Staunton, Virginia – Delegate Bell announced today that he has received a 96 “A” rating from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for his record during the 2013 General Assembly Session.

 The Chamber grades legislators based on their support of pro-business issues throughout the Session.  The Chamber annually develops a proactive legislative agenda, outlining the priorities and expectations of Virginia’s business priorities.  This agenda provides legislators with a clear understanding of the business community’s legislative priorities.  The chamber then calculates its ratings based on voting records on the principles and issues outlined in the Chamber’s 2013 Legislative Priorities, as well as their support of initiatives that will keep Virginia as the best state in the nation for business.

“I am very honored and pleased to once again receive a 96 “A” rating from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The success of private businesses is crucial the Virginia economy.  Virginia’s record of low taxes and reduced regulation on our business community is one of the many reasons Virginia continues to rank among the best states to do business, and why our economy is recovering at a faster pace than some of our neighboring states.” said Delegate Bell.  “I am committed to supporting the principles of free enterprise, which will allow us to continue to promote job growth during this time of economic uncertainty.”

 In 2013 the Chamber was successful on 90% of its legislative priorities, and saved employers billions of dollars.  

 Elected to the House of Delegates in 2009, Delegate Bell is serving in his 2^nd term.  He represents Highland County, parts of Nelson and Augusta Counties, and the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro.

Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, said Tuesday he has been chosen by House Speaker Bill Howell to represent Virginia at next month's Southern Regional Education Board legislative work conference.

Bell said Howell had also appointed him to the National Governors' Association Center for Best Practices Three Branch Institute on "Child Social and Emotional Well-Being."

Read More - Valley News Briefs - The News Virginian

Del. Benjamin Cline will push conservative causes and a business-friendly state and local environment in his campaign for a seventh term in the General Assembly, he said Thursday.

Cline, R-Amherst, joins Staunton Republican Richard P. “Dickie” Bell among local House of Delegates incumbents who’ve announced that they’ll be seeking re-election in November.

Read More: Cline, Bell will seek re-election - The News Leader

STAUNTON, VA – Del. Richard P. “Dickie” Bell (R-Staunton) announced today that he intends to seek re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates.   

“I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking a third term in the House of Delegates.” said Bell. “We have made a lot of progress in Virginia over the last four sessions, but there is a lot more that needs to be done”

“Virginia’s economy is continuing to improve much quicker than many other states throughout our country; however we are not out of the woods yet.  We still have too many that are unable to find work and too many that are underemployed.”

“I am committed to continuing the fight to create an economic environment that will foster job growth and to keeping taxes low so that we can help families across Virginia overcome the economic challenges we all face. At a time of continued overreach in Washington, I will continue to work to limit and not expand our government, and fight to protect Virginia from federal government overreach.  I will also continue to push for educational reform to ensure that all students in Virginia can get the best education possible. By upholding our common sense conservative principals, we will continue to see Virginia ranked among the best states to do business.”

“I have enjoyed serving the people of the 20^th District during my two terms, and I look forward to continuing my service.” Bell added. “Anne and I are continually grateful for the continued support of the many constituents that we have met over the past three years.”

Delegate Bell serves on the Committees on Finance, Education, and Health, Welfare and Institutions.  Additionally, he serves as a subcommittee chairman for the Students and Early Education subcommittee of the Education committee.

Throughout his tenure in the House of Delegates educational reform has been one of his top priorities.  He has successfully patroned legislation that streamlines the grievance process for educators and administrators.  He successfully put forth legislation that promotes educational opportunities for deaf students, and legislation that requires state funded colleges and universities to accept American Sign Language as a foreign language for entrance requirements.  Additionally, he has continued to promote school choice by championing legislation that establishes virtual education in Virginia.

Elected to the House of Delegates in 2009, Delegate Bell represents the 20th District, which includes Highland County, the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and parts of Nelson and Augusta County.  He is currently serving in his second term.

The General Assembly delegation representing Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County may not completely agree on how to tackle Virginia's transportation needs, but they are in agreement that road improvements are needed.

As the 2013 session of the Virginia General Assembly prepares to open on Wednesday, transportation and K-12 education top the agenda.

Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, and Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, spoke this past week of Virginia's unmet transportation needs.

Read More: All Roads Lead to Transportation in the 2013 General Assembly - The News Virginia

STUARTS DRAFT — Shenandoah Valley lawmakers talked public safety and other issues Wednesday night as they gathered to answer questions from constituents about the General Assembly session that begins Jan. 9. Dels.

Dickie Bell, Ben Cline and Steve Landes hosted joint town hall meeting, which pulled in a crowd of about 40 people at Guy K. Stump Elementary School.

“Participation is important in government,” said Bell, who represents the 20th District. This was the third joint town hall meeting the three delegates have hosted.

Read More: General Assembly Town Hall Meeting Draws a Crowd - The News Virginian

Step aside Bob McDonnell, you and your tax-hiking, burden-shifting transportation-funding package. Make way for Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, who has introduced what may prove to be the most audacious piece of legislation of the 2013 General Assembly session — a bill to create a state virtual school organized as a free-standing statewide school division. Among other virtues, his proposal won’t raise taxes!

Under HB 1555, the state would establish the Virginia State Virtual School “in order to provide full-time online educational programs and services to school-age persons in the Commonwealth.” The school division would be subject to the requirements of the Standards of Quality and would be required to submit an annual report to the General Assembly, although contracts with online providers would be exempt from state public procurement laws.

Read More: Thinking Outside the School Yard -Bacon's Rebellion

DELEGATES BELL, CLINE, AND LANDES TO HOLD JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING

STAUNTON, VA – Delegate Richard P. “Dickie” Bell (R-Staunton) announced today he will be joining Delegates Cline and Landes to host a joint Town Hall event.

      The joint town hall meeting will take place at 7:00 pm at Guy K. Stump Elementary School in Stuarts Draft on Wednesday, January 2.

      The Town Hall meeting is open to the public, and the public is encouraged to attend. The legislators will provide an overview of the 2013 Session and will take questions and comments from those in attendance.  You can contact Delegate Bell’s office with any questions. 

      Elected to the House of Delegates in 2009, Delegate Bell represents the 20th District, which includes Highland County, portions of Augusta and Nelson Counties, and the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro.

STAUNTON -- While much of the  discussion at Wednesday's Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast focused on the bread and butter issues of education and transportation, the fiscal cliff in Washington was never far away.

"The uncertainty hangs over us like a cloud," said Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, to members of the chamber at The Legacy at North Augusta. "There is no denying it. We are a little bit hamstrung. Hopefully there will be a resolution."

Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, said whatever happens in Washington impacts what happens in Richmond, and what happens in Richmond impacts localities across Virginia.

Read More: Legislative Breakfast Focuses on Education, Transportation, and "Fiscal Cliff" -The News Virginian

Budget amendments outlined by Gov. Bob McDonnell for 2012-14 on Monday offer millions more in money for K-12 education, transportation and relief for local governments from the aid to commonwealth they have paid annually.

While all local officials and legislators interviewed on Monday think the priorities McDonnell is offering are the right ones, they wonder if the final budgeting will play out as the governor has proposed.

Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, was in Richmond for the announcement of the McDonnell amendments that include redirecting $48.1 million in sales tax revenue to transportation and $58.8 million to fund the state portion of a 2 percent raise for SOQ-funded teachers

Read More -McDonnell Budget Amendments Target K-12 Education, Transportation - The News Virginian