Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget ...

Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget turmoil - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News 6/9/14, 7:15 PM

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Democratic senator Puckett
resigns, adding to state budget
turmoil

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Previous Next Posted: Sunday, June 8, 2014 6:35 pm | Updated: 2:15 pm, BREAKING NEWS
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announce Monday that he is resigning his tried as adult
state Senate seat, suddenly giving Wait time at Richmond VA among 10 longest
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Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget turmoil - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News 6/9/14, 7:15 PM

Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, D-Russell, in his office inside the McAuliffe’s push to expand Medicaid. More Top Cars & Vehicles
General Assembly Building in Richmond, VA Monday,
Feb. 3, 2014. Puckett’s stunning resignation throws RECOMMENDED ON FACEBOOK
Democratic budget strategy into chaos
What’s at stake and opens the way for Republicans to Recommendations
seize control of the chamber and Surplus passenger rail cars at Fort Lee
REPUBLICANS take a 20-19 majority in the reorganize its committees with GOP auctioned for about $9,000 each
state Senate – a blow to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s majorities. 7 people recommend this.
plan to expand Medicaid within the budget. State's budget shortfall could exceed $1 billion
SENATORS will need 20 of the 39 votes to pass The resignation also may clear the way 332 people recommend this.
a budget. Democrats hope to keep a working for the Senate to confirm Puckett's
majority with the votes of three Republicans who daughter for a full six-year term as a UR now free to children of families making
want to expand health coverage. juvenile court judge in Southwest Virginia. $60K or less
REPUBLICANS could try to reorganize the 5,301 people recommend this.
Senate, giving themselves majorities on “I am deeply disappointed by this news DEMING, JOAN
committees. and the uncertainty it creates at a time 2 people recommend this.
DEMOCRATS could have trouble holding when 400,000 Virginians are waiting for
Puckett’s Southwest Virginia seat when access to quality health care, especially Facebook social plugin
McAuliffe sets a special election. those in Southwest Virginia,” McAuliffe
said in a statement. NEWS VIDEO

Advertisement “This situation is unacceptable, but the Daniesha Bowles - Long journey to her
bipartisan majority in the Senate and I will graduation
continue to work hard to put Virginians Richmond Times-Dispatch
first and find compromise on a budget
that closes the coverage gap.“ Safari Power Saver
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Puckett may not be unemployed for long.

Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Scott, chairman Now Playing Daniesha Bowles - Long
of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification journey to her graduation
and Community Revitalization
Commission, said he is interested in Daniesha is the first one in her
Puckett taking a job with the commission family who graduate high...
and has discussed it with him. Kilgore
said he could see Puckett dealing with Memorial Day 2014
Memorial Day 2014 celebrated
grants and community outreach. with parades, music an...

Kilgore also said he believes the difficulty Puckett’s daughter, Martha P. Ketron, has 2:46
had in gaining Senate approval for a judicial appointment given his status as a sitting
senator “played a big role” in his decision to resign. Richmond Community
High and its freshmen
camping trip
Every student at the school has
2:02 to participate in a week-long...

“Martha is fantastic, and I think he would hate to see her lose that opportunity, POLITIFACT VIRGINIA
because she has done such a good job,” said Kilgore.

But Kilgore refused to speculate as to whether Puckett had cut a deal with Senate How did they rate on the Truth-O-Meter?
Republicans to tender his resignation at this time — a move that effectively enables
Senate Republicans to take control of the chamber from Democrats, who had been The Chamber of Commerce says new carbon
holding onto the budget as leverage to win the inclusion of Medicaid in the spending regulations will kill "244,000 jobs a year" and
cost average families "$1,200 a year." — Ed
Gillespie

Details

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/democratic-senator…e-budget-turmoil/article_391d0112-ef5d-11e3-a769-0017a43b2370.html Page 2 of 7

Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget turmoil - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News 6/9/14, 7:15 PM

plan. U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor and Luis Gutierrez Details
were "touring the country last year … joined at
As for the tobacco commission: “If he’s available I think he’d be great for us,” Kilgore the hip, working together in a bipartisan
said of Puckett, who has represented Southwest Virginia in the state Senate since fashion indeed for the goal of immigration
1998. reform." — Laura Ingraham

“He’d be a great asset because he knows the region, and he’s a former banker and Eric Cantor "voted to fully fund Obamacare in
[the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission] said we need more follow-up, so October." — Dave Brat
he’d be a perfect fit for us.”
Details

Kilgore said the issue of Puckett’s employment — which would require approval of the ................................ ADVERTISEMENT ...............................
tobacco commission’s executive committee — could come up at its next meeting,
which is scheduled for Wednesday. That schedule could change, however, if
lawmakers are called back into session in Richmond to take up the budget.

With the fiscal year set to expire June 30, the Democrat-controlled Senate and
Republican-controlled House of Delegates have been locked in a political stalemate
over a new, two-year budget.

Democrats and three Republican senators have insisted that the new state spending
plan include a provision to accept federal dollars to expand Medicaid to 400,000
uninsured Virginians, while Republicans have opposed the plan, doubting the federal
funding promise and saying the current program needs reforms before expanding.

Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus,
said in a statement: “The caucus is disappointed that Sen. Puckett has chosen this
time to resign, but we wish him well, Godspeed and the best of health to his family.”

Puckett could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sources familiar with Puckett’s resignation, submitted this weekend, said the longtime
Southwest Virginia senator cited family reasons for his sudden departure.

Puckett’s daughter, Ketron, who was admitted to the bar in October 2006, was
appointed last July to serve as a judge in juvenile and domestic relations district court
in an interim capacity by judges of the 29th District Circuit Court, which covers
Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties in Southwest Virginia.

But her bid for reappointment to a full, six-year term was put off earlier this year in the
General Assembly, in part due to a tradition against awarding bench appointments to
family members of sitting legislators.

Interviewed about the flap in February, Puckett recalled a December conversation with
Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, then the Senate majority leader, about
what Puckett could do to “to help the situation. And he said, ‘If you weren’t a senator,
it wouldn’t be an issue,’” Puckett said.

Puckett also said in February that he was not willing to leave the Senate. He said he
had already discussed his position with his daughter “long before” she decided to

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Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget turmoil - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News 6/9/14, 7:15 PM

seek the circuit court appointment to the juvenile court.

Judicial appointments and the budget are the two major issues remaining to be
resolved by the legislature.

Puckett’s resignation sent shockwaves through the commonwealth’s political circles.
Republicans said the resignation would allow them to move the budget process
forward, though Democrats said that with three Republican senators in favor of
including Medicaid expansion in the spending plan, getting a majority vote on the
issue might not go along with organizational control of the chamber.

Under the state constitution, passage of the budget requires a majority of the elected
senators — now 20 of the 39.

While Republicans now have the numerical edge, three GOP senators – Emmett W.
Hanger Jr., of Augusta, John Watkins of Powhatan and Walter A. Stosch of Henrico —
have expressed support for expanding health coverage.

“We have a bipartisan majority and it’s greater than one,” said McEachin.

For the moment, Senate Republicans were playing it straight when it came to the
Puckett departure.

“Although Senator Puckett has decided to end his tenure in the Senate of Virginia, his
legacy there will endure,” Norment said in a statement. “And, his commitment and
service to the people of Southwest, (Virginia) who honored him with their votes in five
successive elections, will continue.

“On behalf of the Senate Republican Caucus, I thank Senator Puckett for his service
in the Senate and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.”

During this year’s regular General assembly session, McAuliffe had helped Puckett
and other lawmakers from Southwest Virginia by backing a bill to jump start a
shopping mall project in Bristol.

The tobacco commission was formed in 1999 to manage a $1 billion endowment
created from half of Virginia’s share of the national settlement with cigarette
companies. The money overseen by the commission was earmarked to support
economic development in the commonwealth’s tobacco belt.

State Sen. William M. Stanley Jr., R-Franklin, who serves on the tobacco commission,
noted Sunday that Puckett previously served as a legislative member of the panel. He
said Puckett would be a good fit in a new role.

“If Phil Puckett is willing to serve the tobacco commission, that would be the most
qualified person you could ever get for that job,” Stanley said.

“That would be like getting Elvis Presley to sing at your daughter’s wedding.”

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Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget turmoil - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News 6/9/14, 7:15 PM

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135 comments
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Walter Neal Patrick · Owner/ President at McCray Patrick Properties, LLC

What ignorant dribble! Both side do this crap (google it). The comments below simply depend on
whether it was your guy that switched. This why I despise just about every politician I have ever
met. They all do it and to for all of you to pretend that it is suddenly the most vile act done by a
politician is just ignorant and is, quite frankly, part of the problem. Neither side can see right and
wrong in anything. Everything is about what is good for their party and themselves and we, the
people, are part of the problem. Ugh. You folks just make me sad.

Reply · Like · Follow Post · about a minute ago

Michael Mullen

Puckett sold his state and his constituents to the highest bidder. As a result, 400,000 low income
Virginians will continue to have no medical care, many in his own district. I guess he just doesn't
care - as long as he and his daughter get theirs. What an odious, reprehensible man.

Reply · Like · Follow Post · about an hour ago

Bob Quillin
Puckett represents the worst of politics! What a disgrace to democracy!
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 2 hours ago

Norman Hedrick Jr. · Top Commenter · The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Puckett sold out the Democrats and Virginia and the poor for 2 jobs? At least Judas asked for 30
pieces of silver!
Reply · Like · 1 · Follow Post · 2 hours ago

James Young · Follow · Top Commenter · Montclair, Virginia
Yeah, when he could have sold out for $400 million for two years....
Reply · Like · about an hour ago

Bill Turner · Math Teacher at Harrisonburg High School
The GOP has all the money and will spend as much as it takes to buy power.
Reply · Like · 2 · Follow Post · 4 hours ago

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Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget turmoil - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News 6/9/14, 7:15 PM

Willy Marone · Westchester Community College
another site said he was bribed by republicans to resign with the promise of a job which i see he
has gotten and a judgeship for his daughter
Reply · Like · 2 · Follow Post · 4 hours ago

Doug Riddell · Top Commenter
Apparently, when you take a job in politics, you surrender all dignity and honor.
Reply · Like · 3 · Follow Post · 4 hours ago

Chris Astle Jr · Follow · Newport News, Virginia
Can you believe a man would take a bribe and resign his state Senate seat with a
crucial vote coming up?. Texas or New Jersey, maybe. I never thought I'd see this in
Virginia.
Reply · Like · 2 · 4 hours ago

Luther-Debbie Dixon
Chris Astle Jr Heck, Look what the last governor and his wife may have done! Ain't
poetics great? Never mind what the people need, get all you can get.
Reply · Like · 2 hours ago

Constance Ober · Owner/Partner at Prospect Farm
Thanks a lot, Senator - what about looking out for the people of the "common wealth"
of Virginia? Sounds like a bribe to me.
Reply · Like · 2 hours ago

Steve Mc · Top Commenter
Nobody likes a sell-out, not even those buying.
Reply · Like · 3 · Follow Post · 5 hours ago

Doug Riddell · Top Commenter
Let's all hope that if she's going to be a judge, the senator's daughter didn't inherit her father's
scruples.
Reply · Like · 2 · Follow Post · 5 hours ago

Steve Mc · Top Commenter
Would you want to take a job under these conditions? Tainted for life. Thanks, Dad.
Reply · Like · 4 · 5 hours ago

Dee Pisciella · Top Commenter · Retired IT at Virginia Information Technologies Agency
In addition to voicing your opinion online, call the Governor's Office at 804-786-2011 and let him
know how you feel about this.
Reply · Like · 3 · Follow Post · 6 hours ago

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Democratic senator Puckett resigns, adding to state budget turmoil - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News 6/9/14, 7:15 PM

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