Dear Friend,
I hope you and your family are enjoying the warmer days and staying safe during tornado season. Virginia’s tornado season peaks in the spring and summer, experiencing the most storms April through September. Here is what you can do to stay safe and recognize the signs.
Reconvene Session
The Virginia General Assembly met to consider the Governor’s amendments to the budget and legislation on April 7, 2021. The Governor proposed 37 legislative and 18 budget amendments. Included among the amendments was the bill to legalize the possession and regulate the marketing and sale of cannabis and cannabis products in the Commonwealth; changes focus on public safety, public health, and social justice.
Marijuana Legislation
Beginning July 1, 2021, adults over the age of 21 can legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use and grow up to four plants per household. Homegrown marijuana plants must be labeled, not in public sight, and out of reach of anyone underage. It is still illegal to sell marijuana, smoke it in public, or to have an open container of marijuana in your car.
For background information, in 2020, the General Assembly directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct a study to review how the Commonwealth could legalize marijuana while addressing the harm that has disproportionately affected Black and Brown individuals and communities.
Expungement of criminal records on marijuana requires extensive updates to state agencies’ computer systems and processes, which are appropriated in two budget amendments 1) fund a public awareness campaign on health and safety risks of marijuana, and 2) fund training programs for law enforcement officers to prevent drugged driving. Comprehensive expungement reform will begin in 2025.
The bill, HB2312, along with the Governor’s amendments, creates five state agencies: Virginia Cannabis Authority, Cannabis Oversight Commission, Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council, Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board and Fund, and Virginia Cannabis Equity Business Loan Program and Fund to establish regulatory and licensing structure and social equity provisions to provide support and resources to persons and communities that have been historically and disproportionately affected by drug enforcement. You may view the full bill and amendments here.
Here is a complete list of the Governor’s amendments.
Minimum Wage Increase
On May 1, 2021, minimum wage in Virginia increased from $7.25 to $9.50 an hour. The increase is the first in 12 years and will continue to increase incrementally over the next several years:
May 1, 2021: $9.50 per hour
January 1, 2022: $11.00 per hour
January 1, 2023: $12 per hour
January 1, 2025: $13.50 per hour*
January 1, 2026: $15.00 per hour*
The final two increases are contingent upon the General Assembly re-enacting the legislation before 2024. However, as the Richmond Free Press points out, minimum wage will continue to rise regardless of additional legislation because the new law passed in 2020 indexes the minimum wage to inflation.
You can read more about the new minimum wage increase in the Richmond Free Press.
JLARC
As you may know, I am a member the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, most commonly known as JLARC. The primary duties of the Commission are to conduct program evaluation, policy analysis, and oversight of state agencies on behalf of the Virginia General Assembly. JLARC reports on its own performance every two years. Between 2017 and 2020, 77% of JLARC’s recommendations intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state government have been implemented. In 2021, JLARC is completing three studies on transportation infrastructure and funding, the juvenile justice system, and tax progressivity.
June Primary Election
The primary election is on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. The registration deadline is May 17, 2021. Early voting began April 23 and extends until June 5. The final day to request a ballot through mail is May 28. Voters in Virginia can also drop off their ballots at designated locations—ballot drop-off boxes, their local voter registration office, or polling place—by 7 p.m. on June 8. Remember, you no longer need photo ID to vote, but you do need an accepted form of identification.
In Virginia, you will be voting on the following:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Commonwealth Attorney
Sheriff (if you reside in Richmond City)
For additional information on early voting and registration visit elections.virginia.gov.
E-Cycle Day
The City of Richmond is holding an E-cycle Day on Saturday, May 8 at Broad Rock Sports Complex from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They will be collecting electronics (computer systems, all phones, televisions, etc.) and paper document shredding (up to 5 boxes)
For more information on e-recycling, please visit the Department of Public Works website or email at askdpw@richmondgov.com
It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. You can email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1169. I look forward to staying in touch.
Sincerely,
Betsy