Session Week Two
With the first full week of the 2023 General Assembly Session now complete, I wanted to share some of the highlights. I met with many constituents and advocacy groups; sat in the first Counties, Cities & Towns Committee meeting of the year; and had my first bill heard in committee.
Jails Fines and Fees: HB 2039
This session, I continued to push to address price gouging of incarcerated individuals in local and regional jails.
On Thursday, January 19th, my legislation was heard in Subcommittee #2 of the House Public Safety Committee and was rejected on a party-line vote. For another year, families of incarcerated individuals will endure financial hardship in order to care for and contact their loved ones.
This is not the end of my advocacy for these incarcerated individuals and their families. I will continue to fight for much-needed jail reform legislation in the upcoming legislative sessions.
Constituency & Advocacy Meeting Recap:
On Monday I met with members of the Fairfax Education Association to discuss ways to bolster teacher salaries and keep students safe across the Commonwealth.
I also joined the Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus for a panel discussion with members of Hamkae Center, an organization that advocates for the Asian American Pacific Islander community in Virginia.
Later that day, I met with constituents and advocates from New Virginia Majority to discuss legislative solutions to create more affordable housing. The affordable housing shortage Virginians currently face is an urgent crisis that calls for creative and immediate relief. I am proud to be a chief co-patron on Delegate Nadarius Clark’s HB 1532, which would permit localities to adopt rent stabilization measures.
I also met with amazing youth advocates with Voices for Virginia’s Children to talk about how legislators can better support the learning needs of all our students, including services on campus to support emotional and mental health.
Virginia ranks 48th in the nation for access to youth mental health services. I am proud of the work being done this session to address this issue. I am happy to co-patron Delegate Plum’s efforts on HB 1938 that increases the number of full-time school counselors specializing in mental health treatment.
On Wednesday, the Virginia Pharmacists Association came to see me to advocate for legislation that would allow pharmacists to test and dispense in limited circumstances via detailed protocols and regulations adopted by the Board of Pharmacy in conjunction with the Board of Medicine.
Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn and I got to catch up with UNITE HERE members about the importance of labor peace agreements.
I was thrilled to welcome Cornerstones, an incredible nonprofit organization that has long served the Herndon community with affordable housing, employment training, emergency shelter, and other critical services, to Richmond. We discussed their legislative priorities for the session and plans for their soon-to-be-open food hub in our community.
Jamie Lockhart, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, also stopped by my office to highlight important legislative efforts to protect a person’s right to choose, access to contraceptives and other reproductive healthcare.
And at the end of the week, I got to meet with the Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2068 and Local 3756 of Loudoun and Fairfax counties to talk about their legislative priorities. The dangerous work of our brave firefighters comes with many health repercussions. Cancer is one of the health problems that arise from the profession and Delegate Emily Brewer’s HB 1408 would expand the list of cancers considered a hazard of the job. Compensation would be provided to ensure that our firefighters get the help they need.
In the News:
“Push to limit prison and jail fees hits early obstacle in Virginia House”
“[Delegate] Shin’s bill, which would apply to local jails, is part of a multiyear effort to limit the amount of money jails and their third-party contractors can make from captive customers who have no other options.”
Read about it in the Virginia Mercury here.
“Utility shut-offs harm vulnerable Virginians”
“Virginians will continue to face the threat of utility shut-offs as the height of winter approaches, with low temperatures and severe weather events worsened by the negative impacts of climate change. With Del. Irene Shin introducing House Bill 2283 in this year’s General Assembly session, this is a timely opportunity to codify more protections that ensure Virginians’ access to essential services like gas, water and electricity.” – Rev. Sherman Z. Logan
Read about it in the Virginia Mercury here.
Announcements:
Sorensen 2023 High School Leaders Program:
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is seeking civic-minded students from across the Commonwealth to apply to the 2023 High School Leaders Program.
Applications close March 20th, 2023. Apply here or contact our office for more information.
Volunteering at Farmers Markets:
The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking volunteers to help manage all ten Fairfax County Farmers Markets during the 2023 market season.
Learn more about the Farmers Market program and the schedule.
How to sign-up for Fairfax County Farmers Market volunteer opportunities.
Stuff the Bus:
Fairfax County’s annual food drive to help fight hunger in our community is underway! From January 14th to February 18th. Bring non-perishable donations to grocery store events or other locations to benefit our food pantries.
Find the list of all the locations and dates here.