During the 2020 session, Virginia’s General Assembly passed a historic budget, affirming our commitment to public education, first responders, our environment, and all Virginia workers, while ensuring we remain a strong Commonwealth for business.
As the coronavirus crisis has impacted our Commonwealth and country, we have had to make adjustments to the budget due to lower than expected revenue to Virginia.
We were called into Special Session with the mandate to close a $2.8 billion revenue shortfall while tackling the economic and public health demands of the pandemic, as well as to make overdue reforms to Virginia’s police and criminal justice system. The House budget achieves these objectives.
While a number of challenging decisions needed to be made in adjusting the budget, I look forward to the regular session next year to continue working towards achieving our priorities for Virginia.
In the House budget, we have restored over $95 million in K-12 funding for the upcoming fiscal year, supported childhood nutrition and school meal programs, and invested record amounts in broadband access to ensure Virginians can work and learn from home. We’ve restored funding to the Virginia Mental Health Access Program to look out for Virginians’ wellbeing during these challenging times and provided funds for critical police and criminal justice reforms enacted by the General Assembly. We’ve invested Coronavirus Relief Fund money towards PPE, childcare provider stabilization, and child-care. And during a time when so many are worried about keeping the lights on and keeping a roof over their heads, we’ve focused resources to stanch the number of utility shut-offs and evictions and offer rental, mortgage, and utility payment support.
It has been a busy few weeks in the House of Delegates as we approach the end of our special session. We have been meeting regularly in committee and on the floor to address these needs, and have made critical progress to deliver results for Virginians. I thank you for sharing your views on legislation before the General Assembly and look forward to hearing your continued perspectives.
Events & Meetings
I have joined groups of Virginians to speak on behalf of Amendment 2, which I was proud to carry in the 2020 legislative session and will be on your ballot this year. One of our major successes of this year, the resolution passed both chambers of the General Assembly with enormous bipartisan support, with 91 of 100 Delegates and all 40 Senators voting in favor of this measure. I encourage you to vote YES on Amendment 2 to honor our servicemembers and ensure Virginia 100% service-connected disabled veterans receive a tax exemption for their primary vehicle.
I have also attended local meetings on topics such as the Braddock Road and Old Lee Highway study. I know this is an important issue for many in the 40th District, and I look forward to continuing conversations to ensure the voices of the residents of this district are being heard. If you, your community, or your HOA has concerns about local issues, please don’t hesitate to let me know and I’d be glad to speak further to continue to be an advocate for you.
Early Voting
Early voting is underway here in Virginia! Earlier this year in the 2020 regular session, we passed legislation to make sure our democracy is accessible to all — expanding access to early voting, allowing no-excuse absentee voting, and ensuring that everyone can vote safely during the public health crisis we are facing. I am proud to see that Virginia has been leading the nation in early voting.
You can find the current available early voting options in the graphic below. In Fairfax County, additional satellite locations will open on October 14th, and in Prince William County, additional early voting locations will open on October 19th.
Finally, Virginia’s voter registration deadline is around the corner on October 13th. Check in with your friends and family to ensure they are registered to vote, check your own registration status here, and learn how to register to vote here.
Chuseok
Some of our happiest memories as a family from being stationed for three years in Seoul were having the chance to celebrate Chuseok with our friends. Chuseok, or “Autumn Eve,” is a major fall harvest festival when Koreans often gather with loved ones to celebrate. We were so excited to discover the huge Korean-American community in Northern Virginia that has kept this holiday part of our lives after leaving Korea. Korean Americans are a bedrock of our community here in Virginia’s 40th District, and the noraebang, traditional spas, supermarkets, and multitude of restaurants enliven our neighborhoods. I hope that all who have been celebrating have had a wonderful Chuseok.
Favorites of the 40th
Red Dog Run Training and Behavior is a dog training company based out of Clifton, VA. Jennifer Lowe Davis, J.D., CPDT-KA, Owner and Head Trainer, has been training dogs in the Northern Virginia area for a decade. Red Dog Run offers personalized in home training for dogs of all breeds, sizes and behavior issues throughout Northern Virginia. Check them out at www.reddogruntraining.com!
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if my office can be of assistance to you. I hope you and your families stay well and enjoy this beautiful fall weather here in the 40th District.