I am pleased to announce that today the Senate of Virginia did its duty and provided the Commonwealth with a state budget. It is a good budget, not perfect, but as close as we can get at this point. Compromise is a necessity in good government, and I can honestly say that we got a great deal of what we wanted in the budget. I support it and am proud to have voted for it.
We did fulfill our promise, and the Governor’s promise by providing nearly $4 billion in tax relief for hard working Virginians; and at the same time making much needed investments in Virginia’s future. We repealed the state grocery tax at a time when families need every dollar, especially with soaring inflation. We lowered taxes by increasing the standard deduction which will be direct savings to all households. Additionally, this budget provides for a one-time rebate of $250 to individuals and $ 500 for families.
We lowered your taxes, but we also strategically invested $19.2 billion in education. Increased teacher’s salaries and support staff by 10% over two years, and a $1,000 bonus. Invested $1.25 billion to support $3.5 billion in school construction. As well as a $66.9 million increase in funding for early childhood education. For higher education we increased funding by $614 million.
This budget gives a 10% raise for state and state supported employees. It increases starting pay for Department of Corrections officers, deputies, sheriffs and regional jail officers to $ 42,000. We invested $ 75 million to support the equipment and training grants for local law enforcement. $47 million towards local police departments. We increased the starting pay for sworn officers of the state police to $51,500. And also $45 million in additional funding for the School Resource grant program.
Personally, I am extremely pleased that we provide funding to assist in the rebuilding of the flood devastation in Hurley. There are many good things for Southwest Virginia in this budget. Over the next few days I will be highlighting more budget wins for our region, but for today I am proud to say that our work on the budget is complete.
Sincerely,
Travis Hackworth
Dear Friends,
The 2022-2024 Biennial Budget was released by the House and Senate this week, initiating a process that will continue through the end of session – and beyond.
Approving a budget in Virginia is detailed and lengthy. It begins the December immediately preceding session, when a governor submits his budget after addressing the House Appropriations and Finance Committees and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee in a joint meeting about a week before Christmas.
Legislators then offer their amendments to the budget, submitting hundreds of proposed changes that must be screened during the first half of session by members of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. Some amendments get incorporated into the budget and some do not. I put forth several Higher Education amendments for the community college system, Radford University and Virginia Tech.
After the halfway point of the session, the Senate and House unveil and approve their respective proposals. Then, negotiations begin. With session scheduled to end on March 12, that leaves two weeks for negotiators to reach an agreement and send their budget off to Governor Youngkin for him to consider.
After session ends, Governor Younkgin will offer his own amendments to the budget. The General Assembly comes back to Richmond to consider those on April 27. After those amendments are considered and acted upon, Virginia has a budget. We expect a fight from the Democrats, but do not underestimate the Governor and the Republicans – we will be steadfast in advocating for our citizens.
The big story about the budgets this year – and the major difference between the House and Senate budgets – is the amount of tax relief being offered in them. As you might expect, the Republican-majority House’s plan includes virtually all of the tax relief Governor Youngkin proposed when he was campaigning. The Democrat-majority Senate’s plan offers some of that relief, but not as much.
Between now and the scheduled end of session, the amount of tax relief Virginians will be receiving will be among the main points of contention concerning House and Senate negotiators. Regardless of the agreement they reach, Virginians will be receiving tax relief this year.
After Governor Youngkin signed the bill into law giving parents the right to determine whether their child wears a mask in school, we started hearing from people – and teachers – asking, “What about the mask mandate for teachers?” This week, the Senate responded.
On Thursday, the Senate approved an amendment to Senate Bill 29, the 2020-2022 Biennial Budget, that would repeal the Northam Administration’s regulations mandating masks for employees in some workplaces – including classrooms. These mandates, which took the form of some pretty onerous regulations that were based neither on science nor empirical data, were among the costliest ever imposed.
Senate Bill 29 is often referred to as the “Caboose Budget.” It contains late changes to the budget under which Virginia is currently operating. Unlike most bills, Senate Bill 29 becomes effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature. That means the amendment, sponsored by Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover), should become effective very quickly.
The House has been considering bills passed by Senators, just as we have been considering those passed by the House. We have successfully moved my HB 121, which will offer opportunities for contractors to hire more employees without state red tape that currently increases costs for the consumer, through the House committee on General Laws. It is now in its
second reading in the House. We have two bills, HB 17 and HB 60, that should pass through the House Committee on Public Safety next week. One bill addresses the workforce gap that exists in law enforcement by eliminating unnecessary training requirements for retired officers who wish to return to work. This bill originated from recommendations by the Sheriffs in our district. The second bill makes necessary scheduling adjustment with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. There is a link below for any citizen who wishes to read the bills that I put forth this session.
There are two Monday federal holidays that fall during General Assembly sessions. The first is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday in January and the second is George Washington’s Birthday, which was this week. Since the General Assembly does not take holidays off during session and citizens do, a lot of Virginians came to Capitol Square this week to see their government in action. It was wonderful hearing from the Sheriffs and community advocates in the district this week. I am especially excited for the future of Radford University after a long meeting with their new president, Dr. Bret Danilowicz. Likewise, I anticipate great things this fall from Virginia Tech after meeting Coach Brent Pry – there’s no stopping those Hokies with his energy and commitment to excellence.
With only two weeks left until the 2022 General Assembly session is scheduled to end, there’s a lot of activity at Virginia’s Capitol. I’ll be back next week to provide a full update. Until then, have a great week.
Dear Friends,
This week, we officially passed the halfway point in the legislative calendar for the 2022 General Assembly session. Crossover, the point in the 60-day session by which the Senate has to complete work on all of the bills submitted by senators and the House has to complete work on all the bills submitted by delegates, is officially behind us. Now, the Senate will spend most of its time reviewing bills passed by the House, while the House considers bills approved by the Senate. Because the House approved just under 600 bills and the Senate approved slightly under 500, senators are required to do a little more work than delegates in the remaining days of session.
As you have most likely read, Senate Bill 739, sponsored by Senator Siobhan Dunnavant of Henrico, made it through every step of the legislative process and is now law. I was proud to vote for this bill which requires Virginia schools to offer in-person learning and also makes it clear that parents get to determine whether or not their child is masked in school.
Governor Youngkin added an “emergency clause” onto the bill, making it effective the moment he signed it. The signing itself was an event. Hundreds of cheering school children joined dozens of applauding lawmakers for a brief ceremony on the steps of the Capitol to watch the Governor sign the new law.
The bill ending the mask mandate for kids in school received most of the news media’s attention during the last two weeks. There were a lot of other important bills also approved by the Senate during the first half of this year’s session, ones which supported law enforcement, improve health care and health care coverage, support our military and veterans, and provide tax relief.
As a somewhat unexpected development, the Senate approved some bills filed by Republican senators that would strengthen election integrity and security. A bill prohibiting elections officials from accepting funds from private individuals or entities to conduct elections won unanimous support, as did one that will require early and absentee ballots be reported with the results of the precinct where the voter who cast the ballot lives.
A measure requiring deceased voters be reported for removal from the rolls weekly instead of monthly also made it through. Virginia still has a long way to go in reinstituting the strong and successful ballot security measures that were in place before Democrats gained complete control of state government in 2020, but we’re making real progress on this vitally important issue.
That’s all from Virginia’s Capitol this week. Next week, the House and Senate debut their respective plans for the biennial budget. Look to next week’s column for some of the details. Until then, have a great week.
Dear Friends,
When we arrived in Richmond this January, it would have been difficult to predict the weather or what issue would receive the greatest share of news coverage and headlines. However, it soon became clear which issue would dominate discussions inside the Capitol and grab attention outside: mask mandates in schools. On his first day in office, Governor Youngkin issued an Executive Order giving parents the right to determine whether their child wears a mask in school. Two years into the pandemic, there simply isn’t scientifically based evidence supporting the universal masking of school children in the classroom.
This week the Senate of Virginia passed Senate Bill 739. I was proud to vote in favor of the bill. The bill vests the decision of whether a child wears a mask in school squarely with the parent of the child – not the school board or school administration. Three Democrat Senators joined every Senate Republican in approving the legislation, which is now headed to the House. Unlike most of the bills passed by the General Assembly this session, this legislation will become effective almost immediately upon passage. Governor Youngkin has pledged to amend SB 739 to make it “Emergency” legislation, making it effective upon his signature on the final version.
The days leading up to the Crossover deadline are usually the longest of the General Assembly session, and that certainly remains true this year. We still have a lot of bills filed by senators upon which we must act prior to midnight on Tuesday, February 15. There was a lot of action on my own legislation this week.
I am pleased that we successfully passed my Senate Bill 720, which eliminates government red tape by allowing more flexibility for small counties to provide economic development incentives that will make Southwest Virginia more competitive with larger metropolitan communities. During my campaign, I promised to fight for the rural counties of our district, and this bill will assist in that goal. In addition, my Senate Bill 60, has passed the committee and will be headed to the floor for a vote. This bill collaborates schedules with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the localities in preparing Emergency Management Assessments. We learned from the horrendous disaster in Hurley that it is important to be prepared to assist our residents when a crisis occurs, this bill will provide more time for the municipalities to incorporate accurate data in planning for a natural disaster.
Supporting the coalfields remains a priority for me, for that reason I am pleased with the passage through Senate Finance of my Senate Bill 120. This bill directs the Department of Energy to partner with institutes of higher education to identify GOB and coal ash sites that are located throughout our region. Finally, I started with the Special Session in the spring advocating for our law enforcement. Senate Bill 17 passed committee, it allows retired law enforcement to reenter the workforce with an expediated training schedule that will help fill the job openings that are stressing our law enforcement. We have seen the men and women who protect our communities come under unwarranted attacks by the liberals in Washington and Richmond, it is time to give them the support they need. My bill will address the deputy shortages with an immediate aid.
I will close by saying that it was an eventful and newsmaking week at Virginia’s Capitol. I’ll be back next week with the latest updates from Richmond. Until then, have a great week. And if you need any assistance from us, please feel free to email our office at district38@senate.virginia.gov, or call us in Richmond at 804.698.7538. Constituent services can be reached at 276.345.9112.
Good afternoon,
This session, senators have witnessed history in front of them every day of session.
The election of Winsome Earle-Sears as Virginia’s lieutenant governor was historic. As Governor Youngkin noted in his proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month, “I am also pleased to serve with Winsome Earle-Sears, who served as a Marine and is the Commonwealth’s first woman to serve as lieutenant governor, first woman of color and first Jamaican-born American citizen elected to statewide office.” As lieutenant governor, she presides over the Senate, navigating the daily floor debate and calling on senators to present their bills. When addressed by senators, she is called “Madame President.” Her role is important and essential to the business of the Senate. And, three of Virginia’s last nine governors were lieutenant governors first.
LEGISLATION
Although more legislation made its way to the Senate floor this week, most of the bills still remain in committees. With Crossover just ten days away, that is about to change. Committees must finish considering the bills assigned to them to allow legislation they approve to be considered by the entire Senate by February 15.
This time crunch makes for longer committee meetings, which will soon give way to longer sessions on the Senate floor as those bills are considered and voted on by all 40 senators. We have had success in getting several important bills through committee: One of which is SB 16 which will increase the tax credit to 70 percent for the Education Improvement Scholarship tax credit. This will support private and parochial school grants, fulfilling a commitment I made during the campaign to support school choice. This bill has passed committee and will go forward to the full Senate, where I expect it to have bipartisan support. Unfortunately, two of my firearms bills which would loosen regulations for conceal and carry were defeated in committee with a party-line vote. As long as the Democrats control the Senate addressing core conservative principles remains a challenge.
VISITORS AND LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
We had visitors from home to stop by our offices this week. It has been an honor to meet with representatives from Montgomery, Bland, Smyth, Pulaski, Russell, and Tazewell County. Friendly faces from home are always welcome, so please make it a point to stop by if you’re in Richmond between now and March 12. Please contact our Richmond office at 804.698.7538 or by email: district38@senate.virginia.gov to schedule an appointment. Likewise, I want everyone to know that our local office in the district remains committed to providing constituent serves. Our District office number is 276.345. 9112.
CLOSING
Richmond dodged any substantial snowfall last week, but the groundhog saw his shadow anyway. Whether or not he’s as accurate as The Weather Channel’s forecast, we really shouldn’t be surprised it’s about to get cold again. I hope you’ll stay safe, warm, and dry in the week ahead. I’ll be back next week with more news from Virginia’s Capitol.
Good evening,
Let us start with great news: Virginia has a new Governor! Glenn Youngkin, Virginia’s 74th Governor, was sworn in on Saturday, January 15. Lt. Governor Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares were inaugurated during the same ceremony.
Governor Youngkin’s Inaugural Address laid out his vision for the Commonwealth.
He focused on growing our economy, improving education, strengthening law enforcement, and restoring competence to state government. The change for which Virginians voted last November is definitely taking effect.
The Governor addressed a joint session of General Assembly. In his remarks, he detailed the initiatives he is pursuing for the current legislative session. Reducing taxes, streamlining regulations, and restoring the rights of parents were all prominently featured in the Governor’s “Day One” agenda.
Now, that agenda is in the hands of the General Assembly, as proposals promoted by the Governor are introduced as bills that must be approved by both the House and the Senate to become law. I am proud to sponsor one of those bills that will eliminate red tape and hold agencies accountable.
If you’ve had the opportunity to watch the livestream of a Senate session this year, you may have difficulty identifying which senator is talking. The problem is not with the camera, but with the full-length plexiglass cages into which each senator has been placed. All senators are assigned to their own individual isolation booth surrounding their desks.
These cages are not there because of Senate Republicans. We objected to them, but the Democrat majority has insisted they remain up. Inconsistently, there are no such cages in Senate committee or subcommittee rooms. There, senators sit beside one another without obstructions in a cage-free environment. And, our Democrat colleagues attended outgoing Governor Northam’s State of the Commonwealth Address and Governor Youngkin’s Address to the General Assembly in the House chamber, which has no such barriers.
LEGISLATION
The underlying purpose of every General Assembly session is to consider legislation. That work is well underway and I presented some of the bills I am sponsoring this session this week. Senator Hackworth has proposed 24 bills this session. They include SB 16 Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits which will support alternative schools with a means of scholarships, and provide incentives for businesses to invest into private and parochial schools. Additionally, the Commonwealth must address the shortage of law enforcement officers in our communities, his SB 17, provides an opportunity for retired officers to re-enter the workforce without retirement penalty, as well as expedite their re-entry process.
Hackworth had his first win yesterday with SB 121, a bill which removes burdensome penalties on the construction industry in a way that increase jobs and lowers costs for businesses and customers.
Although not nearly as many people as customarily visit the General Assembly have come so far, we did have some visitors this week. This week we were blessed to have the Sheriffs from our localities visit and voice their support for the return to work bill. The representatives from the Farm Bureau were gracious enough to spend time expressing their concerns on farm and agriculture legislation. I am committed to supporting agriculture in our region, and having them as partners means a great deal. Finally, the leaders from UVA Wise, Radford University, and Virginia Tech were here to discuss the challenges of higher education. This is an important dialogue as we look to develop a successful pathway to the future. Senator Hackworth put forth two budget amendments that will support both Virginia Tech and Radford University.
VISTING
If you’re planning a visit to the Capitol between now and March 12, please stop by our offices in Room 514 of the Pocahontas Building. If you want to contact us about an issue being considered during this year’s session, send us an email at District38@senate.virginia.gov or call (804) 698-7538.
This week ended with the threat of snow falling on Capitol Square. In Richmond, that is often cause for mild panic; however, we are used to it in Southwest Virginia. But, winter is clearly here and the General Assembly will continue to meet regardless of the accumulation outside the Capitol.
Expect more news next week from Richmond. Please stay safe, warm, dry, and healthy between now and then.