Dear Friend,
Happy New Year! I hope you have enjoyed holiday observances and found time to rest and reflect in this busy time of year. I wish you a healthy, happy and fulfilling 2023 for you and your loved ones.
Last week’s strong winter wind resulted in numerous power outages across the State. Review this website to make sure you are prepared for the rest of the winter season.
Below are updates on important state and local news that I hope are helpful.
VA-04 Special Election Results
Congratulations to my friend, Jennifer McClellan! On December 20, she won a resounding victory in the Democratic primary to fill the seat of the late Congressman Donald McEachin. While we all miss him, I know she will be an excellent representative. Please plan to vote in the February 21 special election.
Despite a very short timeframe because of the Governor’s Writ of Election, as well as a very cold day, almost 28,000 voters braved long lines and made their voices heard.
I am very proud of this turnout and am confident that Jennifer McClellan will continue Congressman McEachin’s legacy and represent Richmond in Congress with the same commitment to character, Democratic principles and her constituents that she has brought to the State Houses for the past 17 years.
Congratulations again, Jennifer, for such an impressive win, with close to 85% of the vote.
You can view the full results by polling location below.
The Governor Introduces his Proposed Budget
Governor Youngkin presented his budget ahead of the 2023 Session. You can read his proposed budget at this link or you can watch the Governor’s remarks here.
In Virginia, the Governor proposes a budget ahead of the Legislative Session. During Session, both the House and Senate members offer amendments and create their version of the budget bill. The budget agreed to by the General Assembly is then sent to the Governor’s desk for action.
Here are some of the priority items in this budget as introduced by the Governor. For specific questions in regard to the budget, do not hesitate to email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or to call my office at 804-698-1069.
Tax Cuts
This budget builds on $4 billion in tax cuts that were agreed to in this year’s Session when the 2022-2024 biennial budget was passed. Governor Youngkin’s proposal will add another $1 billion in tax cuts by lowering the top individual income tax bracket’s rate from 5.75% down to 5.5%. Additionally, the proposal lowers the corporate tax from 6% to 5%. These two cuts account for over $700 million of the $1 billion of relief. The remaining $300 million of tax relief comes from small business tax relief, increases in the standard income tax deduction and other initiatives.
Behavioral Health Services
The proposed budget includes funding to address gaps in mental and behavioral health services in Virginia, specifically, programs that offer solutions that do not require emergency rooms and hospitals. There is $80 million in funding for mobile crisis units and receiving facilities for those in crisis. There is also $9 million for expanding tele-health services in schools and universities as well as another $9 million for transportation and monitoring by law enforcement.
Combined Sewer Overflow
There is a much-needed $100 million for Richmond to prevent the City’s sewer from overflowing into the river during heavy rains.
Project-Ready Sites
$450 million is allotted in the proposed budget for site development to increase Virginia’s stock of priority project sites. Youngkin’s administration postulates that Virginia’s lack of site readiness has hindered Virginia’s ability to secure large manufacturing facility projects.
School Choice & Other Education Initiatives
Governor Youngkin campaigned on a promise to promote school choice in Virginia. Last session, $100 million was allocated for laboratory schools: a partnership between a school district and an institution of higher learning. His proposed budget will provide another $50 million for this initiative.
In addition to lab schools, this budget would provide $21 million to expand the dual enrollment program, $7 million and $17 million, respectively, for math and reading specialists, and $10 million for incentive payments for teachers to mitigate a growing teacher shortage.
Expansion of the Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund
Last Session, the General Assembly established the Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund, with $25 million in seed-funds from Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This fund provides a flexible alternative to the Community Flood Preparedness Fund for localities to tackle flooding. With the Governor’s proposed withdrawal from RGGI, he included $200 million over two years in taxpayer dollars for the Revolving Loan Fund to offset the loss of RGGI dollars.
Washington Commanders Relocation
The Governor’s proposed budget includes $500,000 for the Secretary of Finance to further investigate Virginia’s bid for the Washington Commanders National Football League franchise relocating to Virginia.
Hemp-Derived Product Inspection
The budget includes $2.1 million for a product inspection program for products that contain hemp-derived compounds like delta-8 THC. This is an effort to bolster consumer protection from unintended consumption.
Abortion Restriction
Governor Youngkin’s proposed budget included $50,000 that is expected to be tied to upcoming legislation that will ban abortions after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. Bills that include any expansion to law enforcement often carry a minimum budget impact of $50,000, often times more. Youngkin’s inclusion of this in the budget is to make it easier for such legislation to pass.
I am a staunch supporter of reproductive rights and accessible healthcare. I will vote against any legislation that undermines reproductive healthcare or restricts access.
Preview of 2023 Session
The next Legislative Session convenes on January 11, at noon and is expected to adjourn on February 25. During Session, all members of the House and Senate come to Richmond to consider bills that hopefully will improve citizens’ lives. The budget bill is the most important of these.
Session moves fast and I will do my best to keep you updated on what is happening in the General Assembly.
You can read the bills that have been introduced so far here and find the General Assembly meeting calendar here. You can watch a live feed of Session, beginning January 11, at 12 PM, as well as previous recordings at this link.
I plan to introduce a range of bills this year including:
Affordable Housing: Several pieces of legislation to bolstering affordable housing efforts in Virginia. These implement some JLARC (Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission) recommendations. Additionally, I plan to introduce the LOOP (Longtime Owner Occupant Program) constitutional amendment which will provide tax relief for residents who have been in their house for a substantial amount of time, but may not qualify for the senior citizen tax relief.
No Child Left Inside: Supporting environmental literacy programs in schools that connect students with their physical environments outside of the classroom.
Virtual public access: Ensuring that Virginians can know what’s happening in their government.
Responsible Contracting: Creating Fair labor standards for state construction projects.
Mitigating Predatory Towing Practices
Harm Reduction Training & Education: To combat the ongoing opiate epidemic.
Rehabilitative Services for Firefighters: Expanding a fire company definition to include support crews who offer rehabilitative support at active emergency scenes to decrease fatigue-related death and injury among first-responders.
Support for Foster and Adoptive Parents: Home study reciprocity.
Once my bills are available online, I will share them with you.
If you have legislative priorities, questions or concerns to share with me, email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1069.
JLARC Reports
The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC), of which I am a member, met to hear presentations from JLARC staff on December 12. Topics included Virginia Retirement System oversight, Standards of Quality formulation and spending, Virginia Employment Commission follow-up and other topics.
You can watch the presentation video here and find the full reports and agenda here.
GRTC Keeping Fares Free
The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) has announced that fares will remain free until June 2024. There is funding to continue the program until 2025.
GRTC cited a 15% increase in ridership and the importance of regional connectivity as the motivating factors to make this decision.
I was pleased to see this extension to ensure that all Richmonders have access to mass transit– good for the community, good for the climate!
Virginia Department of Health Streamlines COVID-19 Dashboard
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has streamlined the COVID-19 data dashboard for ease of reference to relevant metrics and to conform to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting methods.
You can find a full breakdown on the changes to the dashboard at this VDH press release.
Dominion Bill Assistance
Dominion Energy provides several bill payment assistance programs for its customers. You can view their entire list of programs at this link, which includes housing assistance and scam awareness resources.
Free COVID-19 Tests
Households can order four free COVID-19 testkits through the United States Postal Service by following this link.
Community Events
The Branch House Architectural Museum has several exhibits open, including “Characters: Type + Progress” which examines the relationship of typography and social movements. Visit their website for more information.
The Science Museum of Virginia features live science and dome shows. Visit their website for more information. Additionally, the limited exhibit”Sizzling Science,” closes January 1. View specific demonstrations and events on this program.
The Valentine Museum has two more “Richmond Short Stories” programs before the New Year. Additionally, the next lecture in their “Controversy/History” series will be on January 3, 5:30-7 and will focus on segregation in schools and lingering effects of COVID in our classrooms. Visit The Valentine’s website for more information.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s “Gardenfest of Lights” is open until January 8. Advance online tickets are required. Visit their website for more information.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts “Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour — Frederick Douglas,” a new mulit-screen film exhibit is now open. The “Words Matter” exhibit will close January 8. Visit their website for more information.
The Visual Arts Center offers art classes for adults and children on topics such as woodworking, sewing, drawing and much more. Visit their website to see the schedule.
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture has family-friendly first Fridays and other special events in addition to exhibitions. Visit their website for more information.
American Civil War Museum features exhibits and events such as book discussions and history happy hours. Check their website for more information.
The Black History Museum’s “Forging Freedom, Justice and Equality,” exhibition commemorates the Museum’s 40th anniversary. More information is 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