Dear Friend,
As the General Assembly wraps up its final week of session, committees have concluded their work and the House and Senate sessions are becoming longer as we debate and vote on the passage of remaining bills. Budget conferees have been announced and they are working on a final budget. Sine Die (adjournment) of session is expected on Saturday, March 12, assuming there is agreement on the budget. Next week, I will provide an overview of the final budget as well as highlights of important bills that passed.
Important Meetings and Events Last Week
LGBTQIA+ Caucus Reception
William & Mary Legislative Reception
Elijah Lee, youth advocate
Capitol Square Basketball Classic
Foster Care Caucus
Joint Democratic Caucus Press Conference on Constitutional Amendments
Military and Veterans Caucus Legislative Reception
Facial Recognition Technology
Reynolds Community College President
Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner
Celebrating Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month. Did you know for the first time in our Commonwealth’s history, the majority of the House Democratic Caucus is comprised of women legislators? I am proud to serve during this historic time and enjoy witnessing so many women in the legislature taking on leadership roles in both parties. During this month, I encourage you to reflect on the women in your life and accomplishments of women throughout history. There are many events celebrating Women’s History throughout the Commonwealth. Here are a few highlights of events in Richmond:
Virginia Museum of History and Culture: Live streaming of Gayle Jessup White’s lecture on her book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant’s Search for Her Family’s Lasting Legacy. The event will be live streamed on Facebook and Youtube on March 10 at 6:00 p.m. More information on https://virginiahistory.org/
Maymont: Conversation on “The Vote” which focuses on arguments on all sides of women’s suffrage debate from Sallie May Dooley, Nora Houston, Ora Brown Stokes Perry, and Maggie L. Walker. Advanced registration is required and will be held at Maymont on March 25 at 2:00 p.m., More information at maymont.org.
Library of Virginia: “Virginia Women in History Digital Trails” explores historic women from Mildred Loving to Pauline Adams to Appamattuck. You can virtually visit many sites associated with history-making Virginia women. Visit edu.lva.virginia.gov/virginia-women-in-history/digitaltrails/
RPS Fine Arts Festival
March celebrates “Fine Arts Month,” and RPS students are having a month-long virtual fine arts festival. Check out the excellent work from our RPS students here.
Governor’s Fellows Program
The Governor’s Fellows Program is a prestigious opportunity for rising college seniors and recent college graduates to get a firsthand look at the executive branch. The program has been active since 1982. Fellows work alongside the Governor’s Cabinet and staff, learn about state government and assist in essential work for the Commonwealth.
Qualified applicants must be rising college seniors, graduating seniors, or graduate students. All Virginia college and university students are eligible to apply. Virginia residents attending out-of-state colleges and universities are also eligible.
The deadline to apply for the Program is Monday, March 28. Interviews begin on March 30 and decisions begin on April 18. The program runs from May 30 to July 29.
To apply, visit this website. Please email any questions to govfellows@governor.virginia.gov.
Thank You
It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or 804-698-1069 if I can be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr