Dear Friend,
The House worked this week to pass their proposed amendments to the biennial budget. In addition, Tuesday was crossover, the final day for each legislative body to act on their bills before sending them to the other body. Below is an update on the budget and important bills still at play after crossover.
The House Budget
On Sunday, the House Appropriations Committee met to present their committee reports; a collection of decisions on budget amendments brought by members of the House. These committee reports were then heard on the House floor on Thursday, where members had a chance to pose opposition to amendments as well as introduce additional amendments. The Senate has undergone the same process. The differences between the two budgets will be resolved in a conference.
I was pleased to see a number of my budget amendments included. Among these were funding for:
Demolishing the old Worker’s Compensation building so the Science Museum can establish a greenspace in its place.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Virginia Holocaust Museum.
American Civil War Museum.
Support for local libraries.
IT infrastructure for the Library of Virginia.
The Commonwealth Institute has provided a side-by-side analysis of the Governor’s introduced changes to the 2022-2024 biennial budget in comparison to the proposed changes by the House & Senate. You can find the report at this link. Additionally, you can read more about the state budget in this article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. You can find subcommittee reports from both the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees at this link. Below are highlighted some features of the House budget.
Tax Cuts
The most distinct difference is in tax relief measures. The Governor’s proposal included $1 billion in tax relief, which the House largely preserved.
The Senate excluded these large tax relief items in their budget. The House Democratic Caucus agrees with the Senate approach. Virginia is in a rare and privileged position with a large surplus of funds. These funds could go towards once-in-a-lifetime investments to properly fund and fix our schools, address our mental health crisis, improve our healthcare system, and give struggling communities desperately needed economic development investments.
While tax relief for individuals is a popular and understandable proposal, the Governor’s amendments do not necessarily prioritize working Virginians. His tax relief measures provide $350 million in tax cuts for large corporations while providing the average Virginian around $50 in tax relief.
State Employee Pay Increases
State employees, including teachers, will receive a combined 7% raise; 5% coming from the original biennial budget and an additional 2% introduced in this budget.
There is also significant money that state agencies will be provided for discretionary spending to address workforce development, employee retention, and wage compression.
Education
The House and Senate budgets differ greatly in their spending for Virginia’s public schools. Below are several measures that are not found in the House budget.
The Senate provides $1 billion in direct aid to local school divisions; $700 million more than the House budget does. The Senate also has appropriated $270 million in funding for support staff: non-teaching staff who provide crucial services to schools such as janitors, nurses, guidance counselors, and social workers.
Finally, the Senate has also provided over $38 million for compensation of instructional assistants (compared to the House’s $3 million appropriation). Instructional assistants provide temporary, fill-in help, a position that has been vital for short-staffed schools facing a crisis of poor mental and behavioral student health.
Medicaid
The House has appropriated $53.8 million and the Senate has appropriated $210 million to increase medicaid reimbursement rates for a number of positions such as personal care providers and youth mental health specialists, among many others.
These professions receive wages comparable to unskilled or entry-level jobs, yet these professions require certifications and trainings and are often very demanding. Their vital work saves the state money, provides better outcomes to patients, and expands access to Virginians.
Behavioral Health
This budget provides $36.5 million for funding of behavioral health service centers that focus on a community-based approach rather than housing behavioral health services in large health institutions like hospitals.
Nursing Home Reform
After two decades of failed attempts, a House bill is likely to pass this session that would carry a $62 million dollar budget investment to ensure nursing homes are properly staffed with nurses and aides. I was proud to carry a bill on this issue last year. Although the bill that passed the House this year is not perfect, it is a major step in the right direction.
Oyster Recycling Tax Credit
A House bill established a nonrefundable tax credit for taxpayers who donate oyster shells to nonprofits that are engaged in oyster restoration projects.
Washington Commanders
The House preserved Governor Youngkin’s $500,000 appropriation to the Secretary of Finance for the purposes of further studying the economic impacts of relocating the National Football League’s Washington Commanders into Virginia, from their current home in Landover, Maryland. The Senate did not include this provision.
Important Bills
With crossover in the rear-view, many bills have failed and those remaining are under consideration by the other body. Several articles have been published with excellent recaps on crossover; like this piece from the Virginia Mercury as well as this article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Abortion
The Senate defeated all abortion bans and restrictions. The House did not put these bills on an agenda to protect their members who face close general elections from having a recorded vote on bills that would fail in the Senate regardless. Although I am relieved that these measures found no foothold, there is much work to be done. The Senate passed a constitutional amendment that would put the right to reproductive freedom into the State Constitution. This legislation must pass the House and then do so again in the next Session. I will support this landmark legislation and am hopeful it will pass the House.
Transgender Youth
Two bills (HB2432 and HB1387) targeting transgender youth passed the House on a narrow vote. I am hopeful that they will be defeated in the Senate.
Rate Reform
A pair of Dominion backed bills (HB1770 & SB1265) have passed their respective bodies after numerous major amendments and substitutes. There is concern over the impact these bills will have on ratepayer bills and their implications for the Virginia Clean Economy Act.
A more simple pair (HB1604 & SB1321) have also passed their respective bodies and are likely to significantly lower ratepayer bills.
Bills from the Governor’s Commission on Antisemitism
Two bills (HB1898 & HB1606) from the Governor’s Commission to Combat Antisemitism have passed the House. I voted against HB1898. I voted in favor of HB1606 with the amendment from my colleague, Delegate Marcus Simon, which made this a section 1 bill and not included in the state code.
This recent op-ed from the Richmond Times-Dispatch provides a compelling look at these pieces of legislation.
Gun Safety
Several important Senate bills to curtail the sale of firearms and strengthen storage laws were tabled in the House Committee for Public Safety. The Chair of the Subcommittee declined to allow testimony on the bills and promptly moved to table each of these bills that would have made our communities safer.
You can find the agenda of the subcommittee meeting, with the bills considered, at this link, and a recording of the meeting at this link. Finally, the Virginia Mercury published an article about this disappointing development.
Petersburg Casino
HB1373 passed the House by a narrow margin and is heading to the Senate. This bill seeks to add Petersburg to the list of cities that can have a referendum on whether or not to host a casino. Additionally, it limits Richmond on when it is able hold another referendum on the subject. The Senate version of this bill failed to pass.
My Bills Heading to the Senate
HB1738 seeks to ensure virtual public access is available for state and local meetings.
HB1744 establishes reciprocity between among home studies done for adoption or foster care services.
HB1745 is a consumer protection bill that prevents tow truck drivers from engaging in manipulative and coercive behaviors to take advantage of vulnerable, stranded drivers.
HB1765 expands the definition of a fire company to include a company that provides rehabilitative services.
HB2046 tasks DHCD with a statewide housing needs assessment and plan to be done every 5 years.
Helpful Resources for Session
Session convenes each day at noon. You can watch a live stream and recordings of previous sessions and committee meetings at this link.
You can find copies of introduced bills and track their progress at this website. Additionally, under the meeting tab of that website, you can find the schedule for committees, caucuses, commissions and session.
If you would like to testify in favor or opposition of a bill either virtually or in-person, you can sign up to do so here.
Groups I’ve Met With This Past Week
Virginia Voices
Richmond Association of Realtors
Virginia Wineries Association
Advanced Energy United
Moose Lodge
Virginia Governmental Employees Association
Jewish Community Federation
Boushall Middle School Students
Journey House Foundation
Real Life (Recovery, Incarceration, and Homelessness advocates)
Virginia Association of Recovery Residences
Virginia Maritime Association
House Page Newsletter
The House of Delegates Pages put out a weekly newsletter, where they recap their experiences, what they learned, shoutout their work, and even provide food reviews.
You can read it at this link.
Tablespoons Bakery Cookie Dunk Challenge
Tablespoons Bakery is a nonprofit that provides a culinary vocational training internship to young adults with developmental disabilities. Through February and March, they are hosting a cookie dunk challenge. Participants can purchase a $30 cookie dunk kit and make a video of themselves dunking their cookie in the most creative way they can think of– props encouraged.
More information on how to purchase a kit and enter the competition can be found on their website.
Capitol Square Classic Basketball Game
VCU’s Massey Cancer Center will host the 15th Annual Capitol Square Classic Basketball Fundraiser on February 13 at the Siegel Center (1200 West Broad Street). Doors open at 6 PM. The Governor’s Office vs The Lobbyists will tip-off at 7 PM and the House vs Senate will tip-off at 8 PM. More information is available at this website.
HCA Cards for Caregivers Campaign
HCA is doing a “Cards for Caregivers” campaign for communities to show their appreciation to healthcare workers. If you would like to send an electronic card or print one to mail, visit their website for more information and to participate.
Small Business Investment Grant
The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority will begin accepting applications on February 15, for their Small Business Investment Grant. This program provides investors with a return on investment to encourage investment into small businesses.
More information is available at this link.
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.
Additionally, the Virginia Poverty Law Center has a utility helpline for those struggling to pay their bills. You can file a client intake form on their website.
Community Events
The American Civil War Museum is hosting special Black History Programs the next four saturdays. More information at this link.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts “Raoul Dufy: Drawn to Royal Ascot” exhibit closes on February 26. More information at their website.
The Valentine Museum has free admission on Valentine’s day. More information at their website.
The Library of Virginia has several programs and exhibits in celebration of their 200th anniversary. More information is available at their website.
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s next “Created Equal Film Series” screening will be February 16, and will show “Raised/Razed” a documentary about Vinegar Hill, Virginia’s oldest African American neighborhood. More information at their website.
The Children’s Museum will host Valentine’s Day craft workshops all day on February 14. Visit their website for more information.
The Science Museum of Virginia’s new exhibit “Playing with Light” opened February 11. More information is available at their website.
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 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