Rip's Session Report - Week 5
|
Includes historic investments in healthcare and education, plus tax relief for all Virginians
|
444 Senate bills move to House; 618 House bills advance to Senate
|
Proposal passes Senate, but faces an uphill battle in the House of Delegates
|
Bill addressing modified exhaust systems moves forward to the Senate
|
Two marathon days on the House floor led to some exciting developments this week.
618 bills passed ahead of the crossover deadline (including 13 authored by yours truly), and House Appropriators unveiled a series of budget amendments with historic investments in education and healthcare.
|
While some great legislation didn't make the cut, I'm proud of the work my colleagues and I have done drafting and passing laws that serve the people of the 6th District and the Commonwealth.
|
As always, my team and I are here to support you. Do not hesitate to reach out to us by using the link below.
|
House and Senate Release Budget Amendments
|
General Assembly Looking To Provide More Funding for Public Schools, Healthcare, and Direct Tax Relief
|
Joe Biden once observed: "Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I will tell you what you value." The General Assembly did just that this week by releasing the House and Senate budget amendments. Though legislation is very important, some of the most impactful work that the General Assembly does is through the budget.
|
The General Assembly decided to provide major investments in many areas, including public education, over $1 billion in direct tax relief to all Virginia taxpayers, and healthcare. Additional highlights of the House of Delegates' proposed budget include:
|
- $1.1 billion in tax rebates for all Virginians ($200 for those filing individually; $400 for couples filing jointly)
- $55.6 million in bonuses for state employees
- $7.3 million for maternal care via mobile maternal health clinics and midwife services
|
- $150 million for new schools through the School Construction Fund
- $9 million in restitution payments for wrongly incarcerated individuals
- Funding to increase Virginia's refundable Earned Income Tax Credit to 20% of the federal credit
|
We still have a long way to go in the budget process. As legislation continues to work through the General Assembly, the money committees from each chamber will work to agree on a conference budget, which will be the agreed upon budget amendments the General Assembly will send to the Governor.
The Governor will then have an opportunity to make edits or line-item vetos, which the General Assembly can override or approve. Once that is done, the Governor will sign the budget amendments and we will have completed the budget process for this year.
|
Click the button below to let me know what in the budget is a priority for you this year.
|
6th District Constituents Spotted in Richmond
|
Another great week visiting with constituents visiting Richmond! If you find yourself in Richmond during this year's session, be sure to stop by Room 908 and say hello to me and my team and sign our visitor log.
|
Fairfax County School Board Members Seema Dixit and Robyn Lady
|
Christopher Newport University Students
|
General Assembly Gets Through Crossover Deadline
|
Crossover is the day by which a bill must pass out of its chamber of origin for it to be considered in the other chamber.
|
Virginia Public Media Video Describing VA General Assembly Cross Over Process
|
In other words, it is the last day a Senate Bill can pass in the Senate before it can be considered by the House of Delegates, and vice-versa.
|
Tysons Casino Bill Passes Senate, To Be Considered By House of Delegates
|
My office has continued to be inundated by constituents unhappy with the Senate's vote to advance the proposed casino- anchored "entertainment district" in Tysons.
I share your deep concerns, and I continue to oppose the initiative now that it has landed in the House of Delegates. Here are where things stand now and what are the next steps.
|
I am disappointed by this result as the community where it would be placed has clearly made its voice heard on this issue.
|
Next Steps for Casino Legislation
|
SB 982 will now move to the House for consideration. It has been referred to the General Laws Committee, where a vote in the subcommittee is likely this week.
|
I will be sure to keep you updated on this legislation in future newsletters.
|
Legislative Highlight - HB 2550 - Fairfax County Noise Abatement Pilot Program
|
There are many ways to make a car louder,
but few ways to enforce Virginia's ban on modified mufflers
|
My legislation, HB 2550, would establish a pilot program, empowering localities in Northern Virginia – including Fairfax – to install remote noise abatement monitoring systems that can track and ticket offenders just like a speed camera.
|
The law would require that any resulting fines would be no more than $100, and the data collected from them would receive the same strong privacy protections as data captured with an automated speed camera.
|
This would be a two year pilot program. The results of the program will inform further consideration of whether to continue the program and perhaps expand it to other jurisdictions.
|
In The News: Powerful Coverage of Wrongful Incarceration Compensation Bills
|
Public Health Warning: The Flu Is Going Around!
|
That's it for this newsletter. I am looking forward to next week, when we will have a clearer picture of what bills will ultimately make it to Governor Youngkin's desk.
|
Rip Sullivan for Delegate PO Box 994 McLean, VA 22101 United States
|
|