Bound to get together

We were victims of the night
The chemical, physical, kryptonite
Helpless to the bass and the fading light
Oh we were bound to get together Bound to get together
 
~Walk the Moon, "Shut Up and Dance"

After last week's e-newsletter about what we can do about gun violence prevention, I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about other bipartisan efforts I've worked on. With Election Day only a month away, it's important that we look ahead.

So, starting this week and going until the election on November 7th, I'll be devoting my almost weekly e-newsletter to reminding you about some of the things I've been up to for the last four years and what I've planned for the next two - should I be re-elected.

Bound to Work Together

My original campaign slogan was "Working Harder, Working Together." I'd like to think that I've delivered on both of those campaign promises during my first two terms as Delegate.

Each Session, there are about 3,000 bills and resolutions that are introduced to be considered during our 45 or 60 day sessions. Starting with the 2014 Session, I have co-patroned 622 pieces of legislation, 422 of which were passed by both the House and the Senate.

In 2014, I introduced HB 49, which prohibited the sharing or selling of pictures of another person without their consent. During the legislative process, my bill was incorporated into HB 326, introduced by a more senior Republican who happened to be the chair of subcommittee that would have to advance the bill. We continued to work together on it as it moved through the committee process. Eventually, the bill made it to the full House for a vote where it passed 99 to 1, then passed the Senate, and was signed into law by the Governor.

In 2015, I had three Republicans co-patron my fair housing legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

In 2016, I worked with three prominent Republicans as chief co-patrons on bills we shared. I worked with a now GOP Congressman on our fair housing bill - a version which passed the Senate in bi-partisan fashion in both 2016 and 2017. With a few pick-ups this November, I'm confident it will pass the House as well in 2018.

I worked with a former GOP Lt. Governor candidate as chief co-patron of our bill to allow students to refinance their federal student loans. That bill was carried over for study by SCHEV and continues to enjoy broad bi-partisan support as we continue to work out the mechanics and details of how to administer and fund the program.

I even chief co-patroned with the House Majority Whip on a bill that made Virginia the first state in the country to pass legislation to regulate Daily Fantasy Sports websites. Working for Us

In this age where much of politics has gotten so tribal, it's not always easy to work across party lines. I've deliberately left the names of my colleagues out of this to try to minimize any grief they may get from their own political base during an election year.

Sometimes working for us means standing strong and playing defense against legislation that is harmful to our shared vision for Virginia. And sometimes it means working with folks who you don't often have much in common with to get things through a legislature where you are outnumbered 2 to 1.

I'm working hard to make sure that your voices are heard in Richmond.

I won't back down

Well, I won't back down
No, I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
No, I'll stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground

~Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, "I Won't Back Down"
(October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017)

It’s getting hard to plan ahead. Several weeks ago I mapped out an e-mail plan for the last few weeks for the campaign that was supposed to start yesterday morning.

Week 1 was going to be about how "Working for Us" sometimes means working together with the majority party in Richmond, sometimes without receiving top-billing for all the hard work.

When I woke up, though, and saw the horrible news alerts pinging my phone, my heart sank. I decided to wait to send my first e-mail.

Then I decided that now is the right time to have a political discussion about common sense gun violence prevention measures we can and should be taking to keep our families and community safe. I mean, the NRA is all set to flood political campaigns with contributions and their own political ads (like the $750,000 TV ads in Virginia they have now scheduled for October 10th). Let’s air both sides of the story.

When Thoughts and Prayers Aren't Enough

Talking to family, friends, and constituents about this, I often hear the same questions. What can we do? What can be done?

Some of you know that I've introduced legislation over the years to help curb the proliferation of guns in our community. None of these bills ever made it out of subcommittee, but they have stimulated discussions, some of which have led to actual policy changes, even here in Virginia.

HB 48/HB 2328 - My very first bill would have prohibited anyone who is convicted of domestic violence from possessing, transporting, or carrying a firearm following a conviction. HB 2328 would require the individual to turn their firearms in to local law enforcement. A version of these two policies passed in 2016, as part of a compromise regarding concealed carry reciprocity.

HB 1142/HB 2359 - Twice I’ve introduced bills that would actually require concealed carry permit holders to demonstrate competence with a handgun. Under current law, you can take an online course that requires no interaction with an instructor or even a demonstration of handling the firearm. Can you imagine licensing drivers of cars without making them take behind the wheel training and passing a road test?

HB 1671/HB 1685 - Twice I’ve carried bills for Governor McAuliffe to reinstate Virginia’s effective one handgun per month purchase policy. This policy was repealed in 2012 after decades of success in preventing "straw man" purchases in Virginia that were later linked to crimes in other states.

HB 149/HB 425 - Would have been Virginia’s version of No Fly No Buy. Individuals who are on the federal Terrorist Screening Database would have been disqualified from obtaining a concealed handgun permit and purchasing a handgun.

HB 423/HB424 - In response to the opening of a gun store next to a local elementary school in McLean, would have prevented individuals from possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school or at least allow localities to adopt ordinances prohibiting firearms within a school zone at their option.

HB 1313 - Would have simply allowed an individual requesting a protective order to request that order include language requiring their stalker or abuser to surrender any firearms to law enforcement.

HB 1683 - Prohibits the carrying of a loaded shotgun or rifle in places open to the public in certain cities and counties.

HB 1684 - Restricts access to firearms for those under 14. Firearms must be reasonably secured or individual is guilty of a Class 1 Misdemeanor.

HB 2466 - Requires all dealers who sell or transfer any handgun to also have personalized handguns available for sale i.e. smart gun technology.

I know many of us feel helpless in the face of all the bad news that seems to be overwhelming our newsfeeds. In Virginia we aren’t - in just over a month we have a chance to make our voices heard by voting. We can send a message that we won’t accept regular mass shootings, inept government response to crises, and divisive debates about who is a true patriot to become the new normal - not here in Virginia.

We have an opportunity to vote out the author of the bill that repealed Virginia’s effective, common sense one handgun a month purchase limit. We have the opportunity to vote out legislators who blocked legislation to ban high capacity ammunition clips, and limit where you can open carry machine guns. So, please be sure to register to vote and then either vote early or on November 7th. We can do this together.

Being an Elected Official

Virginia has a part time legislature, with the House of Delegates and State Senate in session only in January and February, and every other year the first week of March. At least that’s the theory.

There is certainly enough going on to keep me busy 40 hours a week or more being your Delegate and representative in Richmond.

Last weekend was a great example. Instead of my usual Saturday morning trip to the Falls Church farmer’s market, I started out at the Annual Taste of Falls Church and Fall Festival. I was humbled by the number of constituents who approached me and told me they recognized me from my newsletter, or from reading the Falls Church News Press, or following me on Facebook and Twitter.

I was so happy to visit with my friends working the booth at Virginia 2021, a group that advocates for fair and non-partisan redistricting in Virginia. I saw my friends from the League of Women Voters registering and sharing information about the Fall Ballot. I saw familiar faces advocating for common sense action to reduce gun violence, and stopped to chat at the AAUW booth to talk about Student Loan Debt, one of the issues I’m most passionate about.

I got so busy meeting, greeting and chatting with constituents I barely had time to eat.

About half way through the day, I headed over to the Eden Center for another festival, celebrating the Lunar New Year with merchants and members of the Vietnamese community. I ran into the Mayor and introduced my son to bubble tea, and got to speak with many new American residents of the 53rd House district.

Later I returned with my son to close out the Taste of Falls Church before taking him to Flag Football tryouts at George Mason High School where I got reacquainted with the football parents from last season.

Sunday was another full day, as I attended one of a series of neighborhood meet and greets hosted by a constituent in the Pine Spring neighborhood. We chatted about Air BNB ordinances, school funding to help speed along the renovation of Falls Church High School, requiring Virginia employers to have fair leave policies, and even how to get permit parking districts expanded. The things that affect neighbors on a daily basis.

From there I headed to an event for NARAL Virginia. And then on to Gerry Connolly’s half way to St. Patty’s event in the 11th Congressional District one of two in my House of Delegates Districts.

As day turned to evening I headed over to McLean High School (where my daughter goes and I graduated) for a town hall with 8th District Congressman Don Beyer. I was so impressed with Congressman Beyer’s answer to questions on health care for all, net neutrality, improving guest worker visa application processes, and more.

I think maybe you all are starting to get the idea. Being a member of the House of Delegates is about much more than spending a few weeks each winter in Richmond. It’s about more than keeping track of how many bills passed vs. how many failed.

Don’t get me wrong, the time we spend in Richmond is incredibly important. We cast thousands of votes each session on the floor and in committee on an incredible range of issues.

How am I supposed to know how to cast those votes if I don’t know my district? I cast those votes on behalf of you, my constituents, my fellow Virginians.

I’m not complaining. This is a typical weekend in the life of a Delegate. Holding this office and representing all the people of my district, which includes Merrifield and the City of Falls Church, and much of the rest of Falls Church, is a responsibility I take seriously.

Being an elected official is about listening and being active in the community at all levels – city, county, and state. I truly enjoy the opportunity to meet constituents, to hear concerns, and to work to make our community and the Commonwealth the best place to live, work, and raise a family. This is why I keep a full calendar. This is why I’m running for re-election in November.

Hate has no place here

The Simon family is on our annual beach vacation this week.

Before I left for vacation, I had my Falls Church News-Press column all ready to go: a back to school column on education issues, student debt and Fairfax County’s school board special election on August 29 (absentee voting is underway, and don’t forget to vote Tuesday after next!).

Every year since I started my own business, we’ve rented a house in Rehoboth or Lewes Delaware, because it’s the beach closest to home. Midweek or middle of the night I can usually make the trip in about two hours forty minutes. As a small business owner, I needed to be able to buzz back to Falls Church on short notice to deal with an emergency, or to handle a case for a really important client.

The business has grown since then, to the point that I can take a week off without interruption. I have very capable partners and associates who can handle just about anything, and the phone in my pocket is more powerful than the laptop I used to tote around back then. Legislative work is rarely an emergency this time of year, so I don’t worry about it too much.

Then Saturday came. On the drive east I couldn’t tear myself away from my Twitter feed. It was full of news and images from Charlottesville. (I had Rachel drive.)

The first clue that this would be no ordinary demonstration came Friday night, when a group of tiki torch-bearing marchers paraded through the university town chanting white supremacist slogans.

On Saturday, a coalition of neo-Nazi white supremacists and neo-confederates gathered in Charlottesville under the guise of a “Unite the Right” rally, ostensibly organized to protest the potential removal of a confederate monument. Counter demonstrations were also planned.

By now you’ve probably all read the news accounts of the violent clashes that seemed to continue to escalate all morning, until a white supremacist from Ohio drove his car through a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others. Virginia State Police Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates also died when their helicopter crashed while they were attempting to monitor the rallies from the air.

I was glad to see Virginia Republican leaders, unlike the President, have condemned the overt displays of racism and white supremacy on display in Charlottesville last weekend. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. These demonstrators obviously got the idea somewhere that such displays are now acceptable. They feel comfortable enough to chant “Jews will not replace us” unmasked in front of video cameras.

It is time that the same leaders who denounced the waving of Nazi swastika flags recognize the racism inherent in many of the policies and proposals we’ve seen during the first months of the Trump administration. Policies we’ve seen advocated for in Virginia for years before that.

The president’s Muslim travel ban. Proposals to monitor and track immigrants who settle in Virginia. Virginia’s voter suppression laws (passed under the guise of voter fraud prevention) that disproportionately disenfranchise communities of color. Redistricting bills that courts have found were drawn to deliberately limit African Americans’ voice in Congress and the state legislature.

In the past few days, I have received over 1,000 emails from every corner of Virginia, unequivocally condemning these hateful acts and calling for legislation to track hate crimes and a state task force designed to promote policies welcoming everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status or citizenship. I know my Republican colleagues are getting the same emails. I hope they are listening.

Since my very first session, I’ve introduced or sponsored legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, to promote fair housing, uphold marriage equality, and prohibit discrimination based on religious beliefs. To make voting easier for everyone. To reform Virginia’s criminal justice system to end practices that resulted in the labeling of one in four African American men in Virginia felons depriving them of their civil rights.

These are the issues I am passionate about because it is the right thing to do and because I believe these are the issues that you, my constituents, want me to be passionate about. As your Delegate I’ll continue to work for what’s right, to work for you, to work for all of us.

Petition for Paid Sick Days

This is the moment
Tonight is the night, we’ll fight till it’s over
So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us
Like the ceiling can’t hold us

~ Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, "Can't Hold Us"


You may have seen the recent news reports about a norovirus outbreak at the Chipotle here in Northern Virginia. Apparently, one contagious employee who made the decision to come to work sick resulted in nearly 100 people being infected.

Why do people make the decision to come to work when they are sick?

Often people fear losing their job, or they can't afford to lose a day's pay. Nearly 42% of Virginians don't have paid sick days or paid time off to care for themselves or their children.

Federal policy makers have proposed the Healthy Families Act to make paid sick leave a national mandate. Unfortunately, given the way things are going in Congress these days, it's unlikely to move forward any time soon.

Once again, that means it is up to each state to figure out the best way to solve the problem and avoid outbreaks like we saw last week in Northern Virginia.

That's why I've introduced legislation and budget amendments to expand paid sick days and paid time off in Virginia.

Why are paid sick days important?

Paid sick days reduce the spread of contagious diseases like the flu (and norovirus!), emergency medical expenses, and employee turnover. Furthermore, communities of color and single parents are disproportionately affected by lack of access to paid sick days.

As a Delegate, I take my role of working to better our community and the lives of all Virginians seriously. And I believe that the majority of Virginians agree that offering paid sick days is is the right thing to do.

If increasing the number of Virginia workers with paid sicks days is important to you, please sign the petition and share it with you friends and neighbors!

 

Update on New Laws for 2017

They say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you

~The Beatles, "Birthday"
Every July 1st I step out my front door and remind myself that the grass is just as green as the day before, the sky is the same shade of blue, and everything really isn’t all that different than it was the day before. It’s just that it’s my birthday, so I have to start using a new number to describe my age.

July 1st is also significant in that it is the day that all the new laws that the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed officially become law. And because things don’t really seem that different this month than they were in June, let me highlight a few of the things we did in Richmond during the last session that just might change your life.

If you found a great new summer cocktail recipe that calls for the highest proof liquor available, you can now head out to the local ABC Store and buy spirits with a proof as high as 151.

Sticking with that theme, if you’ve ever walked into a bar starving for something to eat, only to be told the kitchen is closed: businesses with mixed beverage licenses are now required to have food available until at least 30 minutes prior to closing.

Have you have bought a concert ticket for the band you loved in the ‘80s and‘90s on impulse, without checking with your significant other first? Did they tell you, “No, you can’t go. What were you thinking?” Well, we just made it easier for you to more freely resell your concert or event tickets online via whatever website you choose. You’re also protected from discrimination or being denied admission to a concert or event if you purchased resold tickets.

Have you ever received a ticket for an expired pet license because you forgot to mail in the $5.00 renewal form? Counties and cities must now provide the option of a lifetime license for a dogs and cats. The law also sets the maximum fee for these licenses at $50.

For those of you that head out some weekends to the countryside to hunt, blaze pink is now an accepted hunting apparel color during firearms deer hunting season.

Renewing your vehicle registration? We’ve added still more choices to personalize your plate. Supporters of the Virginia Nurses Foundation or highway safety initiatives, can now get a special license plate at the DMV.

Those are some of the lighter issues we tackled this session. We had some serious issues to address as well.

I fought hard on the floor of the House to defend a bill that requires school principals to notify parents of any allegations of bullying within 5 school days. The allegations may turn out to be just that, but we believed that giving information to parents, of both the alleged victim and the alleged bully, would actually help bring these investigations to quicker resolution and enhance student safety.

We’ve brought some new standards to the way we handle evidence in sexual assault cases. Law enforcement agencies must inform victims of their right to have the evidence recovery kit stored for 10 years and the agency must notify the victim 60 days prior to the scheduled destruction date.

In an era where seemingly routine traffic stops have become fraught with peril for law enforcement officers and drivers alike, we modified the public school Driver Education curriculum to include specific instruction on what to do if you’re stopped by a law-enforcement officer. The training will include general procedures and appropriate interactions.

Many parents who work can have more confidence that the people watching their children have been appropriately vetted. Child care providers are now required to get fingerprint-based national criminal history background checks on those that apply for employment or volunteering.

Finally, if you are concerned that the house next door is being rented out for parties every weekend, or you can’t tell whether the occupants are coming or going, there may be something you can do about it. Localities can now adopt ordinances to regulate short-term rental properties like those used on Airbnb. In fact, Fairfax County is considering adopting some regulations - they are also taking comments on this via an online survey until August 31st.

The Division Legislative Services (DLS) prepares a summary of these new laws called In Due Course. While I’ve only highlighted a few relevant pieces of legislation, the full summary from DLS can be viewed online.

As always, if you have questions about this legislation or if you have ideas for something I can introduce during the next General Assembly Session, please contact my office at (571) 327-0053 or delmsimon@house.virginia.gov.

June Primary

Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one and leave the other one behind.
It's not often easy and not often kind.
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

~Lovin’ Spoonful, "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind"
Primary Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, June 13th. I wanted to share some information that may be useful, including some tips for voting tomorrow.

The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vote at your regular polling place!

This is a big election year in Virginia. Not only is it the first election after the surprising 2016 Presidential race, but we also have all 100 delegates and our state-wide offices (governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general) on the ballot.

For the Democratic Primary tomorrow, I proudly support Ralph Northam for Governor and Justin Fairfax for Lieutenant Governor.

Over the last four years I’ve gotten to know Ralph Northam well. He’s been a great ally in the trenches as we fought together to build a Commonwealth that works for everyone - no matter who you are, no matter where you’re from - and he’s been doing it for the past decade.

I want to share a quick story so you’ll see what I mean. As a very new State Senator, Ralph was tapped by then Governor Tim Kaine to carry legislation to prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants in Virginia. In tobacco-friendly-anti-nanny-state Virginia, this seemed liked a tall order for a Democratic Governor to get past the General Assembly. And Ralph got it done.

As Governor, he will work hard and effectively to make progress every single day in Virginia, and that’s why we need to elect him as our next governor. He has a bold progressive vision and the knowledge, skill, and experience to get it enacted into law. Justin Fairfax, in addition to being a constituent, is someone who understands the needs of working class families and will work to ensure that our shared progressive values are represented in the Senate. Like Ralph, I know Justin and trust that he will continue to build upon his legacy as Lieutenant Governor. No one I’ve run across on the campaign trail has a negative thing to say about Justin.

I'm especially excited that Justin has made student loan debt a centerpiece of his agenda to empower Virginians to rise to a brighter future while creating economic security and opportunity.


Both candidates have been working hard to earn your vote and I hope you will join me in voting for them in the Democratic Primary on June 13th!

Hope to see you at the polls!






On Tuesday, June 13th, the polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

At the Virginia State Board of Elections website, you can check your registration status and confirm your polling place. In addition, voter ID laws are in effect. The list of accepted forms of ID and other related information can be found here.

Falls Church Voter Registration & Elections Office Website

Fairfax County Office of Elections Website

Election Day Tips

• Polls officially close at 7:00 p.m., but everyone waiting in line at that time must be given the opportunity to cast their ballots.
• If the voting equipment malfunctions at your polling place, inform the election officials immediately. If the equipment cannot be repaired in a timely manner, you may then request an emergency paper ballot.
• If you are elderly or disabled, or otherwise unable to enter the polling location without physical assistance, curbside voting will be made available to you at your assigned polling place.
• If you previously requested and received an absentee ballot, but prefer to cast your vote in person on Election Day, be sure to return the unopened ballot to either the local Electoral Board or to the General Registrar before Election Day, or to the election official at your polling place. This will enable you to cast a regular ballot on Election Day. 

Questions: call 1--866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683)