Dear Friend,
2024 is here. I hope you have had an enjoyable and restful holiday season, full of cherished moments. Below is an update on relevant state meetings as well as a look-ahead to the 2024 Legislative Session.
Governor Youngkin’s Proposed Budget
In late December, Governor Youngkin presented his budget to the Joint Money Committee. This budget covers the next biennium, fiscal years 2025-2026. You can find a link to the budget here.
The Governor’s proposed budget contains a 12% reduction in income tax across all brackets. In an effort to offset the loss of revenue, the proposed budget increases the sales tax by 0.9% and will apply this increased rate to some digital goods that are not currently subject to state sales tax.
Additionally, Youngkin announced his intention to remove the local vehicle ownership tax; a process that will require extensive legislative action. Localities would be able to offset the loss of revenue with other increased taxes.
Following his introduction, the budget will now have to pass the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative Session. Members of the General Assembly will be able to submit amendments to the Governor’s budget, either to add or remove provisions, as well as edit or add language.
Due to Virginia’s limit on consecutive terms as well as the timing of biennial budgets, this is the only budget that Governor Youngkin is able to initiate, oversee its passage through the legislature, and then preside over the Executive Branch during the spending of the appropriations.
You can read more about the introduced budget in this article from The Richmond Times-Dispatch or this one from The Virginia Mercury.
Newly Enacted Laws
Several bills from the 2023 Session carried delayed enactments, including my HB1744 which established home study reciprocity for foster and adoptive care. They became law in the New Year. You can read about some of these new laws in this article from The Washington Post and at this link from CBS9.
A more thorough review of bills that passed last Session can be found in this publication from the Division of Legislative Services.
2024 Legislative Session
The 2024 Legislative Session begins January 10, 2024, at 12 PM. This year’s Session will last 60 days.
During Session, the 140 citizen-legislators of Virginia convene in Richmond to introduce, deliberate, and take action on proposed legislation, including the Commonwealth’s budget.
All legislation has to be introduced by late morning, January 10. You can find a link to all the legislation that has been introduced so far at this link.
Session moves fast and I will do my best to keep you updated on what is happening in the General Assembly through weekly updates.
In preparation for the upcoming Session, I have met with many groups such as:
McShin Foundation
Longwood University
Maymont
The Shepherd Center
Virginia Society of Interior Designers
American Heart Association
Richmond Association of Realtors
VA Kids Belong
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation
Virginia Public Media
Altria
Virginia Focused Ultrasound Foundation
University of Mary Washington
Richmond City Leadership
Council of Independent Colleges of Virginia
Asian Chamber of Commerce
Richmond Academy of Medicine
American Civil War Museum
Virginia Housing Alliance
Virginia Pride Liberation Project
James Madison University
The Hunt Institute
ChamberRVA
No Kid Hungry Virginia
Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Tourism Association
James River Association
Urban League
Virginia Business Council
The Mill House
Virginia Association Personal Care Providers
Virginia Business Higher Education Council
State Council of Higher Education of Virginia
United Methodist Foster Services
The Valentine Museum
Virginia Apartment & Office Building Association
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Homebuilders Association of Richmond
Virginia Poverty Law Center
If you have legislative priorities, questions or concerns to share with me, email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1078.
Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission Presentations
The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission met December 11 to hear reports on State Psychiatric Hospitals, GO Virginia (Growth & Opportunity), The Virginia Retirement System, as well as State Spending on the K-12 Standards of Quality.
You can find a link to the reports, as well as a recording of the presentations, at this link.
Retirement of Joe Damico
Joe Damico, Virginia’s Director of General Services (DGS), has retired. Joe served the Commonwealth through his work at DGS for 20 years, 16 of which he served as Deputy Director.
Joe has been a model of service throughout his career. DGS oversees state procurement and real estate holdings; much of their work is behind the scenes. Despite this, some of the biggest work the State has completed has been under Joe’s purview. He tended to the renovation of Capitol Square including building the new General Assembly Building, renovating Old City Hall. He also helped consolidate a lot of DGS business on eVA, a citizen friendly digital platform.
We will miss Joe’s institutional knowledge, thorough and attentive service, as well as his savvy ability to balance feedback and guide DGS in the interest of the Commonwealth’s good. You can read more about his service in this article from The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
E-Cycle & Christmas Tree Disposal Event
The City will host an e-cycle day, January 13, 10 AM - 2 PM, at 1710 Robinhood Road. In addition to electronics, paper materials, and household hazardous waste, residents can also bring their Christmas trees to be turned into mulch.
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 804-698-1078 if I can be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Betsy