Working for a Living

We have a way of losing track of what our holidays are really about. St. Patrick’s Day has become a reason to wear lots of green and drink beer. Memorial Day means sales and the opening of the neighborhood pool. And Labor Day has become the unofficial end of summer — one last long weekend, one last backyard barbecue, and one last chance to enjoy the pool before school and fall routines take over.

 

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying any of that. But as we celebrate the unofficial end of summer, it’s also worth remembering what Labor Day represents — the contributions of working people and the generations of workers who fought to make our workplaces fairer, safer, and more secure.

 

It’s also a reminder that things we now take for granted — the 40-hour work week, weekends, workplace safety protections, and fair wages — didn’t just happen. Working people organized, fought for them, and, in many cases, made real sacrifices to secure them.

So, as we prepare to celebrate Labor Day, I thought I’d use this month’s column to highlight several new labor-related laws that took effect on July 1st, expanding protections and benefits for workers and families across the Commonwealth.

 

Raising the Minimum Wage

 

Virginia’s minimum wage is going up again. After a brief pause under the former Governor, the most recent General Assembly put us back on course to hit $15 per hour by January 1, 2028. After that, the minimum wage will be adjusted based on increases in the Consumer Price Index.

 

It’s taken a while to get there, (I first introduced a $15 minimum wage in 2015), but regardless of the work you do, a higher minimum wage is one way we can make sure that Virginia’s workers share in the prosperity they help create.

 

Paid Sick Leave You Can Actually Use

 

We also took a major step forward on paid sick leave. Virginia law now guarantees paid sick leave for most workers, including employees of private businesses and state and local governments. Workers will earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and, in most cases, workers can carry their accrued leave with them, including when a business changes ownership.

 

Paid sick leave can be used for more than staying home when you have the flu. Workers can use it to care for themselves or a family member, address a physical or mental health issue, or seek help and services related to domestic, sexual, or physical abuse. No one should have to choose between going to work while sick and paying the bills or staying home to care for a loved one and losing a paycheck. And someone trying to escape an abusive situation shouldn’t have to worry that taking time to get help will cost them their job.

 

The paid family and medical leave insurance program is also now law and will eventually give eligible workers access to paid time away from work for major life events and serious health needs. Together, these laws recognize that people have responsibilities outside of their jobs, and our workplace policies should reflect that.

 

Further, we have tools to hold employers accountable for knowing violations, including civil penalties. Workers can also take legal action in certain circumstances when they are denied the leave they are entitled to, potentially recovering unpaid leave and damages.

Another new law addresses a different kind of workplace inequality: salary history. Employers are now prohibited from asking job applicants about their salary or wage history. What you earned at your last job shouldn’t determine what you’re worth at your next one.

 

No Salary History

 

For too long, salary history has been used as a shortcut for determining compensation, which can perpetuate unfair pay disparities from one job to the next. By taking salary history out of the equation, we give applicants a better opportunity to negotiate based on the job they are applying for, not what they happened to earn somewhere else.

 

That is what Labor Day is about - recognizing the people whose work keeps our communities and our Commonwealth moving forward, and making sure our laws recognize their contributions.

 

And what better way to celebrate that progress than by gathering together? I hope you’ll join me for my annual Labor Day BBQ on Monday, September 7th, for good food, good company, and a chance to celebrate the people who make our communities and our Commonwealth strong. I’d love to see you there.

VELA - A 90's Comeback?

Remember Friday nights at Blockbuster, keeping your Tamagotchi alive between classes, or rocking a pair of wide-leg jeans with Doc Martens? The ’90s are back on TikTok, in our closets, even in the soundtrack of our kids’ Spotify playlists. And maybe, it’s time for one more revival: the Virginia Education Loan Authority (VELA). Like the Beanie Babies in your attic, VELA was packed away in 1997 under Governor George Allen. But with Washington pulling back on student lending, Virginia may need to bring this retro policy back into circulation.

On August 14th, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) appeared before the House Emergency Committee on Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions to lay out the hard truth. The federal government’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) is about to make paying for college a lot harder. Pell eligibility will shrink. Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS loans, which are already lifelines for many working- and middle-class families, are being capped. And new “earnings outcome” rules could put pressure on Virginia colleges that serve a higher share of first-generation and lower-income students.

SCHEV’s analysts showed us the stark numbers. Virginia families already face billions of dollars in unmet need every year, even before these federal cuts. Without access to federal lending capacity, students will be forced to cobble together private loans with higher interest rates or, more likely, to walk away from higher education altogether. Add to that declining demographics, skepticism about the return on investment, and the loss of international students, and Virginia’s higher-ed system is staring at a perfect storm.

If this feels familiar, it should. The last time federal support was dialed back and college affordability became a crisis, Virginia responded by creating VELA. It was a homegrown solution that recognized education as an investment in our own future workforce and economy.

And this isn’t the first time the idea of reviving VELA has been floated. Back in 2016, I introduced legislation to reimagine VELA as a student loan refinancing authority. The proposal would have allowed Virginia to sell tax-free municipal bonds and let qualified borrowers refinance their student debt at lower rates. The goal was to give responsible borrowers a fair shot to get out from under crushing monthly payments, freeing up resources to buy homes, start families, and invest in our communities. At the time, SCHEV and our Treasurer’s office studied the model and found it feasible, though the bill never made it out of committee. Yet the blueprint remains on the shelf, ready to be dusted off.

Some may think this is too ambitious. However, we’ve already laid groundwork to protect borrowers. In 2020, I carried legislation establishing Virginia’s Student Borrower Bill of Rights, licensing student loan servicers, and creating the Qualified Education Loan Ombudsman housed at SCHEV. The Ombudsman serves as a hands-on liaison for borrowers, cuts through red tape with servicers, and produces public reports that keep us honest about what’s working and what isn’t. Those protections were upheld and implemented, and they remain among the strongest in the country.

The need for a state-based solution is even more urgent. If the federal government is edging out of the business of making student loans workable, maybe it’s time Virginia edges back in. We don’t need to recreate VELA exactly as it was in 1990’s. But we can revive the spirit of a state-level partner that could once again help Virginians bridge the affordability gap, this time with the added tools of refinancing, smarter lending practices, and modern oversight.

While it may or may not be the right solution today, it’s certainly an idea whose time could be coming back. And before any decisions are made, it’s worth a broader conversation. I welcome feedback on whether reviving VELA or something like it could be part of how we keep higher education affordable for the next generation. An updated VELA with strong consumer protection and measured financial tools can keep more talent here, grow our economy, and prove again that when the federal pendulum swings, Virginia doesn’t have to swing with it.

The Compromise State Budget

The General Assembly wrapped up its regular session last month, sending 917 bills to the Governor for action. In Virginia, the Governor has until the end of March to sign, veto, or recommend amendments to the legislation we pass.

That’s out of more than 2,000 bills that were introduced. 

I’m proud to report that the 2025 session was a highly successful one for me. According to a recent Virginia Public Access Project analysis, I was ranked the most effective legislator in the state, with 14 of the 16 bills I introduced passing both chambers.

One of the most critical responsibilities of the General Assembly during our short session is adjusting Virginia’s two-year budget. This year, we’re looking at a significant surplus, though the ongoing dismantling of the federal government and workforce could have major implications for those numbers.

I’ve been tapped by the Speaker of the House to serve on a bi-partisan Emergency Committee to work to ascertain exactly what the impact will be on Virginia’s budget and help make policy recommendations to address the potential loss of revenue, providing for the needs of newly unemployed federal workers, and long term strategies to allow our economy to adapt the reality of an eviscerated Federal Government. 

With that in mind, here’s a look at what we accomplished in January and February.

Putting money back in the pockets of hard-working Virginians

The House-Senate compromise budget includes over $1 billion in tax cuts for Virginians, including tax rebates of $200 per individual and $400 per couple by October 2025, plus a permanent increase in the standard deduction to help lower tax burdens.

We’re expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), providing more relief to lower-income households. 

Affordable Housing

I hear about this issue a lot – from constituents and in my day job as a real estate title attorney. To help address it, this budget has significant investments to help Virginians achieve homeownership, address high rental costs for low-income Virginians, and increase the state’s supply of affordable housing.

Specifically, there is a pilot program that will provide direct rental assistance to families in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, so that the cost of housing does not exceed 30% of their income. A new grant program for first-time homebuyers to receive a grant of up to $10,000 was also established to help offset the cost of homeownership.

Public Education

This budget includes a historic $782 million increase in state funding for our K-12 public education system. Along with the already promised 3% raise, teachers and support staff will receive a $1,000 bonus.

We also set aside $150 million to improve school facilities, ensuring safe and modern classrooms for Virginia’s students. And we’re investing in early childhood education by adding 4,500 new early childhood education slots while keeping childcare costs affordable for working families.

Healthcare & Mental Health Services

Better and sustainable healthcare for all Virginians is a top priority. As a result, the budget includes an $869 million investment in health and human services, ensuring more funding for Medicaid, maternal health, and mental health services.

Of this, $41.2 million is earmarked for behavioral health, including crisis services, mental health workforce support, and expanded psychiatric resources. There is also $32.3 million to address critical improvements in state mental health facilities.

In addition, there is $8.7 million to hire additional support coordinators at Community Service Boards to ensure individuals receiving a DD waiver get timely access to services and to help with the increased caseload due to the significant addition of DD waiver slots this biennium.

We added an additional $1 million to expand pilot programs to divert and discharge individuals with dementia from state hospitals to community placements. Fairfax County will be able to expand their pilot program that reduces the risk of social isolation among older Virginians, with the goal of expanding the program statewide.

Environment & Infrastructure

Protecting our environment and shoring up our infrastructure projects are critical to Virginia’s continued economic success. As such, we’re maintaining our commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup by fully funding agricultural best management practices for the biennium. 

The Stormwater Local Assistance Fund will get $40 million to cover projected costs and the we will fully fund the state share of costs for wastewater treatment plant improvements. We’re also adding $25 million for drinking water grants to localities to upgrade or replace existing drinking water infrastructure.

This budget includes restores $3.3 million for operating support for WMATA.

Safer Communities

There is an additional $5.9 million to support grants for local community violence intervention programs, plus an additional $3.5 million for sexual assault and domestic violence victim agencies and victim witness programs.

Back to School

The end of August is back to school time. For Rachel and I, it’s a particularly poignant back to school season as we are about to be empty nesters as we send our youngest off to Virginia Tech in the coming weeks. Seems like only yesterday I was exploiting their youthful cuteness to get constituents to open their doors as I campaigned for office.  

Parents and caregivers of kids of all ages are getting their kids ready for the new school year, buying supplies, picking out the first day outfit, figuring out the new schedules. There is always a mix of excitement and anxiety as we drop our little ones off into the care of their teachers and administrators, whether it’s for a semester or just until later in the afternoon.  

Sadly, a pressing concern for many parents when we drop our children off at school is their safety from gun violence. Schools, which ought to be sanctuaries of learning and growth, are increasingly seen as places fraught with potential danger. 

In response, many schools have implemented a range of security measures, from metal detectors to armed guards. While these steps can offer a semblance of safety, they are not a substitute for comprehensive legislative action. The conversation around gun violence prevention must evolve beyond reactive measures and focus on proactive, preventative strategies that address the root causes of this crisis. 

Gun Violence Prevention Legislation & the 2024 Session

In 2024 I had the honor to serve as Chair of the House of Delegates Public Safety Committee, and I am proud of the great work we did this past session. On the House side alone, we passed nearly 20 bills that would have made our kids at school and our communities safer. Unfortunately, Governor Youngkin vetoed all of them. 

While some of these bills introduced significant policy changes, others were more administrative, aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. The House Democratic majority would have mandated that fingerprints be included in concealed carry permit applications, required handgun competency training to include live fire at a shooting range, established a five-day waiting period between the initiation of a background check and the purchase of a firearm and ended blanket concealed carry permit reciprocity with states whose permit requirements do not meet Virginia's standards. 

We passed legislation to ban assault weapons, to ban carrying assault weapons in public spaces, and to prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing an assault weapon. 

Common sense bills designed to enhance safety requirements for firearm storage met the same fate. My bill required firearms to be stored in a locked container when minors were present. Another bill required the purchase of a firearm locking device in homes where minors live. A third bill prohibited leaving firearms unattended in a motor vehicle.  

To prevent those who shouldn’t have firearms from purchasing or possessing one, we passed bills to establish standards of reasonable conduct for firearm industry members as well as a civil penalty for violation. Intimate partners who were convicted of assault or battery were prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm. Legislation passed to tighten up laws related to transferring a firearm from one individual to another, to require the Virginia State Police to establish a Substantial Risk Order Reporting System to track these orders by locality, and to prohibit anyone from bringing a firearm into a mental health facility. I’ve introduced a bill to ban “ghost guns” for several years now – plastic firearms that do not have a serial number and are untraceable.  Because they are sold as parts, a background check isn’t required.   

The Governor vetoed every one of these bills. His veto explanation for each one was a variation of the same theme - these bills placed an undue burden on gun owners because of the associated expense, because of the time required to lock or unlock a storage device, because of the delayed time from when a purchase was made and the firearm was received, because the legislation went too far, and because it infringed on the Second Amendment. 

As we send our kids back to school, the focus should not only be on academic readiness but also on ensuring their safety. In the 2025 General Assembly Session, we will again have a chance to focus our energy on meaningful action. By advocating for sensible gun laws and investing in preventive measures, we can take significant strides toward a safer, more secure educational environment (and community) for all students.

New Laws in 2024 Part 2

Ideas for legislation come from so many sources – constituent casework, conversations with a colleague, a community meeting, or even an NPR segment. While not all bill ideas are created equal, the general idea is to improve the lives of all Virginians whether we’re tweaking an existing law to avoid unintended consequences or creating a whole new Code Section to address a larger issue.   

Building on my article at the beginning of the month, here are some additional laws that went into effect on July 1st. Chances are, one or more of them will affect you or someone you know.  

Reducing Costs for Virginians  

Housing affordability and helping families avoid eviction has become a hot topic these last several years. To that end, we extended Virginia’s Eviction Diversion Pilot Program, giving the Virginia Housing Commission more time to assess its effectiveness, and perhaps recommend extending it further.   

If the Governor issues a state of emergency, electric, gas, water, and wastewater utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting service to a residential customer for nonpayment of bills or fees during said emergency. The suspension will last for 30 days after such declaration of the state of emergency.   

To reduce predatory towing, towing operators for a multifamily dwelling unit parking lot must post a written notice on a vehicle, providing at least 48 hours' notice to a resident prior to removing a resident's vehicle. This is specifically for vehicles with an expired registration or expired vehicle inspection sticker. The landlord must also receive a copy of such notice.  

Telephone companies that operate within local correctional facilities must now reinvest their net profits into each facility for educational, recreational, or medical purposes for the benefit of incarcerated individuals. This can include programs related to behavioral health, substance abuse, reentry, and rehabilitative services. This will reduce price gouging in these facilities while helping inmates get their lives back on track.  

Empowering Localities  

Local governments can now adopt an ordinance to support the planting and replacement of trees during the land development process by allowing a tree canopy fund, on both public and private property. The law also makes it easier to collect tree canopy funds while expanding the canopy credit.  

Another tool to curb predatory towing, localities have the authority to create a permitting system for all towing companies to better track them and hold them accountable.  

Counties that that do not maintain their own roads are now allowed to reduce speed limits to less than 25 miles per hour in business or residential districts. Localities can also restore a speed limit that was previously reduced. 

Making Virginia More Welcoming and Inclusive  

Reinforcing our non-discrimination laws, no one who is authorized to issue a marriage license can refuse to fulfill their obligation based on a couple’s sex, gender, or race. The law also requires that these marriages be recognized by the Commonwealth.  

Families that receive assistance through Medicaid or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children are also automatically eligible to receive assistance through the Child Care Subsidy Program.  

We amended the financial eligibility standards for those receiving the Family and Individual Support Waiver, Community Living Waiver, and Building Independence Waiver (the DD Waivers). This increases the number of people eligible to receive DD Waivers and requires a report on how many Virginians could benefit from changes to the eligibility standards.  

To ensure our most Virginians living with disabilities get the support and resources they need, a new law requires state agencies to seek federal authority to update Home and Community Based Services Waivers to remove burdensome regulations on parental caregivers.   

Protecting the Vulnerable  

Emergency services providers must now provide a behavioral health assessment, as well as further examination and treatment, when treating a patient. This will help ensure that a patient’s mental health doesn’t deteriorate while receiving emergency treatment.  

Elderly and vulnerable adults can submit and update a list of trusted persons that financial institutions can contact in the case of suspected financial exploitation. The law also permits financial institutions to train staff on how to identify and report suspected cases of financial exploitation. New training guidelines will be published on January 1, 2026.   

Local school boards are required to develop policies that ensure high school students learn to prevent and reverse an opioid overdose. The policy encourages students to complete this program before graduating.  

If you have questions about one of these new laws, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. Or if you’ve got a bill idea you’d like to share, I’m all ears! Although we’re limited in the number of bills we can introduce (15!) during the 2025 Session, hearing from constituents is always helpful in putting together my legislative agenda.  

New Laws in 2024

On July 1^st, several new laws went into effect across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including some that may impact Falls Church residents as they go about their daily lives.

The changes impact a wide range of areas, from animal welfare to higher education, reflecting the evolving priorities and values of Virginians. Here's a look at some of the key legislative updates that Falls Church residents should be aware of.

Animal Welfare

Fans of the News Press’s “Critter Corner” will appreciate a significant shift towards promoting animal rights and safety.

Declawing cats is now illegal unless it's deemed necessary for health reasons. This measure aims to protect cats from unnecessary harm and improve their welfare.

Localities have been empowered to create public online registries for individuals convicted of felony animal cruelty crimes. This initiative seeks to enhance public awareness and prevent further abuse.

On a somewhat related topic, a change championed by some of our rural neighbors in the western part of the state allows residents to legally claim roadkill, such as deer or possum, for personal use.

Casino Regulations

While area residents continue to monitor efforts to allow a casino here in Northern Virginia, effective July 1, Richmond is no longer eligible to host a casino after two failed referenda. A related change that may become relevant in our area someday says any jurisdiction that has had a failed casino referendum must now wait three years before attempting another vote. Petersburg will now take Richmond's place as a potential casino location.

Public Safety

Efforts to enhance public safety and address crime have led to the following changes:

One recommendation of the Governor’s Commission to Combat Anti-Semitism that failed to pass the Republican-controlled House of Delegates last year will become law this year after a change in partisan control of that body. The definition of a hate crime now includes ethnicity. This broadened scope aims to offer greater protection to diverse communities.

Starting July 1, driving without insurance in Virginia will no longer be an option. Previously, Virginians could register as uninsured drivers by paying an annual $500 fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles. However, this option will be eliminated. The DMV estimates that approximately 6,000 drivers will need to provide proof of insurance or face potential license suspension.

Local police agencies can install photo speed monitoring devices at high-risk intersections. This move is intended to reduce traffic violations and improve road safety.

Jury Duty Exemption Age Increase: The age at which citizens can be exempt from jury duty has been raised from 70 to 73, potentially expanding the pool of available jurors.

"Lucia’s Law" increases the penalty for parents who fail to secure their firearms. Passed with bipartisan support as SB 44 and HB 36, the law makes it a felony for adults to allow a child access to a firearm after being notified that the child poses a threat of violence.

The law is named after Lucia Bremer, a Henrico eighth grader shot nine times by a 14-year-old boy using his father's gun on March 26, 2021. Previously, Virginia law only prohibited recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm around children under 14, without specific storage or locking requirements.

An auto sear is a device that converts a semi-automatic handgun into a machine gun capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute. Virginia law now prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of auto sears.

Consumer Protection

Several new laws will impact how food and alcohol businesses operate:

Home-Based Food Businesses: Entrepreneurs who prepare food in their private homes can now advertise online and sell their products at temporary events or farmers markets.

Permanent Cocktails to Go: The popular pandemic-era provision allowing cocktails to go has been made permanent. However, the allowance for third-party delivery of these cocktails will end on July 1, 2026.

Utility Service Protections: It is now illegal for utilities to be shut off during extreme heat or when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This measure aims to protect vulnerable populations during harsh weather conditions.

Higher Education

Significant reforms in higher education have also taken effect:

Banning Legacy Admissions: Virginia's public universities will no longer practice legacy admissions, promoting a more equitable admissions process.

NIL Deals for Student Athletes: Virginia universities can now compensate student athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals without fear of NCAA sanctions. This law aims to provide fair compensation for student athletes' contributions.

Reproductive Health & Education

Menstrual Health Data Protection: The use of search warrants to access menstrual health data stored in period-tracking apps is now prohibited, ensuring greater privacy for individuals.

Menstrual Education: School Boards now have the authority to include information about menstrual periods in health education for students in grades 4-8. This initiative aims to provide young students with essential knowledge about their bodies.

These new laws represent a diverse array of changes that reflect Virginia's commitment to enhancing the welfare, safety, and opportunities for its residents. You can view a more comprehensive list of new laws online at DLS.Virginia.gov.

2024 Sine Die - Right On Time

Today, we've officially gavelled out of the 2024 General Assembly Session! And you won't believe what we've accomplished.

Education

If all we had time for this session had been to pass bills to set us on a path to make sure Virginia teachers are compensated at least at the national average (HB 187), to protect our at-risk students (HB 825), improve student mental health (HB 919 & HB 603), ease the teacher shortage, and to secure our kids future through a world class education, it would have been a great session.

But wait, there’s more.

We also passed bills to protect the rights and freedom of a Virginians, including the right to obtain contraception (HB 609 & HB 819), to keep their health and medical data private (HB 78 & HB 1539), their right to a marriage license regardless of sex, gender or race of the parties (HB 174), the right to vote in free and fair elections (HB 623).

 

Abortion Access

Even if we’d only had time to block efforts to ban all abortions in Virginia with no exceptions (HB 404), that would have been a great session. But we did all that AND we built an economy that works for Hardworking Virginia families.

 

Economic Justice

We raised the minimum wage (HB 1), removed Jim Crow era exceptions to the minimum wage (HB 157). We established a prescription drug affordability board (HB 570) so Virginians don’t have to choose between paying for essentials like rent and groceries so they can buy their medicines.

 

Gun Violence Prevention

We also had time to pass important bills to protect victims of domestic violence from deadly gun violence (HB 46 & HB 362), to ban weapons of war from Virginia’s streets and neighborhoods (HB 2 & HB 175), to ban dangerous devices that can convert an ordinary firearm into a virtual automatic weapon (HB 22), and to ban the ghost guns (HB 173).

 

A Compromise Budget

In the last few days of session, we only had a handful of outstanding conference reports yet to be signed, and, for the first time in at least 3 years, a completed budget conference report sitting on our desks. Right. On. Time.

A budget that makes important investments in our infrastructure, in our teachers, in our public employees. It directs the Governor to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), to invest $149.5 million transportation improvements and WMATA, includes  $100 million for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, $400 million to meet Chesapeake Bay improvement goals, and $25 million for Coastal Risk Storm Management Projects.

We’ve delivered on our promises to Virginians and we got it all done right in time.

 

Now, it’s up to the Governor. He’s on the clock – will he sign these bills and make sure Virginians get the education, the freedoms, the economic opportunities and the environment they want and deserve? Only time will tell.

What A Virginia GOP Majority Looks Like

This is my last column before the November 7^th general election, where all 140 members of the General Assembly are on the ballot across Virginia. In 2019, I used this column to try to help readers imagine how much better Virginia could be if we managed to take control of both the House and Senate with a Democratic Governor already two years into his term. 

A year later, I used this column to reflect on how much of what I’d predicted had come to pass.

We’d passed seven common sense gun violence prevention bills, expanded voter access to the polls, instituted meaningful criminal justice reform, repealed the death penalty, expanded anti-discrimination laws, passed the Equal Rights Amendment, and continued the minimum wage increase.

Although we lost our House majority by less than 300 total votes in 2021, with the Democrats holding the State Senate, the GOP failed in their efforts to roll back or repeal most of these laws over the last two years, but not for a lack of trying.

We know what can happen if we have the majority.

In 2023, this column is about what happens if the Virginia GOP takes control of the Senate and the House in addition to the top three state-wide offices.

Let's Travel to the 2024 Session

I can tell you it won’t be pretty. Everything that the Republicans have failed to do legislatively, they will do. There will be nothing to stop them.

The Governor has already said repeatedly that he will “gleefully” sign any abortion restriction bill that reaches his desk. I know Halloween is right around the corner, but don’t be tricked by the Governor’s efforts to mask his true intentions. Given the opportunity, the Virginia GOP would pass legislation banning abortion.

This is in spite of the fact that a recently released poll from Christopher Newport University found that more than 70% of Virginians think our abortion laws should stay the same or become less restrictive than they are now.

Speaking of masquerading as something you aren’t, we’ve watching the Governor funding a PR campaign to encourage Republican voters to set aside their concerns about early voting. At the same time, the Virginia House GOP passed bills that would have all but eliminated early voting, reduced the number of early voting days, banned ballot drop boxes, and require even more aggressive purging of voter rolls. They will certainly never pass a Constitutional Amendment on the Right to Vote and restoration of rights will become even less of a priority.

And all the budget surpluses accumulated under Democratic leadership? Look for sweeping corporate tax cuts. Every economic advantage that the Governor wanted for big corporations in the recent state budget, Republicans will push for at the expense of individual taxpayers.

Criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention programs will take a hard hit. They’ll put a stop to any true reform like earned sentence credits. Getting a concealed carry permit will get even easier as will purchasing any kind of firearm. Plus, you’ll see the end of “gun free” zones as firearms will be permitted anywhere.

While it’s possible they won’t come outright with a banned book list, they will institute tighter control over what our public schools and public libraries have access to, and what our kids can read.

And that’s not the only aspect of our kids’ education that will come under attack. We saw their response to COVID-19 protocols. There is already a teacher shortage and Republicans seeming distrust of teachers will only make this worse.

You should expect to see weakening of protections for the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination at schools or in employment under the guise of so-called “religious freedom” exceptions.

The Governor’s withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will have only been the first step in their plan to reduce environmental protections and to continue to deny the extent or even the existence of climate change.

Public employees will likely lose their right to form unions and collectively bargain for better pay and working conditions.

Frankly, I’d rather not find out if these predictions come true. And I’d rather not be writing a March column that points to all the bad bills the Republicans passed during the 2024 Session that the Governor will gleefully sign into law.

This election is so important, and we owe it to ourselves, to those we love, and to our community to ensure that Virginia remains an inclusive place to live, work, and raise a family.

The September Marathon

It’s been a busy few weeks since my big Labor Day BBQ and September shows no signs of slowing down. Between knocking doors here at home and in swing districts across Virginia, attending a Special Session in Richmond, and preparing for the imminent start of the early voting period, the fall is shaping up to be a marathon of activity as we sprint to the end of the year.

I know I’m mixing my running metaphors here, but stick with me. What I’m trying to say is it’s very busy!

The Budget Deal

On September 6^th, the General Assembly returned to Richmond for a special session on the state budget. The Governor’s agenda of giving big tax breaks to corporations at the expense of public education funding was soundly defeated as the conferees’ budget largely resembled the draft put forth by Senate Democrats at the end of February. While it’s a shame we lost several months of important funding, here are a few highlights from a budget that prioritized education, mental health care, and putting money back in the wallets of hard-working Virginians.

Education

For our teachers (and state employees), there is an additional 2% salary increase that will go into effect later this year. The budget also includes a $645.3 million increase in direct aid to schools with the City of Falls Church getting an additional $307,343. Plus, the Little City will receive $3 million for improvements to Oak Street Elementary School.

As part of a larger effort to increase access to mental healthcare (more below), $11.7 million is allocated for community and school-based children’s mental health services.

Mental Health & Healthcare

Overall, the budget has $155.6 million in new spending for mental health services:

·       $58 million to create crisis receiving centers and crisis stabilization units.

·       $10 million for 15 additional mobile crisis teams.

·       $34 million for permanent supportive housing and housing for individuals with serious mental illness.

·       $18.0 million for a targeted pay raise of an average of 5% for all CSB staff.

·       $10.0 million to contract for psychiatric emergency programs in hospitals.

·       $4.0 million for the Virginia Mental Health Access Program.

This allocation also includes 500 additional Developmental Disability waiver slots, which will go into effect in January 2024. Further, we were able to maintain budget language allowing state funds for abortions in certain fetal abnormality cases.

Environment

The Water Quality Improvement Fund will receive $644 million in the next fiscal year. The Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Agricultural Best Practices will get a total of $338.5 million to help curb pollution and adverse environmental impacts. We’re also investing $30 million in the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund, plus $17.0 million at the Department of Environmental Quality for local stormwater management projects.

Easing the Burden on Hardworking Virginians

Because of an oversight during the regular 2023 Session, there wasn’t a bill introduced for the annual back to school sales tax holiday that usually occurs in August every year. To remedy that, the budget reinstates the program for school supplies, hurricane preparedness, clothing and footwear and energy efficient appliances. This year, the sales tax holiday will be October 20^th to 22^nd.

Those that filed taxes this year will get a taxpayer relief check of either $200 or $400, for single and joint filers respectively. When you file your taxes next year, the Standard Deduction will increase to $8,500 for single filers and $17,000 for joint filers.

The budget includes an additional $15.3 million for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which goes a long way to help those in need.

Continuing to address the Virginia Employment Commission’s backlog of benefits appeals, there is $12.3 million provided for Call Center Support and other necessary administrative items.

The November Election is Coming

I’m sure you’ve seen emails and social media posts about how we are less than 60 days away from the November election. There is a big push to make sure that voters know their options and what’s at stake. So, here’s my early voting PSA:

Early voting begins September 22^nd. Thanks to legislation passed while Democrats controlled the General Assembly, you can vote early in-person or absentee for any reason. The last day to register to vote in the November Election is Tuesday, October 16th. (However, you can register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot.)

The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is Friday, October 27th at 5pm. Check out the City of Falls Church Elections Office webpage (https://www.fallschurchva.gov/135/Voter-Registration-Elections) for more details about early voting and weekend voting dates.