Election season may be behind us, but that does not mean things have slowed down. As we turn toward the holidays, I am hard at work on developing legislation for the 2022 General Assembly session. On Wednesday, January 12, the General Assembly will return to Capitol Square in-person for an anticipated 60 days to vote on legislation and the state budget. You can find more details below as well as other state-related updates and community news.
Election Results
As you surely are aware, the results of the general election are:
Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin
Lieutenant Governor-elect Winsome Sears
Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares
I was very proud to win my re-election with 85% of the vote and will continue to work hard to represent the 69th district in the best possible way. Thank you for voting and for re-electing me.
Additionally, the House of Delegates now stands with 52 Republicans and 48 Democrats. There are recounts for two races with Democrat incumbents - Alex Askew and Martha Mugler. Both races are within a 0.5% margin, meaning they are eligible for a state funded recount. If the recount serves in the incumbents’ favor, the House could be split 50-50.
Both the Republican and Democratic caucuses have announced their leadership:
House Republican Caucus:
Speaker of the House: Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah)
Majority Leader: Terry Kilgore (R-Scott)
Republican Caucus Chair: Kathy Byron (R-Bedford)
Republican Caucus Whip: Jay Leftwich (R-Chesapeake)
House Democratic Caucus:
Minority Leader: Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax)
Democratic Caucus Chair: Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria)
Treasurer: Betsy Carr (D-Richmond)
Secretary: Marcus Simon (D-Fairfax)
Vice Chair of Operations: Jeion Ward (D-Hampton)
Vice Chair of Outreach: Don Scott (D-Portsmouth)
Sergeant at Arms: Elizabeth Guzman (D-Woodbridge)
It is an honor to be a part of the House Democratic Caucus leadership as the treasurer and I look forward to continuing in this role for another term.
As we near session, there will be more updates, which I will provide, regarding committee assignments and how session will operate.
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
On November 8, JLARC met to hear presentations regarding the Virginia Employment Commission, transportation infrastructure and funding, economic development incentives, and potential study topics for the next year.
You can review all the documents, presentations, and video of the meeting here.
Virginia Employment Commission
I know that the VEC is a topic of great importance to many of my constituents as they struggle to find new jobs and receive benefits. While we know that there are many opportunities to make the process more transparent and efficient (thanks to JLARC’s 200-page report found here), the Commission’s first big step is updating their online system. This process began on November 8th. Once the new system is available, the online Virginia Unemployment Insurance System (VUIS) will feature the following:
Online registration
Update personal information
Apply for benefits
File weekly claims
View 1099-G tax documents
Calculate benefits using a Benefits Estimator
View payment history
View issues blocking payments
Complete fact finding for new issues
View correspondence
File appeals
Please note that while the system is changing, you are unable to file claims or use Gov2Go. You can review the FAQs here and you are always welcome to contact my office (delegate.carr@betsycarr.org) if you need help finding answers.
Redistricting Update
Because the Virginia Redistricting Commission was unable to reach a conclusion on new maps (both congressional and state legislative districts), the Supreme Court of Virginia has taken the reins. Both the Democratic and Republican parties were given the opportunity to submit names of three redistricting special master candidates. The Court rejected all three of the Republican nominees and one Democratic nominee. Due to this, the Court extended the deadline for submitting nominees to Wednesday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m.
For more information on this stage of the process, visit the Supreme Court of Virginia’s redistricting information page here. Additionally, if you would like to make a public comment, you can email redistricting@vacourts.gov.
COVID-19 Update
On November 12, Governor Northam announced that 83% of adults have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and 75% have been fully vaccinated. Virginia ranks 10th among all states and 1st in the South for the number of vaccinated citizens. This is great news and I thank all the public health professionals and leaders who have worked tirelessly to vaccinate Virginians and make our Commonwealth a safe place.
Now everyone age 5 or older is eligible to be vaccinated. You can find more information about how to get vaccinated or receive your booster here at the Richmond City Health District. Additionally, there are several vaccination events available over the next month from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (appointments are required):
MLK Middle School (1000 Mosby Ct): December 4
Fairfield Middle School (5121 Nine Mile Road): December 4
Elko Middle School (5901 Elko Road): November 20 & December 11
George Wythe High School (4314 Crutchfield Street): November 20 & December 11
You can also visit one of RCHD’s weekly community hubs for vaccinations, outreach, and testing opportunities:
Cary Street Clinic (400 East Cary Street): Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Eastern Henrico Rec Center (1440 N Laburnum Avenue): Vaccination and outreach: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., testing: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Henrico West Clinic (8600 Dixon Powers Drive): Fridays, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Second Baptist Church (3300 Broad Rock Boulevard): Vaccination and outreach: Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., testing: Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
A full listing of walk-up appointments are available here. Booster shots do require an appointment. Appointments can be made on the VASE+ website or by calling the RCHD call center at 804-250-3501 between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Finally, don’t forget to get your flu shot too! You can receive your flu shot at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine or booster. Flu season begins to increase around October and peaks in December. Call your primary care, pharmacy, urgent care, or schedule an appointment through the health department.
Financial Relief Opportunities & Other Resources
Since the pandemic hit our society, we have all struggled in various ways - economic insecurity, housing instability, physical and mental health challenges, loss of family and friends, and so on. If you need assistance in any way, always feel free to contact my office and we will help connect you to the resources you need.
Homelessness crisis line: 804-972-0813
Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (Child/Adult): 804-819-4100
ChildSavers Immediate Response Hotline (Child Mental Health): 804-305-2420
YWCA Greater Richmond (Domestic Violence) - 804-612-6126
Virginia Child Protective Services (Child Abuse) - 800-552-7096
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-8255
Region I Teacher of the Year
It was a delight to join Governor Northam and others for the surprise celebration of Ashley Bland, the 2021 RPS Teacher of the Year, at John B. Cary. During the celebration, it was announced that she was selected as the Region I Teacher of the Year. Ashley is now one of eight teachers eligible to become the State Teacher of the Year. Congratulations again to Ashley Bland on this phenomenal achievement.
River City Middle School Rezoning Committee
River City Middle School is at capacity and will soon be over-crowded. Richmond Public Schools is conducting a rezoning to move students to Boushall and Lucille Brown Middle Schools. There is a committee forming to include students, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members. If you are interested in serving, you can apply here by November 28.
Virginia Council on Women’s 11th Annual High School Essay Contest
Governor Ralph Northam, First Lady Pamela Northam, and the Virginia Council on Women invite high school students who idenitfy as female to enter the 11th Annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Healthcare essay contest.
The Council will award scholarships to qualifying high school seniors who plan to pursue a STEAM-H career. One merit-based and one need-based scholarship will be awarded in each of the five geographic regions across the Commonwealth.
More details on the application, qualifications, and guidelines can be found here.
City of Richmond Leaf Collection
The City’s Leaf Collection Program kicked off in October and continues through December. You can find more information on your sector pick up and other options here. You can also call 3-1-1 or 804-646-LEAF.
Save the Date: December Town Hall
The Central Virginia Delegation will convene for a town hall on Saturday, December 11 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Islamic Center of Virginia (1241 Buford Road). More details to come. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about upcoming legislative priorities for 2022 and hear about your fellow community members’ concerns.
Additionally, if you missed the last town hall regarding redistricting, you can watch it here.
Thank You
It is an absolute honor to continue serving in the General Assembly. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you or your loved ones. I am available by email (delegate.carr@betsycarr.org), by phone (804-698-1169), or through an in-person or virtual Zoom meeting. I look forward to hearing from you.
Wishing you, your family, and loved ones an enjoyable Thanksgiving time.