Dear Friend,
The autumn season has arrived and with that, we have elections, holidays, and pre-legislative session planning to focus our attention. The Delta variant of COVID-19 still plagues our world in many ways. Please continue to keep the health and safety of you, your families, and others in mind as you enjoy the cooler weather in the coming months. Get your COVID-19 vaccine if you haven’t already, and of course, don’t forget to get your annual flu shot too. Superintendent Jason Kamras of Richmond Public Schools recently shared an excellent infographic that is a good reminder for all of us to stay home when we do not feel well.
Legislative Updates
Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission
On September 20, JLARC heard reports on the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (report here), interim Virginia Employment Commission findings (report here), and an actuarial review of state employee health insurance program (report here).
To date, I have assisted hundreds of constituents with unemployment benefit issues. It has been an ongoing concern for me since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic significantly increased VEC workload with 1.9 million payments issued and $13.9 billion in total state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits paid out to claimants between March 2020 and July 2021.
The main problems with the unemployment process stems from very low staffing levels, including an insufficient number of IT programmers, at the VEC. The VEC uses an antiquated IT system (developed in 1985) and is also paper-based. Additionally, from the claimant side, the eligibility requirements, application, and policies are incredibly difficult to understand. For instance, the letter to claimants describing the process is 8 pages long and written above the college-reading level.
All in all, it is completely understandable for constituents experiencing unemployment and applying for benefits to be frustrated. Lack of communication and easy to understand information is unacceptable from a state agency. A new IT system is expected this fall and promises to make the process easier for everyone (both claimants and staff). In the meantime, please continue to send me your concerns and I will advocate on your behalf with the VEC.
Additionally, COVID-19 related federal unemployment programs expired on September 4. Even though these additional benefits expired, I know many families and individuals are still struggling. Senator Ghazala Hashmi has compiled an excellent resource list that I encourage you to review and share with those in need.
Unveiling of the Emancipation and Freedom Monument
On September 22, the Virginia Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission unveiled the Emancipation and Freedom Monument on Brown’s Island. Governor Northam, Mayor Stoney, and Senator McClellan (the chair of the Commission) gave remarks as well as vice-chair Delegate McQuinn. Additionally, Dr. Lauranett Lee delivered the keynote address and the Elegba Folklore Society performed a libation ceremony.
The project began as part of the Commission’s commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the abolition of slavery in the United States. Designed by Thomas Jay Warren of Oregon, the monument features two 12-foot bronze statues representing a man, woman, and infant newly freed from slavery. The base of the monument features the names, images, and brief biographical information of ten African American Virginians whose lives were dedicated to Emancipation and freedom. I am so proud that this project has come to fruition and I am honored to be a member of the Commission.
Rebuild VA
Small businesses are the backbone of our Commonwealth. The Rebuild VA program gives grants to small businesses affected by COVID-19. Since July 2020, the program has awarded nearly $120 million in funding to over 3,000 small businesses and nonprofits. This past session, the General Assembly added $250 million in funding to the program and I was glad to support this. To learn more and apply for a Rebuild VA grant, visit this link.
Virginia Redistricting Commission
As you may have read in the news, the Virginia Redistricting Commission is in the midst of reviewing and approving new maps for the House and Senate. This week new maps were released for public review. VPAP offers helpful visual analysis of the maps and allows you to input your address to see how your representatives may change. Once the maps are approved by the Commission, it will go to the General Assembly for a vote. Legislators cannot amend the map. If the map fails to pass the General Assembly, then the Commission has an opportunity to make a second map. If the General Assembly still does not approve of the second map, then it goes to the Supreme Court of Virginia where they will hire two experts - one selected by Democrats, another by Republicans - to draw a map for the justices to consider. Here is the Virginia Redistricting Commission website - you can submit public comment, review past and future meeting information, and review map data.
Legislation Planning for 2022
While the 2022 legislative session may seem far away, I am in the midst of researching and reviewing legislation to submit. If you have any topics of concern that you would like me to consider as legislation, please email me.
I am currently considering the following subject areas:
Education: No Child Left Inside, based off a program implemented by Principal Michael Powell at John B. Cary Elementary, which focuses on integrating outside time in school curriculum. Evidence shows that outside time for school children improves behavior, increases learning, and helps them appreciate and understand their outdoor environment.
Environment: I am looking at two pieces of legislation - one which would focus on the issue of birds dying due to collisions with buildings and another looking at model legislation from Maine which refocuses recycling from a consumer issue by holding plastic producers accountable.
Transportation: Richmond and the rest of the Commonwealth (and country) have seen an increase in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. People should feel safe when walking on the side walk and cyclists should feel safe sharing the road with vehicles. There should be more accountability for killing or severely injuring a person (even if it’s an accident) than there is when a driver hits an inanimate object, such as a telephone pole. Additionally, I have heard from far too many constituents about continued speeding and secondary driving offenses such as loud exhausts…I am looking into ways to resolve this issue on the state level too.
Housing: I am exploring several housing-related bills related to rental units that have deteriorated due to landlord neglect, tenants staying in hotels, and finding solutions for bed bug mitigation. I am also interested in legislation aimed at affordable housing through inclusionary zoning - a continuation of previous legislation I have introduced and passed.
House Page Program
After a hiatus in 2021, the House Page Program is planning a return during the 2022 legislative session. This program is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the legislative process and develop important life skills. The House of Delegates will have 30 pages serving during session. Pages must be 13 or 14 years old as of January 12, 2022 and are paid for their work as well as receive per diem expense payments. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. and must include a letter of endorsement from the applicant’s House of Delegates member; authorization from the applicant’s school principal, teachers, and counselor; and an essay by the applicant on why they want to serve as a page.
The link to apply can be found here, and if you are the parent of a page applicant, please email me for an interview.
DMV Hybrid Service Model Plan
Beginning Tuesday, October 5, the DMV will integrate walk-in service into their current appointment-only model. Appointment-only services will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Walk-in services will be available to customers on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Saturday services will be available in the morning at 57 offices statewide. The DMV has compiled a list of FAQs for your convenience. More information is available at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/.
Election Day Reminders
As a reminder, here are important dates for the November election:
September 17: Early voting began
October 12: Last day to register to vote
October 22: Last day to apply online for an absentee ballot
October 30: Early voting ends
November 2: Election day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information visit the Virginia State Board of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov. You can also call 804-864-8901 or email info@elections.virginia.gov.
As you may have read in my previous correspondence, after finding out from constituents that the Hickory Hill Community Center and City Hall were not available for early voting until October 17, I sent a letter to the electoral board advocating for the immediate opening of all early voting sites (you can read it here). Since then, the Office of the Attorney General said that based on the information orginally posted on the City Registrar’s website, it suggested that all locations would be open starting on September 17. Following this guidance, the electoral board changed course with a 2-1 vote and opened Hickory Hill and City Hall for early voting as of Tuesday, September 28. While it never should have happened, I am glad that voters in the southside have better access to early voting.
Leading up to the election, if you live in the 69th district, you may see me out walking door-to-door. I look forward to meeting with you and asking you for your vote on Election Day. If you would like a yard sign or would like to help by being a poll worker at a 69th district precinct on election day, please email me.
Community News
Update from the GRTC
The GRTC bus system ridership has returned to pre-pandemic ridership levels for its local route service. There were around 689,000 riders in August 2021 alone. Many GRTC stops are without shelters or benches, and the agency is working on an aggressive five-year plan to increase the number of bus shelters from 5% to 15% and is aiming to have 35% of stops with either a shelter or bench. The GRTC is working with Senator Tim Kaine to include $1.9 million in Community Project Funding requests to provide for the increase in shelters. Additionally, 70% of all GRTC staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Finally, the GRTC is short 27 operators and 6 mechanics, resulting in 4.2% missed trips. If you or someone you know are interested in a job with GRTC, you can apply here.
City Leaf Collection
The Department of Public Works begins their annual Leaf Collection Program on October 4. For more information or visit https://www.rva.gov/public-works/leaf-collection.
Over the past month, I was glad to participate in two forums. One was hosted by Fifth Baptist Church focusing on COVID-19 and the other was hosted by the Richmond Crusade for Voters related to my re-election. You can watch the townhall from Fifth Baptist here, and you can watch the video from the Crusade on their Facebook page here.
It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I am always available to meet with you or your community group in-person, on zoom, or over the phone. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Betsy