FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Gina Patterson, 434-295-8722
First Victory to Repeal Labor Day Law
VSBA President Joan E. Wodiska stated, “I commend the Virginia House Education Subcommittee members for overwhelmingly approving a full repeal of the antiquated Labor Day law. Thank you for your leadership to help Virginia’s students compete and succeed in a global economy. The full House Education Committee will vote next, followed by the full House of Delegates. Once approved by the House, our members expect the bill to gobefore the Senate Education Committee again.We remain confident that the General Assembly will do the right thing. Each day, more and more legislators are standing-up to support a full repeal of the Labor Day law.
The Labor Day vote is a serious matter, it deserves a full, fair, and public debate. We ask the Senate Education Committee to re-consider their hasty actions and ensure a public debate of this matter. VSBA congratulates the six Senators on the Education Committee (Saslaw, Howell, Blevins, Locke, Smith, and Garrett) who had the leadership and courage to help students by voting to repeal the Labor Day Law.
Local leaders, working with parents, community members, and businesses, want and are in the best position to decide the appropriate day to start school. With the increasing rigor and expectation of every student to be college or career ready, schools need additional time to support students. The so-called “Labor Day Law” or “King’s Dominion Law” is the definition of a burdensome, costly, outdated, and unnecessary state mandate. The road to economic recovery, job creation, and good paying jobs for all Virginians is paved by a high-quality, educated citizenry. The “Kings Dominion Law” directly conflicts with Virginia’s economic and education goals. Virginia and Michigan are the only two states that by law prohibit a pre-Labor Day start. Certainly, tourism is equally important in the other 48 states. Much has changed in the near three decades since the passage of the Labor Day Law, it's time torepeal this antiquated relic of the past and return the school calendar to ourlocal communities and parents. ”
Delegate Joseph “Joe” Morrissey (D-74) stated, “When his Excellency, Governor McDonnell, was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, he said in his inaugural address to the people of the Commonwealth, ‘the Founders recognized that the government closest to the people governs best. More often than not, Richmond knows better about the hopes and dreams of the people than Washington. And Galax, Fairfax and Virginia Beach know far better than Richmond’.”
Delegate Jennifer McClellan-Henrico, Richmond (D-71) stated, “The tourism industry is setting up a false choice between tourism and education. We are not talking about taking two weeks out of vacation time, just moving when school starts and ends. Hurricane season impacts decisions about vacations more than the school calendar.”