June Newsletter

Written By Kristina Hagen

I can’t believe it is already June! School is wrapping up and summer is getting off to a great start. I hope you are planning some time to rest, relax, and GO VOTE! 🗳️ Election Day for Virginia’s 2024 Congressional Primaries is fast approaching. Here are some important dates and resources to help you make your plan to vote!

  • Early voting ends on Saturday, June 15. You can see all of the early voting locations and hours here, and you can search for your nearest voter registration office here.

  • Primary Day is Tuesday, June 18. The Virginia Department of Elections has lists of all congressional and local candidates here. 

  • You can use the Virginia Department of Elections’ Citizen Portal to view your voter registration, polling place, election district, absentee ballot status, voting history, and more!

Make a plan today! I’ll see you at the polls!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Special Session & The Budget

In my May newsletter, I reported that the legislature was called back down to Richmond for a Special Session on May 13 to take action on the state budget. Normally, this would have been handled during Reconvene Session – but, this year, the Governor made a record 233 line amendments to the budget, altering much of the substance of what the legislature had passed back in March. I am pleased to share that many of our priorities — notably, ensuring historic investments in education and guaranteeing Virginia’s share of WMATA funding — did prevail in the final package.

Getting To Work! Boards & Commissions

In March, I was appointed to five new boards and commissions and reappointed to one:

  • Commission on Youth (reappointment);

  • Joint Commission on Administrative Rules;

  • Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence;

  • Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANS) Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANDAS);

  • Pandemic Response and Preparedness Joint Subcommittee; and

  • Southern States Energy Board.

So far, both the Pandemic Response and Preparedness Joint Subcommittee and the Commission on Youth have met. I am excited to be able to participate in the work of debriefing Virginia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring that we are well positioned for future public health emergencies. I am also pleased to be able to continue my work with the Commission on Youth. 

OUT AND ABOUT

In addition to many opportunities last month to interact with friends and neighbors across the Eighth District, May was Asian American Heritage Month, and I was excited to join my Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC) colleagues on the road for a special series of AAPI meet and greets! Together, we traveled to central Virginia (Henrico and Richmond), Tidewater (Virginia Beach and Newport News), and northern Virginia (Vienna). 

Some May highlights include:

  • The Herndon Farmers Market is back! Find it Thursdays through November 7 from 8am to noon at 765 Lynn Street, Herndon, VA, 20170.

  • I was thrilled to present the Korean American Association of Greater Washington Metropolitan Area with a commending resolution in honor of the 30th anniversary of the annual KORUS Festival.

  • I was honored to introduce my dear friend, Linda Choe, on the House Floor to celebrate her being named Specialty Bar Leader of the Year by the Virginia State Bar Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations in 2024.

  • I joined Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler, for a VAAPIC “friendraiser” in Virginia Beach as we work to build relationships with AAPI organizers and community leaders across Virginia and lift up the work that we are doing in Richmond on behalf of our very diverse communities. On my way home from Virginia Beach, I had the great opportunity to meet with representatives of the Peninsula Korean American Association in Newport News.

  • I had a great time moderating a vibrant conversation about the state budget with Delegate Mark Sickles - chair of the House Health & Human Resources Committee and vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee - over breakfast with the Dulles Area Democrats.

  • I was back in Richmond for the first 2024 meeting of the Commission on Youth, featuring a particularly interesting and important presentation on the topic of Virginia’s Low-Income Safety Seat Program.

  • I joined Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine for a Commonwealth Coffee reception in honor of AAPI Heritage Month.

  • I had the distinct pleasure of introducing Secretary Anne Holton at a special Women Rise event hosted by Supervisor Dalia Palchik.

  • I joined Senator Jennifer Boysko on the campaign trail as she seeks the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

  • I stopped by the National Landing Business Improvement District Annual Meeting along with Senator Adam Ebbin for an opportunity to meet with small business owners and to check out the new Amazon HQ2, the largest newly constructed building to be LEED Platinum certified. I presented HJR393, commending Amazon for this certification.

  • I joined my dear friend and colleague, Delegate Marcus Simon, as a co-host for a fundraiser for Delegate Briana Sewell as she seeks the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 7th congressional district.

  • I closed out the month with a very special VAAPIC “friendraiser” in Vienna, surrounded by colleagues and friends. The incomparable Sue Langley opened up her beautiful home for us and a wonderful time was had by all!

HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY

🏳️‍🌈 June is Pride Month with many opportunities to celebrate our LGBT+ friends and neighbors all month long. Maybe I’ll catch you at one of these!

  • Wolf Trap will hold their annual Out and About festival on Saturday, June 22.

  • The Sherwood Regional Library in Fairfax will have a Pride Trivia Night on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m.

  • The Arlington Pride Festival is Saturday, June 29 at Long Bridge Park in National Landing.

  • The City of Fairfax will close out Pride Month with their Pride Ride on June 30 🚲

🎸 Friday Night Live! is back with a packed summer line-up! I was so excited to be able to recognize Friday Night Live!, organizers and sponsors, in honor of the series’ 30th anniversary this year with a special Commending Resolution, agreed to by my colleagues in the House of Delegates. Line-up and more here!

🧑‍⚖️ The Town of Herndon is looking for middle and high school students who live in the area to serve on the Herndon Youth Advisory Committee (HYAC). Committee members will advise the Town Council on youth-related issues and advocate for Herndon’s youth population. Apply by June 15! 

🛝 Herndon Parks and Recreation is participating in Play All Day VA on June 20! Celebrate the summer solstice by exploring Herdon’s parks, trying a new recreational activity, and enjoying a sweet treat. More information here.

🏊‍♀️ A taste of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be brought to our very own backyard! Children will explore four Olympic aquatic sports (Swimming, Diving, Artistic Swimming, and Water Polo) with the Herndon Community Center’s Intro to Olympic Aquatics session on June 29. More information here.

🎆 The Town of Herndon will host a Fourth of July celebration at Bready Park. There will be games, live music, and - of course - fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m.

KEEP IN TOUCH!

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. My door is always open, and 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.

Kristina Hagen
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May Newsletter