December Newsletter
Dear friend –
I hope that your holiday season is off to a great start! This month’s update gives a snapshot of my legislative priorities as we look ahead to the 2025 General Assembly Session as well as information about all the wonderfully festive activities going on in our community.
Before we dive in, I want to take a moment to share some post-election reactions. I have been spending a lot of time talking to many of you, reflecting on this past election and thinking about how best to do my part to build a roadmap for moving us forward. I have been feeling a deep sense of sorrow – teetering on despair – at how, for the second time since 2016, I saw a competent, qualified, and brilliant woman be passed up for a job in favor of a strong man (and convicted felon) whose dangerous rhetoric has continued to divide our nation over the last decade.
While this outcome was not what we had hoped for or even worked towards, there were two bright spots for me: 1) together, we delivered Virginia for Harris/Walz and re-elected Senator Kaine + Congressman Connolly, and 2) Andy Kim made history as the first-ever Korean American to be elected to the United States Senate.
I hope that however you were feeling in the aftermath of this election, you have been able to find time to care for yourself and your community. In the days and weeks ahead, we are going to need each other more than ever. Our solidarity will be the backbone of the resistance.
VP Harris said in her concession speech, “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
So let’s keep fighting.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
We have just over a month to go before we gavel in for the 2025 General Assembly Session! We will be back on the Floor and back to work on Wednesday, January 8. This year will be a short session – 45 days – so it will feel more like a sprint than a marathon.
Here are some of the broad themes that I am working on as I plan out my 2025 legislation:
Healthcare
Working to make healthcare more affordable for pregnant people
Working to make healthcare more accessible for survivors of sexual assault through teleforensic services
Partnering with medical professionals and small family clinics struggling to keep up with transaction fees
Combating overdose deaths by expanding access to fentanyl testing
Energy & environment
Establishing procedures for the construction of EV charging infrastructure
Thinking strategically about the projected exponential increase in energy demand
How we ensure that we are tapping into green and renewable energy sources to meet that demand
How we pay for the necessary infrastructure with residents and corporations paying their fair share
How rates are determined for different classes of customers, especially given the surge in high load users
Incentivizing the construction of energy-efficient homes
Increasing access for solar powered energy on multi-family residential units
Economy & workforce development
Ensuring that regulatory oversight remains relevant and responsive to changing industry standards
Ensuring that our state and federal workforce development dollars are supporting skills training that meets Virginia’s High-Demand Occupations list
Establishing collective bargaining rights for homecare workers
Stay tuned for more updates on these and more as we get closer to session!
OUT AND ABOUT
It was such a treat to attend VolunteerFest and present Volunteer Fairfax with a commending resolution in honor of their 50th anniversary! I love seeing volunteerism and civic engagement in action.
November is “Bring Your Legislator to School Month” and I had some wonderful visits at schools across Virginia’s 8th District, invited by many of our wonderful Fairfax County School Board Members. I got to visit with students and faculty at Westfield High School, Upper McNair Elementary School, McNair Elementary School, Coates Elementary School, and Navy Elementary School. I loved learning more directly from school administrators about issues ranging from Literacy Act implementation to traffic concerns and school meal debt.
My favorite day of the year is Herndon Homecoming! I had so much fun in the parade alongside Senator Jennifer Boysko, Congressman Connolly, Delegate Keys-Gamarra, Supervisor Bierman, and School Board Member Lady.
I was honored to have Leader Charniele Herring and Delegate Vivian Watts joined me for the first ever Northern Virginia Women’s Legislative Roundtable in partnership with the Fairfax County Commission for Women. We had a vibrant discussion about issues impacting women in our community.
I was in Williamsburg to join the Virginia Conservation Network for this year’s Utility University program, where we got to hear from subject matter experts about the energy and environmental challenges we are facing in Virginia.
I attended my first meeting as a member of the Virginia Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANS) Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANDAS). We heard presentations about the history of the Council and the landscape facing patients, families, and providers in the Commonwealth.
I was in Richmond again for the final 2024 meeting of the Virginia Council on Youth, where we discussed IEP mediation, out-of-school time, and relief of custody.
On November 30, I traveled to Blacksburg to watch the UVA vs. Tech game. Added bonus: I got to stop in and have some ice cream at my friend and colleague Del. Joe McNamara’s ice cream shop in Salem!
HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
🎭 Herndon’s very own NextStop Theatre is running a phenomenal performance of Shawshank Redemption through December 15. This is Evan Hoffmann’s final show as NextStop’s Producing Artistic Director before he retires at the end of the year after 30 wonderful years – though I know he’ll stay involved for years to come!. Tickets and information available here.
👪 Fairfax County’s Adopt a Family program is taking sign ups through Friday, December 13. This county program helps families in need of clothing, food and toys for the holidays. While most families have been adopted already, gift cards, monetary donations and new baby items are still needed. Sign up online to adopt a family for the holidays and check out this Amazon wish list.
💜 The Domestic Violence Action Center is accepting gift cards for families impacted by domestic and interpersonal violence through Friday, December 13. Donate a gift card (in $25 increments) for big-box and grocery store. They may be dropped off or mailed to the Domestic Violence Action Center, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 2702, Fairfax, VA 22030. Learn more.
🛍️ And – be sure you mark your calendars for Herndon Wintermarkt on Saturday, December 14 from 12pm-7pm along Lynn Street. For those who haven’t been before, Wintermarkt is a charming, traditional, European-style Wintermarkt complete with German and French food, beer, gluhwein, and other treats all right here in Herndon. More information here.
🧸 The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is participating in the 2025 Toys for Tots campaign. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy at any Fairfax County fire station through Sunday, December 15.
🌨️ The Northern Virginia Regional Commission has created this resource to provide some helpful tips and information regarding winter salt. Their “Tips for Residents” guide is available here.
📖 The Town of Herndon Winter Programs & Events Brochure is live! Make sure you flip through it for all the upcoming wintertime activities and schedules. You can find the brochure here.
🙋 Looking for ways to keep your kids active and entertained this winter break? Check out the Herndon Community Center Winter Odyssey Fun Days, packed with arts & crafts, gym games, board games, swimming, and so much more! Every day is a new adventure filled with laughter, creativity, and play. More information here.
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.