The Richmond Times Dispatch reported: "Industry representatives backed off considerably last night in their quest to weaken two Virginia boards that represent the public in pollution issues."
And who lead the charge against this bill? None other than Clark Hogan, along with Delegate Moran and Bullova. This is also a tremendous show of strength for the environmental community, the Garden Club, and dozens of groups working against this legislation which Hogan referred to as "the most important environmental bill since the creation of DEQ".
The Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senator Phil Puckett, who took heat yesterday from the Bristol Herald Courier for turning in an op-ed that was ghost written by lobbyist August Wallmeyer.
Herald Courier - Puckett might not have violated any ethical rules of the Virginia General Assembly, but he breached the public trust. Lawmakers should give proper credit to those who help craft their position papers - whether the assistance comes from a legislative staffer or an outsider. They shouldn't claim sole authorship of words they did not write.
The hearing for the Senate Bill is on Monday morning before the Ag and Natural Resources Committee.