Team Irene Newsletter: Sine Die Edition!
As the dust settles on the 2024 General Assembly Session, and as we await the Governor’s actions on the whopping 1,098 bills that have landed on his desk, I wanted to take some time this week to dive into some of the issues that I heard about the most from constituents and that could have an impact on the 8th District.
Source: VPAP.org
Our Democratic Majority
This Session was an important time for our Democratic majority to band together and deliver on the promises that we have been making year after year on the campaign trail. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished with a view to keeping Virginia moving forward.
Securing Our Children’s Future Through a World-Class Education
Investing in Virginia’s public schools was at the top mind for my colleagues and me as we worked our way through the 2024 General Assembly session. The final budget compromise is a testament to that thinking. It includes a 3% salary increase in each year of the biennium for our public school teachers, $527.8 million over the biennium to support early childhood education, $72.1 million to provide support for English language learners, and more. All told, we are looking at $2.5 billion in additional funding for K-12 public education which will have an incredibly positive impact on students in every corner of our great Commonwealth.
Bill Spotlight: I was proud to sign on as a co-patron to Delegate Nadarius Clark’s HB 187 pegging teacher salary in Virginia to the national average.
Revitalizing our Infrastructure from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads to Southwest Virginia, and all points in between
We were also extremely mindful of the need to modernize and revitalize our Commonwealth by investing in our infrastructure. From damage caused by recurrent flooding to chronic underinvestment in common-sense transportation solutions, as well as our critical need to expand access to broadband, we knew that Virginia families were counting on us for relief. That is why, in our budget, we direct Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which is critical to reducing air pollution and combating climate change. We also invest $50 million in the Virginia Telecomm Initiative as we work to ensure that all Virginians have access to reliable broadband.
Bill Spotlight: I was proud to be a co-patron on Majority Leader Charniele Herring’s HB 800, which will improve and expedite connectivity, especially in rural areas. In 2024, broadband access is a public necessity.
Fostering an Economy that Works for Hardworking Virginians
We owe it to hardworking Virginians in every corner of our great Commonwealth to fight for an economy that puts the hardworking people of Virginia first. So, that’s what we did this session. We raised the minimum wage, and we fought for common-sense policies to ensure that no Virginian has to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or a loved one, or between putting food on the table and paying for life saving medications.
Bill Spotlight: There were so many bills within this space that I was proud to advance. I was proud to sign on as a co-patron to Delegate Jeion Ward’s HB 1, establishing a $15 minimum wage in Virginia; Senator Jennifer Boysko’s SB 373, establishing a comprehensive paid family and medical leave framework, and Delegate Karrie Delaney’s HB 570, establishing a prescription drug affordability board.
Protecting the Rights and Freedoms of All Virginians
Elections matter. Our Democratic majorities remained steadfast in our commitment to protecting healthcare for all Virginians, affirming Virginians’ right to marry who they love regardless of sex, gender, or race of parties, and fiercely defending access to the ballot box.
Bill Spotlight: Two important bills relating to women’s health that I signed onto are Delegate Marcus Simon’s HB 1539 to protect people from extradition if they were involved in the receipt of or assistance with reproductive health care services and Delegate Cia Price’s HB 609, codifying the right to contraception.
Keeping Virginia Communities and our Children Safe
Gun violence is an epidemic in our communities. It is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Democrats are committed to keeping our communities safe by keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people and working to prevent accidental gun deaths.
Bill Spotlight: There were many good, common-sense gun reforms that were brought up this session. I was especially proud to support Delegate Adele McClure’s HB 362 to close the dating partner loophole to protect partners from gun violence.
Other Major Issues of 2024
Casino
By far the most emails and phone calls I received this session, from residents of the 8th House district and across Fairfax, were folks reaching out to let me know how vehemently they oppose a Fairfax casino in Reston and Tysons.
I firmly believe that communities should be involved in decisions that will impact their day-to-day lives, and the message from the neighbors of Reston and Tysons has been loud and clear. I stand with the multitudes of community members and organizations that oppose the development of a new casino in Northern Virginia.
The bill was carried over for the year in the Senate, so the proposal did not make it over to the House this year for a vote. Nevertheless, I was glad I got the opportunity to participate in a community town hall in February, standing alongside Senator Jennifer Boysko, Delegate Rip Sullivan, Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra and Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, to hear from community members and state our shared opposition to the development of a casino in Tysons.
Arena
Nearly as many friends and neighbors reached out to me about the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Campus proposal in Alexandria. I was disappointed that the Administration provided such little transparency throughout the process, with no guarantees for worker protections or for additional funding for transportation, including WMATA and Route 1 infrastructure. That is why I voted “NO” on the enabling legislation and why I was pleased when we stripped funding for the proposal from the budget. It’s too soon to know what the Governor will do, but my position remains firm. I oppose the arena in the absence of steadfast worker protections and robust investments in our region’s transportation infrastructure.
Data Centers
I heard from so many different folks on the topic of data centers with concerns ranging from the energy grid to jobs to noise to placement. The position we took this year on all of the different data center bills was to press the pause button until we are able to review the comprehensive study compiled by the nonpartisan and incredibly professional Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission that is due this November.
On a personal note, I am deeply concerned by the environmental impact that data centers bring to localities, including increased power that cannot be met by renewable sources, water contamination, and stress on local grids. I am eager to advance a robust regulatory framework that minimizes environmental damage and prioritizes communities’ needs and concerns.
Our Community
Understanding Local Budget Processes
With the General Assembly Session behind us, our local governments are working now on finalizing their budgets, so now is the time to make your voices heard on all kinds of issues that impact our community!
For more information on the Fairfax County budgeting process, please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/budget-process-timeline. The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings on the FY 2025 Budget (due to go into effect on July 1) on April 16-18. On Tuesday, April 16, the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet starting at 9:30am. Public comment on the budget will start at 4pm. On Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18, the Board will take public comment on the budget starting at 3pm. The location will be the same on each of those three days: Board Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA
For more information on the Town of Herndon budgeting process, please visit https://www.herndon-va.gov/government/town-budget-and-acfr. The Herndon Town Council will hold public hearings on the proposed budget at its April meetings on April 9 and April 23. Both meetings begin at 7pm in the Herndon Council Chambers at 765 Lynn Street, Herndon.
FCPD Year End 2023 Crime Report
The Fairfax County Police Department recently issued its Year End 2023 Crime Report, focusing on the crime offense categories of most concern to many in our communities – including homicide, burglary, sex offenses, theft, robbery, and auto theft – and data on accidents such as crashes, vehicle fatalities and pedestrian fatalities. You can find the report online here: https://fcpdnews.wordpress.com/2024/03/12/fairfax-county-police-department-releases-2023-crime-report-and-insights/
(40 and older) Softball Players Wanted
The Golden Girls of Northern Virginia, a senior women’s softball league, is looking for players. Any woman over the age of 40 is encouraged to join. All skill levels are welcome. They play most Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in Vienna from May-July and September-October. https://www.goldengirls.org/
Happening this Friday, 03/22!
Gains, Gaps & Goals: The Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County, Friday, March 22, 2 to 5 p.m.
The county's Department of Family Services is hosting a presentation from the University of Virginia on the status of women and girls in Fairfax County. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion, audience Q&A, and networking with light refreshments after the event. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/gains-gaps-goals-status-women-and-girls-fairfax-county
Solarize NoVA Launches April 1 through June 30
As we step into spring, a pivotal season for sustainable development in our community, I wanted to share an exciting upcoming initiative that gives back to Northern Virginia homeowners and businesses.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Solarize NoVA, a campaign dedicated to accelerating Virginia's transition to solar energy. From April 1st to June 30th, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the Local Energy Alliance Program and local solar installers are partnering up to embark on a mission to make solar energy more accessible and affordable.
Since the campaign’s inception in 2014 the results have been outstanding. 913 contracts for 8.5 MW of solar and nearly $25 million in private investment all with local solar companies. These solar arrays help offset 9,100 tons of carbon pollution annually.
To sign up for free or learn more information, go to www.solarizenova.org.
It is always wonderful to hear from you! Please call my office at 804-698-1008 or email delishin@house.virginia.gov anytime to schedule a visit or to let me know what’s on your mind. With the 2024 General Assembly Session now adjourned, I am back in Herndon and will be across the 8th House District a lot more. Watch this space for town halls and district office hours! My proverbial door is always open. My team and I remain ready to assist you however we can. We are grateful for the honor of serving you and our district.
Thank you for trusting me to represent the priorities of our community and Commonwealth.
