Dear Friend,
I hope you have been enjoying summer festivities and staying cool during the late summer heat waves. Fall is approaching and preparation for the season is beginning. Below is an update on news of interest.
2023-2024 School Year
August 21 marks the first day of school for Richmond Public Schools. A back-to-school guide can be found at this website from RPS, which includes the 2023-2024 school year paperwork packet as well as helpful links to family resources, supplies checklist, bus routes, meal information and more.
Parents of rising Kindergarten, 7th, or 12th grade students should consult this website from RPS about required vaccinations. Additionally, Superintendent Kamras shared via his “RPS Direct” newsletter several resources for vaccinations and physicals which are relayed below.
Richmond & Henrico Health Districts will host several free immunization and physical events until August 17. Visit this website to find upcoming dates.
Daily Planet Health Services offers school immunizations & physicals by appointment at the Southside Health Center (180 East Belt Boulevard). Call 804-783-2505.
Bon Secours Care-a-Van offers same day pediatric appointments (including immunization & physicals) on Tuesdays & Wednesdays throughout August. Call 804-545-192 between 7-8:30 AM to schedule an appointment.
CrossOver Healthcare Ministry will host an event at their Henrico clinic (8600 Quioccasin Road), August 17, 5:30-7:15 PM. Call 804-655-2794 to schedule an appointment.
I wish all our students a happy, healthy and productive school year!
Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission Recent Findings
The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC) on which I serve, recently met to present their findings from a review of Virginia’s K-12 education funding and funding formula.
The full report can be found here and a recording of the presentation can be found at this link. The report confirms what is no secret: Virginia underfunds its public education system. What is of importance from this report is the degree to which Virginia underfunds its education system and the discrepancy between the funding formula and the true cost. JLARC’s report found that per-student, school districts in Virginia receive 14% less than the 50-state average, and regionally receive less than Maryland, West Virginia, and Kentucky. This comes to about $1,900 fewer dollars being spent on each student than the national average.
JLARC found that Virginia’s Standards of Quality funding formula routinely projects funding needs that are 38% lower than what districts actually end up spending. For example, in 2021, the formula calculated a cost of $10.7 billion. Districts that year spent $17.3 billion.
You can read more about the JLARC report in this article from The Virginia Mercury.
Richmond Charter Review Commission’s Recommendations
The Richmond Charter Review Commission has concluded its review and drafted their proposed changes. The proposed changes include changes to the structure of Richmond’s governance, with recommendations to change the nine seat city council to a six seat, as well as the addition of a city manager, as well as other changes. Any changes to Richmond’s charter would require State and local approval. Town halls on the subject are expected to be held in the near future.
You can read more about the Charter Review Commission’s work in this article from The Richmond Times-Dispatch and this article from Richmond Free Press. You can read the press release announcing the conclusion at this link and you can find the 168-page document of the proposed changes here.
Early Voting Locations
The Richmond Electoral Board has reversed its previous decision to close two of the three early voting locations after public outcry. The Board did decide to cancel early voting on Sundays.
Beginning September 22, Richmonders can vote early at the Richmond Registrar’s office (2134 West Laburnum Avenue), Richmond City Hall (900 East Broad Street), and Hickory Hill Community Center (3000 East Belt Boulevard).
Ensuring equal access to the ballot is vital for our democracy and I am happy to see the Board reverse their decision to limit access.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Update
The State Air Pollution Control Board voted in June for Virginia to withdraw its participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which is an 11 state market that requires electricity producers to purchase allowances for each ton of carbon dioxide they produce. The revenues, which have totaled over half a billion since Virginia began participation in 2021, are used to fund energy efficiency and flood resiliency efforts.
In response to the Air Pollution Control Board’s vote, a lawsuit is expected to be filed in Fairfax by the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of environmental groups such as Appalachian Voices, Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light. The basis of the lawsuit is that Virginia’s participation in RGGI is under the General Assembly’s authority and the Governor’s administration does not have the authority to unilaterally decide to withdraw.
You can read more about the lawsuit in this article from The Virginia Mercury.
RetirePath Program Launch
RetirePath Virginia is a new program, administered by Virginia529, which creates a workplace savings retirement account for employees who are not offered one at their current job. Employers who do not currently offer an employer-sponsored retirement savings option can enroll in RetirePath and give employees a retirement savings account while not bearing any fiduciary responsibility or additional fees. This provides a tremendous boon to the 1 million private-sector employees who are on their own when it comes to retirement planning.
Employers can learn more, register, and certify existing plans at this link. If you are self-employed or work for an employer who is not registered with RetirePath, you can still enroll by using this link. Finally, if you would like RetirePath to host a webinar and present to your organization, fill out this form.
Richmond Connects Survey
Richmond Connects is collecting feedback on hundreds of projects that make up the “Near-Term Action Plan,” which covers the next 10 years in the City. There are 17 surveys that correspond to different neighborhoods of the City. Richmond residents are encouraged to complete surveys for neighborhoods in which they live, work, commute through, or spend a significant amount of time. Surveys, as well as a map of the listed projects, can be found at this link.
City of Richmond Tax Relief for Elderly and Persons with Disabilities
The City of Richmond’s Department of Finance Tax Relief Team is hosting a community engagement event, August 19, 10 AM - 2 PM at Huguenot Community Center (7945 Forest Hill Avenue, Building 26). The event will provide information about the tax relief program and give citizens an opportunity to get personalized assistance with their applications. If you are interested in the program, but unable to attend this event, you can email TaxRelief@rva.gov for information and assistance.
Update on Virginia Craft Beer Distribution
As mentioned in the last newsletter, the passage of HB2258 established the Virginia Beer Distribution Company (VBDC), a state agency nested in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Through the VBDC, craft breweries will be able to self-distribute up to 500 barrels of their product directly to retailers if they do not already have a distributor. This bill still upholds Virginia's "three-tiered" system which protects consumers and ensures a robust marketplace because the Commonwealth will act as the distributor through the VBDC and allows craft breweries whose volume did not warrant going through traditional distribution a way to market.
As a note, the VBDC would require $760,000 in initial funds from the state budget to form, before self-funding through fees. Due to ongoing budget negotiations, this initial funding is not yet appropriated.
Virginia Museum of History & Culture Honored
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture received the “Award of Excellence,” the highest honor from the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH). The Museum’s recent renovation and reimagination, completed in 2022, was the deciding factor in the Museum’s nomination and award.
The Museum has several exhibits and events upcoming, like “Virginia Distilled,” a celebration of Virginia craft spirits, September 9, 6 PM (event information here).
Librarian of Virginia to Retire
Sandra Treadway, the Librarian of Virginia, announced she will retire at the end of the calendar year. She has served the Library of Virginia for 45 years, serving as the State Librarian for the last 16 and as Deputy Librarian for 11 years prior to that. Dr. Treadway’s leadership saw the library greatly expand its digitization of archives and make them accessible in new and relevant ways for Virginians. Additionally, Dr. Treadway oversaw monumental historical commemorations during her tenure as State Librarian such as Jamestown 2007; the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission; The Virginia Bicentennial of the War of 1812 Commission; and American Evolution, 2019.
You can read more about Dr. Treadway’s career as well as the search process for the tenth state librarian at this link. In addition she co-authored the two volume Virginia Women: Their Lives & Times.
House Page Program
The House of Delegates Page program provides 13 and 14 year old students the opportunity to work in the General Assembly during the Legislative Session to become deeply familiar with the State’s legislative process. Applications are being accepted until October 16, 5 PM. Learn more and apply at this link.
CARITAS
CARITAS has provided solutions to community members facing homelessness and substance use disorder for more than 30 years. They recently completed a complete renovation and overhaul of a derelict factory building in Southside, which now houses the majority of their programs; which range from providing temporary shelter, to rigorous curriculums designed to help treat substance use disorders while building social emotional coping and workplace readiness skills. CARITAS also manage a furniture bank and administer a workforce development program. Through these diverse programs, they serve over 3,300 individuals annually.
If you would like to learn more, donate furniture or other resources, or get involved, visit their website.
Tech For Troops
Tech For Troops is a nonprofit organization in Richmond that is focused on bridging the digital divide for veterans and their families. It provides training, equipment, and preparedness resources for veterans returning to civilian life. Is also “upcycles” old electronics; so if you have an old laptop, desktop, tablet, cell phone, keyboard, mouse, or even old wiring, you can donate it the cause.
Learn more about donating and Tech For Troops’ services offered at this link.
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