Dear friends,
This week marked the beginning of our legislative session in Richmond! Compared to other states with year-round legislatures, Virginia’s session is a short 60 days.
The problem with that is we have very little time to pass new laws. The advantage is…we have very little time to pass new laws!
As the session continues, I will keep you posted on the bills I’m sponsoring as well as any other legislation that I think you may find noteworthy. My agenda this year is pretty packed.
I’m working on bills that will reform transportation spending, dramatically improve and bring innovation to Virginia’s public education system, protect the right to life of the unborn, move our region to the forefront of cybersecurity business development, guard your second amendment rights, protect women-owned businesses, and reform our local criminal justice procedures – to name a few!
If you have any questions, give me a call – or come visit! We’ve already received visitors from back home in our Richmond office, and we would love to have you stop by!
The week kicked off with the swearing-in ceremony, and I repeated my oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Virginia.
“I do solemnly affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as delegate, according to the best of my ability, so help me God.”
I also received my committee assignments! I will continue to serve on Science and Technology, Transportation, and starting this year have been assigned to serve on the Education Committee.
My fellow delegates and senators also heard from the Governor in his “State of the Commonwealth” address. Governor McAuliffe has a lot of ideas, but I think there’s a common thread of a lack of depth or planning in bringing Virginia forward to meaningful economic growth. Nevertheless, as you and I work to advance the principles that we know are right and will bring prosperity to Virginia, I look forward to developing whatever common ground we can find with our governor.
I think you’ll appreciate taking the time to watch the video attached. My fellow delegate, Rick Morris, used some of the first few minutes of our session to make a passionate plea for the rights of the unborn.
Day two brought a speech presenting hollow objections to Delegate Morris’s speech and then an eloquent rebuttal by Delegate Bob Marshall reading excerpts from a resolution he has proposed this session which makes a solid argument that the Supreme Court made its 1973 Roe and Doe decisions based on false science.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your elected delegate. I am working hard for you.
Please keep me, my team, and our families in your prayers in the following weeks!
We always enjoy meeting with constituents and others who are willing to take an active role in our government. Here are some pictures from this last week. We'd love to see you in Richmond this session!
Representatives from the AARP and Virginia Education Association
Directors from the Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District
Members of the American Individualists with other friends and family from the district. Also included is House Page Suzannah Bozarth.
