Last Saturday, I attended Governor Youngkin’s swearing-in ceremony. The peaceful transition of power at Virginia’s Capitol stood in stark contrast to the dark day at our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021. I was glad to attend and reinforce that we should respect the outcomes of elections, not call them into question. I hope that he, Lieutenant Governor Sears, and Attorney General Miyares are able to govern on behalf of all Virginians.
I am a proud member of the Commonwealth Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators that seeks to find common ground and that has worked on issues ranging from ending partisan gerrymandering to campaign finance reform to building infrastructure to improving the citizen experience with government services. I believe that we must find opportunities to work together. I was encouraged to hear Governor Youngkin say in his inaugural address that he would work to make Virginia “the best place to live, work and raise a family. No matter who you voted for, I pledge to be your advocate, your voice, your governor.”
Thus far, his actions have stood in stark contrast to his words. I’m appalled and disappointed.
Within hours of being sworn in, Governor Youngkin issued a set of executive orders that seek to divide us rather than unite us, undermine efforts to keep our kids in school and the safety of Virginia workers, and reject science across fronts ranging from pandemic response to climate change. These orders will be carried out by extreme and inexperienced appointees, including a former school board member who has said we should teach “both sides” of the Holocaust, a former Trump appointee who gutted the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and a Superintendent who has undermined the teaching of American History while never managing a school system larger than Prince William County, let alone the size of Virginia.
You can’t be a great place to live, work, and raise a family if workplaces are unsafe and your kids can’t go to school. While I am encouraged that the governor has taken advantage of a bill I passed last year to distribute PPE to hospitals, I know that because of his actions we will need more of that PPE as more Virginians get sick and die. As I told the Washington Post this week, the governor’s gaslighting on vaccines and masks, rejection of CDC guidance with respect to masks in schools, and attempts to use executive orders to override laws we’ve passed to keep Virginians safe shows he is “not willing to take the steps that are really needed to keep our kids in school and our families safe.”
My priorities are clear. Every Virginian, no matter whom they love, whom they worship, or where they came from, should be protected by our laws and our actions. No Virginian should die for want of healthcare or food. Nor should they die because their government denies simple measures to keep them safe in public spaces. Workers should have a say in the conditions in which they work, be safe, and be entitled to a wage that allows for them and their family to live in dignity. Truth and science should be the bedrock of our policies, and the world we leave behind should be better than the one we inherited. Every citizen should be able and encouraged to participate in our democracy. Public servants should respond to them, not moneyed special interests. Our kids should be able to go to school safely and receive a world class education. That education should teach them science, the arts, math and civics. It should teach them about the heroes who have pushed us to become a global superpower and multiracial, inclusive democracy. It should teach what those heroes had to overcome to make that possible. While the actions of our new governor suggest a very different vision for our Commonwealth, where we can work together, I will.
Legislative Updates
This session, I am proud to serve on two committees, the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (ACNR) committee, and the Communications, Technology and Innovation (CTI) committee. Service on these committees allows me to ensure Virginia remains on the cutting edge of new developments in technology and innovation to create new, well paying jobs that allow more Virginians to enter the middle class. It also allows me to be on the forefront of encouraging our burgeoning agritourism industry while also ensuring we act as good stewards of the land, water, and air to protect our health and welfare today and conserve a birthright for future generations.
As one of two serving members of the Army Reserve in the General Assembly, I’m especially proud of the work our Military and Veterans Caucus does on behalf of Virginia. As a member of the Caucus, I attended a briefing on the Virginia National Guard held by Major General Williams, the commander of Virginia’s National Guard. I am thankful for the Guard members who are currently serving overseas in harm’s way (nearly 1,000) and the many who have helped us not only through this pandemic but also with the recent winter storms. I look forward to working with the Caucus on issues that matter to Virginia’s veterans and military families. Last year, we passed my bill that ensures active duty service members are able to participate in voting for their party’s nominees. This year, I’m proud to sponsor a bill that would allow National Guard members to visit our state parks without paying fees. They’ve earned it.
In 2020, I was a founding member of the Commonwealth Caucus – bringing together voices from both parties to get things done for all Virginians. Friday, I was glad to connect with fellow members to work across the aisle on issues from childhood literacy to healthcare to campaign finance reform.
And I also had the opportunity to meet with advocates and constituents with the Virginia Dental Association. I appreciated discussing the importance of expanding medicaid for pediatric dental procedures. We will keep fighting for adequate Medicaid reimbursement to ensure Virginians can get the treatments they need.
I look forward to keeping you informed on the progress we are making in the coming weeks and welcome your ideas and feedback.
Community Updates
On January 19, we celebrated Consumer Awareness Day, in which we recognized the efforts of Virginians, communities and organizations who empower and educate consumers about their rights and protections. In celebration, I wanted to highlight new consumer benefits we’ve delivered:
No More Surprises Medical Billing
Effective since January 1, the No Surprises Act provides additional protections for individuals against surprise billing for medical expenses. This Act bans so-called “balance billing” for emergency services and some nonemergency services. And, you can’t waive or lose your protection against balance billing for emergency services or ancillary services at in-network facilities. You only need to pay your in-network copay, coinsurance, or deductible. If you are receiving out-of-network healthcare, you must consent to out-of-network billing. This is good news for Americans and for Virginians. Learn more here.
The State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance is committed to serving Virginians in matters relating to insurance, and have provided the following resources and updates to help Virginians make informed consumer decisions:
Auto and Homeowners Insurance Shopper’s Worksheet
The Bureau has developed a shopper’s worksheet to help consumers compare prices and coverages for auto and homeowners insurance policies.
Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Update
The minimum financial responsibility (FR) limit for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident is now $30,000, an increase from the current $25,000.
The minimum FR limit for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident is $60,000, increased from the current $50,000.
Minimum FR limits are doubled ($60,000/$120,000) when a policyholder has been convicted of certain alcohol-related offenses. The limit for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident will remain at $20,000.
COVID-19 Updates
Omicron Surge In Virginia. Omicron continues to ravage Virginia. All 35 Virginia health districts are currently experiencing a surge in cases, with a record high 130,381 new cases reported in Virginia this week. Hospitals continue to be at or near capacity. In Fairfax County, the percent positivity rate for the 7 days ending January 14 was 31.6% and 39.8% in Prince William County. This means that COVID-19 is everywhere and the risk of exposure is very high.
Vaccines and masks continue to be our best defense against serious illness and hospitalization.
Schedule your shot. If you haven’t been vaccinated or are eligible now for a booster, you can schedule your shot in Fairfax County here and in Prince William County here. Children aged 5 and up are eligible for vaccines. Teens aged 12 and up are eligible for boosters 5 months after completing their COVID vaccine series.
Wear a mask. Please continue to wear masks when indoor public settings and consider upgrading cloth masks to N-95 masks. The White House has announced that it will make 400 million N-95 masks available to the public in coming weeks.
Need a COVID test? Schedule your COVID-19 test in Fairfax County here and in Prince William County here. Note that community testing centers opened last week in the parking lot of the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax County and at Pfitzner Stadium in Prince William County. Appointments are required at both community testing centers and can be made using the links provided above.
Order Free, At-Home Tests Now. President Biden announced that every household is eligible to receive 4 free at-home COVID tests. Sign up for your free tests at COVIDtests.gov – Free at-home COVID-19 tests. Test kits will ship within 7-12 days through the U.S. Postal Service. Order your tests now so that you will have them when you need them.
Favorites of the 40th
This week’s Favorite of the 40th is Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. Homeward Trails is a Fairfax Station-based non-profit animal rescue organization that rescues homeless dogs and cats from animal shelters in under-resourced communities and finds them foster and adoptive homes in the Washington, DC area.
Homeward Trails has been operating for 20 years, and over that time period, they have rescued more than 32,000 animals. Homeward Trails has also worked diligently to improve animal welfare in Virginia by working to pass legislation that protect animals and improve their lives. They operate Trails UP, a program which brings resources and training to under-resourced communities to elevate the standard of animal welfare.
Aside from finding animals a forever home, Homeward Trails provides medical and behavioral support for the animals and offers many volunteer opportunities. Volunteer opportunities include:
- providing foster care;
- caring for cats at their cageless cat shelter, Meow Palace;
- walking dogs at their shelter;
- driving transports to pick up animals; and
- taking animals to veterinary appointments, and volunteering at events.
You can learn more about Homeward Trails here, including how to foster or adopt a cat or dog, how to volunteer, and how to make a donation.
I am proud of the work that Homeward Trails is doing in under-resourced communities across the D.C. metropolitan area to support animals and the people who love and care for them. Last March, our family adopted Ace from a shelter similar to Homeward Trails, and I am thankful that there are places in the community that work to better the lives of homeless animals.
As always, feel free to reach out to my office if you have any concerns, questions, or need assistance with an issue. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.