Fall 2024 3 The results of our November elections are in, and those those of us engaged in Virginia political affairs are now awaiting another key date: January 8. That’s the date the Virginia General Assembly will return and begin its 2025 session. Preparations are already underway for requests for legislation or items to be included in Virginia’s budget. Legislators will return to Richmond with a $1.2 billion surplus and General Fund revenues exceeding forecast expectations by $601.4 million year-to-date. Much like last year, there will likely be a disagreement between Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Democratically controlled General Assembly about how best to utilize that surplus. The General Assembly must also deal with the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene on Southwest Virginia. The funding for Southwest Virginia is particularly important for our agriculture and forestry communities. Virginia Cooperative Extension has estimated the agriculture and forestry losses due to the storm at $160 million and climbing. Landowner losses include damage to buildings, land, infrastructure, and crops. The crop numbers include a rough estimate of $24 million in timber damage provided by the Virginia Dept. of Forestry. This effort has spawned a widespread recovery effort, including a special small business loan fund for agricultural producers and USDA Disaster Relief Funding, as well as private relief donations. Virginia Cooperative Extension has set up a relief resource page at ext.vt.edu/hurricane-relief.html for those who may need assistance or want to get involved in helping out. Outside of needed landowner assistance, VFA will once again be advocating for funding for the Forest Sustainability Fund. This novel program, created in 2022, reimburses localities for revenue lost for adopting forest land-use taxation programs. VFA was successful in securing $2.5 million in the first year in the biennium—a record amount of funding—and will be asking for additional funds for the second year. It will also be important to strengthen the recently created Office of Working Lands. This office, housed at the Dept. of Forestry, consolidates the Commonwealth’s conservation programs for both agriculture and forestry and will be vital to preserving our forest resources. The General Assembly will also grapple with balancing our renewable energy goals and conserving our working forests. Several bills were introduced last session to overrule or limit local land-use authority with regards to proposed solar projects. VFA opposed those efforts as local landuse authority should be preserved. However, the association does recognize the need to preserve private property rights and preserve a potential form of revenue for landowners. Tree conservation is also an important tool in accomplishing our Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) III goals. To date, 90 percent of solar installations have been on farm and forestland with over 60 percent of those being on forestland. A majority have been placed on lands in Southside and across the Piedmont, right in the wood basket of Virginia. The issue will come back in the 2025 General Assembly given the interest in solar facility permitting reform. While the results of the November election are likely to cause some anxiety, your advocates in Richmond are already preparing for that stressful time of year, where legislators return to make decisions on important policy topics that impact our industry. The coming short, 45-day session will be here before you know it. Your Support Can Amplify The Voice of Forestry in Virginia The Virginia Forest Resources Political Action Committee (VAForestPAC) is critical to educating a new generation of public officials on the importance of our industry, our products, our people, and our forest resource to Virginia. VAForestPAC was created to support candidates for elected statewide office who demonstrate understanding and leadership on issues favoring Virginia’s diverse forestry community, namely: promoting the sustainable use and conservation of forest resources to ensure their long-term benefits for all Virginians. Candidates supported by VAForestPAC must value the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources as a driver of ecological, economic, and social prosperity in Virginians. They must further commit to maintaining a climate favorable for forest ownership and the forest industry in the state. Whether you are involved in timber management, harvesting, wood products manufacturing, conservation or another forestryrelated practice, legislation that affects forestry can have a huge influence. Visit www.vaforestry.org/political-action-committee to make your donation today that will help unify and strengthen a voice for forestry in Virginia. VAForestPAC is a non-partisan state PAC that can accept contributions from any U.S. individual, corporation, union, association, or partnership. Anxiously Awaiting January LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Kyle Shreve, Advantus Strategies
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