By Don Merricks
Virginia House of Delegates

To say this week has been very interesting would be an understatement.

Sub-committees are full ahead and many bills have been heard and acted upon.

Two of my bills were heard this week in sub-committee.  House Bill 585 would allow individual tax credits for up to 10 percent of a qualified investment in a small business that has been certified by the Department of Taxation.

The qualified investment must be invested for a minimum of two years and the investment must be made prior to Jan. 1, 2015.  This is a very important bill to help small businesses attract capital.  Over this past year, I served on a small business work group which met with numerous small business advocates throughout the state.  The common theme we kept hearing was the lack of access to capital in order for small businesses to grow and expand.  This bill passed out of sub-committee unanimously and hopefully will pass full committee this week.

Another one of my bills cleared the education sub-committee this week.  House Bill 591 would allow Pittsylvania, Henry and Martinsville City schools to open prior to Labor Day.

I have carried this bill each year I have been in the General Assembly and this is the first year it has passed out of sub-committee.  I am hopeful it passes full committee and then on to the House floor.  Localities should have the ability of setting their own calendar based on the requirements of the area they serve.  Some say this is the camel’s nose under the tent, but with 77 of the 130 plus school districts already opening prior to Labor Day, I would suggest not only is the nose under the tent but the humps as well.

As always, it is a pleasure to serve you as your representative in the Virginia House of Delegates.

I welcome your comments and input on items important to you.  Call my Richmond office at (804) 698-1016 or email deldmerricks@house.virginia.gov.