Del. Lacey Putney wants to make it 52 years in the House of Delegates.
Putney, I-Bedford, disclosed plans Tuesday to seek his 26th two-year term, this time in a district that has gained Alleghany County as part of its territory, along with his familiar northern Bedford County and most of Botetourt County.
Putney is Virginia’s longest-serving legislator and, as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, one of the most influential lawmakers. He will turn 83 later this month, and in January he will complete half a century in the House.
“I have had opportunities to meet and talk with citizens in the new Covington and Alleghany County areas, as well as having attended community events in the Bedford and Botetourt areas,” Putney said in making his announcement.
“I have been asked and encouraged by Democrats, Republicans and independents to seek re-election to another two-year term,” he said.
Putney caucuses with the Republican majority in the House, and also serves on the House Privileges and Elections Committee and the Rules Committee.
“My experience, seniority and positions of leadership on major committees are second to no one in the 100-member House of Delegates,” Putney said.
Challenges awaiting legislators in 2012 include “far-reaching proposals in the areas of education, law enforcement, public safety and transportation,” Putney said.
“Specifically, there will be proposals to change the school distribution formula,” by which state funds are sent to local school districts, Putney said. The formula for distributing road money to counties and cities also could change.
Both of those proposals “would benefit urban areas of the state to the detriment of rural areas such as the 19th District,” Putney said. “I will use my years of seniority and strong committee assignments in fighting to protect our district from these sweeping changes,” he said.
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