Dear Friends,
On Wednesday, April 22, the Virginia General Assembly met in Richmond for the "reconvened session" to consider the Governor's vetoes and amendments. The session was like none other. As the Senate gathered in a conference room miles from the Capitol, the House convened in a large tent on the Capitol grounds. Although the weather was lovely, the day was marked by novel challenges. Cords stretched across the grass posed difficulties for our outstanding (albeit beleaguered) team of IT professionals. Delegates endeavored not to trip over the cords, but nevertheless inadvertently disconnected the wiring needed to cast votes. This problem overcome, the House began proceedings to the tune of a cacophony of car horns sounded by protestors seeking to reopen Virginia. A few hours later, the Speaker fainted on the dais while presiding over the House. She made a quick recovery, and the session continued after a brief recess. Throughout the day, legislators and staff donned masks (and gloves in some cases) while attempting to practice social distancing.
Despite these challenges, the House completed its work, adjourning in the dark around 8:30 p.m. The above photograph shows my view of adjournment from where I sat in the back row. Following are a few legislative highlights from the day.
- Remote voting: failed. A 2/3 vote was required to impose a rules change allowing remote voting by the members of the House of Delegates. This change would have required legislators to return home and participate in a hastily crafted (and untested) online voting system. Every Republican legislator voted against the change, and it failed to pass. The House instead completed its work in a timely fashion as dictated by the Virginia Constitution.
- The following measures postponed until May 1, 2021: passed
- local option allowing for collective bargaining
- local taxing authority
- increase in minimum wage
- Change the date of local (May 5) elections to November 3: failed. The Senate failed to pass the Governor's budget amendment delaying the May 5 elections until the November 3 General Election. This delay would have required the destruction of already-cast absentee ballots, extended the terms of incumbents, and allowed additional candidates to qualify for the ballot, thereby setting a dangerous and destabilizing precedent.
- Establishment of association health plans: pending. The Governor's amendment postponing the establishment of health plans was rejected, giving the Governor the option to veto the bill outright.
- Redesign of "driver privilege cards" (for non-citizens) to look more like standard Virginia drivers' licenses: passed.
- Adoption of an emergency clause making 4,618 inmates eligible for early release from prison: passed. By the statutory definition, 64% of these inmates are serving sentences for violent crimes, including homicide, arson, rape, and assault.
- Reconsideration of various budget provisions: passed.
At this point, the legislature's work would typically be complete for the year. Unfortunately, the economic impact of the COVID-19 response has rendered the previously adopted Virginia budget obsolete. With local governments dependent on the state for guidance, the General Assembly must meet again this summer to reconsider the budget (the session date is yet to be determined). As you likely recall, the budget was replete with new spending. Many of the bills passed during the recent session carried large price tags for consumers and the Commonwealth. The funding is no longer assured. Virginians are being furloughed in record numbers, businesses remain shuttered, and the revenues simply do not exist. Difficult decisions and budget cuts lie ahead, especially for regions such as ours. Tourism was a top economic driver in our area, and thousands of local residents were employed in hospitality, service, and other related industries. Candidly, the path forward remains unclear at this point.
A wide array of COVID-19 resources are available at the federal, state, and local level. The volume of information (and the overlap of agencies) can be confusing, and my office remains available to assist in any way possible. If your inquiry is not state-related, we will promptly connect you with the correct federal or local resources. As a reminder, my legislative aide, Dayle Brittain, can be reached by email at DelABatten@house.virginia.gov or by phone 757-741-7001.
Sincerely,
