A week ago we witnessed the culmination of the politics of fear. Instead of governing to unite and build, our President divided, incited, and destroyed. Now, he will be relegated to the dustbin of history. We can focus on the great tasks that confront us.
In sharp relief to the insurrection in Washington, on Wednesday our General Assembly reconvened for its 402nd year. Necessarily absent from the majesty of our Capitol, the plans of which were laid down by Jefferson, we joined Zoom calls with specialized voting pads in hand to continue the task of rebuilding.
The bills we’re working on this year are a reflection of that priority. Whether making sure people don’t go hungry, get the medicine they need, can get a better education, can afford their electric bills, or are able to have a roof over their heads even when the federal government shuts down, our focus remains on helping those in need and getting us beyond this crisis. I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are working with me to move our Commonwealth forward.
Nor are we shying away from the long term challenges that loom in front of us. Two of our bills confront the climate crisis by making our government buy smarter while decreasing emissions and costs. And another ensures our troops, students, and people with disabilities are able to participate in nominating processes for their representatives.
In the coming weeks, I look forward to fighting for a future that serves every member of our community. I ran for office because I believe in the power of people working together to make positive change. A year and a pandemic after taking the oath of office, I remain equally committed. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and for working alongside me. Together, we can build a better tomorrow.
Events & Meetings
Last Saturday, I took the time to join my Fairfax and Prince William County colleagues for public hearings to hear directly from you about your key priorities for the 2021 session.
I kicked off the week meeting with my colleagues in the Commonwealth Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators committed to working across the aisle to confront the challenges Virginia faces in 2021. I look forward to continuing to find common ground to strengthen our democracy and move Virginia forward.
I joined fellow legislators in the General Assembly Military & Veterans Caucus where we focused on veterans’ priorities in the coming session. And as a member of the ACNR (Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources), Public Safety, Transportation, and CTI (Communications, Technology, and Innovation) Committees, we’ve begun the work of reviewing and advancing legislation that will help Virginians. I appreciate all who have reached out on the bills coming before me.
I am proud that our first bill is already on its way to the House floor with bipartisan support that will help ensure Virginians can stay housed, even in the event of a government shutdown.
And I was thrilled to welcome three new interns to Team Helmer: Simran, Gus, and Temujin. We’re also very excited about our returning intern Alex. From environmental issues to healthcare policy, they each bring their own unique interests and backgrounds to our team, and I am grateful for their service to our district and our Commonwealth.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
Individuals in phase 1A – healthcare workers and residents & staff of long-term care facilities – are all eligible for vaccination in both Fairfax and Prince William Counties. Phase 1A individuals that have not been vaccinated yet should contact their employer or their local health department. Fairfax County is currently administering the phase 1B vaccines to first responders, residents above the age of 75, and teachers. Prince William County will start vaccinating 75+ residents next Tuesday, January 19th, and school staff in Prince William will begin January 30th. Linked are additional details on phases 1A and 1B. I am in close contact with VDH and county health departments and pressing to expedite and improve this process as much as possible.
Eligible Fairfax County residents can register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine online or by phone at 703-324-7404. Please know that the website is experiencing high volumes and we’ve heard from constituents that it can take patience and multiple refresh attempts. Keep trying as it will eventually let you make an appointment. Vaccine registration for 65+ Fairfax County residents and those with high-risk medical conditions will begin on Monday, January 18th. More information about the vaccine distribution in Fairfax County can be found here and FAQs can be found here.
In Prince William County, 65+ residents and individuals with underlying health conditions are invited to fill out the linkedform to register with the Vaccine Administration Management System. More information about the vaccine distribution in Prince William County can be found here.
Favorites of the 40th
Luxury Stone Craft LLC is a countertop and cabinet store based in Chantilly, VA. The small business is run by Choijilsuren Sosorbaram, a constituent of the 40th District, and Bayasgalan Darisuren. Both are longtime residents of the Northern Virginia area. Choijilsuren and Bayasgalan have been working in this sector for over 15 years and opened Luxury Stone Craft LLC in 2011.
They specialize in the fabrication and installation of countertops and the installation of cabinets. They sell a wide range of brands, from Cambria to Silestone at reasonable prices. In addition, they source many of their products from the Northern Virginia area, many of which are domestically produced in the USA. Luxury Stone Craft LLC is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm, and can be reached at (703) 378-4532 or luxurystonecraft.ins@gmail.com
Thank you for being a part of this work here in Richmond. You can follow all of the bills we’ve introduced here. If you need anything at all or want to provide input on legislation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warm Regards,
Dan Helmer