Commonwealth Caucus puts Virginia above political parties

by Hampton Roads Senator John Miller, http://SenatorJohnMiller.com; an op-ed originally published in the Daily Press on January 25, 2009, reprinted here by permission of the author.

Senator Miller, of Newport News, is a Democrat who represents Virginia's 1st District in the General Assembly. It includes Poquoson and parts of Hampton, Newport News and York County. He can be reached at (757) 595-1100 or district01@senate.virginia.gov.

As the General Assembly begins its 2009 session, we all hope that members of the Senate and House of Delegates focus on what is best for the people of Virginia and not what is best for their respective political party.

I have joined with three other freshmen senators, Ralph Northam (D- Norfolk ), Richard Stuart (R-Westmoreland) and Jill Vogel (R-Winchester), to form the Commonwealth Coalition. This coalition is a bipartisan effort to put Virginia above party affiliation on important issues facing the commonwealth.

Photo by SenatorJillVogel.com

The people of Virginia are interested in performance, not partisanship. As I said throughout my campaign for the Senate, there are good ideas on both sides of the aisle. To be successful, we must take the best from both parties. If we expect to govern effectively, we must reach across the aisle. That's why we formed the Commonwealth Caucus.

Initially, our caucus will focus on three issues — redistricting, electing judges and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Of utmost importance is passing legislation that removes partisanship from the redistricting process. Virginia is the third least competitive state in the nation when it comes to elections. Because we have so artfully drawn the lines, we not only discourage a challenge, but we also ensure that nearly all incumbents will be returned to office. If officeholders are assured of being re-elected, there is very little incentive for them to compromise or reach across the aisle. It is imperative that we take the redistricting pen out of the hands of politicians and give it to a bipartisan group who can draw lines that make sense. I have offered legislation to do just that, and the Commonwealth Caucus will work hard to ensure its passage.

One of the most important roles we have as legislators is to elect judges. Our caucus will focus on ensuring the General Assembly elects the best qualified judges for Virginia and not let political considerations dictate those decisions.

Finally, the caucus will work to protect the Chesapeake Bay and our natural resources, regardless of the political consequences. Progress on the cleanup of the bay has been too slow. We must restore this natural treasure so future generations can enjoy its beauty and bounty.

Although I have only served for a year, I have seen that both sides are sometimes more focused on scoring points than making good policy. There is a time for partisanship, and that's during elections. But when the General Assembly convenes, especially during difficult times like these, we must govern and focus on what's best for Virginia and not what's best for a particular political party.

This year, I will continue with legislators from across the aisle year, joined by a nucleus of senators who believe it's the policy and not the party that is of utmost importance. Our caucus is open to any legislator who is willing to put the people above party, and we hope others will join our effort and help ensure its success.

Former state Sen. John Chichester recently wrote, in an op-ed in the Daily Press, about the need for something like the Commonwealth Caucus. He wrote, "I don't see an exit from the morass we are in until we elect a sufficient complement of reasonable, independent thinkers to each chamber of the General Assembly, so alliances crucial to good government can be formed. Only then will we move away from governing by political party caucus. There is only one litmus test that a candidate for the General Assembly should pass — the test of loyalty and dedication to Virginia and her future."

I believe Chichester is on target and the Commonwealth Caucus is a good step in the right direction. I am under no illusions that it will change the political world in Richmond, but it will start the change. It is a forum for members of both parties to exchange ideas and work in a bipartisan way to solve the problems we are facing without allowing party affiliation to get in the way.

This will be a very challenging year in the General Assembly. We have many difficult decisions ahead of us. It is my hope, and that of the other members of the Commonwealth Caucus, that we do what is best not for the political parties, but for the people of Virginia.