Dear Friend,
Tuesday, June 9 is an election day. Please remember to exercise your important right as a citizen and vote in this primary. All state senators and delegates are up for election in November. In preparation, several precincts of the 69th district will be voting for their senators in the Tuesday primary; all precincts will be voting in the House of Delegates race. You can find out who is on your ballot here. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In-person absentee voting can be accomplished through Saturday, June 6 at the Office of the General Registrar, 900 E. Broad St., Room 105. For Chesterfield residents, the Office of the General Registrar is located at 9848 Lori Road in Court Square. If you would like any additional information from my campaign office, please call us at 804-767-7530 or e-mail at info@betsycarr.org.
Elections matter; every vote is important. The General Assembly passes laws that effect our lives every day.
It is my privilege to serve you and provide you with a legislative update.
The General Assembly reconvened April 15th to consider the Governor’s vetoes and amendments to legislation that passed during the Session, which ended in late February.
The governor vetoed 17 bills and those vetoes were sustained by the General Assembly so those bills will not become law. You can read more about each of the vetoes and amendments here.
While the Governor was successful in upholding his vetoes, several of his amendments were more controversial. In a bipartisan effort, the General Assembly rejected the Governor’s amendments relating to law enforcement’s use of drones to collect information on citizens without a warrant. Other amendments relating to law enforcement’s use of license plate readers (LPR) elicited bipartisan concern. The Governor proposed allowing law enforcement to keep information obtained from LPRs for 60 days, while the General Assembly fought to shorten the timeframe to seven days. While it is important to provide law enforcement officials with the tools that they need to ensure public safety, I support limiting the use license plate readers and protecting Virginians’ right to privacy in our technological 21st century world. Ultimately, the Governor vetoed the legislation limiting law enforcement’s use of license plate readers for data collection, which means that the current law that only allows data pertinent to a criminal investigation to be retained without any specifications regarding the timeframe or other boundaries remains the law.
Additionally, during the April session, the General Assembly was tasked with settling the ethics reform bill. With unanimous votes in both Houses, the General Assembly passed the ethics bill applying to state and local officials. It will go into effect on January 1, 2016. The Governor’s top priority amendment was accepted, which adds an annual aggregate $100 cap on gifts to state and local officials from people seeking to influence the government.
Unfortunately, the Governor’s amendment to close the loophole that would allow legislators to accept free travel to ALEC conferences without disclosure or other limits was rejected by the General Assembly.
Since the General Assembly concluded on April 17th, I have been engaged in the community at civic meetings and events as well as with continuing General Assembly business. I was appointed to two commissions: the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules and the Housing Commission. I look forward to working as a member of these commissions and to representing the 69th district in these groups.
The House Appropriations Committee is instrumental in the General Assembly’s most important work: deciding how to spend taxpayer dollars. I was pleased and honored to be appointed to that committee. On our recent House Appropriations Capital Outlay tour we visited several educational, health, and recreational facilities, which serve Virginians andreceive state funds. Over four days we saw Christopher Newport University, Old Dominion University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, the Port of Virginia, Virginia State University, Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation, Longwood College, the Carilion Research Center/Virginia Tech, Virginia Military Institute, Western State Hospital, the Frontier Culture Museum University of Virginia, Lake Anna State Park and University of Mary Washington. Along the way, we heard additional presentations from the College of William and Mary, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Norfolk State University, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
This was the first such Appropriations Committee tour in a number of years. The information we learned will be extremely helpful as we make decisions about spending priorities to best benefit citizens of the Commonwealth for the immediate and long-range future.
Thank you for the honor of serving you in the General Assembly. I look forward to hearing from you and continuing to work for you. My door is always open. For any legislative or constituent concerns, you can contact my legislative office at 804-698-1069 or delegate.carr@betsycarr.org.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
End of Session Update
Dear Friend,
It is a privilege to serve you and to provide a brief summary from our recent General Assembly Session, which ended February 27.
The countless calls, e-mails, and letters received from constituents and supporters, like you, throughout session are always greatly appreciated. Hearing your concerns and information is very important because it helps me to best represent you and the 69th district.
Each year, the vote on the budget is the most important one cast by legislators because it demonstrates the spending priorities for our Commonwealth. This year House Bill 1400 amends the state’s budget for the second portion of a two-year cycle. The $35 billion represents general fund dollars, taxpayer money that is allocated largely to education, health, and public safety. It provides much needed pay raises for state workers, teachers, and state police and maintains level funding to K-12 public education.
The budget increases teacher retirement funds by $190 million and provides a significant payment for the Rainy Day Fund to anticipate future shortfalls. It invests in expanded health care and increases TANF benefits for families. There is money to fund school breakfast pilot programs at elementary schools where free and reduced lunch eligibility exceeds 45%. There is more money in the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to help recruit more companies to Virginia.
Although Medicaid expansion was not included in this budget, along with other worthy investments, I voted for it because it includes important items that should be adequately funded this year. The budget was ready a record two-days early, before the vote occurred, allowing time for adequate examination. As a final product, it represents much time and hard work from finance leaders in House and Senate as well as important priorities of Governor McAuliffe.
Now the Governor will review the budget bill and offer any amendments at the Reconvene session of the General Assembly on April 15th.
Concerning my own legislative efforts, I introduced legislation for the second year aimed at reducing the number of drug and alcohol-related overdose deaths in our Commonwealth. HB 1500 encourages individuals to contact 9-1-1 or emergency medical services in the event that they or a loved one is experiencing a drug overdose. When I introduced this bill in 2014, it failed to pass subcommittee. After receiving substantial feedback from the Courts of Justice subcommittee, I worked over the past year with many stakeholders, such as public health officials, physicians, law enforcement, Commonwealth Attorneys, the Attorney General’s Office, community members, and the ACLU, to develop legislation that addresses everyone’s concerns. The bill passed both houses and will become law. Hopefully, it will increase calls to 9-1-1, save lives, and decrease overdose-related deaths.
For the past three years, due to numerous constituents, certified public accountants, and other concerned citizens, I have introduced legislation to allow the default method of payment for individual income tax refunds to be by check rather than by deposit or debit card. This year, my legislation,HB1346, was incorporated into Delegate Ware’s successful HB1286, which will become law. The passed bill will allow for an individual to select payment to be made by check, direct deposit, or debit card.
Continuing with a priority of ensuring that our Fourth Amendment right is secure in the 21st century, I introduced HB1348, which became a part of Delegate Marshall’s HB1408 and will become law. This bill requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant in order to intercept or obtain information from telecommunications, such as cellphones, or in order to access a person’s real-time locational data. Colloquially, this is referred to as “stingray” or “cell site simulators” or “ISMI catchers.”
“Stingrays” are often used to combat crime by tracking down suspected criminals. However, when utilized, the data of nearby bystanders is collected too. In order to protect our right to privacy, transparency and reform should be incorporated as technology evolves.
At the recommendation of a constituent, I introduced a successful bill,HB1345, which expands the list of items eligible for exemption during the Energy Star and WaterSense Sale Tax Holiday. Under current law, only fluorescent light bulbs are exempt; however, this bill updates the Code in keeping up with current technology by allowing both compact fluorescent (CFLs) and light emitting diode (LED) light bulbs that meet the Energy Star program requirements.
The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in the United States. Commemorating how far our country and Commonwealth has come in terms of equal rights and opportunities for all people is important. Many younger citizens are unfamiliar with the hard work and sacrifices that took place to ensure that women would be allowed to cast their vote in public elections. HB2281 would have established the Commission for the Commemoration of the Centennial of Women's Right to Vote. It enjoyed the support of the League of Women Voters, many community groups, and Virginia history academicians.
While the bill successfully passed the House, it ultimately failed to become law due to a last minute deal brokered between Senate and House Rules committee leaders. It was agreed that two of three bills related to commission in conference would pass, but unfortunately, my bill was not one of the two chosen. I will re-introduce the bill again next year, hopefully, with a successful outcome. Since it took 41 years for the 19th Amendment to pass originally, it may not be surprising that this commemorating bill may take two years to pass.
Other legislation that I introduced but was not passed by the General Assembly related to non-partisan redistricting (HJ624 and HJ706), codifying the restoration of rights process (HJ604), supporting productive reentry after someone has paid their debt to society (HB1680), and creating a model policy for the use of body cameras on law enforcement (HB2280). These issues are important as they embody principles of fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities for all people.
Other legislation I sponsored and co-sponsored is listed here.
During this session, among several key issues addressed were ethics reform, Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) reform, transportation funding, and campus sexual assaults.
Ethics reform legislation (HB2070) imposes an annual $100 cap on gifts, which includes travel, entertainment, sports outings, and dining. An ethics advisory panel is created to oversee mandatory disclosures of legislators and address questions or issues that officials may have in terms of appropriate actions. The panel does not have the authority to investigate or enforce. All disclosures will be filed electronically to insure transparency.
The General Assembly passed legislation (SB1032 & HB1776) to turn the ABC Board into an independent authority beginning on July 1, 2018 to allow time for the transition. The new authority will be required to submit a six-year operating plan as well as annual accounting and proposed procurement and personnel policies to the Governor and General Assembly. The General Assembly will also continue to use the profits generated from ABC to support the general fund budget.
During the 2013 legislative session, the General Assembly passed significant reforms for our transportation system and funding mechanisms. This year, due to inadequate funding streams, a transportation omnibus bill (HB1887) was passed to address the budgetary holes in the transit capital funding. This bill would allot $40 million annually from highways and freight rail to transit and would change the way that VDOT uses a formula to distribute funding for highway construction by giving localities increased opportunities for road funding.
Due to recent high-profile sexual assaults on college campuses, many legislators tried to address the issue through legislation related to reporting of sexual assaults. After much debate and input from community stakeholders, the final bills passed attempt to protect the sexual assault victim and also prevent the next occurrence.
On the environmental front, SB1349 caught the attention of local advocates. Senator Wagner’s bill SB1349 freezes the base electric rates for Dominion Virginia Power, and also stops the State Corporation Commission (SCC) from conducting two-year reviews to determine how much profit the company made. In an effort to compromise, amendments were added to allow Dominion to expand their solar energy in Virginia and require the company to offer energy assistance programs for low-income, disabled, and elderly costumers. Proponents of the bill stated that the legislation would provide stability as a final ruling is awaited from the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether Virginia will be required to reduce its carbon emissions or close coal plants. Even though the main reason the bill was introduced was to maintain stable rates, I voted against the bill after hearing constituents’ concerns and opposition. However, it successfully passed.
You can learn more about legislation passed during this session here. Governor McAuliffe has thirty days to sign or veto the legislation passed by the General Assembly. Any legislation he does not sign, veto, or amend will automatically become law.
As tax preparation season is underway, those who make less than $60,000 annually are most likely eligible for free access to name-brand tax preparation software products to prepare and file their taxes. The Free File program comes at no cost to the government, as it is a public-private partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the tax preparation software companies. To find out more information or begin using Free File, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation’s website.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you in the General Assembly. Please feel free to contact my office at 804-698-1169 or e-mail me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Betsy
Fall Update
Dear Friend,
It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. Since my last update, there is much to report in our Commonwealth. Below you will find information on the upcoming November 4th general election, as well as news regarding recent Supreme Court decisions, the Governor’s energy plan, and a brief update on the on-going Special Session.
TOMORROW, Tuesday, November 4, I encourage you to ask your neighbors and friends to join you as you head to the polls to vote. Every vote counts, and by voting, you not only let your voice be heard, but you help democracy work in the best possible way.
Statewide, we will have the opportunity to vote on the United States Senate seat. The incumbent, Mark Warner, as well as Ed Gillespie and Robert Sarvis are on the ballot. As a first generation college graduate, Senator Warner believes that all Virginians deserve a fair shot at success. While serving in the Senate, he has focused on tackling our nation’s debt and deficit in a bipartisan way, raising the minimum wage, providing new tools for paying off student loan debt, protecting a woman’s right to make her own health decisions, and standing up for military families and veterans.
Additionally, we will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment. The constitutional amendment, if passed, authorizes the General Assembly to exempt from taxation the real property of any surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States who was killed in action.
For more information about your specific voter precinct, visit “What’s on my Ballot?”
Virginia law now requires a photo ID to vote. When voting, you will need to show one of the following forms of photo identification:
1) Virginia driver’s license or other photo ID issued by Virginia
2) Virginia Voter ID Card
3) Military ID
4) Student ID with photograph and issued by any institution of higher learning in Virginia
5) US passport or other ID issued by the local, state, or federal government
6) Employee ID card with a photograph and issued by the employer in the ordinary course of business.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can also find more information about Virginia’s new voter ID laws here.
On October 6th, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to review the ruling from the United States Court of Appeals finding Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. This means that same-sex marriage is now legally recognized in Virginia.
A state-employee in a same-sex marriage can now receive spousal benefits. State employees married before October 6, 2014, have until December 4, 2014, to submit requests to enroll their spouse on their benefits plan. Questions can be directed to their Benefits Administrator. The Department of Human Resource Management's Office of Health Benefits’ contact is ohb@dhrm.virginia.gov or (804) 225-3642. Married same-sex couples in Virginia may also now legally adopt a child.
Congress passed a historic bipartisan bill called the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) in 2008. Often referred to as the Federal Parity Act, the Act mandates that health insurance providers treat mental illness with equal significance to physical illness. On October 6th, the McShin Foundation, along with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, held an event to raise awareness about the Act, emphasize the impact of mental illness in our community, and focus on supporting and advocating for those affected by mental illness. If you are not aware of which mental health and addiction services are covered under your health insurance, I encourage you to learn more about it.
A panel of federal judges struck down Virginia’s congressional map on October 7, finding that the third district, represented by Congressman Bobby Scott, was drawn specifically to pack African-American voters into a district to minimize their influence, which is a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. In response to the ruling, the General Assembly is tasked in the upcoming session with redrawing the congressional map by April 2015. Each previous session, I have introduced a bill supporting non-partisan districting, in an effort to advocate for the creation of voting districts that are less politically polarized.
On October 13, Governor McAuliffe released his energy plan for Virginia. In his plan, he calls for more investment in solar and wind energy, and develops a state authority to promote solar energy. His proposal also emphasizes the importance of reducing energy consumption, while maintaining current plans to construct a pipeline for natural gas from West Virginia.
Two local organizations, the Richmond Renewable Energy Alliance and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, are working to promote solar energy in Richmond. I recently toured local homes in the 69th district that use solar energy. Using solar energy can lower the cost of an electric bill, while also reducing energy consumption. Additionally, I discovered that there are several things you can do to your home to reduce your bills in the coming winter months. Air sealing, duct sealing, and insulation measures can help reduce utility bills. If you would like more information about this, contact Susan Hill with the Richmond Region Energy Alliance atrreaoutreach@gmail.com or 804-612-3350.
Dominion Power also offers several energy conservation programs for residents, such as “Smart Cooling Rewards” and “Home Energy Check Up.” Visit their website or call their customer service line at 1-866-366-4357 to learn more.
In October, Richmond City Public Schools became one of the first in Virginia to implement the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) district-wide. The CEP is a new option available under the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. It allows schools in high-poverty areas to provide school breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge this school year without collecting school meal applications. This is a positive, health promoting measure for our communities and it helps the families of school-aged children in need of financial support.
Recently, I visited Hillside Court to learn more about their 12 week Prescription Produce Plan led by Shalom Farms with support from Bon Secours and the Greater Richmond Coalition for Healthy Children. This collaborative, comprehensive program is empowering low-income families to increase consumption of fresh food and improve their health and well-being. I am very pleased with the new and on-going efforts throughout our community to enhance the quality of life for individuals in need.
The Ebola virus has become a serious issue throughout our world, and with a few cases cropping up in Texas and New York, it is vital that we develop strong protocols to safeguard our communities. While the CDC is taking necessary precautions to ensure that the outbreak does not impact the United States, Governor McAuliffe and Dr. Marissa Levine, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health, are leading the state’s ongoing health preparedness efforts should the Commonwealth be impacted. You can obtain answers to questions concerning Ebola by calling the VDH Ebola Hotline at 1-877-ASK-VDH3 (1-877-275-8343). For more information concerning Ebola, please visit VDH’s website.
On September 18, the General Assembly reconvened for a Special Session to debate the issue of Medicaid expansion; ultimately, no legislation was passed. The House of Delegates will reconvene again on November 10, to consider the Governor’s amendment to the budget passed in June and to possibly fill certain judicial vacancies. Later in the month, at a retreat of the House money committees in Abingdon, we will learn the latest financial revenue projections and other expert information helpful prior to the state budget preparation in the upcoming January session.
I am in the process of preparing legislation for the 2015 session, which begins on Wednesday, January 14. If there is a policy issue that you are concerned about, please contact me, as some of you have already done.
It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. If you have any questions or concerns, please never hesitate to contact my office at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or at 804-698-1069. I always appreciate hearing from constituents throughout the year.
Veteran's Day is November 11th. Thank you to all veterans and members of the United State Armed Forces for your courage, sacrifice, and dedication to serving our country and protecting our freedom.
Sincerely,
Betsy
Legislative Update
Dear Friend,
I hope you have enjoyed your summer and are ready for the back to school season. As I prepare for the upcoming special session, I would like to provide you with a few updates.
The General Assembly will reconvene in the early Fall for a special session to debate the issue of Medicaid expansion. Please provide me with any feedback or insight that you wish to share. Some noteworthy comments of potential interest are Secretary of Health and Human Resources William Hazel's op-ed in the Roanoke Times, The Urban Institute's "What is the Result of States Not Expanding Medicaid," andThe New England Journal of Medicine's "We Can Do Better - Improving the Health of the American People."
Additionally, you can learn more about the work of the General Assembly’s various commissions, joint subcommittees, and studies in a report provided by the Division of Legislative Services here.
The Governor has made several important announcements over the summer. In late July, he signed Executive Order #20, which advances equity for small, women and minority-owned business (SWaM) in the Commonwealth. Under this executive order, state agencies must award at least 42% of contracts to small businesses. This target goal makes it the highest percentage of state contracts going to SWaM businesses since 2004, when the state started tracking this data. Additionally, a microbusiness designation was created under the order, which will cover small businesses employing less than 25 individuals and receiving less than $3 million in average annual revenue. This designation of microbusiness provides a better chance for small businesses to win a contract.
In addition, the Governor prioritized Virginia’s commitment to address the needs of our youngest citizens in two additional executive orders, which established the Children’s Cabinet and the Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success (CCCS). The CCCS will report to the Children’s Cabinet, and will conduct a statewide assessment of the Commonwealth’s current programs, services, and public resources that serve children aged 0-8 years old. This assessment will identify opportunities for growth in terms of funding, closing the achievement gap, improving the quality of childcare programs, and coordinating services for at-risk families. The Children’s Cabinet’s primary objective is to focus on schools in high-poverty communities; increase the quality of educational programs; improve access to basic needs like healthcare, housing, and healthy food; evaluate services for youth transitioning out of juvenile justice, mental health, and foster care systems; and strengthen workforce development initiatives for parents.
As a former City of Richmond School Board member, education has always been a priority for me. These efforts give me hope that our youth will have more secure futures with increased educational opportunities and more support for their families. Our district has many child welfare, education, and community advocates who welcome these new initiatives and opportunities for further engagement in the coming years.
In recent years, sexual violence on college campuses has become of increasing concern across the nation. On August 22nd, Governor McAuliffe, in collaboration with Attorney General Mark Herring, announced the “Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Violence.”Chaired by the Attorney General, the task force will recommend best practices for protocols, building relationships between key stakeholders (university officials, law enforcement, counselors, etc.), sexual violence related policies, and ways to encourage survivors of sexual violence to report these crimes. The task force will also look at prevention, awareness, and training programs available at institutions of higher education. Currently, the federal government is investigating 76 schools across the country to ensure that the handlings of sexual violence reports are within compliance of anti-discrimination laws. The University of Virginia, College of William and Mary, James Madison University, and the University of Richmond are four of the schools included in the federal investigation.
Other Executive Orders can be found here.
Governor McAuliffe announced earlier in the month, that job seekers throughout Virginia can access thousands of jobs through a new employment app called VAWorks. This is an advanced workforce development tool that will make job-hunting more convenient by matching employers to qualified individuals. The app is free for download and available on iPhone and Android devices.
In other app-related news, after months of rising tension, the app-based ride services, Uber and Lyft, reached an agreement with Virginia officialsto allow them to legally operate within the Commonwealth. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) granted the two companies’ requests to operate and the order became effective immediately. Under this agreement, the companies must meet the following terms:
Run extensive background checks on drivers
Disqualify any with convictions for any felony, fraud, sexual offenses, or violent crimes
Review driving history
Maintain zero tolerance for drug use
Have strict insurance requirements for drivers
Non-compliance with these policies could lead to the DMV revoking the operating permit. This special agreement with the Commonwealth is not permanent. Legislation must be passed in order to allow Uber and Lyft to make permanent homes in the Commonwealth. New and existing Uber users in Richmond were awarded five free rides.
Virginia made national news this summer with the July ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit finding that same-sex couples in Virginia could legally marry. The court refused to delay the effects of the ruling, allowing same-sex couples to begin marrying Thursday, August 21st. However, one day prior, on August 20th, the Supreme Court issued a stay, which delayed the effects of the appeals court ruling. Attorney General Mark Herring has refused to defend the state ban on same-sex marriage. It is hoped that the high court will review the ruling, when the Supreme Court's term begins in October.
It is a privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. If you have any questions or concerns, please never hesitate to contact my office atdelegate.carr@betsycarr.org or at 804-698-1069. I always appreciate hearing from constituents throughout the year.
Wishing you a happy, relaxing Labor Day weekend.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
Legislative Update
Dear Friend,
It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. I am writing to provide an update on several topics that may of interest to you.
In my last legislative update, the urgency of passing a budget, the issue of Medicaid expansion, and the on-going special session were discussed. Since then, the General Assembly met twice: On June 12th to pass the biennial budget and on June 23rd to consider the Governor’s vetoes.
While it is good news that the General Assembly passed a $96 billion budget before the July 1, 2014, deadline, Medicaid expansion was not included. Governor McAuliffe vetoed a line item that explicitly requires the legislature to approve any money needed to expand Medicaid; however, after much disagreement, Speaker Howell ruled the veto out of order on procedural grounds. Thus, the members of the House of Delegates could not vote to pass or fail the veto. This means that the original line item is still active and Governor McAuliffe cannot use state money to expand Medicaid without approval of the General Assembly. Despite this happening, the Governor says he will still work to provide Medicaid to the 400,000 working citizens without adequate health coverage. Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Bill Hazel, has been instructed to provide a report on the issue by September 1, 2014.
The Governor also directed the Department of General Services to suspend planning for a new $300 million General Assembly building. He argued that if the legislators could not find $10 million to fund housing and homelessness efforts, he would not approve expenditure of funds for a new office building for the legislature.
Due to the projected budget shortfall, there were cuts in the areas of education and health care. Raises for teachers and state employees, a boost in spending for K-12, and spending increases for mental health were neglected. Additionally, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia lost $15 million in funding for providing services to people who are uninsured.
In other news, Senator Puckett resigned from his seat representing the 38thdistrict, which is located in southwest Virginia, earlier in June. His resignation left the Senate with 19 Democrats and 20 Republicans. This new majority in the Senate gave Republicans the opportunity to re-arrange committees and leadership. A special election will take place in August to determine who will take Senator Puckett’s place.
For those living within the 69th House District or other parts of the Richmond and Chesterfield area, Senator Henry Marsh announced his retirement from the Senate on July 1, 2014. The date of the special election will be on November 4, 2014, on the same day as the general election. He has served the 16th Senate district for 22 years, was a pioneer of civil rights, and served as Richmond’s first African-American mayor. I’m thankful and happy to have worked with him on many key issues. He will be truly missed in the General Assembly.
In July, over 800 new laws passed during the legislative session and signed by the Governor have gone into effect. For a more complete summary, read the Virginia Division of Legislative Services’ In Due Course: 2014 Changes to Virginia’s Laws or the Times-Dispatch’s summary. Below I detail a few new laws that I find to be of particular importance in our community.
“Brendon’s Law”
As you may recall, during this past legislative session along with Senator Marsh, I passed a bill making a conviction for celebratory gunfire that wounds a person a Class 6 felony.
Voter ID
The next time you vote, remember that you must present a photo ID. Acceptable forms of photo identification include: Virginia driver’s license, a U.S. passport or any other photo ID issued by the United States or Virginia, a student ID issued by any institute of higher learning in Virginia, or any employee ID card. You can also apply for a free, state-issued photo ID card with registrars in any locality within the Commonwealth.
Hybrid Car Tax
Many hybrid car drivers and supporters throughout the Commonwealth were unhappy with the hybrid car tax that was part of the major transportation funding bill during the 2013 legislative session. Now, the $64 annual tax on hybrid vehicles is no longer in effect, and many hybrid vehicle owners have received a $64 refund.
Mature Driver Crash Prevention
Drivers 75 years old or older must now go before the DMV for license renewal every five years.
Moped Rules
When operating a moped or scooter, you do not need to be licensed, but you need to carry a government-issued photo ID. You must also wear a helmet, as well as a face shield, safety glasses, or goggles. Title and registration is also required for mopeds and scooters (titles cost $10 and annual registration is $20.25).
Cyclist Safety
Under the new law, passing cars must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance.
Standards of Learning (SOL) Reform
The new law requires a maximum number of 17 SOL assessments, five fewer than previously required, to be administered to students in third grade through eighth grade. Additionally, the Secretary of Education created a “Standards of Learning Innovation Committee” to periodically review and make recommendations on the SOL system. On June 30, 2014,the Governor announced the new members to the committee.
Mental Health
Following the tragedy involving Senator Creigh Deeds’ family, new changes have been made within the mental health system. The duration of emergency custody orders has increased from six to eight hours, the state is required to find a bed for temporary detention at a state mental hospital, and the length of temporary detention orders has increased from 48 to 72 hours. The creation of a web-based psychiatric bed registry, including both private and public mental health facilities, has been mandated, as well.
Pet Owners Protection
If a veterinarian certifies a diseased dog or cat is unfit for purchase, whether the buyer returns or keeps the animal, then the pet dealer must reimburse the buyer for certain veterinary fees. Currently, the pet dealer must refund the purchase price or exchange the diseased pet for a pet of equal value. The new law extends the return or reimbursement period from 10 to 14 days for animals with parvovirus.
Employment for Veterans
Private employers are now allowed to grant preference in hiring and promotion to honorably discharged veterans, or their spouses, with a service-connected permanent and total disability.
E-Cigarettes
Nicotine vapor products and alternative nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, have been added to the list of tobacco products that cannot be sold to, purchased, or possessed by a minor.
Privacy Rights
Over the past few sessions, I have worked on updating privacy rights for the 21st century in our state code. This past session, I introduced three bills aiming to require warrants for tracking and searching electronic devices and retrieving telecommunication records. By co-patroning HB17, I was able to help pass a bill that required law enforcement to have a warrant in order for electronic communication services to release an individual’s real-time location data. This became law on July 1st. Similarly, the United States Supreme Court ruled on June 25, 2014, that law enforcement officers must obtain a warrant in order to search cell phones. Along with many other Virginians, I am pleased with this ruling that protects our privacy rights in our technological era. It has been an important legislative priority for me.
Looking ahead to August, I am excited to spend the evening of August 5thtraveling around the 69th district and visiting with constituents for National Night Out. This year marks the 31st annual celebration. Be sure to contact your local civic association for more information about the festivities going on in your neighborhood.
If you have questions or concerns about the new laws, the legislative process, or another issue, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 804-698-1069 or delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. I am happy to hear from you.
Thank you. It is an honor and privilege to serve the 69th district in the House of Delegates.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
Legislative Update
Dear Friend,
I am writing to provide you with an update on the General Assembly’s task of passing a biennial budget for our Commonwealth. Passing a budget is of upmost importance; localities depend on whatever amount is allotted to them from the state to prepare their own budgets. In addition, state workers need the assurance that they will receive paychecks. Without a budget, Virginia’s bond rating could be threatened. At present, there is a budget impasse. The House has passed a budget without Medicaid expansion while the Senate passed a bi-partisan compromise. At the recent House Appropriations meeting, an anticipated $300 million shortfall in state revenue this year was announced, adding even more urgency to finalize the budget prior to the start of the new fiscal year, July 1, 2014.
Without Medicaid expansion, many hardworking Virginians are one health crisis away from being unable to provide for their families. I have heard from many constituents over the past few weeks regarding these issues; thank you for reaching out to me with your thoughts and opinions. As a delegate serving in the metropolitan Richmond area, I understand that many of our residents in the City and throughout the Commonwealth are in desperate need of adequate and affordable health services. I find it difficult to refuse the federal money which Virginia taxpayers have already contributed and watch it go to other states that do support Medicaid expansion.
Ensuring if and how more Virginians receive adequate and affordable health care was the major issue throughout session. In every district across our Commonwealth, there are uninsured Virginians, approximately 400,000. Within the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County, there are approximately 25,430 uninsured residents (about 7.6%). These citizens do not qualify for subsidies in the federal Health Insurance Marketplace; however, they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Of these individuals, nearly 70% are in working families and more than 30,000 are veterans.However, often their jobs do not offer health insurance or pay them enough to afford coverage. They may be only one medical crisis away from homelessness or being unable to afford to pay for food for their families. Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia have expressed their support for Medicaid expansion, stating that their health services will be jeopardized without it. If Virginia expands coverage, the federal government will pay for 100% of the costs in the first three years, and at least 90% after that.
On April 8, 2014, the Senate passed a budget that funds Virginia’s core priorities, gives state employees – including teachers – a 2% raise, helps fund benefits for families who lose a loved one in the line of duty, and uses Virginians’ federal tax dollars to close the coverage gap. The Senate’s budget reflects a bipartisan compromise, called Marketplace, which would use federal funds to provide private insurance to low-income residences.
The House, led by the Republican majority passed its budget, which did not include Medicaid expansion, on March 25. That budget cut money from areas such as education and public service in order to fund health related areas, including hospitals in rural areas, that would otherwise be able to benefit from money that was saved by accepting the federal money of Medicaid expansion for several years. The House budget has not been taken up by the Senate since the Senate passed its own budget which included the Governor’s amendments and the Marketplace option. Meanwhile,House leaders refuse to consider the budget passed by the Senate because they say that our state budget has traditionally originated in the House, the chamber of the people.
Aside from the issue of the budget, the General Assembly reconvened on April 23, 2014, for the “veto session” to consider the Governor’s vetoes and amendments to legislation passed earlier this year by the General Assembly. The majority of the Governor’s amendments were accepted by the General Assembly and his vetoes on four bills still stand.
The Governor amended 60 bills; most changes were technical in nature. However, some amendments on bills with a fiscal impacts included a clause that stated the measure would not take effect unless money for the related costs is appropriated in a budget bill passed by the General Assembly. The House rejected these amendments, which means that those bills go back to Governor McAuliffe. He has the choice to now sign or veto these bills.
During the April veto session, neither the budget nor Medicaid expansion were considered. The House will not reconvene again until Speaker Howell calls the delegates back into session. If a budget is not passed in both houses of the General Assembly Building, the state government could shut down on July 1, 2014. However, a government shutdown does not have to happen, and Governor McAuliffe has stated that he will not let that happen. This is not the first time in the history of our Commonwealth that we have not had a budget by this time on the calendar. It is my hope that we can come to a reasonable conclusion and ensure Medicaid expansion for the thousands of hardworking Virginians that need it.
I hope you have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend, as we remember and honor those who have sacrificed their lives in service of our country.
Thank you. It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
Member, House of Delegates
Legislative Update
Dear Friend,
I am writing to update you about my work representing in the Virginia House of Delegates on your behalf during the Annual General assembly session that ended on March 8. The General Assembly will return to Richmond on March 24 for several days to hopefully resolve differences concerning the state budget and the expansion of the Medicaid program under the national Affordable Care Act healthcare law, which remains unresolved.
This year I introduced a trio of bills that all focused on the protection of privacy for citizens who use personal electronic devices such as cell phones. One bill (HB 813) would require that police obtain a warrant before searching the data on a person’s laptop, smartphone, or other personal electronic devices. The second (HB 814) would require a warrant from a judge before police use a mobile phone or other personal electronic device to track a person’s location – something that happens now in many cases without judicial oversight. The third (HB 817) would require a judicial warrant if the police wish to obtain information relating to the historical location of a person that is located in the detailed records kept by cell phone companies.
I am pleased to report that we made small progress on this issue. The General Assembly unanimously passed a bill (HB 17) that, except in a few narrow instances that now have been specifically written into law, will require that police obtain a judge’s order before being able to track someone in real time using a mobile phone or other personal electronic device. The bill also sets up a requirement that tracking performed without prior judicial approval be reported to the court in a timely manner.
Last summer, many people were saddened by the death of 7-year-old Brendon Mackey of Chesterfield, who was murdered by “celebratory” gunfire on July 4, 2013. Thanks to the advocacy by the Mackey family and other groups, such as Moms Demand Action, Richmond Senator Henry Marsh and I were able to pass legislation to make it a felony when an individual recklessly handles a firearm in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life that causes serious bodily damage to another person. Although legislation cannot bring Brendon back to life or find the person who is responsible for his death, it provides an appropriate means to punish and deter those who mishandle a firearm and in doing so endanger the lives of others.
This year marks the beginning of the observance of the centenary of the First World War. The magnificent Carillon in Byrd Park was built to memorialize those Virginians who died fighting in that war. This year legislation I proposed was passed to make the City of Richmond’s Carillon Advisory Committee the official First World War commemoration committee for Virginia, which will provide the official forum for Richmonders and Virginians to participate in the national commemoration of the First World War.
Finally, legislation I proposed to allow cider to be sold in the same size containers as wine, such as growlers or kegs was approved unanimously. In Virginia, the production and sale of hard cider is rapidly growing. The 69th district proudly has Virginia’s first urban cidery, Blue Bee Cider, located in old Manchester, which has become very popular and successful.
This year there was a bipartisan desire to reform Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Over the years, many parents and teachers alike have been frustrated with SOLs and
"teaching to the test," rather than focusing on learning through innovation and creativity. Legislation passed this year that will reduce the number of tests by 20 percent to a total of 17 authorized assessments. In addition, a Standards of Learning Innovation Committee will be established to periodically review the SOL tests.
Changes to improve access to mental health treatment also received bipartisan support following the tragedy that struck Senator Creigh Deeds and his family last fall. The duration of emergency custody orders will be extended to 12 hours. State hospitals will be required to take patients when private beds are unavailable. The time permitted for an emergency detention order to be in effect before a court hearing is required will be increased from 48 to 72 hours, and the order will be permitted even if a bed has not yet been found. Legislation also will require law enforcement officials to work more closely with community service boards. A statewide registry of available psychiatric treatment beds will be established. Finally, a special legislative committee will undertake a four-year comprehensive study of the state’s mental health system.
In response to the revelation concerning the behavior of former Governor Robert McDonnell, the General Assembly passed significant ethics reform legislation. The bill sets a limit of $250 on the amount of certain gifts that legislators can receive from lobbyist per year. It requires that legislators report any gifts and other financial interests they hold twice instead of once a year. It requires the public reporting of certain gifts received by legislators’ immediate family members. There will now be an independent commission to review these reports and provide mandatory training to legislators. Although this legislation is an improvement, I think that the law alone will not make people act ethically. People, including government, will either act ethically or they won’t. Although we would like to, it is not possible to make every case of bad judgment, stupidity, or unethical behavior a criminal act. In some cases, we need reasonable transparency that will subject public officials to the verdict of the voters and of history.
On a number of issues that I have tried to work on for several years now, we were not successful, but I do think we were able to make progress building bipartisan support for change in the future.
One such issue regards restoring the ability of state taxpayers to receive tax refunds by paper check. Beginning last year, a new procedure was implemented that required these to be made by direct deposit or a debit card issued by a government contractor (Xerox). The end result of this is that a portion of tax payments is taken out as debit card fees, and it has been extremely frustrating for taxpayers to get the money back that they overpaid in taxes. After hearing from their constituentsmany legislators joined to support my legislation correcting this situation. We were able to get a bill out of subcommittee – the first step in moving a bill forward, but it did not go further. However, a bipartisan group of senators and delegates have written a letter asking that this situation be corrected in the state budget, so there is still a slim possibility of action on this matter this year.
Drug overdose is now second only to motor vehicle crashes among the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths. In recent years, Virginia has had a 300% increase in the number of deaths related to drug overdose. This year I also proposed a bill (HB557), Safe Reporting to Save Lives, which would provide that if someone or a person with them is overdosing, then they could call 9-1-1 or seek emergency medical attention without either party being at risk of arrest or prosecution for possession, consumption, or purchasing of a drug or alcohol. This is a real issue that is a life or death matter for all too many of our fellow Virginians. I was touched by the number of people who came forward to support this bill because their lives had been affected by this situation. After a fair hearing before the House Courts of Justice Committee, we were unable to convince a majority of committee members that the ability of prosecutors to investigate and prosecute drug times should be restricted in the interest of saving human lives. This is a cause that I plan to work on so we can build support for doing something in the future.
I proposed two constitutional amendments this year. The first would provide for the automatic restoration civil rights, including voting rights, for a person convicted of a felony upon the completion of his or her sentence, including any term of probation or parole, and the payment of all restitution, fines, costs, and fees assessed as a result of the conviction. I also proposed a constitutional amendment to introduce a bill outlining a process for non-partisan redistricting. Unfortunately, neither of these measures advanced.
Another issue we have begun work on this year is the voluntary labeling of food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In order to start this conversation, I proposed that money be set aside to study the possibility of establishing a voluntary program for labeling and promoting Virginia agricultural products that do not contain GMOs. What I learned was that there are many interests who don’t think that consumers should be able to know what they are eating, and that others think even a voluntary system would somehow be an unreasonable burden. According to our legislative survey this year, 89% of you thought that this is a worthy issue. I believe it is important for Virginians, especially those who may have food sensitivities, health or religious concerns to have the right to know what is in their food. This is something I wish to continue working on in the future.
Much of the most important work of the General Assembly, including the detailed consideration of bills, is done in the House of Delegate’s committees and subcommittees. I serve on the Committees on Transportation, Finance (which handles tax policy), and General Laws (which handles non-criminal law issues in general, including issues concerning state employees and procurement, the alcoholic beverage control system, freedom of information and privacy.) During February I was appointed to a fourth committee, the Committee on Commerce and Labor, by the Speaker of the House. This came as a very pleasant surprise and honor. This committee deals with the laws affecting our state’s most important industries. It is going to provide me the opportunity to learn more in depth about many key public policy questions affecting our economy.
If you have any questions or concerns about legislation passed during the session, please contact me at 804-698-1069 or contact me via e-mail at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. I am always happy to hear from you.
Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
Member, House of Delegates
General Assembly Session Update
Dear Friend,
It is an honor to serve you and the citizens of the 69th District in the House of Delegates. The 2014 Legislative Session began on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. I encourage you and your family to stay updated on legislative issues that are important to you, our community, and our Commonwealth. This session will last 60 days and the General Assembly will pass a budget for the next two years. I have included some helpful links to use for session.
I encourage you to complete my 2014 legislative survey that will give me a sense of your priorities. If you or another 69th district resident would like a hardcopy, please call my office at 804-698-1069 and we will mail a survey to you.
Useful Links for Session
Attending session at the General Assembly or a committee meeting of your interest is certainly a worthwhile experience for people of all ages and interests. However, if you cannot visit during session, you can still stay updated on legislative issues that are important to you and your community.
Virginia Legislative Information System: On LIS, you can access all the bills and resolutions filed for the 2014 session as well as previous years’ legislation. You can research General Assembly members, the meetings schedule, standing committees, and the state budget.
Virginia General Assembly: On the General Assembly’s official website, you can watch the Senate and House in session via a live stream every day beginning at noon. Additionally, you can access laws and regulations, publications, and the Capitol Classroom to refresh your memory on legislative terms and how a bill becomes a law.
If you have any questions or concerns about legislation during the session, please contact me at 804-698-1069 or send me an e-mail at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. I am happy to learn about your legislative priorities and encourage you to share your opinions and ideas by taking my survey online or by requesting a hard copy. You can also call my office to schedule an in-person appointment about any specific bills in which you might be interested.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
Member, House of Delegates
Legislative Update
Dear Friend,
It is an honor to serve you and all of the citizens of the 69th District in the General Assembly. I am grateful that many of you renewed your confidence in me at the November election. I am writing to update you on some of the key issues that we expect may be considered during the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
Winter Weather
When a storm hits the area, state agencies are mobilized to respond to any problems that may be caused by the storm. Dominion Virginia Power has prepared a tip sheet for preparing for winter storms, which you may want to review.
2014 Legislative Session
The 2014 regular session of General Assembly will be held January 8, 2014 to March 8, 2014.
During this session, we must adopt a new two-year budget for the Commonwealth. The outgoing governor, Governor McDonnell, will propose his budget next week. Once he takes office in January, Governor McAuliffe will propose changes to the budget based on his priorities. You can review some of the materials that we were provided concerning the budget outlook at meetings in November here.
As part of the budget, we will consider the level of state support of public education. A continuing issue is whether or not the state will participate in the expansion of the Medicaid program which is the means whereby many Virginians will be able to receive health insurance under the national Affordable Care Act.
I expect that there will be serious discussion of the way that the State funds and provides mental health services after the tragic incident involving one of our own colleagues, State Senator Creigh Deeds. I hope that something good can come out of this tragedy -- a renewed and adequately funded commitment to treating those Virginians who have mental health problems -- and support for their families.
For those seeking more information on the key issues for the 2014 Session, the Virginia Division of Legislative Services has compiled an issue brief.
In preparation for the upcoming 2014 session, I will be distributing a short survey for you to share your opinions on these and other issues. Please be on the lookout for the survey in the coming weeks - which will be distributed by e-mail, postal mail, and on my web and Facebook pages.
I would also encourage you to contact me with ideas you may have for legislative proposals. Over the next few weeks, I will be finalizing those proposals that I will be introducing as bills in the 2014 session. Many of these are proposals that I have proposed in the past. These include:
- Restoring the ability of taxpayers to receive a tax refund with a paper check.
- Instituting a non-partisan independent commission to redraw legislative district boundaries every ten years.
- Amending the Virginia constitution to provide for the automatic restoration of civil and voting rights once a person convicted of a felony has completed his or her prison sentence and other court-imposed obligations.
- Requiring that a judge issue a warrant based on probable cause before the police or government obtain access to citizens' telephone billing records, or use a person's cell phone, smartphone or other electronic device to track them without their knowledge.
Area News
As you are probably aware, Richmond made headlines the past week. Frommer’s, a popular travel planning website, released their Top Destinations for 2014. Our culturally-diverse city was one of three locations in the United States to make the list, thanks to the James River and our historical and cultural offerings.
The Women of Virginia Commemorative Commission has announced the 12 women to be featured in a monument in Capitol Square. The Commission particularly sought out women of achievement who were extraordinary, but not necessarily well known. Virginia will be the first state in the nation to dedicate a monument specifically to honoring the achievements of women. The Commission hopes to have the monument, which will be privately funded, completed by March of 2015. Find out more about the Commission and the monument in a recent article by the Richmond Times Dispatch.
I hope that this information will be helpful to you. It is an honor to serve you in the House of Delegates. Thank you for your interest in Virginia’s government and the confidence you have placed in me. Please, never hesitate to contact me to share your views or if I can be of any assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
Member, Virginia House of Delegates
PO Box 14625
Richmond, VA 23221
804-698-1169
delegate.carr@betsycarr.org
www.betsycarr.org
Legislative Update
Dear Friends,
This week the General Assembly convened for its annual 45-day session at the State Capitol. What follows is a brief overview of some of the issues that we will be discussing.
The right to vote is fundamental to a democratic society, and it is one that was denied to many citizens on account of their race for many years. In spite of the fact that there are no recorded incidents of voter impersonation in Virginia, legislation is being proposed which would make the Voter ID requirements that went into effect last year even stricter. The effect of these laws is to discourage voting and make it more difficult for senior citizens, students, and the poor to exercise their democratic rights.
Tomorrow a House of Delegates subcommittee will begin consideration of changes to Virginia’s Constitution, including an amendment I have proposed, that would permit all citizens convicted of a felony to vote once they have served their time and satisfied the other conditions of their sentence. Virginia and Kentucky are the only two states to bar persons convicted of a felony from ever voting again their life, unless their rights are restored by the Governor after an individual petition. In spite of the Governor’s support of this measure for persons convicted of a non-violent felonies, it is doubtful whether or not the majority party in the House of Delegates will support this change.
Virginia will need to take action in response to the federal health care reform law. Will Virginia create and run its own “exchange”, a marketplace where individuals and small businesses can purchase insurance coverage, or will it leave the running of the exchange to the federal government? Will Virginia choose to expand its Medicaid program so that the working poor are able to get adequate health insurance and get needed medical treatment in a way that allows medical conditions to be treated early and for the taxpayer to save money in the long run, or will we leave these citizens behind? Will the legislature pass additional laws that will make it more difficult for women to obtain an abortion and other needed health care by driving outpatient surgical facilities out of business?
An ongoing issue is how we spend limited tax dollars, and how public resources are divided among education, health care, transportation, public safety, and other vital government functions. A related issue is how much we are prepared to invest in our transportation system, and how much of the cost will be borne by transportation users as opposed to taxpayers at large, regardless of how much they drive. A third related issue is how much Virginia taxpayers will be forced to subsidize the use of the roads by out-of-state drivers, that drive as many as one-third of the miles traveled on our roads. Last week the Governor proposed a transportation initiative that, at first glance, would break the link between miles traveled and taxes paid, reduce the burden on out-of-state users of the transportation system, and over the long term reduce funding for education, health care and public safety to pay for road construction and maintenance. We are waiting to read the fine print of these proposals, which will be released this week.
A company called Virginia Uranium is pushing to lift the 31-year moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia in order to mine a large deposit of the ore in Pittsylvania County near Chatham. Although the proposed mining activity and the lifting of the moratorium would be limited to Pittsylvania County, surveys have indicated there may be other uranium deposits throughout Virginia’s Piedmont region. Proponents believe that the proposed mine will bring jobs, opportunity and wealth to this region of Southside Virginia and the investors in the project and believe that uranium mining can be done safely. Opponents point out that 99 percent of the mined ore, known as uranium tailings - a relatively low-grade type of radioactive waste sludge, will have be stored indefinitely at the mining site and that there is a potential for these to contaminate the water supply. There is dispute as to whether there exists another safely operating mine in an area with a comparable amount of rainfall, propensity for hurricanes, and proximity to major population centers. The legislators representing the area seem to be uniformly against this proposal, as well as many of those representing citizens who live downstream in the Roanoke River basin. After a year of study, this will be a hotly debated issue which will not break down solely on partisan lines, and it will be a vital one for the future of Virginia’s environment.
The Port of Virginia is a public agency that was created at the initiative of former Governor Linwood Holton beginning in 1971 to unify competing publicly-owned port facilities in Norfolk, Newport News and Portsmouth. The Port has been a driver of tremendous economic growth in Virginia. The widening of the Panama Canal will enable larger “Panamax” ocean freighters to serve the East Coast ports directly from Asia and other destinations. This and upgrades to the nation’s rail infrastructure are creating opportunities for future growth. There is a move to fully or partially privatize the operation of the port by entering into a long-term agreement with a private company to operate the port or sell it entirely to private investors. Supporters believe that this would provide a large infusion of cash to the Commonwealth. This summer the Governor replaced 10 out of 12 members of the Port’s governing board, and there were some significant staff changes. Right now privatization can be done without the approval of the General Assembly, and it seems that plans are in place to begin the process of privatization at the Port Authority’s March meeting. Many legislators are concerned that this could be happening without the approval of the legislature, and a number of bills are being introduced to stop this. Again, this is an issue where the debate does not fall upon partisan lines.
A particular concern of mine has been the transfer of core government functions to the private sector when these changes don’t actually save any money but force citizens to pay more money to private vendors who make money off interactions between the citizens and their government. Often this results in citizens’ private confidential being placed in the computer systems of private companies. Two years ago, I worked unsuccessfully to stop the state’s privatization of its electronic tax filing system. For many years Virginia had a simple and effective web-based system where individuals could file their income tax returns and send their information directly to the states. A group of private companies lobbied to have this system eliminated and replaced with one where if you want to file electronically and receive the benefits of electronic filing including receiving your refund on time, you had to go through one of a cartel of private companies. In many cases you would have to pay a fee for something that previously could be done for free.
Unfortunately, a new scheme was inserted by special interests into last year’s budget that will do the same thing. Beginning this year, you will no longer be able to receive a tax refund check from the state. If you don’t choose to have your refund deposited by direct deposit, you will receive your tax refund as a prepaid debit card. Of course, there are fees associated with this card, and there will be many opportunities for Xerox and Mastercard, the companies administering this system, to take a bite out of your tax refund. In addition these private companies will know the amount and date of your tax refund, and your bank account details if you choose to transfer money from your debit card from your bank account, something which is none of their business. If you use your debit card to buy something at a store, Mastercard will get a cut of between 2 and 9 percent. I plan to introduce a bill to restore your option to be paid by check.
This is an overview of some, but certainly not all of the issues that will be taken up by your citizen-legislators in the coming weeks. Although on many issues there is a breakdown along partisan lines, especially this year, there are some key issues on which regional affiliation will make more of a difference. On other issues there are differences of principle that do not fall along partisan or regional lines, and on some issues there is the possibility for principled reform supported by a broad coalition of both parties. For example, I was pleased to be a sponsor of legislation last year that resulted in the codification of Virginia’s rules of evidence. Previously Virginia was one of only two states that did not have written rules of evidence – instead these were sprinkled throughout the laws and court precedents. The result of codifying these rules, writing them down, and putting them in one place will be a greater possibility of justice for the many citizens that find themselves before our courts every day. This effort was supported by a broad coalition, including my republican colleagues Delegate Loupassi and Albo from Richmond and Springfield, respectively, my Democratic colleague State Senator John Edwards of Roanoke, as well republican Senator Mark Obenshain, a candidate for Attorney General. It also received the support of the Governor and Attorney General. Although there are very serious differences in philosophy and opinion among Virginians, this is an example of how sometimes needed reform can gain the support a broad coalition.
I look forward to updating you in the weeks ahead about these and other issues. You may find it interesting to watch the daily floor sessions of the House of Delegates and Senate. The video is streamed live over the Internet each day, usually beginning at noon and is available on the General Assembly website. You can also track the status of bills that may interest you using thelegislative information system. I am available to speak with you about any legislative matter, or help deal with a state agency. I look forward to seeing you in the coming months, either at the Capitol, or in the community.
Finally, I hope that you might take some time to share your opinions, concerns and priorities with me by completing my online issues survey, which you can do by clicking here.
Thank you again for the honor you have given me to serve you and the trust you have placed in me as your member of the House of Delegates.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr
Member, Virginia House of Delegates
69th District
804-698-1169 (office)
delegate.carr@betsycarr.org
www.betsycarr.org