate John O’Bannon (R-Henrico), Delegate Tag Greason (R-Loudoun), and Delegate Luke Torian (D-Prince William) to the conference committees for House Bills 29 and 30. The House conferees will negotiate with the Senate on the final budget conference reports.

“We have an excellent team of conferees who work well together, understand the needs of Virginians, value the cautious and conservative approach of the House, and are able to articulate the House position clearly to our colleagues in the Senate,” said Speaker Howell. “I appreciate all of their hard work on behalf of the House. I am encouraging our conferees to begin work with their Senate colleagues as quickly as possible so we can reach a final agreement on time or ahead of schedule.”

“The House outlined a conservative budget that prioritizes savings, eliminates state liabilities, reduces borrowing, and makes key investments in our top priorities,” said Chairman Jones. “The House and Senate proposals are similar in many respects, but there is still much work to be done. The House conferees are ready to begin work right away so we can produce a final budget agreement to send to Governor McAuliffe’s desk. I want to welcome Delegate Torian to the conference committee. Delegate Torian is respect on both sides of the aisle, and I know he will do a great job advocating for his colleagues in the House.”