Colonial Heights - The Virginia Chamber of Commerce recently released its 2012 Legislative Report Card, and Delegate M. Kirkland "Kirk" Cox (R-Colonial Heights), House Majority Leader, earned a score of 95 and an "A" rating. The report grades members of the General Assembly based on their support of business and job creation efforts during the recently completed legislative session.
"I am honored to receive an 'A' rating from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce on its Legislative Report Card," said Cox. "My Republican colleagues and I are committed to advancing legislation that helps Virginia businesses create new jobs and opportunities."
Virginia Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan, business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory and political arenas to act as the catalyst for positive change in all areas of economic development and competitiveness for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"The Legislative Report Card allows us to recognize and honor legislators who uphold free market principles and support the interests of the business community," said Barry DuVal, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber. "In addition, it provides analysis of a legislator's support for the business community's priorities."
Each legislator's score was calculated based on his or her voting record compared with the principles and issues outlined in the Virginia Chamber's 2012 legislative priorities.
The report reflects the Republican pro-jobs and expanded economic growth agenda as, on average, House and Senate Republicans scored nearly twenty points higher than their Democrat colleagues.
While other states continue to feel the effects of the nationwide recession, Virginia's economy has seen solid growth. Virginia's unemployment rate recently fell to a three-year low of 5.6%, the lowest unemployment rate in the Southeast, and Virginia's nonfarm employment grew by 42,300 jobs in 2011. Last year, Virginia was named the most business-friendly state in the country by CNBC and Pollina Research. More recently, MoneyRate.com named Virginia the "Best State in Which to Make a Living".
"My main focus as a delegate continues to be on getting Virginians back to work, and I will continue to fight for the pro-job growth principles of promoting the free market, limiting government regulation, and keeping taxes low," Cox concluded.
Additional Resources
Virginia Chamber's 2012 Legislative Report Card: http://www.vachamber.com/resource/resmgr/docs/vcc-scorecard_6.pdf
Virginia Chamber's 2012 Legislative Priorities:
