April Legislative Update

Dear Friend,

Last week on Monday, April 4, the General Assembly convened, at the call of Governor Youngkin, for a special session. However, no action was taken on legislation or the budget. This means that the General Assembly will need to meet again to agree on a budget and remaining legislation. At this time, it is unconfirmed when this will happen.

Several hours after the General Assembly adjourned the special session, the Governor proposed a gas tax holiday bill, HB6001. The bill was referred to the House Finance committee and is expected to be heard on Tuesday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m.

You can watch livestream and archived videos of the House session and committee meetings here.

Unfortunately, HB6001 in no way guarantees savings for Virginia consumers. Gas taxes are a tax on gasoline distributors, which is passed on to consumers. While the hope is that the savings from a gas tax holiday would be passed on to consumers, the reality is that distributors could pocket the savings instead. Plus, with the proposed holiday covering peak travel season, it gives even more benefit to out-of-state drivers. Based on analysis of 177 gas tax rate changes in 34 states during 2013-2021, only 18% of any tax decrease or increase is passed on in the retail price of gas in the first two weeks. All of these factors raise suspicion that the gas tax holiday actually helps the oil industry, trucking companies, and visitors rather than individual Virginians.

Additionally, the bill would remove revenue from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund for five months (a loss of around $437 million) without a clear plan to make up that money later. All transportation programs will be cut as a result. This includes low-income transit services, filling potholes, removing storm debris, handling snow, and repair funding for structurally deficient bridges. The Commonwealth Institute provides further analysis, which you can read here.

The House Democratic Caucus has an alternative proposal to HB6001. Their proposal would issue $50 rebates for each personal-use car or truck (limited to two per household), excluding electric vehicles. The funding for the rebates would come from the General Fund, leaving the critical transportation funding untouched, and would cost approximately $140 million.

The turn-around for getting rebates to Virginians would be quick as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has an automated database of current addresses to send out annual car tag renewals.

You can read more about the House Democrats’ alternative plan here.

Reconvene Session - April 27

The General Assembly will meet on Wednesday, April 27, for the Reconvened Session also known as the “veto session” as members will vote to confirm or reject the Governor’s vetoed and amended legislation.

On Monday, April 11, Governor Youngkin signed 700 bills into law, amended over 100, and vetoed 25 bills. Of my legislation, all were signed into law except one (HB644), which needed a technical amendment.

You can review the full list of the Governor’s recommendations here and the full list of vetoed bills is available here.

Community News & Events

Virginia Holocaust Museum Children’s Memorial

In honor of the 1.5 million Jewish children who lost their lives during the Holocaust, the Virginia Holocaust Museum, of which I am a board member, opened a new permanent exhibit, “The Children’s Memorial.” This is the first of its kind in the United States. The exhibit features wooden desks reflected in a mirror and the names of children who died during the Holocaust are read from a speaker. I encourage you to visit the new exhibit next time you are downtown. You can read more coverage of the exhibit at the Times-Dispatch.

The Valentine Museum’s Controversy/History

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the final event of the Valentine Museum’s “Controversy/History” series. This year was the 11th season of community conversations, which was co-hosted by Director Bill Martin and Kelli Lemon. The final event focused on “Monuments Now” with panelists Marland Buckner of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Maritza Pechin of the Office of Equitable Development, and Paul Farber of the Monument Lab.

While the series has ended for the season, The Valentine offers extensive programs from walking tours to exhibitions. Learn more at thevalentine.org.

Additionally, here are a few ways you can learn more and get involved with the ongoing conversation about Monument Avenue:

Broad Street Paving: On Monday, April 11, the City’s Department of Public Works began paving along Broad Street from 3rd Street to Staples Mill Road. Paving starts in the westbound lanes and then changes to the eastbound lanes at the end of each phase before moving on to the next phase. Work is expected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will only stop for rain or mechanical issues. You can read the City’s press release here and read more about project updates here. Additionally, the GRTC has a list of detours and temporary stops available on their website, here.

Project Timeline:

Phase 1 westbound: 3rd Street to Belvidere Street. April 11 to April 14.
Phase 1 eastbound: Belvidere Street to 3rd Street. April 14 to April 20.

Phase 2 westbound: Belvidere Street to Meadow Street. April 20 to April 29.
Phase 2 eastbound: Meadow Street to Belvidere Street. April 29 to May 6.

Phase 3 westbound: Meadow Street to Arthur Ashe Blvd. May 6 to May 12.
Phase 3 eastbound: Arthur Ashe Blvd to Meadow Street. May 12 to May 18.

Phase 4 westbound: Arthur Ashe Blvd to Hamilton Street. May 18 to May 25.
Phase 4 eastbound: Hamilton Street to Arthur Ashe Blvd. May 25 to June 1.

Phase 5 westbound: Hamilton Street to Staples Mill Road. June 1 to June 10.
Phase 5 eastbound: Staples Mill Road to Hamilton Street. June 10 to June 21.

Summer Internship Opportunity: The Library of Virginia is offering several paid internship opportunities this summer to college-level students from diverse backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in the library field. Internships run from June 6 to August 12, 2022, and are in the areas of public history, manuscripts, visual studies, digital collections, information security, and fundraising. The deadline to apply is April 20. More information here.

RVAgreen 2050 is the City of Richmond’s equity-centered climate action and resilience planning initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and help the community adapt to Richmond’s climate impacts of extreme heat, precipitation, and flooding. You can read their April newsletter here.

Initiatives of Change Community Conversation: Join Initiatives of Change USA and the Afro-Latino Community Coalition on Monday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m. for an open dialogue to learn more about President Biden’s Infrastructure and Build Back Better bills. The event is virtual and in-person at Fountain of Deliverance Outreach Ministries (3800 East Broad Rock Road). I will participate in the conversation along with Senator Hashmi and a representative from Senator Tim Kaine’s office.

Zoom meeting ID: 828 5366 3940, Passcode: 716139

Richmond Restaurant Week is April 18-24. Make your reservations at a participating restaurant to experience a three-course meal for less than $35. Feed More is the beneficiary with $5.22 of every meal going to hunger-relief programs such as Meals on Wheels, the Kids Cafe, Mobile Pantry, and the weekend BackPack program. More information on participating restaurants here.

Maymont’s Summer Kickoff Concert: Spread out on the lawn and enjoy an evening of music on May 6 at 6 p.m. Tickets available here.

¿Que Pasa? Festival: This is the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s first festival in two years due to COVID-19. The ¿Que Pasa? Festival showcases the diversity and beauty of Hispanic and Latin American cultures at the Canal Walk on May 7. More information here.

YWCA Outstanding Women Awards: Celebrate 42 years of honoring women’s leadership at the annual Outstanding Women Awards on Tuesday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. For more information, tickets, and to view the honorees, click here.

Byrd Park Garden Tour: On Sunday, May 15, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., the Byrd Park Garden Club will host its 10th annual garden tour. More information 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

Special Session and other news

Dear Friend,

Last week, Governor Youngkin issued a proclamation calling the General Assembly back for a special session on Monday, April 4, to finish the budget and other outstanding legislation. VPAP has a list of bills left undecided here. If you would like to share your thoughts on the budget or the remaining bills, please email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. I look forward to hearing from you.

As a reminder, you can watch the livestream of the House of Delegates here and view bill information on lis.virginia.gov.

Community News and Opportunities

Mayor’s Youth Academy: A six-week program for youth ages 14 to 19 who live in the City of Richmond. Deadline to apply is March 31. More information here.

Art 180 Residency: RPS sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply to Art 180’s youth residency program. Selected participants are mentored by a professional artist and receive a $1,350 stipend. Deadline to apply is May 1. More information here.

VUU Summer Immersion Program: Virginia Union University is hosting a virtual, four-week data science program for rising high school juniors and seniors from July 25 through August 19. Deadline to apply is April 15. More information here.

George Wythe Reimagined: RPS is seeking family and community engagement in preparation of building a new George Wythe High School. A main question is the school’s Passion4Learning theme - arts or STEM. There are a series of upcoming in-person meetings starting March 28 through April 5. More information available at www.rvaschools.net/wythereimagined.

City of Richmond Redistricting: As the City works through its redistricting process, they are requesting input and participation from citizens. Additional meetings and information has been added. Click here for more details and important dates.

RPS Spring Break Meal Distribution: RPS Spring Break begins on April 4. Parents or guardians can pick up 5-day meal packs on Friday, April 1, at four RPS schools across the City. Visit www.rvaschools.net/springbreak for more information.

Congressionally Directed Spending: Senator Tim Kaine’s office is accepting applications from localities and non-profits for congressionally directed spending for Virginia projects. They are looking for high-impact projects that can reach completion with one-time assistance from the federal government. The deadline to apply is April 6 and more information is available here.

Doses on Demand: Any Richmond or Henrico resident can call the Richmond and Henrico Health District to schedule a nurse to come to your home for a free COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are available for adults and children; both primary and boosters are available for all vaccine types. Appointments are offered about two weeks out for in-home and many same day walk-in appointments are still available in the community. Visit vax.rchd.com or call 804-205-3501.

Supplies for Ukraine: The Jewish Community Federation is collecting supplies for Ukrainian refugees. In a few weeks, JCFR board members will travel to Poland with the Jewish Federations of North America. They have been asked to bring over-the-counter medication (not liquids) and medical supplies for refugees and relief efforts. Donations will be accepted until Friday, April 1, at noon at the JCFR office (5403 Monument Avenue). If you have questions, please email Sara Rosenbaum at srosenbaum@jewishrichmond.org.

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

2022 Session Wrap Up

Dear Friend,

The General Assembly adjourned “sine die” on Saturday, March 12…without a budget and some legislation left undecided in conference committees. Below are updates on my bills that passed, important legislation from the session, where the budget stands, and other community news.

My Bills That Passed

HB632: Addressing Excessive Noise from Loud Mufflers

Constituents in my district, across the Richmond area, and many other parts of the Commonwealth have contacted me with their concerns about loud mufflers impacting the peace and safety of their neighborhoods. HB632 passed the General Assembly after extensive input from community members, law enforcement, motorcyclists, automobile dealers, and antique car enthusiasts. The final form of the bill is narrowly defined so that it only pertains to the enforcement of loud exhaust systems. It does not expand the enforcement of any other secondary offense (or “pre-textual stops”). It also does not impact a homeowner’s ability to work on their car in their driveway or hinder any personal property rights.

HB641: Cash Fares for Disabled Riders: Allows someone with a disability who does not have a bank account to pay a TNC provider, like Uzurv, in cash.

HB642: Healthcare Coverage for Service Members: Allows certain service members to have state healthcare coverage when they are on active duty during a state of emergency and there is a gap in their private health coverage.

HB644: Department of General Services; surplus property: Authorizes the Department of General Services to determine boundary lines of surplus properties and work with land owners to make adjustments. The bill also allows DGS to accept easements that facilitate adjustments upon approval of the Governor.

HB649: Language Acquisition for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children: Establishes an advisory board, an annual report, and resources to assist parents/guardians of children (ages 0-5) who are deaf or hard of hearing.

HB1194: Affordable Housing through Economic Development Authorities: Authorizes Industrial and Economic Development Authorities to distribute grants for affordable housing in areas where there are also housing authorities.

Important Legislation

There were 3,143 bills introduced this session and 1,767 passed both the House and Senate. The Governor has the opportunity to sign or veto the bills and the General Assembly will approve any actions during the “Reconvene Session” on April 27. The Times-Dispatch article, “30 Reasons Why the Virginia General Assembly Session Mattered” covers many important bills that passed and failed.

Tax Relief: SB12 allows localities to return surplus personal property tax revenues to taxpayers.

K-12: HB346 allows colleges and universities to open “lab schools” - this bill passed both Chambers but the details are still being worked out in a conference committee. A vote on the bill will take place whenever the General Assembly convenes to vote on the budget.

HB127 prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, and other factors at governor’s schools.

HB1068 and SB570, which would have banned the teaching of “divisive concepts,” failed to pass.

Conference committees are still working out the details of HB563 that would create a fund for grants to school boards in order to finance school construction and modernization as well as changing the Literary Fund (SB471) to make more money available to local school divisions.

SB656 requires parental notification about sexually explicit materials in schools.

Health Care: There were a number of bills related to banning abortion after 20 weeks. None of these bills passed the General Assembly.

Cannabis: Several bills to accelerate the retail cannabis market as well as legislation to recalibrate the sentences of people incarcerated due to marijuana-related convictions failed to pass. However, SB591 passed which prohibits certain shapes (human, animal, vehicle or fruit) of marijuana and hemp products and limits the quantity of THC in such products. Additionally, HB933 relates to pharmaceutical processors and makes technical amendments to the medical cannabis code to improve processes for patients and processors.

Casinos: SB203 which would have authorized Petersburg to vote on a casino and barred Richmond from another vote failed to pass. However, the Senate budget blocks Richmond from a second referendum until a study of an alternative site in Petersburg is completed.

Charitable Gaming: HB763 and SB403 adds electronic gaming as charitable gaming and specifies who is eligible to conduct electronic gaming. The bills give oversight and enforcement authority over all charitable gaming gross receipts to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). Only fraternal, veterans organizations, and qualified higher education institutions are eligible to have electronic gaming machines. Here is a comparison of the current law and the change in the bills.

Facial Recognition: SB741 defines “facial recognition technology” and requires the Divison of Purchases and Supply to determine the appropriate facial recognition technology for law enforcement use as well as describes certain criteria that must be met. Additionally, the bill provides that local law enforcement, campus police, and state police may use facial recognition technology for authorized use. The Virginia State Police will create a model policy regarding the technology no later than January 1, 2023, and the Department of Criminal Justice Services will analyze and report on the usage of the technology.

The State Budget

While the General Assembly adjourned after 60 days, there was no agreement on the budget. This means that sometime over the next month or so, the General Assembly will convene to vote on the budget as well as any other outstanding legislation. The special session on the budget will be at the call of Governor Youngkin, presumably whenever the budget conferees reach consensus.

You can review what is in the House and Senate budgets here. Additionally, the Commonwealth Institute has a side-by-side comparison of the Introduced, House, and Senate budgets here.

The main points of concern amongst the budget conferees relate to planned tax cuts: Eliminating the grocery tax and increasing the standard deduction on individual income tax. The Times-Dispatch has more coverage of the budget negotiations here.

Fox Elementary Update

Superintendent Kamras recommends that Fox Elementary School should be renovated instead of demolished and rebuilt. Since the school was built in 1911, it could qualify for historical tax credits that may cover up to a quarter of the total renovation cost. The insurance company will also cover the cost of renovating. The Richmond School Board will make the final decision.

In the meantime, Fox students will have in-person classes at First Baptist Church beginning on March 21. Clark Springs Elementary School is expected to be ready for the students in mid to late April.

Virginia Housing’s New Website

Virginia Housing celebrates its 50th anniversary of making homes more affordable and attainable for Virginians. As part of their celebration, they have released a new website. The website is mobile-friendly and has helpful information for renters, homeowners, businesses, and community partners including:

  • Home Education (free classes)

  • Homeownership Programs

  • Rental Programs

  • Assistance Grants

  • Mortgage Credit Certificates

  • Programs for Veterans & Members of the U.S. Military

  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program

  • REACH Virginia

Visit the new website and learn more at VirginiaHousing.com.

Community Events & News

Grace Concert Series: On Saturday, April 2, at 3:30 p.m. Grace Baptist Church (4200 Dover Road) presents “The Music of Terezin.” The performance honors the lives of composers and musicians lost to the Holocaust and features works by Isle Weber, Gideon Klein, and Simon Sargan. This event is free and open to the public, and donations will be accepted to support the Virginia Holocaust Museum. More information is available at www.rvagrace.org.

Spring Fan Park Clean Up: On Saturday, March 26 starting at 9 a.m., the Fan District Association will host a park clean up - rain or shine. Bring gloves, rakes, wheelbarrows, small shovels, and any other yard equipment to help. If you have questions, please email parks@fandistrict.orgYou can sign up to volunteer here.

William Fox Art Auction: Friday, March 18 from 6:30 - 10 p.m. at Hardywood Brewery

Museum District Association Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour: Tickets go on sale on Friday, April 1 at museumdistrict.org.

Byrd Theatre: The Byrd is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. There are many classic and newer movies playing this spring. Full schedule 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

Session News - Week 8

Dear Friend,

As the General Assembly wraps up its final week of session, committees have concluded their work and the House and Senate sessions are becoming longer as we debate and vote on the passage of remaining bills. Budget conferees have been announced and they are working on a final budget. Sine Die (adjournment) of session is expected on Saturday, March 12, assuming there is agreement on the budget. Next week, I will provide an overview of the final budget as well as highlights of important bills that passed.

Important Meetings and Events Last Week

  • LGBTQIA+ Caucus Reception

  • William & Mary Legislative Reception

  • Elijah Lee, youth advocate

  • Capitol Square Basketball Classic

  • Foster Care Caucus

  • Joint Democratic Caucus Press Conference on Constitutional Amendments

  • Military and Veterans Caucus Legislative Reception

  • Facial Recognition Technology

  • Reynolds Community College President

  • Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner

Celebrating Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month. Did you know for the first time in our Commonwealth’s history, the majority of the House Democratic Caucus is comprised of women legislators? I am proud to serve during this historic time and enjoy witnessing so many women in the legislature taking on leadership roles in both parties. During this month, I encourage you to reflect on the women in your life and accomplishments of women throughout history. There are many events celebrating Women’s History throughout the Commonwealth. Here are a few highlights of events in Richmond:

  • Virginia Museum of History and Culture: Live streaming of Gayle Jessup White’s lecture on her book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant’s Search for Her Family’s Lasting Legacy. The event will be live streamed on Facebook and Youtube on March 10 at 6:00 p.m. More information on https://virginiahistory.org/

  • Maymont: Conversation on “The Vote” which focuses on arguments on all sides of women’s suffrage debate from Sallie May Dooley, Nora Houston, Ora Brown Stokes Perry, and Maggie L. Walker. Advanced registration is required and will be held at Maymont on March 25 at 2:00 p.m., More information at maymont.org.

  • Library of Virginia: “Virginia Women in History Digital Trails” explores historic women from Mildred Loving to Pauline Adams to Appamattuck. You can virtually visit many sites associated with history-making Virginia women. Visit edu.lva.virginia.gov/virginia-women-in-history/digitaltrails/

RPS Fine Arts Festival

March celebrates “Fine Arts Month,” and RPS students are having a month-long virtual fine arts festival. Check out the excellent work from our RPS students here.

Governor’s Fellows Program

The Governor’s Fellows Program is a prestigious opportunity for rising college seniors and recent college graduates to get a firsthand look at the executive branch. The program has been active since 1982. Fellows work alongside the Governor’s Cabinet and staff, learn about state government and assist in essential work for the Commonwealth.

Qualified applicants must be rising college seniors, graduating seniors, or graduate students. All Virginia college and university students are eligible to apply. Virginia residents attending out-of-state colleges and universities are also eligible.

The deadline to apply for the Program is Monday, March 28. Interviews begin on March 30 and decisions begin on April 18. The program runs from May 30 to July 29.

To apply, visit this website. Please email any questions to govfellows@governor.virginia.gov.

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 B. Carr

Session News - Week 7

Dear Friend,

With session set to adjourn sine die on March 12, bills are quickly moving through the House and Senate and meetings are winding down. Below are updates from the General Assembly, interesting reports, and community news.

Important Meetings and Events Last Week

  • VCU Student Government Association

  • Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition

  • Sentara Healthcare

  • University of Virginia Legislative Reception

  • Everytown for Gun Safety

  • The Family Foundation

  • Virginia Tech Legislative Reception

  • Randolph Macon College Legislative Reception

  • Titan America and Concrete Paving Association

  • Virginia Credit Union

  • Tour of the New General Assembly Building

  • SeaGrant Seafood and Wine Reception

  • Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

  • Sportsman Caucus

  • Habitat for Humanity

New CNU State of the Commonwealth Report

Last week, Christopher Newport University released results of their “State of the Commonwealth” report, which you can read here. Respondents reported the following:

  • 59% preferred spending state budget surplus on underfunded government services, such as education, public safety and social services

  • 38% responded that they would rather the state provide tax cuts or rebates

  • 63% reported students should be taught all American history, including the existence of systemic racism

  • 56% reported preferring leaving mask decisions to local school boards

  • 58% opposed abortion bans

  • 67% supported Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

  • 67% support the Virginia Clean Economy Act

  • 70% supported School Resource Officers in all schools

Side by Side Budget Comparison

Last week I provided an overview of the House budget, which you can read here. The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) releases an annual side-by-side comparison of the introduced (Governor’s) budget, the House Appropriations Report and the Senate Finance report. I encourage you to review this helpful comparison to get a better understanding over the differences in the budgets. On Wednesday, March 2, the House and Senate will appoint conferees to HB29/30 and SB29/30 to resolve the differences for the final budget report.

Review TCI’s budget comparison here.

HOME & BHMVA Conversation Series

Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) and the Black History Museum of Virginia (BHMVA) will discuss important housing issues in Virginia throughout March and April. Each talk will be presented by HOME directors and a guest subject matter expert. Limited in-person tickets are available for purchase and also the program will be live-streamed for virtual registrants.

  • Thursday, March 3: Combating Segregated Housing Patterns

  • Thursday, March 17: The Black/White Homeownership Gap

  • Thursday, March 31: Virginia’s Unstable Housing Environment

  • Thursday, April 14: The Role of Fair Housing Organizations

For tickets and more information, visit this website.

CDC Masking Update

Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provided new guidance for mask wearing based on your “community level.”

Community levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels are low, medium, or high and determined by hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

  • Low Level: Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if you have symptoms.

  • Medium Level: If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions, stay updated on your COVID-19 vaccines, and get tested if you have symptoms.

  • High Level: Wear a mask indoors in public, stay updated on your COVID-19 vaccines, get tested if you have symptoms, additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

This new CDC information is a guideline. You may choose to wear a mask at any time. If you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19, you should wear a mask.

At the time of this writing, the City of Richmond is labelled as “medium level.”

You can read more about the new guidance and find the COVID-19 Community Level Check here.

Virginia’s Response to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Governor Youngkin directed a review of state procurement and divestment of Russian holdings by universities and the Virginia Retirement System this past Saturday in support of Ukraine. Additionally, ABC stores in Virginia have pulled several Russian liquor brands from their shelves. Senator Mark Warner recently spoke in favor of these measures and applauded the executive and legislative branches for their calls to action.

The United States and other NATO nations have already started implementing economic sanctions against Russia over the past week.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch notes that this is not the first time a Virginia Governor has called for this type of response. In 1990, then-Governor Wilder called for state agencies and universities to sell holdings tied to South Africa in a protest against apartheid.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine represents a major threat to democracy worldwide. The courage, bravery, and fortitude of the Ukrainian people is inspiring. If you would like to help in some way, NPR shared resources on how you can help.

Governor’s Fellows Program

The Governor’s Fellows Program is a prestigious opportunity for rising college seniors and recent college graduates to get a firsthand look at the executive branch. The program has been active since 1982. Fellows work alongside the Governor’s Cabinet and staff, learn about state government and assist in essential work for the Commonwealth.

Qualified applicants must be rising college seniors, graduating seniors, or graduate students. All Virginia college and university students are eligible to apply. Virginia residents attending out-of-state colleges and universities are also eligible.

The deadline to apply for the Program is Monday, March 28. Interviews begin on March 30 and decisions begin on April 18. The program runs from May 30 to July 29.

To apply, visit this website. Please email any questions to govfellows@governor.virginia.gov.

New DMV Service Model

Beginning on Wednesday, March 2, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will expand access to DMV Customer Service Centers by offering both appointments and walk-ins Monday through Friday. Saturdays will remain open for walk-ins at offices with Saturday hours.

To find more information, schedule a DMV appointment, or complete your transaction remotely, visit dmvNOW.com

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. I look forward to hearing from you about your legislative priorities during the 2022 session.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

Session News - Week 6

Dear Friend,

The House and Senate released their budget reports on Sunday, February 20. The budget can be a complicated and hard to follow process. Throughout the year, I receive a number of questions about different aspects of the budget, how it works, and the process it entails.

Below I have provided some insight into how the budget process works, helpful links to review the budget, and highlights from the House Appropriations Committee budget report as well as other legislative information and community news. If you ever have any questions about specific budget items or questions about the process, you are welcome to contact me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org.

House Budget Process At a Glance

  • December 2021: Governor Northam proposed the FY23-24 budget (HB30 and SB30)

  • January 14: House and Senate members submitted budget amendments (view them here)

  • February 20: The House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees released their individual budget reports (this includes what they accepted from the Governor’s proposed budget as well as budget amendments from members)

  • February 21-23: Members have the opportunity to make floor amendments and objections to the budget

  • Thursday, February 24: The House will vote on uncontested committee amendments to the budget in a block vote and will take up individual objections and floor amendments to vote on as well

  • March 2: Last day for each chamber to act on the Budget Bills and appoint conferees to the budget. Budget conferees will work on a final budget to be voted on by the House and Senate before sine die (i.e. adjournment, March 12)

  • April 27, Reconvened Session: Governor Youngkin will send his changes to the budget to be voted on by the House and Senate

Budget Information

Virginia State Budget website

The budget bills are HB30 and SB30. Virginia operates under a two-year (biennial) budget cycle. Each year the Governor prepares the proposed budget bills for introduction by the General Assembly. The bill is initially adopted in even-numbered years and amended in odd years.

HB29 and SB29 represent the “caboose budget” meaning amendments are being made to the current fiscal year’s budget (FY22).

Budget amendments can add, modify, endorse or delete items in the Governor’s proposed budget. You can view which budget amendments were approved by the House and Senate Committees here. Before the General Assembly adjourns each year, a conference committee resolves any differences between HB30 and SB30.

House and Senate Committee Reports contain analysis from House Appropriations and Senate Finance & Appropriations staff, comments from the Chairman, committee resources, and reports from each of the subcommittees.

Floor Amendments to the House Committee reports can be submitted by House members and will be voted on February 24. This option requires identifying where in the budget to cut funding in order to fund the floor amendment.

Objections can be made to the amendments in the House Committee Report and also will be voted on February 24.

House Appropriations Committee Budget Report

You can review the House and Senate committee reports and supplemental documents here. The Times-Dispatch has an overview comparing the House and Senate committee reports, which you can read here.

If you would like an easier to read (but not as detailed) overview of the Committee’s actions, here is the presentation from the Appropriations committee on February 20. Keep in mind that there is a long way to go on the budget and the House and Senate will work over the next several weeks to negotiate both budget bills and find compromise to resolve any differences.

Major spending items include adding $498.7 million to the Rainy Day Fund, dedicating $202.8 million to eliminate all Accelerated Sales Tax in June of this year, $500 million deposit to the VRS to help address unfunded liabilities, and $150 million to the Taxpayer Relief Fund for future tax relief.

K-12 funding was increased by $2.3 billion over the biennium and includes a school construction package that funds $2 billion in zero interest and subsidized loans, allowing for the construction of 80 elementary schools. Also the K-12 budget adopts overdue updates to SOQ Standards (providing a principal for every school, increasing the number of assistant principals, and funding reading specialists).

There is also money in the K-12 budget to implement my bill, HB649, which establishes an advisory committee, an annual report, and language acquisition resources for parents of deaf or hard of hearing children ages 0-5 years old.

You can view the Elementary and Secondary Education Report here.

Higher Education funding includes $240.3 million to increase access and affordability to public colleges and universities, allows institutions to limit in-state undergraduate tuition increases in FY23 to no more than 3% (state institutions have frozen increases for the past three years), and $61.8 million in financial aid for in-state undergraduates.

I introduced budget amendments to support the Tuition Assistance Grant program (TAG) for online and graduate students. Both of these initiatives were funded. Additionally, the study to support my bill, HB732, was included in the budget to help the Commonwealth better understand and guide student debt policies at higher education institutions. Finally, I introduced a budget amendment to help the Library of Virginia staff review and identify challenges in restoring historical circuit court records preserved in cellulose acetate, which was also included in the budget.

You can view the Higher Education Report here.

Compensation & Retirement funding includes 4% pay raises and 1% bonuses in each year for all employee groups. This is a change from the Governor’s proposed budget of 5% pay raises.

You can view the Compensation & Retirement Report here.

Health & Human Resources funding maintains the 1,200 additional Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver slots and provides more than $760 million in rate increases to maintain and build community capacity to ensure these slots are utilized. Additionally, $50 million was included to continue the implementation of STEP-VA services and $90 million for community mental health providers in 2023. Finally, there is an allocation of $101 million in increased funding for nursing homes to ensure quality care for residents and $251 million to enhance provider rates in the Medicaid program to improve access to care.

I was glad to see funding support for budget amendments that I submitted including Community Action Agencies, mobile vision clinics, and the Virginia Home.

You can view the Health & Human Resources Report here.

Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources funding utilizes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to restore balances to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and eliminate the fund builder tax. The subcommittee report includes assistance for small businesses by providing funding for all remaining eligible applications for the Rebuild Virginia program. Finally, to meet water quality obligations under the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, there is significant general fund investment for water quality improvements. Finally, there is $257 million for agricultural best management practices.

You can view the Commerce, Agriculture & Natural Resources report here.

Transportation & Public Safety provides $100 million of ARPA funds for state and local law enforcement officers in their training efforts and equipment needs and $26 million to provide a school resource officer in every public elementary, middle, and high school in the Commonwealth.

Additionally, there is $15 million for funding the Fall Line Trail that goes through Richmond.

I was glad to see $2 million allocated to the Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to assist with the recovery efforts from the fire at Fox Elementary School. Many of our schools in Richmond and throughout the Commonwealth are more than 50 years old and need serious repair or re-construction. I support helping our schools because children deserve a safe and healthy environment to learn. It is important to note as we talk about school construction in the City of Richmond, that the money to help Fox is not part of the K-12 budget. As this is an emergency situation, it comes through VDEM.

You can view the Transportation & Public Safety report here.

Advocacy and Other Important Meetings Last Week:

  • Speaker’s Bible Study

  • Military and Veterans Caucus

  • League of Women Voters Women’s Roundtable

  • Indian American Legislative Reception

  • President of Virginia Union University

  • Rudy & Kelly Cosmetology Academy

  • Virginia Museum of Natural History

  • Coalition for Consumer Choices

  • Private Day Schools

  • Richmond Judicial Interviews

  • Sportsman’s Caucus

  • Virginia Governmental Employees Association

  • President of Longwood University

  • Art for the Journey Exhibition Opening

  • The Hunt Institute

  • Virginia National Guard

New Mask Law for Schools

Governor Youngkin signed legislation that bans mask mandates in Virginia schools. You can read more in-depth coverage from the Times-Dispatch here. Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras recently shared important details of how this new law will be implemented for RPS:

  • Change begins on March 1

  • Law only applies to students. All adults - staff, partners, and visitors - must still abide by the RPS mask mandate.

  • A parent/caregiver must formally request that their student not wear a mask by emailing COVIDrps@rvaschools.net and indicate the student’s name and school. They do not need to provide a reason.

  • No student will be separated, singled out, or disparaged in any way for not wearing a mask.

  • Students must continue wearing a mask at school unless their parent/caregiver submits a request.

  • Students are still required by federal law to wear a mask on the school bus.

Celebrating Black History Month

Shared Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance (trailer)

On February 27 at 7:00 pm, there will be a virtual panel discussion exploring the legacy of the Black/Jewish alliance in America. A panel of historians and community leaders will discuss the film, “Shared Legacies” and what can be learned from the shared history of the Black and Jewish communities. Film screening is at 5:30 p.m.

You can register here. The film link will be sent upon registration.

City of Richmond Tax Due Dates:

  • Personal Property Tax Payment: June 5

  • Real Estate Tax Payment: 1st Half - January 14, 2nd Half - June 14

  • Tax Relief Application/Recertification: March 31

  • Rehabilitation Credits: June 30

  • Business Personal Property/Machinery & Tools: March 31

  • Admission, Lodging & Meals Tax: 20th of each month following the collection month

  • Business License Renewal: March 1

City of Richmond Tax Relief for the Elderly & Disabled

The City of Richmond has a tax relief program for the elderly and disabled. Qualifications include being 65 years or older or having a disability, owning and living in your current home, earning less than $60,000 annually, and having less than $350,000 in assets.

If these conditions apply to you then you could have from 25% to 100% of real estate tax relief depending on your household income.

There is also a tax freeze program to allow citizens who meet certain qualifications the opportunity to pay the same amount of tax over a three-year period by freezing the current year’s tax amount.

Applications are located at City Hall, East End and Southside offices, libraries, social services, Senior Connections, City Council offices, on the City website and by calling the Tax Relief line at 804-646-6015. Applications and re-certifications are due by March 31. Applications for first-time applicants and hardship cases will be considered through June 15.

Thank You

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I look forward to hearing from you about your legislative priorities during the 2022 session.

Sincerely,

Betsy

Session News - Week 5

Dear Friend,

Week 5 was the final week before Crossover, when all the bills that have passed the House move to the Senate and vice versa. Monday and Tuesday were very long days for the House and Senate as both bodies completed their work. VPAP has a helpful tracker of issue topics and “close votes” for your review.

Below is an update on my bills in subcommittee, important session information (including how to read a bill, definition of common motions), and other important and helpful information.

Fox Elementary School

I was so sad to learn about the fire at William Fox Elementary School in Richmond over the weekend and am thankful for the outpouring of community support. I walked down the street to see the damage and was glad to see so many “love notes” written with chalk on the sidewalks to students, staff, and their families.

The school will remain closed indefinitely and students will be virtual for a while until a plan is made on where to send the students to school.

Fox Elementary was built in 1911. With over 100 years of history, many children and families in Richmond and the Fan neighborhood have wonderful memories and stories to share. If you would like to share your story or memory of the school, you can send it to the Richmond Times Dispatch editor, Colleen Curran, at ccurran@timesdispatch.com.

If you would like to support Fox students and staff, you can donate via the RPS Education Foundation website. Please make sure to select “Fox Elementary Fire Response” in the pull-down menu under “I want my donation to be designated toward.”

Advocacy and Other Important Meetings Last Week:

  • Virginia Parent Teacher Association

  • President of William & Mary

  • University of Virginia

  • Urban One advocates

  • Patient Services/Virginia Sickle Cell Patient Assistance Program

  • Arlington County

  • Eastern Virginia Medical School

  • FindHelp Technology

  • Independent Insurance Agents Association

  • Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia

  • Chesapeake Regional Healthcare

  • Virginia Food Access and Nutrition advocates

  • Virginia Maritime Association

  • Richmond Crusade for Voters

  • Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

  • St. Joseph’s Villa

  • Boys & Girls Club

  • Virginia Hospital Association

  • Virginia Union University

  • Woodland Heights Civic Association

  • Virginia Coalition for Sex Education Reform

  • Virginia Cancer Caucus

  • Virginia Sportsman Caucus

  • General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus

  • League of Women Voters Roundtable

Bills in subcommittee

HB646 - Nursing Home Standards

Virginia is one of only 18 states without established staffing minimums in nursing homes. Unfortunately, the pandemic exacerbated long-standing issues in Virginia nursing homes related to lack of staffing and care standards. HB646 established staffing minimum thresholds as well as statewide standards to ensure quality care for residents. The bill was continued to 2023 and there will be a workgroup over the interim to work on this legislation. I am hopeful for its passage in 2023 and thank AARP, Virginia Poverty Law Center, the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and the Center on Aging for their hard work on this critical issue.

HB649 - Language Acquisition for Children Ages 0-5

HB649 establishes basic principles for tracking the language acquisition and literacy development of deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to age 5. It also identifies language delays early during the critical years for a child’s brain and cognitive development to make sure appropriate support services are provided to these early learners. An annual report on literacy development for deaf and hard of hearing children from age 0-5 will be provided. This bill passed the House.

HB732 - Student Debt Collection; Transcript Withholding

College students across the Commonwealth have direct-to-school debt such as outstanding fees for books, housing, meal plans, and so on. This outstanding debt becomes an issue when they would like an official transcript for either employment or transfer to another institution of higher education. Currently, colleges and universities use transcript withholding as a tool to ensure a student’s debt is paid or to get them set up for a payment plan. I worked with Senator Hashmi and Virginia 21 to introduce HB732 to address this issue. During discussions with all stakeholders, it was determined that there was a lack of holistic and aggregated data to show the extent of the issue in Virginia. HB732 did not pass the Appropriations committee. However, moving toward a positive resolution to inform a bill next session, a study will be included in the budget to determine how much the specific impacts effect certain students and universities.

HJ58 - Long Term Owner Occupancy Program (LOOP)

HJ58 is a constitutional amendment to establish the Long Term Owner Occupancy Program (LOOP). As many of you know, real estate assessments have dramatically increased in the Central Virginia region over the last several years. Escalating assessments are important for the creation of familial wealth, but the accompanying escalation of property tax bills can put long time property owners at risk of displacement. To prevent this and encourage the creation of intergenerational, familial wealth, LOOP caps the property owner’s tax assessment at a specific percentage during the initial application process and locks in the tax assessment of the application year. Constitutional amendments must pass the General Assembly two years in a row and then be considered by the voters in a referendum. HJ58 was not heard in committee because it was on its “first reference” as a constitutional amendment and it did not coincide with an election year. I look forward to introducing it again in 2023.

Crossover Status Update

Six of my bills passed the House of Delegates and are proceeding to the Senate for consideration.

  • HB632 - Loud Exhaust Systems

  • HB641 - TNC cash fares

  • HB642 - Healthcare for certain military service members

  • HB644 - DGS state surplus property disposition

  • HB649 - Language acquisition for children ages 0-5

  • HB1194 - Allowing Economic Development Authorities to support affordable housing

Defending Our Progress

Last week, the House Privileges and Elections subcommittee rejected two constitutional amendments that would have allowed Virginia voters to vote on removing the same-sex marriage ban as well as allowing the automatic restoration of voting rights for returning citizens. The House Democrats want to revive the constitutional amendments to give citizens the opportunity to vote on this issue. The right of the individual to vote is at the core of democracy and it is important to allow our citizens the opportunity to align our Constitution with where both the people of Virginia and the Supreme Court of the United States stand today.

If you would like to share your support of these constitutional amendments, you can sign this petition here.

How to Participate in the Legislative Session:

How to Read a Bill

  • Regular font shows you what the Code of Virginia already says

  • Italicized font means that language is being added to the Code of Virginia

  • Strikethrough means that language will be removed from the Code of Virginia

  • Bold font indicates a title or headers

Definitions of Common Motions

  • Patron: The Delegate or Senator who introduced a bill

  • Co-Patron: The Delegate or Senator who supports the bill

  • First Reading: The bill is placed on the House floor calendar

  • Second Reading: The bill is open for discussion on the House floor

  • Third Reading: The bill is voted on the House floor

  • Crossover: When all the bills that passed one body (House or Senate) “crossover” to the other body

  • Sine Die: The House and Senate have completed their work and session adjourns

  • Committee motions:

    • Report: This motion is made to vote on the passage of a bill in committee

    • Refer: This motion is made when a bill is being reported and referred to another committee for review and consideration

    • Pass by for the Day: When a bill is still up for consideration but the committee or the patron need more time to work on the bill. It is considered again during the next committee meeting. This motion can also be made on the House floor

    • Lay on the table: This means the bill fails to pass

    • Pass by Indefinitely: This means the bill fails to pass

    • Continued: The bill fails to pass but will be considered next year after more research/discussion, often accompanied by a workgroup that convenes between sessions

Celebrating Black History Month

Citywide Book Read Challenge

For the fifth year in a row, Richmond’s First Baptist Church is challenging Richmond residents to a citywide book read during Black History Month. This year’s book is The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby.

I encourage you to take up this challenge. The book details the Black experience in America from colonial times to today.

On Monday, March 7th, there will be a live conversation with the author in the fellowship hall of Richmond’s First Baptist Church at 7:00 p.m. Free parking is available in the Mulberry and Robinson Street lots. You can RSVP here and email smith@fbcrichmond.org for a zoom link if you would like to participate virtually. Full press release available here.

Thank You

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I look forward to hearing from you about your legislative priorities during the 2022 session.

Session News - Week 4

Dear Friend,

Week 4 was a busy week with nine of my bills heard in subcommittee. You will note that all the pictures below are from Week 3 that did not fit into my prior newsletter, since I tested positive for COVID-19 on January 29. Thankfully, my symptoms remained mild and I was able to fully participate in the legislative process virtually. I am glad that I was fully vaccinated and boosted, which surely minimized my symptoms.

Advocacy Meetings Last Week:

  • Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters

  • Virginia Healthcare Association

  • Virginia Charitable Gaming Association

  • James Madison University

  • Virginia Conservation Network

  • Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Tourism

  • Chesapeake Climate Action Network

  • Medical Society of Virginia

  • Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers

  • American Civil War Museum

  • New Virginia Majority

  • Rx Partnership

  • GenEDGE

  • GENETWORx

  • Center in the Square Roanoke

  • AARP

  • Virginia Coalition for Human Rights

  • Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Bills in subcommittee

HB632 - Addressing “Macho Mufflers”

I have heard from countless constituents about loud exhaust systems or “macho mufflers” disturbing their neighborhoods at all hours of the day and night over the past several years. While this was a concern prior to 2020, legislation that passed a few years ago limited law enforcements’ ability to properly address this issue. HB632 enables law enforcement officers to pull over vehicles that are excessively loud. Thank you to the many constituents who advocated for this change, including several who participated in the subcommittee testimony virtually. This bill passed the Transportation subcommittee and I am hopeful for its passage into law.

HB633 - Clarifying the 15 mph Legislation

In 2021, I introduced legislation to allow localities to reduce their speed limits in residential and business districts to 15 mph, which passed into law. At the request of the Virginia Association of Counties, I introduced HB633 to clarify that localities with state roads in residential and business districts could also lower their speed limits. Unfortunately, the bill had opposition from the Virginia Department of Transportation and failed to pass. My 2021 legislation remains in effect.

HB635 - Inclusionary Zoning

HB635 would have allowed the City of Richmond to have local authority to establish an inclusionary zoning ordinance to mandate a specific number of affordable housing units within a development. The share of low- and middle-income renters with cost burdens is increasing in the city, as the median rent has reached a record high. Minimum- and average-wage workers cannot afford most available market-rate rental units. Although the rental stock is increasing, most new additions are not considered affordable to Richmond residents. This bill was continued to 2023 in the Counties, Cities, and Towns subcommittee. I look forward to continue working with stakeholders such as the City of Richmond, Virginia Poverty Law Center, and others to develop this legislation for next session.

HB636 - No Child Left Inside

HB636 would allow public schools to implement programs that get students outside and help them to engage with their environment through hands-on, innovative, and STEM-based projects. The concept of “No Child Left Inside” has been successfully implemented by Principal Michael Powell at John B. Cary Elementary School in my district. Some examples of the program include heat islands, community and butterfly gardens, solar panels, and weather stations. While the bill failed to pass, I appreciated the support and engagement from many environmental and education groups, and I look forward to continue working on this legislation for 2023.

HB638, HB639, and HB640 - Addressing VEC Issues

Last fall, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) issued a comprehensive report on the Virginia Employment Commission. As many know and have experienced, the onslaught of unemployment in the Commonwealth shed unfortunate light on issues in the unemployment benefit insurance process, which resulted in severe delays in payments and communications. I introduced three bills - HB638HB639, and HB640 - to address some of JLARC’s recommendations. These bills directed the VEC to develop a resiliency plan, streamline the appeals process, and created an oversight subcommittee. While my bills failed to pass, Delegate Kathy Byron introduced similar legislation, which included more recommendations, and my recommendations were included in her bill. I am chief co-patron of her bill, HB270.

HB641 - TNC Cash Fares

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passengers with disabilities who also do not have a bank account must be allowed to pay cash for an ADA eligible ride with a Transportation Network Company (TNC), such as Uzurv. Currently, transit systems, like Richmond’s GRTC, contract with service providers to meet this need. However, in current Code, TNCs are unable to accept cash fares. HB641 enables wheelchair bound passengers without credit or debit cards to access transit systems. This bill passed the Transportation subcommittee unanimously.

HB1194 - Allowing EDAs to Support Affordable Housing

Currently, the Code authorizes localities to establish Industrial (or Economic) Development Authorities to help facilitate job growth and economic development in their locality across a variety of sectors including manufacturing, commercial, and single and multi-family housing. However, the authority of EDAs and IDAs related to single-family and multi-family housing are limited to localities without a housing authority. HB1194 allows EDAs and IDAs to issue grants to residential economic development authorities even if there is a local housing authority. This will help address housing supply in localities where demand is surging, such as in the City of Richmond. This bill passed the Counties, Cities, and Towns subcommittee unanimously.

How to Participate in the Legislative Session:

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month. I encourage you to take time this month to participate in the many events happening around the City both in-person and virtually. Visit Richmond VA has a comprehensive list of events here. Additionally, check out BLK RVA, a celebration of Black culture in Richmond and free travel guide to Richmond’s past and present history.

Thank You

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I look forward to hearing from you about your legislative priorities during the 2022 session.

Sincerely,

Betsy

Session News - Week 3

Dear Friend,

Thank you for sharing your priorities with me over the last week. The third week of session certainly saw an uptick in activity at the General Assembly and with legislative meetings. Additionally, five of my 18 bills were heard. With Crossover nearing (when all passed bills in House crossover to the Senate and vice versa), much of my time will be spent presenting the remainder of my legislation and voting on bills in committees and on the House Floor.

Advocacy Meetings Last Week:

  • Virginia Education Association (plus Richmond & Chesterfield chapters)

  • Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals

  • Virginia Humanities

  • President of George Mason University

  • Marijuana Policy advocates

  • Richmond citizens concerned about loud vehicle exhaust systems

  • YMCA Summer School Programs

  • Care in Action & SEIU advocates

  • Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists

  • Southern Legislative Conference

  • President of Virginia Tech

  • M&E and S.B. Ballard Contractors

  • Focused Ultrasound Foundation

  • Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) advocates

  • Virginia Public Media

  • President of Hollins University

  • President of Lynchburg College

  • Families Forward Virginia advocates

  • Virginia Apartment Management Association

  • City of Richmond 4th District Constituents

  • Virginia Association of Optometrists and Opticians

  • Virginia Poverty Law Center

  • Virginia Housing Alliance

  • Amalgamated Transportation Union

  • Voices for Virginia’s Children

  • National Coalition of 100 Black Women

Bills in subcommittee

HB637 - “Move Over Law” Expansion

For several years I have hosted an intern from Randolph Macon College. This year, Dr. Rich Meagher invited me to work with his class to develop a bill. After hearing the students’ presentations, I introduced HB637 to expand Virginia “Move Over” law. The students worked on the bill and spoke in the subcommittee. The bill did not pass the subcommittee. The current “Move Over” law became law in 2019 and the subcommittee members agreed that more time needs to pass to understand the effectiveness of it. While the bill did not pass, I, as well as several subcommittee members, were very impressed with the students’ professionalism and engagement with the legislative process.

HB642 - Health Care Coverage for Certain Service Members

HB642 was brought to me by the Virginia Department of Military Affairs (DMA). During emergencies, the Commonwealth is often required to call members of the Virginia National Guard (VNG) and Virginia Defense Force (VDF) to State Active Duty (SAD), a temporary state employee status, to respond to threats, natural or man-made. Sometimes when SAD requires service longer than 14 days, a service member may lose their civilian health insurance. This legislation would authorize the DMA to pay the employer portion of health care insurance premiums for any member of the VNG or VDF experiencing a gap in coverage resulting from that service member being called to SAD, during a declared state of emergency, for a period lasting longer than 14 days, and for which their employer is no longer paying an insurance premium to maintain their health insurance coverage. HB642 passed the Appropriations committee and will now head to the House Floor for consideration.

HB644 - Department of General Services; Selling Surplus Property

This bill addresses the timing of when DGS may proceed to sell surplus property. There were inconsistencies in the Code, which this bill resolves. Additionally, the Commonwealth sometimes acquires properties that include multiple parcels that make up the site. In such cases, there is a potential for boundary issues to arise during the surveying process in preparation for the sale. This bill gives DGS authority to resolve boundary line issues to alleviate delays and impacts on the ability to sell the property in a timely manner. HB644 passed the General Laws subcommittee unanimously.

HB647 - Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund

Our recycling system is broken and we have long relied on local stewards to keep Virginia’s land and water litter free. The Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund puts the responsibility on manufacturers - not only on individuals or taxpayers - for the waste their products create and bear responsibility for the collection and proper recycling of those products at the end of their useful lives. This incentivizes producers to design their products to be more environmentally friendly through their lifecycle. HB647 did not pass the Agriculture subcommittee. However, I was pleased that the Chairman intends to send a letter to the Recycling Taskforce requesting further research on how this could impact the Commonwealth.

HB1214 - Damage to Motor Vehicles; Catalytic Converter Theft

Over the past year or more, I have heard from constituents and others in the City of Richmond that their catalytic converters were stolen. This is a costly theft to the individual and well-stocked car dealerships. Unfortunately, this is a trend that is occurring throughout the Commonwealth as several other delegates introduced similar legislation. HB1214 makes it a Class 6 felony for a person to steal a catalytic converter and someone found in possession of a catalytic converter that has been detached from a car shall be presumed to have stolen it unless they can prove otherwise. As I mentioned, there were several similar bills, one of which was Delegate Rob Bell (the Chair of the Court of Justice Committee). All of the catalytic converter bills, except for Delegate Bell’s, failed to pass. I am chief co-patron of his bill.

How to Participate in the Legislative Session:

Thank You

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I look forward to hearing from you about your legislative priorities during the 2022 session.

Sincerely,

Betsy

Session News - Week 2

Dear Friend,

We are wrapping up our second week of the legislative session and picking up the pace in the committee process. I have enjoyed meeting with many constituents and advocacy groups on zoom and in-person. Additionally, thank you to those who have emailed me about your legislative priorities. Currently, I am hearing from many constituents about their concerns with protecting the progress made over the last two years. Please know that I have and will continue to support, promote, and protect the progress we have made.

Advocacy Group and Constituent Meetings this past week:

  • Virginia Young Democrats

  • National Federation of the Blind

  • Recovery Advocacy Day

  • Childhood Cancer Advocacy Day

  • Medical Society of Virginia

  • Richmond Academy of Medicine

  • Virginia Space Grant Consortium

  • Virginia Citizens Defense League

  • Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

  • Virginia Institute of Marine Science

  • United Campus Workers

  • Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth

  • Students from Randolph Macon College

Current Issues I am hearing from constituents:

  • Protecting the LGBTQ community

  • Protecting the right to vote as well as the restoration of voting rights

  • Providing quality, affordable health insurance for realtors

  • Banning solitary confinement

  • Maintaining funding for trails in the Governor’s budget

  • Maintaining funding for the Pediatric Cancer Support Navigators

  • Increasing access and opportunities for affordable housing

  • Increasing rates for community-based services

I always enjoy hearing from constituents and advocacy groups during the session and throughout the year. If you would like to schedule an appointment, you can find a time that works for you here: https://calendly.com/delegate-carr/15min

I am taking in-person and zoom meetings. If you would like to meet in-person, please review my COVID policies for the session. Basically, please wear your mask and provide proof of your COVID vaccination before your meeting.

You are also welcome to email me your legislative priorities and concerns at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org.

Another way you can share your priorities is through my legislative survey, available here.

Important Session Links:

Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, January 17, the House of Delegates honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with several moving speeches on the House floor. My Richmond colleague, Delegate Delores McQuinn, offered a particularly inspiring speech, which you can view here:

Free COVID At-Home Test Kits

As of January 19th, the federal government is providing four free at-home covid tests to each household. I highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. You can visit covidtests.gov to order your test kits.

Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order #2

Shortly after his inauguration, the Governor issued several executive orders. One of interest is Executive Order 2, which lifts the existing mask mandate in schools. Please note that a Governor’s executive order cannot supersede state law. During the 2021 session, SB1303, passed the General Assembly and became law. The bill mandates in-person instruction but also requires each school division to adhere to CDC protocols. Current CDC guidelines recommend universal masking for all students and staff over the age of two years old.

As COVID cases continue to rise, we need to take precautions to protect our students and staff. Masking is an effective tool in preventing the spread of this virus and is critical to maintain in-person learning. The Virginia PTA and the American Academy of Pediatrics have spoken out in favor of keeping mask mandates.

Richmond City Public Schools announced that they will continue their 100% masking requirement for all faculty, staff, and students. I applaud Superintendent Kamras’ leadership on this very serious issue.

Statement on Governor Youngkin’s Appointment of Andrew Wheeler

Outside of legislation, one of the most frequent messages I have received from constituents regards the appointment of Andrew Wheeler as Secretary of Natural Resources. Mr. Wheeler’s track record as head of the Environmental Protection Agency under former President Trump makes him a concerning choice to head this vital department. As you know, I am a long time advocate for protecting our precious natural resources. I will vote “no” on his nomination.

Contacting the Governor’s Office

I have heard from several constituents that they attempted to contact the Governor’s office through his online form but had issues. If you would like to contact the Governor’s office about your concerns, you can email constituent.services@governor.virginia.gov. Additionally, you are welcome to email me so that I can advocate on your behalf at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org.

Virginia Alternative State Aid Application

Virginia students who are ineligible to complete the federal FAFSA form (this includes undocumented students and those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) can access Virginia financial aid through the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) Application. Please share this with any students you know who may fall in this category.

Thank You

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I look forward to hearing from you about your legislative priorities during the 2022 session.

Sincerely,

Betsy

2022 Session Week 1 Updates

Dear Friend,

Session began on Wednesday, January 12. I have introduced my bills and submitted budget amendments for the session. Additionally, I learned my committee assignments and general schedule for the session. The General Assembly also participated in a peaceful transition of power by confirming the new Speaker and Clerk of the House. The week ended with the inauguration of the new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.

Committee Assignments

I look forward to continuing my service on the House Appropriations, General Laws, and Transportation committees. My subcommittees will be:

  • Appropriations: Higher Education; Health and Human Resources

  • General Laws: Housing; Procurement

  • Transportation: Infrastructure and Funding

Bills and Budget Amendments

Throughout the year, I hear from many constituents about issues and concerns they are facing. To address many issues I have heard about over the years, I introduced:

  • HB632: To reduce excessive noise from loud exhaust systems (or “macho mufflers”)

  • HB635: To increase affordable rental housing in the City of Richmond

  • HB636: To enhance and promote environmental literacy and outdoor learning in our public schools

  • HB638, HB639, and HB640: This package of bills are based on recommendations from the JLARC report on the Virginia Employment Commission to address many concerns that constituents with unemployment faced during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • HB642: To provide health care premium payments for certain military service members during a declared state of emergency

  • HB646: To establish nursing home staffing and care standards in order to protect and better care for our aging citizens

  • HB647: To hold packaging producers accountable for recycling stewardship

  • HB649: To provide tools and resources for language acquisition and development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing

  • HJ58: To establish the Long Term Owner Occupancy Program (LOOP) to help homeowners stay in their homes as taxes increase in their neighborhoods

You can find the full list of my introduced bills here.

Budget Amendments

I have submitted requests for increasing or providing funding for:

  • The Virginia Home (located in the 69th district)

  • The Library of Virginia to preserve historical records from circuit court clerks

  • The Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) fund for online students and graduate students

  • Local public libraries

  • Long-term care ombudsman to protect nursing home and assisted living residents

  • Mobile vision clinics in school-based settings

  • Replacing lead drinking water service lines in the City of Richmond

  • Community Action Agencies to provide programs and services to alleviate poverty for low-income families

  • Virginia Holocaust Museum to provide Holocaust education

  • Minimum wage for three essential DD waiver services

  • Reimbursement rate for personal care, respite and companionship services

  • Research to establish the evidence-base of CHIP of Virginia (home visiting program for families)

  • Dementia Care Case Management program

To review Governor Northam’s proposed budget (HB30/SB30), click here. Later in the session, each member's budget amendments will be available for review as well.

How to Stay in Touch During Session

If you would like to share your priorities with me, I am available for 15 minute appointments. You can schedule an in-person or zoom meeting here: https://calendly.com/delegate-carr/

To meet in-person, please wear your mask and provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination (and booster, if applicable). You can bring your vaccination card with you to the appointment or email it ahead of time to delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. You can read more about COVID-19 policies and procedures for my office here (LINK)

If you have any questions, concerns, or issues scheduling an appointment, please email delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call 804-698-1069. Additionally, if you would like to schedule me or my staff to speak with your community group, please email me.

Additionally, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

How to Participate during session

You can watch session at noon each day via livestream (committees and subcommittees) here.

You can sign up to speak virtually in a committee or subcommittee through HODSpeak (you can also do it in-person).

Review bills and meeting schedule here on LIS.

Executive Branch Transition

On Wednesday, January 12, Governor Ralph Northam presented his final State of the Commonwealth address. You can watch it and read excerpts of his remarks here. I was honored to attend the unveiling of Governor Northam’s official portrait. The artist, Stanley Rayfield, is a Richmond-area resident and graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Arts.

Thank you to Governor Northam for his service to our Commonwealth. During his time in office, Virginia maintained and grew its strong economy, developed a world-class education system, expanded health care for more than 600,000 Virginians, granted broadband access to more than 390,000 homes and communities, restored the rights of 126,000 Virginians, and so much more. It was an honor to work with him.

On Saturday, January 15, I joined my General Assembly colleagues and many others for the Inauguration of Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, and Attorney General Jason Miyares. I look forward to working with each of them during this session and the years ahead to improve the lives of citizens in my district and across our Commonwealth.

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you or if you would like to speak with me about your legislative priorities. I am available by email at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or by phone at 804-698-1069.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Betsy

January Pre-Session Update

Dear Friend,

I hope you and your loved ones had an enjoyable holiday time and are enjoying the new year so far. As we begin 2022, there is much to discuss - the legislative session, bill priorities, COVID updates, winter weather, and more.

As we have seen over the last week, winter is here. Please take precautions for more winter storms this season. It is important to heed weather warnings and avoid unnecessary travel. If you do have to travel, be prepared. Learn more about how you can prepare for winter storms, possible power outages, and poor road conditions here.

2022 Legislative Session

The legislative session begins in-person on Wednesday, January 12 and will continue for 60 days. This session is longer than the 45-day session in odd years because the General Assembly is tasked with passing a new budget for the biennium. While it has not been formally announced, I hope and expect to continue serving on the Appropriations, General Laws, Transportation, and Rules committees.

You can watch session at noon each day via livestream (committees and subcommittees) here.

You can sign up to speak virtually in a committee or subcommittee through HODSpeak (you can also do it in-person).

Review bills and meeting schedule here on LIS.

COVID Policies and Procedures during Session

As we all know, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is very contagious and affecting many Virginians. In order to ensure the health and safety of visitors, the House of Delegates released their policies and procedures, which you can read here. Additionally, I have several policies and protocols in place.

If you’ve visited the General Assembly during session before, you know the trouble it takes to find parking, navigate the busy halls of the Pocahontas Building, and that illnesses (colds, flu, strep, etc.) abound. While I highly encourage you to meet virtually, my staff and I are available to meet with you at the Pocahontas Building.

Please note that all meetings with me and/or my staff will require wearing your mask as well as providing proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status. You can email a copy of your vaccine card (or QR code from the Department of Health) ahead of time to delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or bring it with you to the office. KN95 masks will be available for your use, if needed, upon entry into the Pocahontas Building.

I look forward to hearing from you and learning about your legislative priorities. Please email delegate.carr@betsycarr.org to schedule an appointment.

Staff for Session

I am pleased to have a vibrant group of staff and interns join me during the legislative session. Olivia Garrett continues as Chief of Staff of my office for her seventh legislative session and Luke Sweeney, a recent graduate of William & Mary, joined as my legislative aide this fall. Additionally, I have interns from Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, Randolph Macon College, and Hollins University.

Bill Priorities

Over the course of the past year, I have heard about many transportation, housing, and unemployment related issues impacting constituents across my district and the Richmond community. To address these issues, I plan to introduce and support the following bills:

Transportation

  • Photo Speed Monitoring in residential, business, parks, and bridge areas

  • Noise level limitations on exhaust systems (or “macho mufflers” as I have heard them referred)

  • Clarifying “vulnerable road user” to differentiate between when a negligent driver hits an inanimate object versus a human being

  • Addressing catalytic converter theft

Housing

  • Long Term Own Occupancy Program (LOOP) will be a constitutional amendment. As many of you know, real estate assessments have dramatically increased in the Central Virginia region over the last several years. Escalating assessments are important for the creation of familial wealth, but the accompanying escalation of property tax bills can put long time property owners at risk of displacement. To prevent this and encourage the creation of intergenerational, familial wealth, LOOP caps the property owner’s tax assessment at a specific percentage during the initial application process and locks in the tax assessment of the application year. Other cities such as Philadelphia and Washington, DC, have implemented LOOP programs, which are used as models for the legislation.

  • Authorizing the City of Richmond to establish an inclusionary zoning ordinance to mandate a specific number of affordable housing units within a development. The share of low- and middle-income renters with cost burdens is increasing in the City as the median rent has reached a record high. Many workers cannot afford most available market-rate rental units and even though the rental stock is increasing, most new additions are not considered affordable to Richmond residents.

  • Allowing industrial and economic development authorities to issue grants or engage in activities for the development of housing. This will provide our community with yet another tool in the toolbox to address our housing needs.

Unemployment

The pandemic put many workers temporarily or permanently out of work and the result shed light on the drastic need for change in our unemployment benefits system. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), of which I am a member, released an exhaustive report (you can read all 200 pages here) along with legislative recommendations, three of which I will introduce:

  • Requiring the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) to develop and maintain an unemployment insurance (UI) resiliency plan that describes the specific actions the agency would take to address staffing, communications, and other relevant aspects of operations to ensure continued efficient and effective administration of the UI program.

  • Creating a subcommittee of the Commission on Unemployment Compensation to monitor the VEC’s key performance metrics related to UI backlogs, efforts to identify, prevent, and recover incorrect UI benefits payments, project to modernize UI IT system, expenditure of state funds appropriated for UI administration, and implementation of JLARC recommendations

  • Specifying that non-valid unemployment insurance claims resulting from monetary ineligibility are ineligible for appeal through the VEC’s appeals divisions

Other Important Bills

  • Extended Producer Responsibility: Putting the responsibility of plastic and other recycling on the producers rather than the consumer

  • No Child Left Inside: Promoting outdoor STEM education in elementary schools

  • Nursing Home Staffing: Protecting our elderly community in nursing homes by ensuring that nursing homes are adequately staffed

  • Language development for deaf or hard-of-hearing children: Providing select language milestones to families and the state agencies that work with them to ensure children’s language acquisition can be adequately supported and monitored during critical years of their development.

Throughout the fall and winter seasons, I have enjoyed meeting with and learning about the priorities of many organizations and advocacy groups such as architects, engineers, the Jewish Community, health care professionals, realtors, homebuilders, military officers, members of the Farm Bureau, business and technology leaders, educators, members of arts and cultural institutions, and more. In addition, in a recent meeting with constituents and friends, concerns were voiced about water quality, combined sewer overflow, other environmental issues, charter schools, evictions, and intermodal and green transit. I look forward to staying in touch during session regarding your legislative priorities.

Governor’s Proposed Budget

Throughout December, Governor Northam did a “Thank You” tour across the Commonwealth and made several budget announcements. He also presented his budget to the Joint Money Committee on December 16, 2021. You can watch the recording here or you can read his remarks here.

  • Record Financial Reserves

    • $3.8 billion in financial reserves

    • Closed the fiscal year 2021 with a record surplus of $2.6 billion.

    • Virginia has also preserved a AAA bond rating since 1938.

  • Investing in People

    • 10% pay increase for teachers (5% in each of the next two years); with local matching funds, Virginia teacher pay will exceed the national average

    • Raising starting salaries by 7.7% for public safety officials

    • $97 million to address salary compression within Virginia State Police, Sheriffs’ offices, regional jails, and the Department of Corrections

    • 10% pay raises for all state employees over the next two years

  • Behavioral Health

    • $164 million to give pay raises to direct care staff in our state hospitals and training centers

    • $263 million for community-based services to individuals with behavioral health needs

    • $675 million to strengthen community-based services and provide for greater eligibility for Medicaid waiver services for people with developmental disabilities

  • K-12 Education

    • $2.4 billion in new general fund spending for pre-k through 12 education

    • $73 million each year to increase the Child Care Development Fund

    • $268 million increased funding for supporting at-risk students

  • Environment and Outdoor Recreation

    • $286 million to fully fund the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund

    • $165 million to support cities like Richmond to address their combined sewer overflow projects

    • $15 million to enhance the Virginia Land Conservation Fund and Farmland Preservation Programs

    • $233 million investment in multi-use trails. This will help cover expansions and improvements to existing trails as well as support new and developing trails like the Fall Line trail in Central Virginia

  • Higher Education

    • $297 million in funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including creating the HBCU Opportunity Fund

    • Increasing the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) from $4,000 to $5,000 per student over the next two years

    • $38 million in additional investments to the G3 program that provides tuition-free community college for low- and middle-income students

  • Tax Reductions for Working Virginians

    • Eliminating the 1.5% state sales tax on food

    • One time tax rebates to Virginians - $250 for individuals and $500 for married couples

    • Eliminating sales tax on menstrual products

Governor’s Order - Consultation with Tribal Governments

On November 18, 2021, Governor Northam signed an executive order that requires state agencies to formally consult tribal governments who may be impacted by development projects. This order will allow the tribal nations to engage agencies when projects may impact their lands and waterways and should allow better discourse when projects threaten to impact important sites like burial grounds or sacred areas. Tribal leadership will not be able to veto the projects; however, this order establishes formal lines of communication between tribes and relevant agencies. As part of the order, Governor Northam assigned the Secretary of the Commonwealth to designate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation to work within the office and coordinate agency communications with the tribal nations. On a similar note, Northam also gave the relevant state agencies until February 16, 2022 to form a tribal consultation policy to ensure tribes have an opportunity to give meaningful input. The order gives guidance that federal agencies, like the EPA, should engage the impacted tribal governments as well.

The executive order is an important milestone to expand the Tribal Nations’ sovereignty over their lands. The arrangement is the first of its kind in the nation. You can read the executive order and see which state agencies will be impacted here.

Marcus Alert Now Operational

The new “Marcus Alert” system is now operational in the City of Richmond. This system is designed to give those in crisis the help they need from dedicated professionals. When an alert is triggered, a mental health team will be dispatched to the individual in crisis.

The new alert system is still currently a pilot program and is only available in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Prince William County, Bristol, and Washington County. It will be available statewide by July 1, 2026. For now, the alert can be triggered through dialing 911; however, come July 2022, a new 988 hotline will be set-up to house a variety of mental health crisis services.

Monument Avenue

In December, the removal of the pedestal for the Robert E. Lee monument began. The pedestal gained national attention for its importance as protest art. Following its disassembly, the Lee pedestal will be given to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, along with the other confederate monuments that were recently removed. The monuments were transferred to the City from the Commonwealth. The City will retain control of the traffic circles that housed the monuments and continue its plan to reimagine Monument Avenue.

During the removal process of the Lee pedestal, two Confederate Era time capsules were recovered: One containing Masonic artifacts from the group who designed the monument and another containing mundane artifacts from the day and Confederate memorabilia. Many had speculated that the capsule would contain a rare photograph of President Abraham Lincoln lying in his coffin, but the newspaper image inside was of a woman mourning next to the casket.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Monuments Project is awarding Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui with a $670,000 grant for public light based art projects. Klein and Criqui are the two local projectionists who casted digital art on the former Robert E. Lee statue and the Valentine Museum. The two plan to use the grant to create temporary art displays around the area that bring awareness to social and racial justice issues.

Virginia Mortgage Relief Program

On January 3rd, the Mortgage Relief Program began accepting applications. The program is designed to use Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to help those at risk of losing their homes due to the potent effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had. To be eligible, homeowners must currently own and live in the address as their primary residence and have either a decrease in income or an increase in their cost of living.

The Rent Relief Program has provided more than $500 million to over 76,000 households and has been a role model program for housing relief. The Mortgage Relief Program looks to build on this and make use of an additional $258 million that Virginia received from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Homeowners Assistance Fund.

Tips to Continue Staying Healthy during the Pandemic

Provided by Governor Northam

  • It’s a good idea to stay away from people who have not gotten their shots.

  • It’s a good idea to wear a mask when you’re around other people, especially if you don’t know whether they have been vaccinated.

  • If you have not gotten a booster shot, now is the time to do it. Shots are widely available at pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and local health departments all across Virginia.

  • If you have children age five and above, now is the time to get them vaccinated. This will make it easier and safer for them to go back to school.

  • If you have chosen not to get your shots, you need to wear a mask and practice social distancing—to protect yourself and other people.

  • If you believe you need a test, please know that PCR tests are widely available, and more rapid antigen test kits are becoming available every day. You can click here to find testing sites. The federal government is in the process of making more than 500 million free at-home tests available. It’s important to understand that supplies of rapid antigen tests are limited across the country, so everyone needs to use good judgment when seeking these.

  • City of Richmond: Weekly vaccine clinic schedules can be accessed here. Appointments are not required, but they are encouraged. You can make an appointment online or call (804) 205-3501.

  • While supplies last, the Richmond Public Library has a limited number of COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits. Call your nearest branch for more information.

Supreme Court of Virginia’s Final Redistricting Order

On December 27, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued their final order for Virginia’s redistricting. You can view the House of Delegates interactive map here and read the final order here.

Redistricting in the City of Richmond

The Richmond City Council’s Decennial Voter District Redistricting process is currently underway and will follow this schedule for public discussion:

  • January 24: Introduction of redistricting plan or plans for public comment

  • January 25: 30-day public comment period begins

  • February 14: Public hearing on proposed plan or plans

  • February 28: Public hearing and adoption of final redistricting plan and published notice of final redistricting plan

  • March 30: Adopted redistricting plan implementation

Additional dates and opportunities for discussion may be added. City of Richmond residents are encouraged to submit comments, questions, and suggestions:

  • Email: redistricting@rva.gov

  • Fax: 804.646.5468

  • Mail: Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
    Richmond City Hall
    900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
    Richmond, Virginia 23219

More information about the redistricting process can be found here. You can find out who your City Council member is by using the City of Richmond property search tool. Contact information for your Richmond City Council member is here.

Online Permit Portal

In order to provide more efficient and timely service, the Department of Planning and Development Review (PDR) has launched an Online Permit Portal. Currently, customers can apply for the following permits online:

  • Building (residential and commercial)

  • Electrical (residential and commercial)

  • Mechanical (residential and commercial)

  • Gas Piping (residential only)

  • Plumbing (residential only)

  • Certificate of Zoning Compliance

  • Plan of Development

In the coming months, PDR is working to include additional permit types to the portal and to better integrate processes of all permit reviewing departments. Please note that residential and commercial permit applications are experiencing delays as PDR works to make these improvements.

2022 Minority Political Leadership Institute

The Minority Political Leadership Institute (MPLI) is an intensive eight month leadership development experience for individuals interested in issues important to minority communities. This is a collaboration between the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute. Application deadline is due January 15, 2022. More information is available at gehli.vcu.edu or call 804-827-1169

Thank You

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. I look forward to hearing from you during the upcoming session. You can reach me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or 804-698-1069 to share your concerns or schedule an appointment to meet virtually or in-person.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

Redistricting Update

Dear Friend,

Last week the special masters appointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia released a draft of newly redistricted maps for congress, the Virginia Senate, and the Virginia House of Delegates – you can review them here.

While the Court heard public comments during two sessions earlier this week on December 15 and 17, you can continue to submit public comments to redistricting@vacourts.gov until 1p.m. on Monday, December 20.

Public comments will be listed on the Courts’ website and must be germane to the topic of Virginia redistricting.

As you will see for the Richmond area, its composition is quite different from the current House district lines. As the map is currently drawn, I will be a candidate for the 78th district.

I want you to know that while we do not know what the final boundary lines will look like or when the next election will take place, I am all in and look forward to continuing serving my constituency in the best possible way.

If you would like to support me in my efforts to continue serving the Richmond area, you can do so here.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be helpful to you and your family by email at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or by phone at 804-698-1169.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Wishing you and your loved ones the most enjoyable holidays.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

Fall Legislative News

Election season may be behind us, but that does not mean things have slowed down. As we turn toward the holidays, I am hard at work on developing legislation for the 2022 General Assembly session. On Wednesday, January 12, the General Assembly will return to Capitol Square in-person for an anticipated 60 days to vote on legislation and the state budget. You can find more details below as well as other state-related updates and community news.

Election Results

As you surely are aware, the results of the general election are:

  • Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin

  • Lieutenant Governor-elect Winsome Sears

  • Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares

I was very proud to win my re-election with 85% of the vote and will continue to work hard to represent the 69th district in the best possible way. Thank you for voting and for re-electing me.

Additionally, the House of Delegates now stands with 52 Republicans and 48 Democrats. There are recounts for two races with Democrat incumbents - Alex Askew and Martha Mugler. Both races are within a 0.5% margin, meaning they are eligible for a state funded recount. If the recount serves in the incumbents’ favor, the House could be split 50-50.

Both the Republican and Democratic caucuses have announced their leadership:

House Republican Caucus:

  • Speaker of the House: Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah)

  • Majority Leader: Terry Kilgore (R-Scott)

  • Republican Caucus Chair: Kathy Byron (R-Bedford)

  • Republican Caucus Whip: Jay Leftwich (R-Chesapeake)

House Democratic Caucus:

  • Minority Leader: Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax)

  • Democratic Caucus Chair: Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria)

  • Treasurer: Betsy Carr (D-Richmond)

  • Secretary: Marcus Simon (D-Fairfax)

  • Vice Chair of Operations: Jeion Ward (D-Hampton)

  • Vice Chair of Outreach: Don Scott (D-Portsmouth)

  • Sergeant at Arms: Elizabeth Guzman (D-Woodbridge)

It is an honor to be a part of the House Democratic Caucus leadership as the treasurer and I look forward to continuing in this role for another term.

As we near session, there will be more updates, which I will provide, regarding committee assignments and how session will operate.

Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission

On November 8, JLARC met to hear presentations regarding the Virginia Employment Commission, transportation infrastructure and funding, economic development incentives, and potential study topics for the next year.

You can review all the documents, presentations, and video of the meeting here.

Virginia Employment Commission

I know that the VEC is a topic of great importance to many of my constituents as they struggle to find new jobs and receive benefits. While we know that there are many opportunities to make the process more transparent and efficient (thanks to JLARC’s 200-page report found here), the Commission’s first big step is updating their online system. This process began on November 8th. Once the new system is available, the online Virginia Unemployment Insurance System (VUIS) will feature the following:

  • Online registration

  • Update personal information

  • Apply for benefits

  • File weekly claims

  • View 1099-G tax documents

  • Calculate benefits using a Benefits Estimator

  • View payment history

  • View issues blocking payments

  • Complete fact finding for new issues

  • View correspondence

  • File appeals

Please note that while the system is changing, you are unable to file claims or use Gov2Go. You can review the FAQs here and you are always welcome to contact my office (delegate.carr@betsycarr.org) if you need help finding answers.

Redistricting Update

Because the Virginia Redistricting Commission was unable to reach a conclusion on new maps (both congressional and state legislative districts), the Supreme Court of Virginia has taken the reins. Both the Democratic and Republican parties were given the opportunity to submit names of three redistricting special master candidates. The Court rejected all three of the Republican nominees and one Democratic nominee. Due to this, the Court extended the deadline for submitting nominees to Wednesday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m.

For more information on this stage of the process, visit the Supreme Court of Virginia’s redistricting information page here. Additionally, if you would like to make a public comment, you can email redistricting@vacourts.gov.

COVID-19 Update

On November 12, Governor Northam announced that 83% of adults have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and 75% have been fully vaccinated. Virginia ranks 10th among all states and 1st in the South for the number of vaccinated citizens. This is great news and I thank all the public health professionals and leaders who have worked tirelessly to vaccinate Virginians and make our Commonwealth a safe place.

Now everyone age 5 or older is eligible to be vaccinated. You can find more information about how to get vaccinated or receive your booster here at the Richmond City Health District. Additionally, there are several vaccination events available over the next month from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (appointments are required):

  • MLK Middle School (1000 Mosby Ct): December 4

  • Fairfield Middle School (5121 Nine Mile Road): December 4

  • Elko Middle School (5901 Elko Road): November 20 & December 11

  • George Wythe High School (4314 Crutchfield Street): November 20 & December 11

You can also visit one of RCHD’s weekly community hubs for vaccinations, outreach, and testing opportunities:

  • Cary Street Clinic (400 East Cary Street): Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Eastern Henrico Rec Center (1440 N Laburnum Avenue): Vaccination and outreach: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., testing: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

  • Henrico West Clinic (8600 Dixon Powers Drive): Fridays, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

  • Second Baptist Church (3300 Broad Rock Boulevard): Vaccination and outreach: Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., testing: Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

A full listing of walk-up appointments are available here. Booster shots do require an appointment. Appointments can be made on the VASE+ website or by calling the RCHD call center at 804-250-3501 between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Finally, don’t forget to get your flu shot too! You can receive your flu shot at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine or booster. Flu season begins to increase around October and peaks in December. Call your primary care, pharmacy, urgent care, or schedule an appointment through the health department.

Financial Relief Opportunities & Other Resources

Since the pandemic hit our society, we have all struggled in various ways - economic insecurity, housing instability, physical and mental health challenges, loss of family and friends, and so on. If you need assistance in any way, always feel free to contact my office and we will help connect you to the resources you need.

Region I Teacher of the Year

It was a delight to join Governor Northam and others for the surprise celebration of Ashley Bland, the 2021 RPS Teacher of the Year, at John B. Cary. During the celebration, it was announced that she was selected as the Region I Teacher of the Year. Ashley is now one of eight teachers eligible to become the State Teacher of the Year. Congratulations again to Ashley Bland on this phenomenal achievement.

River City Middle School Rezoning Committee

River City Middle School is at capacity and will soon be over-crowded. Richmond Public Schools is conducting a rezoning to move students to Boushall and Lucille Brown Middle Schools. There is a committee forming to include students, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members. If you are interested in serving, you can apply here by November 28.

Virginia Council on Women’s 11th Annual High School Essay Contest

Governor Ralph Northam, First Lady Pamela Northam, and the Virginia Council on Women invite high school students who idenitfy as female to enter the 11th Annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Healthcare essay contest.

The Council will award scholarships to qualifying high school seniors who plan to pursue a STEAM-H career. One merit-based and one need-based scholarship will be awarded in each of the five geographic regions across the Commonwealth.

More details on the application, qualifications, and guidelines can be found here.

City of Richmond Leaf Collection

The City’s Leaf Collection Program kicked off in October and continues through December. You can find more information on your sector pick up and other options here. You can also call 3-1-1 or 804-646-LEAF.

Save the Date: December Town Hall

The Central Virginia Delegation will convene for a town hall on Saturday, December 11 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Islamic Center of Virginia (1241 Buford Road). More details to come. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about upcoming legislative priorities for 2022 and hear about your fellow community members’ concerns.

Additionally, if you missed the last town hall regarding redistricting, you can watch it here.

Thank You

It is an absolute honor to continue serving in the General Assembly. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you or your loved ones. I am available by email (delegate.carr@betsycarr.org), by phone (804-698-1169), or through an in-person or virtual Zoom meeting. I look forward to hearing from you.

Wishing you, your family, and loved ones an enjoyable Thanksgiving time.

September News & Updates

Dear Friend,

The autumn season has arrived and with that, we have elections, holidays, and pre-legislative session planning to focus our attention. The Delta variant of COVID-19 still plagues our world in many ways. Please continue to keep the health and safety of you, your families, and others in mind as you enjoy the cooler weather in the coming months. Get your COVID-19 vaccine if you haven’t already, and of course, don’t forget to get your annual flu shot too. Superintendent Jason Kamras of Richmond Public Schools recently shared an excellent infographic that is a good reminder for all of us to stay home when we do not feel well.

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Legislative Updates

Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission

On September 20, JLARC heard reports on the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (report here), interim Virginia Employment Commission findings (report here), and an actuarial review of state employee health insurance program (report here).

To date, I have assisted hundreds of constituents with unemployment benefit issues. It has been an ongoing concern for me since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic significantly increased VEC workload with 1.9 million payments issued and $13.9 billion in total state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits paid out to claimants between March 2020 and July 2021.

The main problems with the unemployment process stems from very low staffing levels, including an insufficient number of IT programmers, at the VEC. The VEC uses an antiquated IT system (developed in 1985) and is also paper-based. Additionally, from the claimant side, the eligibility requirements, application, and policies are incredibly difficult to understand. For instance, the letter to claimants describing the process is 8 pages long and written above the college-reading level.

All in all, it is completely understandable for constituents experiencing unemployment and applying for benefits to be frustrated. Lack of communication and easy to understand information is unacceptable from a state agency. A new IT system is expected this fall and promises to make the process easier for everyone (both claimants and staff). In the meantime, please continue to send me your concerns and I will advocate on your behalf with the VEC.

Additionally, COVID-19 related federal unemployment programs expired on September 4. Even though these additional benefits expired, I know many families and individuals are still struggling. Senator Ghazala Hashmi has compiled an excellent resource list that I encourage you to review and share with those in need.

Resource List

Unveiling of the Emancipation and Freedom Monument

On September 22, the Virginia Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission unveiled the Emancipation and Freedom Monument on Brown’s Island. Governor Northam, Mayor Stoney, and Senator McClellan (the chair of the Commission) gave remarks as well as vice-chair Delegate McQuinn. Additionally, Dr. Lauranett Lee delivered the keynote address and the Elegba Folklore Society performed a libation ceremony.

The project began as part of the Commission’s commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the abolition of slavery in the United States. Designed by Thomas Jay Warren of Oregon, the monument features two 12-foot bronze statues representing a man, woman, and infant newly freed from slavery. The base of the monument features the names, images, and brief biographical information of ten African American Virginians whose lives were dedicated to Emancipation and freedom. I am so proud that this project has come to fruition and I am honored to be a member of the Commission.

Rebuild VA

Small businesses are the backbone of our Commonwealth. The Rebuild VA program gives grants to small businesses affected by COVID-19. Since July 2020, the program has awarded nearly $120 million in funding to over 3,000 small businesses and nonprofits. This past session, the General Assembly added $250 million in funding to the program and I was glad to support this. To learn more and apply for a Rebuild VA grant, visit this link.

Virginia Redistricting Commission

As you may have read in the news, the Virginia Redistricting Commission is in the midst of reviewing and approving new maps for the House and Senate. This week new maps were released for public review. VPAP offers helpful visual analysis of the maps and allows you to input your address to see how your representatives may change. Once the maps are approved by the Commission, it will go to the General Assembly for a vote. Legislators cannot amend the map. If the map fails to pass the General Assembly, then the Commission has an opportunity to make a second map. If the General Assembly still does not approve of the second map, then it goes to the Supreme Court of Virginia where they will hire two experts - one selected by Democrats, another by Republicans - to draw a map for the justices to consider. Here is the Virginia Redistricting Commission website - you can submit public comment, review past and future meeting information, and review map data.

Legislation Planning for 2022

While the 2022 legislative session may seem far away, I am in the midst of researching and reviewing legislation to submit. If you have any topics of concern that you would like me to consider as legislation, please email me.

I am currently considering the following subject areas:

  • Education: No Child Left Inside, based off a program implemented by Principal Michael Powell at John B. Cary Elementary, which focuses on integrating outside time in school curriculum. Evidence shows that outside time for school children improves behavior, increases learning, and helps them appreciate and understand their outdoor environment.

  • Environment: I am looking at two pieces of legislation - one which would focus on the issue of birds dying due to collisions with buildings and another looking at model legislation from Maine which refocuses recycling from a consumer issue by holding plastic producers accountable.

  • Transportation: Richmond and the rest of the Commonwealth (and country) have seen an increase in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. People should feel safe when walking on the side walk and cyclists should feel safe sharing the road with vehicles. There should be more accountability for killing or severely injuring a person (even if it’s an accident) than there is when a driver hits an inanimate object, such as a telephone pole. Additionally, I have heard from far too many constituents about continued speeding and secondary driving offenses such as loud exhausts…I am looking into ways to resolve this issue on the state level too.

  • Housing: I am exploring several housing-related bills related to rental units that have deteriorated due to landlord neglect, tenants staying in hotels, and finding solutions for bed bug mitigation. I am also interested in legislation aimed at affordable housing through inclusionary zoning - a continuation of previous legislation I have introduced and passed.

House Page Program

After a hiatus in 2021, the House Page Program is planning a return during the 2022 legislative session. This program is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the legislative process and develop important life skills. The House of Delegates will have 30 pages serving during session. Pages must be 13 or 14 years old as of January 12, 2022 and are paid for their work as well as receive per diem expense payments. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. and must include a letter of endorsement from the applicant’s House of Delegates member; authorization from the applicant’s school principal, teachers, and counselor; and an essay by the applicant on why they want to serve as a page.

The link to apply can be found here, and if you are the parent of a page applicant, please email me for an interview.

DMV Hybrid Service Model Plan

Beginning Tuesday, October 5, the DMV will integrate walk-in service into their current appointment-only model. Appointment-only services will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Walk-in services will be available to customers on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Saturday services will be available in the morning at 57 offices statewide. The DMV has compiled a list of FAQs for your convenience. More information is available at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/.

Election Day Reminders

As a reminder, here are important dates for the November election:

  • September 17: Early voting began

  • October 12: Last day to register to vote

  • October 22: Last day to apply online for an absentee ballot

  • October 30: Early voting ends

  • November 2: Election day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information visit the Virginia State Board of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov. You can also call 804-864-8901 or email info@elections.virginia.gov.

As you may have read in my previous correspondence, after finding out from constituents that the Hickory Hill Community Center and City Hall were not available for early voting until October 17, I sent a letter to the electoral board advocating for the immediate opening of all early voting sites (you can read it here). Since then, the Office of the Attorney General said that based on the information orginally posted on the City Registrar’s website, it suggested that all locations would be open starting on September 17. Following this guidance, the electoral board changed course with a 2-1 vote and opened Hickory Hill and City Hall for early voting as of Tuesday, September 28. While it never should have happened, I am glad that voters in the southside have better access to early voting.

Leading up to the election, if you live in the 69th district, you may see me out walking door-to-door. I look forward to meeting with you and asking you for your vote on Election Day. If you would like a yard sign or would like to help by being a poll worker at a 69th district precinct on election day, please email me.

Community News

Update from the GRTC

The GRTC bus system ridership has returned to pre-pandemic ridership levels for its local route service. There were around 689,000 riders in August 2021 alone. Many GRTC stops are without shelters or benches, and the agency is working on an aggressive five-year plan to increase the number of bus shelters from 5% to 15% and is aiming to have 35% of stops with either a shelter or bench. The GRTC is working with Senator Tim Kaine to include $1.9 million in Community Project Funding requests to provide for the increase in shelters. Additionally, 70% of all GRTC staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Finally, the GRTC is short 27 operators and 6 mechanics, resulting in 4.2% missed trips. If you or someone you know are interested in a job with GRTC, you can apply here.

City Leaf Collection

The Department of Public Works begins their annual Leaf Collection Program on October 4. For more information or visit https://www.rva.gov/public-works/leaf-collection.

Over the past month, I was glad to participate in two forums. One was hosted by Fifth Baptist Church focusing on COVID-19 and the other was hosted by the Richmond Crusade for Voters related to my re-election. You can watch the townhall from Fifth Baptist here, and you can watch the video from the Crusade on their Facebook page here.

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I am always available to meet with you or your community group in-person, on zoom, or over the phone. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Betsy

Letter to the City of Richmond Electoral Board

Dear Friend,

I sent this to the Richmond Electoral Board this morning. What has happened with Early Voting sites in Richmond is unacceptable.

2021 Betsy Carr Electoral Board Letter.jpg

As a reminder, here are important dates for the November election:

  • September 17: Early voting begins

  • October 12: Last day to register to vote

  • October 22: Last day to apply online for an absentee ballot

  • October 30: Early voting ends

  • November 2: Election day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information visit the Virginia State Board of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov. You can also call 804-864-8901 or email info@elections.virginia.gov.

Voting is critically important. I will stay attentive to this matter to ensure our citizens have every opportunity to cast their vote this election cycle.

Monument Removal

Dear Friend,

Today, after 133 years, we take another step toward a more just and equitable future. A symbol of white supremacy, the Robert E. Lee monument, has been removed from Monument Avenue. I was honored to work alongside you to finally make this a reality.

Screen Shot 2021-09-08 at 10.28.11 AM copy.jpg

Throughout my time in the General Assembly, I have fought to dismantle racism and white supremacy and create a more inclusive, better Virginia. We have made great strides through voting rights, expanding healthcare, and criminal justice reform and I commit to you to continue fighting until ALL Virginians have opportunity, justice and fairness.

Thank you to all the advocates, elected officials, and the Governor for being involved in this new step forward for our Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing to fight for social justice in our community.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

August Legislative Update

Dear Friend,

Summer is wrapping up and schools are re-opening for in-person instruction. It is vital to keep our children safe as we continue to battle COVID-19 and its variants. Governor Northam recently announced a public health emergency order, which requires universal masking in all indoor settings in K-12 schools. Regardless of your vaccination status, please continue to practice mask-wearing, hand washing, and social distancing. If you have not received your COVID-19 vaccine already, I urge you to do so. The Virginia Department of Health continues to keep an updated dashboard of cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and other important information. From the recent data, you can see that more than 98% of current cases are in people who are not fully vaccinated.

If you need a copy of your vaccination record or need to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov.

Special Session

The General Assembly convened for two weeks for a special session. During the session $4.3 billion in federal coronavirus relief money was allocated toward expanding broadband internet, replenishing the unemployment trust fund, improving ventilation systems in schools, and helping small businesses. Around $1.1 billion was left unappropriated for future funding needs.

Additionally, $125 million was allocated for the Combined Sewer Overflow projects in Richmond ($50M), Alexandria ($50M) and Lynchburg ($25M). While this does not fully fund the City of Richmond’s original request of $883 million, it offers a “plug” to the problem.

As you may have read, the House did not allow for any member-proposed amendments to the House’s proposed budget. This is due to the federal restrictions placed on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which could only be a one-time allocation and the short and expeditious timeline of the special session. There were no changes to the general fund expenditures as those will be addressed during the upcoming 2022 legislative session.

You can review the budget bill that passed the General Assembly here and you can review coverage of the budget in the Times-Dispatch here.

Additionally, following the expansion of the Court of Appeals, the General Assembly appointed eight new judges. The number of judges increased from 11 to 17 judges to help handle the volume of cases and allow for a right of appeal in all criminal and civil cases. This new cohort of judges brings an historic level of diversity to the Court of Appeals.

The Special Session recessed without adjourning. This means that the General Assembly can return to fill any additional judicial vacancies without the call of the Governor.

During the Special Session, I was proud and excited to bring local reporter, Michael Paul Williams, to the House floor to honor him for his Pulitzer Prize award. I was joined by Senator Jennifer McClellan and Delegate Delores McQuinn. You can read the full commending resolution here. Michael is the third reporter, and the first since 1948, from the Times-Dispatch to receive a Pulitzer Prize. Our Commonwealth is incredibly fortunate to have such talent in journalism.

State Revenue Update

On Wednesday, August 18, Governor Northam and Secretary of Finance Joe Flores provided a revenue update to the Joint Money Committees. The Governor announced a record $2.6 billion budget surplus. Additionally, he shared that the unemployment rate is 4.3% – below the national average of 5.9%. While it is exciting to see such an increase in revenue, it is important to note that much of the surplus has already been allocated. You can read the Governor’s full remarks here and you can watch the archived video here.

Special and Periodic Reports to the General Assembly

Throughout the year, various state boards, commissions, and departments provide special and periodic reports to the General Assembly. They are available for your review here. Reports cover all topics from the budget bill to early childhood mental health statistics to studies on barrier crimes. If you are interested in keeping track of a certain state-level topic, I encourage you to use this resource.

In addition, there is a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which addresses the most updated understanding of the climate system and climate change, explains latest advances in climate science, and more. You can read it here.

South of the James Farmers Market

GrowRVA will host a Sunday South of the James Farmers Market in Forest Hill Park starting on October 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a pilot program and if successful, will continue into the summer season. More information is available here.

School Re-Opening Information

Recently, the Richmond Public Schools’ school board voted to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all RPS staff and any other adults in the school buildings – this includes volunteers and community partners. RPS will open for in-person instruction on September 8 for the first time in more than 500 days. While not full-proof, vaccinations are one of the most effective tools we have to combat the pandemic, and in order to ensure our children are safe during their in-person schooling, this is a necessary step, in addition to mask-wearing.

RPS has a “reopening dashboard” for your review here.

You can read the full text of their health and safety measures for Fall 2021 in-person instruction here.

On August 21, RPS is hosting the 15th annual “We Care” Festival at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School. It is a drive-thru event. There will be food, COVID-19 vaccines, voter registration, and more taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additionally, on August 25, the VCU Alumni Richmond Chapter and Communities in Schools will host their 4th annual Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive at the Diamond. Stop by from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. to donate school supplies for all Richmond area students. For more information, contact Timmy Nguyen at 804-868-0136 or email nguyenth6@vcu.edu.

November Election Reminder

The countdown is on for the November general election. Please start making a plan to vote. Here are some dates to keep in mind:

  • First day of early voting: September 17

  • Deadline to register to vote: October 12

  • Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot: October 22

  • Election day: November 2

For more information, please visit: vote.elections.virginia.gov

Movies on the Island

Venture Richmond and Dominion Energy are hosting “Movies on the Island” this summer on Brown’s Island. This is a nice opportunity for an outdoor, family-friendly activity. On Saturday, August 21, Black Panther will play at 8:45 p.m., gates open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, ages 5 and under get in free. Food vendors will be on-site. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Venture Richmond’s website here.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in the General Assembly. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you. I can be reached at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or 804-698-1169. Currently, I am exploring legislation for the 2022 legislative session and am always available to meet with you and your community groups to hear your concerns and priorities.

Sincerely,

Betsy

July Legislative Update

Dear Friend,

Summer is in full swing and I hope you are taking advantage of all the activities available to you now that Virginia has re-opened. If you are not yet vaccinated, I highly encourage you to consider doing so – for your benefit and the benefit of our community. The COVID cases, particularly the Delta variant, are almost exclusively affecting the unvaccinated. The Richmond City and Henrico County Health Districts are still offering “Cool Cube Crews” to get you and your loved ones vaccinated at a time and location that is convenient for you. You can make a request here. They are also offering educational town halls and community canvassing to help share information about the vaccine.

New Laws

On July 1, most laws passed during the 2021 legislative session took effect. The Division of Legislative Service’s “In Due Course” offers a thorough overview of new laws that affect the daily lives of citizens in the Commonwealth. Here are a few that are of particular importance:

  • Marijuana: Simple possession of marijuana is now legal for people over the age of 21 years old. The buying, selling, and distribution of marijuana remains illegal for the time being. Visit https://www.cannabis.virginia.gov/ for more specific information.

  • The death penalty is now abolished in Virginia

  • Voting Rights Act of Virginia: Prohibits discrimination in elections administration, requires local election officials to obtain feedback for voting changes, and allows individuals to sue in cases of voter suppression.

  • Other voting rights include: Expanded days for no-excuse early voting, waiving the requirement for a witness signature, availability of secure ballot drop boxes at polling locations, allowing 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to vote so they are automatically registered once they turn 18

  • G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back) Program: Low and middle income Virginians can attend community college for free when they pursue career opportunities in critical, high-demand fields such as healthcare, early childhood education, public safety, and skilled trades. More information here.

  • Medicaid program recipients can now receive dental care. Expanded coverage affects more than 750,000 Virginians.

Special Session

The General Assembly will convene in-person on Monday, August 2nd for a special session to determine the use of $4.3 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Governor has not yet released his budget but has previously committed to allocating federal dollars to help public health, small businesses, workers, public schools, and fully deploying broadband across Virginia. The legislature will also consider the appointment of judges to the expanded Court of Appeals.

While the special session schedule is not available yet, you will be able to watch the session via livestream on the Virginia General Assembly website and the meeting schedule is available here.

America’s “Top State for Business”

Recently, Virginia earned the recognition as America’s “Top State for Business” by CNBC. Virginia has earned this top spot in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2019 – more than any other state in the country. I am proud that our Commonwealth has received this recognition. We are the best state for business, but we are also working hard to make this the best state for workers. In recent years, we have increased minimum wage, passed workplace protections, promoted worker training, invested in our schools, and removed barriers to higher education. While there is still much work to be done to help Virginians, I am glad that Virginia is considered an open and welcoming place to live, work, and play.

Grants Available to Cultural Nonprofits

Virginia Humanities will be distributing more than $900,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions across Virginia. The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress. Humanities-focused nonprofits based in Virginia that faced financial difficulties due to COVID can apply for grants now. Application instructions are available at VirginiaHumanities.org. Grants can be used to cover general operating costs such as salaries, rent, and utilities as well as costs associated with providing public programs. Awards will be announced in September.

Hate Crimes Grant Program

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is offering a grant opportunity for localities within the Commonwealth to combat hate crimes. Localities that have established a partnership program with institutions and/or nonprofits that have been targets or are at risk of being targets of hate crimes are encouraged to apply. The goal is to minimize bias-motivated incidents by providing funding that supports groups that may be at risk based on race, religious conviction, color, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin.

More information is available here.

Community News

  • Black History Museum’s Freedom Friday: Live jazz concert by Glennroy & Company on August 6 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Concert is free, wine and wings available for purchase. Advanced registration is required.

  • Movies at the Byrd Theatre: The Byrd has an excellent line up of movies playing this summer. Limited seating is available. Additionally, you can support the Byrd from home by checking out hand-picked selections from partnering streaming providers. Proceeds from the films directly support the Byrd. More information here.

  • Coming to the Table RVA is a local nonprofit that provides leadership, resources, and a supportive environment for all who wish to acknowledge and heal wounds from racism. They offer a number of events each month, including a book circle and movie circle. On Monday, July 26th they are hosting an in-person dinner and viewing of the new documentary “How the Monuments Came Down.” More information and registration here.

  • VMFA’s “The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture and the Sonic Impulse” runs through September 6. More information available here.

  • After Special Session Townhall: Join me and the Central Virginia delegation for a town hall on August 19th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Reynolds Community College. There will be a meet and greet followed by a townhall focusing on the outcomes of the Special Session. More information to follow.

It is an honor to serve in the General Assembly. I am always available to meet with you via Zoom and in person. If you would like to schedule an appointment or share your concerns with me, please email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call 804-698-1069. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

June Legislative Update

Dear Friend,

Summer is upon us and our social lives are returning. The Commonwealth and Richmond region are seeing very low levels of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID-19 (see the VDH dashboard here for the latest information). While I am as excited as anyone to “get back to normal,” I urge you to still use caution and common sense when in groups - basic hygiene like frequent hand-washing and staying home when you do not feel well will go a long way. I will provide more detail below regarding the changes to COVID-19 safety measures as well as provide various legislative and community updates.

Democratic Primary Results

On Tuesday, June 8, primary voters decided the Democratic ballot for the November general election.

Democratic Candidates for Statewide Office

  • Governor: Terry McAuliffe

  • Lieutenant Governor: Hala Ayala

  • Attorney General: Mark Herring

Congratulations to all those who won last Tuesday. I look forward to working with each of the candidates leading up to the general election. The general election will be November 2.


Special Legislative Session

The dates have not been officially announced, but the General Assembly is expected to meet for a special session sometime in early August. The purpose will be to decide on the allocation of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan. The Governor and leaders from the House and Senate have expressed prioritizing the following:

  • Public health

  • Small businesses

  • Workers

  • Public schools

  • Full broadband deployment across Virginia

You can read the Governor’s press release in more detail here.

Re-opening the Capitol and Pocahontas Buildings

The Pocahontas Building will opened to the public on June 15, 2021, and the Capitol will re-open to the public on July 1, 2021.

The Pocahontas Building will abide by CDC and Virginia Health Department guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks, unless it is their preference. Temperature checks will not be required but are available if someone wants to check their own temperature.

As for the Capitol, while it will re-open on July 1, the Bank Street entrance and Capitol extension will remain closed until construction is completed after Labor Day. The West Entrance will be available for the public to enter from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Capitol Tour Guides will be located in the Rotunda on the 2nd floor of the Capitol.

Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC)

JLARC, of which I am a member, met on Monday, June 7, for two presentations:

A recording of the meeting is available on Youtube. The next meeting is on July 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. and the topics covered will be the Virginia Retirement System and Virginia529. If you are interested, you can watch the meeting live on Youtube.

Addressing the Backlog of Pardon Requests

Recently, Governor Northam’s office announced that steps are being taken to ease a backlog of requests for pardons and are also working on the application process. The pardon website and petition portal have been redesigned and the requirement to provide a copy of criminal history has been removed. Improving the efficiency of the clemency process is part of the Governor’s commitment to transparency and good government.

COVID-19 Updates

As you may know, Governor Northam lifted the universal indoor mask mandate in May to align with new guidance from the CDC. Additionally, on May 28, all distancing and capacity restrictions were eased - two weeks ahead of schedule. These steps are a result of increasing vaccination rates, dramatically declining COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and statewide test positivity rate, and revised federal guidelines.

On June 30, 2021, the Commonwealth’s 15-month state of emergency will come to an end.

As mass vaccination clinics are seeing less traffic, the Virginia Department of Health is moving to smaller events. You can make a request with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for a small team (also known as a “Cool Cube Crew”) to vaccinate people at a site of your choice.

Request a Cool Cube Crew

Recovering from the Pandemic

While our community begins to open up, many are still suffering from job loss. Issues relating to unemployment insurance continue to be a priority for me. If you are experiencing an issue filing for unemployment, please email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org and complete this form.

As of May 30, the weekly work search requirement has been reinstated for those seeking unemployment benefits. This applies to all applicants, including those receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. You must apply to at least 2 jobs each week in order to continue receiving benefits and you will report the details of your job search activity each week. You can read more about it here.

The Governor recently announced that he has directed the VEC to invest $20 million to help expedite the complicated claims process. This directive includes adding 300 new adjudication staffers, making immediate technology upgrades, and completely modernizing the unemployment insurance system by October 1, 2021.

I know this has been an excruciating process for those applicants experiencing issues with their claims. I am hopeful that this directive will improve the process. In the meantime, please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful in addressing your issues with the Virginia Employment Commission.

If you are job hunting, the Office of Community Wealth Building (OCWB) offers a list of current company openings that may be helpful in your search.

OCWB Current Openings

Additionally, Governor Northam recently announced a $3 million investment in the “Return to Earn Grant Program,” which will match payments from eligible small businesses to provide new hires with up to $1,000 to support their transition back into the workforce. The program will serve businesses with less than 100 employees that may not have the resources to provide this financial support. You can read FAQs about the program here.

Housing Assistance

The federal moratorium on evictions ends on June 30, 2021. There are a number of resources available to individuals and families in the Richmond region to help them avoid eviction:

For assistance navigating legal and financial resources, amongst other housing resources, contact the Housing Resource Line at 804-422-5061 OR fill out an online intake form to receive a call in reply to discuss assistance: https://pharva.com/housing-hotline-form/. If someone is experiencing homelessness now or is within three days of losing indoor accommodations, contact the Homeless Connection Line at 804-972-0813.

Financial Navigators

If you need resources to help you through these difficult financial times, the City of Richmond offers Financial Navigators at no cost. You can request an over the phone session (30 minutes) by visiting www.finnav.org/rva or calling 804-646-MORE (6673).

Financial Navigators can help you with the following resources:

  • Prioritizing payments (credit card, student loan, utilities) and when to make them

  • Considering options for unemployment and/or short-term disability

  • Ensuring receipt of potential future stimulus payments

  • Providing guidance on enrolling in unemployment insurance, food benefits, and other available resources

  • Connecting to Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites to file taxes and receive tax refunds

Federal Emergency Broadband Benefits

As part of the December 2020 coronavirus relief package by Congress, an emergency broadband benefit was authorized. It can pay $50 every month toward the cost of your Internet service and is available to all families who lost some income in the last year and earn less than $198,000. This is the largest federal program in the internet’s history to help with internet bills with $3.2 billion available. This benefit is not automatic; you must apply for the benefit. The benefit will stop once the money is exhausted. You may find the FAQs provided by the Washington Post helpful (read here).

Get Emergency Broadband

DMV Expands Appointment Opportunities

As of June 1, the DMV opened more windows and testing stations in its customer service centers. More openings will continue to occur from June 15 through July as the DMV continues hiring and training new employees. You must continue to make an appointment for specific services which generally necessitate an in-person visit. You can schedule an appointment by visiting dmvNOW.com/appt. If you are unable to find an appointment time that works for you, please call my office at 804-698-1169 or email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org and we will help you get an appointment.

Citywide Clean Up Program

The Department of Public Works is providing bi-weekly bulk and brush collections as well as a Neighborhood Clean Up Program to help residents dispose of bulk items. They take everything except electronics, construction debris, hazardous waste items and broken glass. All brush should be cut into four foot lengths. DPW crews will collect items curbside and in alleys (wherever your trash is normally collected). All clean-ups are from 8:00 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. To find when your zone’s next clean up date is:

Citywide Clean Up Program

The Department of Public Works is providing bi-weekly bulk and brush collections as well as a Neighborhood Clean Up Program to help residents dispose of bulk items. They take everything except electronics, construction debris, hazardous waste items and broken glass. All brush should be cut into four foot lengths. DPW crews will collect items curbside and in alleys (wherever your trash is normally collected). All clean-ups are from 8:00 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. To find when your zone’s next clean up date is:

Save the Date: Violins of Hope

The Virginia Holocaust Museum with the support of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, and the Richmond Symphony is bringing an incredible exhibit, Violins of Hope, to Richmond, August 4 through October 24.

This touring exhibit tells the remarkable stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. The violins in the exhibit were recovered and restored by Amnon Weinstein, an Israeli violin shop owner and master craftsman who lost 400 family members in the Holocaust. This is the first time that the exhibit will be in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Sixty violins will be in Richmond - some on display at each of the three museums and some will be on loan to be played at concerts and community events.

Movies on Brown’s Island

Venture Richmond Events is hosting “Movies on Brown’s Island” this summer and through the fall. Tickets are $5 and movies are family friendly. Children under 5 years old do not need a ticket. Purchase in advance at VentureRichmond.com. The first movie will be on Saturday, July 10, at 8:30 p.m. with a viewing of Grease.

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. You can email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1169. I look forward to staying in touch.