Another week of session has concluded. The last five days passed in a blur of early mornings and late evenings. Committee meetings begin as early as 7:00 a.m. and can stretch long into the evening. Bills continue being assigned to committees, and deadlines are looming. Wednesday, February 1, is the last day that bills needing to go to the Appropriations Committee can be heard. The Appropriations Committee wields the “power of the purse,” and bills that carry a price tag (or even a savings) for the Commonwealth are typically heard in this committee. Appropriations Committee members are tasked with recommending amendments to the Governor’s proposed budget, and they have quite a task ahead: over 1,000 amendments have been requested by House members! |
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Parole Board Investigation |
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A top issue during the 2021 election season was the scandal surrounding the Virginia Parole Board. A whistleblower emerged to allege that the Board chairwoman violated the law in releasing over a hundred violent felons during the early months of the COVID pandemic. Many were released from parole despite recommendations to the contrary. Numerous violent offenders guilty of rape and murder were released with no notice to the victims, families of victims, or to the prosecutor where the conviction occurred. In one shocking case, an individual convicted of forty-two felonies (including sexual battery, robbery, and abduction) was released only to promptly commit fifteen new violent felonies. This utter disregard for not only the law, but also the safety of Virginians, is galling. At the time the story broke, then-Governor Northam and then-Attorney General Mark Herring—both Democrats—obfuscated the truth and went so far as to fire the whistleblower. Attorney General Jason Miyares vowed to investigate the situation, and the report—released this week—is scathing. Every Virginian should be appalled that individuals sworn to uphold the law would so blatantly violate their oath. No one should be above the law. An excellent article on the issue is available HERE.
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2023 General Assembly Session Legislative Survey |
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My 2023 General Assembly legislative survey is currently available on my website at https://vahouse.checkbox.com/batten-2023-pre-session-survey. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on many of the issues facing our Commonwealth. I take seriously your feedback, and I look forward to reading your response.
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This year I introduced a total of fifteen bills (the maximum allowable number during a short session). Commending and Memorializing resolutions do not count toward that total. As of this writing, eleven bills have been heard in subcommittee and/or full committee. Of those eleven, ten cleared the first hurdle and will continue through the legislative process. For a full list of my introduced legislation, click HERE.
As mentioned in my January 13 newsletter, I am carrying legislation to sustain access to mental health care. The bill is receiving broad support and is poised to pass the House unanimously on Monday. Also moving forward is my bill codifying that Virginia’s school boards must provide timely access to students’ scores on state-administered tests (such as the Standards of Learning, or SOL). This is the current practice of the Commonwealth, which adheres to federal guidelines in the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA); however, there is no requirement enshrined in the Code of Virginia. House Bill 2225 ensures that, regardless of changes made on the federal level, test scores will always be provided in a timely manner to administrators, teachers, and parents.
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Currently, I serve on four committees: Education, Public Safety, Commerce and Energy, and Rules. I also serve on a subcommittee affiliated with each committee. Subject matter heard by the first three committees is largely self-explanatory; however, Rules is a bit unusual. The Speaker of the House of Delegates, Todd Gilbert, chairs the Rules Committee (the only committee on which he serves), and members hear bills on a wide range of topics. Unlike all other committees, Rules meets irregularly (we have yet to meet this year). Assigned to Rules thus far are bills requesting formal recognition of the Wolf Creek Cherokee Tribe of Virginia, asking Congress to admit Washington, D.C. as a state, and designation of March as “Problem Gambling Awareness Month.” Interesting indeed.
(At left is my view from the dais of the Commerce and Energy Committee.)
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Although I spent relatively little time in my office this week (too many committee meetings!), my legislative aide, Dayle Brittain, and I were able to catch up with representatives of the following groups:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Coalition for Human Rights
- Commissioners of the Revenue
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
- Energy Burden Coalition
- The Libre Initiative
- Medical Society of Virginia
- NASA
- United Methodist Church
- Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association
- Virginia PTA
- Virginia Restaurant Lodging Travel Association
- Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency
My district office remains closed as we work from Richmond during the legislative sesion. If you'd like to visit, I am located in Room 432 of the Pocahontas Building at 900 E. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. As always, we remain available to assist with constituent service. If you have a problem with a state-related matter or agency or would like to set up a virtual meeting, please contact my legislative aide, Ms. Dayle Brittain by phone at 804-698-1096 or by email at DelABatten@house.virginia.gov.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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Contact Delegate Batten
Legislative Aide: Dayle Brittain
Mail: P.O. Box 194, Norge, VA 23127
Phone: 757-741-7001
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Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Amanda Batten |
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