Dear Friend,
Last week on Monday, April 4, the General Assembly convened, at the call of Governor Youngkin, for a special session. However, no action was taken on legislation or the budget. This means that the General Assembly will need to meet again to agree on a budget and remaining legislation. At this time, it is unconfirmed when this will happen.
Several hours after the General Assembly adjourned the special session, the Governor proposed a gas tax holiday bill, HB6001. The bill was referred to the House Finance committee and is expected to be heard on Tuesday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m.
You can watch livestream and archived videos of the House session and committee meetings here.
Unfortunately, HB6001 in no way guarantees savings for Virginia consumers. Gas taxes are a tax on gasoline distributors, which is passed on to consumers. While the hope is that the savings from a gas tax holiday would be passed on to consumers, the reality is that distributors could pocket the savings instead. Plus, with the proposed holiday covering peak travel season, it gives even more benefit to out-of-state drivers. Based on analysis of 177 gas tax rate changes in 34 states during 2013-2021, only 18% of any tax decrease or increase is passed on in the retail price of gas in the first two weeks. All of these factors raise suspicion that the gas tax holiday actually helps the oil industry, trucking companies, and visitors rather than individual Virginians.
Additionally, the bill would remove revenue from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund for five months (a loss of around $437 million) without a clear plan to make up that money later. All transportation programs will be cut as a result. This includes low-income transit services, filling potholes, removing storm debris, handling snow, and repair funding for structurally deficient bridges. The Commonwealth Institute provides further analysis, which you can read here.
The House Democratic Caucus has an alternative proposal to HB6001. Their proposal would issue $50 rebates for each personal-use car or truck (limited to two per household), excluding electric vehicles. The funding for the rebates would come from the General Fund, leaving the critical transportation funding untouched, and would cost approximately $140 million.
The turn-around for getting rebates to Virginians would be quick as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has an automated database of current addresses to send out annual car tag renewals.
You can read more about the House Democrats’ alternative plan here.
Reconvene Session - April 27
The General Assembly will meet on Wednesday, April 27, for the Reconvened Session also known as the “veto session” as members will vote to confirm or reject the Governor’s vetoed and amended legislation.
On Monday, April 11, Governor Youngkin signed 700 bills into law, amended over 100, and vetoed 25 bills. Of my legislation, all were signed into law except one (HB644), which needed a technical amendment.
You can review the full list of the Governor’s recommendations here and the full list of vetoed bills is available here.
Community News & Events
Virginia Holocaust Museum Children’s Memorial
In honor of the 1.5 million Jewish children who lost their lives during the Holocaust, the Virginia Holocaust Museum, of which I am a board member, opened a new permanent exhibit, “The Children’s Memorial.” This is the first of its kind in the United States. The exhibit features wooden desks reflected in a mirror and the names of children who died during the Holocaust are read from a speaker. I encourage you to visit the new exhibit next time you are downtown. You can read more coverage of the exhibit at the Times-Dispatch.
The Valentine Museum’s Controversy/History
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the final event of the Valentine Museum’s “Controversy/History” series. This year was the 11th season of community conversations, which was co-hosted by Director Bill Martin and Kelli Lemon. The final event focused on “Monuments Now” with panelists Marland Buckner of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Maritza Pechin of the Office of Equitable Development, and Paul Farber of the Monument Lab.
While the series has ended for the season, The Valentine offers extensive programs from walking tours to exhibitions. Learn more at thevalentine.org.
Additionally, here are a few ways you can learn more and get involved with the ongoing conversation about Monument Avenue:
Share anonymous feedback on Richmond’s monuments and public art
Take an augmented reality tour of Monument Avenue
Follow “Reclaiming the Monument” for more information on upcoming projection events
Broad Street Paving: On Monday, April 11, the City’s Department of Public Works began paving along Broad Street from 3rd Street to Staples Mill Road. Paving starts in the westbound lanes and then changes to the eastbound lanes at the end of each phase before moving on to the next phase. Work is expected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will only stop for rain or mechanical issues. You can read the City’s press release here and read more about project updates here. Additionally, the GRTC has a list of detours and temporary stops available on their website, here.
Project Timeline:
Phase 1 westbound: 3rd Street to Belvidere Street. April 11 to April 14.
Phase 1 eastbound: Belvidere Street to 3rd Street. April 14 to April 20.
Phase 2 westbound: Belvidere Street to Meadow Street. April 20 to April 29.
Phase 2 eastbound: Meadow Street to Belvidere Street. April 29 to May 6.
Phase 3 westbound: Meadow Street to Arthur Ashe Blvd. May 6 to May 12.
Phase 3 eastbound: Arthur Ashe Blvd to Meadow Street. May 12 to May 18.
Phase 4 westbound: Arthur Ashe Blvd to Hamilton Street. May 18 to May 25.
Phase 4 eastbound: Hamilton Street to Arthur Ashe Blvd. May 25 to June 1.
Phase 5 westbound: Hamilton Street to Staples Mill Road. June 1 to June 10.
Phase 5 eastbound: Staples Mill Road to Hamilton Street. June 10 to June 21.
Summer Internship Opportunity: The Library of Virginia is offering several paid internship opportunities this summer to college-level students from diverse backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in the library field. Internships run from June 6 to August 12, 2022, and are in the areas of public history, manuscripts, visual studies, digital collections, information security, and fundraising. The deadline to apply is April 20. More information here.
RVAgreen 2050 is the City of Richmond’s equity-centered climate action and resilience planning initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and help the community adapt to Richmond’s climate impacts of extreme heat, precipitation, and flooding. You can read their April newsletter here.
Initiatives of Change Community Conversation: Join Initiatives of Change USA and the Afro-Latino Community Coalition on Monday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m. for an open dialogue to learn more about President Biden’s Infrastructure and Build Back Better bills. The event is virtual and in-person at Fountain of Deliverance Outreach Ministries (3800 East Broad Rock Road). I will participate in the conversation along with Senator Hashmi and a representative from Senator Tim Kaine’s office.
Zoom meeting ID: 828 5366 3940, Passcode: 716139
Richmond Restaurant Week is April 18-24. Make your reservations at a participating restaurant to experience a three-course meal for less than $35. Feed More is the beneficiary with $5.22 of every meal going to hunger-relief programs such as Meals on Wheels, the Kids Cafe, Mobile Pantry, and the weekend BackPack program. More information on participating restaurants here.
Maymont’s Summer Kickoff Concert: Spread out on the lawn and enjoy an evening of music on May 6 at 6 p.m. Tickets available here.
¿Que Pasa? Festival: This is the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s first festival in two years due to COVID-19. The ¿Que Pasa? Festival showcases the diversity and beauty of Hispanic and Latin American cultures at the Canal Walk on May 7. More information here.
YWCA Outstanding Women Awards: Celebrate 42 years of honoring women’s leadership at the annual Outstanding Women Awards on Tuesday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. For more information, tickets, and to view the honorees, click here.
Byrd Park Garden Tour: On Sunday, May 15, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., the Byrd Park Garden Club will host its 10th annual garden tour. More information available here.
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