2020 Session Update

Dear Friend,

I hope that you and your loved ones had an enjoyable holiday season. Since my last update, there have been many changes in the Virginia political landscape and the legislative session, which began on January 8th. In the first ten days of session, I have enjoyed meeting many constituents and advocates representing labor groups, bankers, environmentalists, marijuana decriminalization, school counselors, immigrant rights, physicians, and many more. 

Useful Resources for the General Assembly Session

The 2020 legislative session began on Wednesday, January 8th and occurs each weekday at noon for 60 days (expected adjournment is March 6). You can visit the Capitol in person and sit in the gallery of either the House or Senate to observe. Or you can watch via livestream wherever you are by visiting the Virginia General Assembly website and clicking on “Members and Session” on the left-hand side of the page.

I encourage you to use the Legislative Information Systems website (http://lis.virginia.gov/) to access bill information, committee information, and meeting schedules.
 
If you have specific bills you’d like to talk to me about, you can communicate with me in a number of ways:
Visit the office: Pocahontas Building, 900 East Main Street, room E408
Email: delegate.carr@betsycarr.org
Phone: 804-698-1169
Mail: PO Box 406 Richmond, VA 23218
Complete my survey: https://www.betsycarr.org/constituent-survey/
 
You can schedule an appointment to meet with me by calling the office at 804-698-1169.

Additionally, you can review legislation that I have introduced here (http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+mbr+H212C). This year I am introducing bills that focus on good governance, promoting affordable housing, providing safe avenues for those experiencing overdoses to seek medical assistance, reducing plastic and polystyrene foam consumption, and regional planning of our precious water resources.

Upcoming Important Dates for Session

February 11 - Crossover (all the bills passed in the House go to the Senate and vice versa)February 16 - House Appropriations Committee reports Budget
March 6 - Last day of Session
This year the General Assembly will pass a budget for the next biennium (2020-2022). You can view the Governor’s proposed budget and budget amendments proposed by General Assembly members here: https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/

Highlights from the Governor's Budget

K-12 Education: $1.2 billion investment in K-12 education includes increase for at-risk schools, raises teacher salaries 3%, funding for more school counselors and new staff supports for English language learners, and makes new flexible funds available for local divisions.
 
Housing Affordability: $92 million in new funding to address housing affordability, eviction rates, and supportive housing as well as $63 million in the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.
 
Tuition Free Community Colleges: $145 million is included to make tuition-free community college available to low and middle-income students who pursue jobs in high-demand fields, like health care, information technology, public safety, and early childhood education.

Protecting the Environment: $733 million in new funding for the environment and clean energy, including an additional $10 million for oyster reef restoration. Clean water investments put Virginia on track to meet the 2025 Bay cleanup deadline. An additional $15.5 million investment for the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant program will support targeted land protection through the ConserveVirginia initiative.

Early Childhood Education System: $94.8 million investment will increase access for at-risk three and four year olds in the early childhood education system, establish consistent accountability standards, and ensure training and support for educators. $59.5 million is proposed to support the Virginia Preschool Initiative, which boosts per-pupil dollars, ensures class size flexibility, and helps reduce waitlists.

Maternal and Infant Mortality: $22 million to combat maternal and infant mortality, focused on reducing the racial disparity in the maternal mortality rate. This includes expanding Medicaid coverage for new moms, increase home visiting, and exploring Medicaid reimbursement for Doula support services. Nearly $4 million was included to extend coverage up to one year post-pregnancy as well as including medically necessary treatment for addiction and substance abuse disorders.
 
You can read the Governor’s entire proposal to the Joint Money Committees here. (https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2019/december/headline-849987-en.html)

Changes at the General Assembly

As you most likely know, with the recent election, the Democrats now hold the majority in both the House of Delegates and Senate. This is the first time in 25 years that Democrats have held power in both the legislative and executive branches. With the new majority, we will see a shift in priorities during the 2020 session. First, the new Speaker of the House, Eileen Filler-Corn, has appointed new committee chairs and rearranged the committee assignments to reflect the new majority. I am proud to have been appointed Vice-Chair of the General Laws committee. Additionally, I am now the chair of the Transportation Systems subcommittee of Transportation, the Open Government and Procurement subcommittee of General Laws, and the Higher Education subcommittee of Appropriations. I continue to serve on the Rules committee as well.
 
While individual members of the Democratic Caucus have priorities across the spectrum, here are a few policy changes that have been advocated:

  • Gun violence prevention

  • Protecting voter rights

  • Passing ERA

  • LGBTQ protections

  • Investment in public education

I am proud that the House has already accomplished one of these policy changes with the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Virginia becomes the 38th state to ratify the ERA, which will place women and men on equal footing in the Constitution. Although the ERA was introduced in 1923, it still offers benefits to women today, including protection from sexual harassment in the workplace, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and protecting existing gender equity laws. 

You may have also heard that there were new rules regarding bringing weapons into the Pocahontas Building and the Capitol. The intention is to keep everyone safe - visitors, full and part-time employees, pages, interns, and members of the General Assembly. The policy bans the open carrying and carrying of concealed weapons in offices or spaces occupied by legislative branch agencies. You can read the full policy here: https://publications.virginiageneralassembly.gov/display_publication/236

Finally, the Capitol Square, per the Governor's orders, is acting under a temporary state of emergency until the evening of Tuesday, January 21. Recently, law enforcement has closely monitored intelligence regarding Monday's upcoming "Lobby Day" and received real, actionable information that groups were planning violence at the rally. Due to this, no weapons of any kind will be allowed on the Capitol grounds during the temporary state of emergency. 

I support the right of Virginia citizens to peacefully protest and communicate their views on proposed Virginia legislation. I also support the Second Amendment. Many groups protest peacefully during session, but with out-of-state militia groups and hate groups expected to attend, it is important to keep everyone safe. 

Important Upcoming Events & Other News
 
We Demand: Women''s Suffrage in Virginia: 2020 marks 100 years since women gained the right to vote on the federal level.  The Task Force to Commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote, on which I serve, is hosting many exhibitions and events around the state. The Library of Virginia's exhibition, We Demand, opened on January 13th and includes many historic artifacts and memorabilia from the suffrage movement in Virginia. (https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/wedemand/?_ga=2.171748128.1086302676.1578452048-772645815.1549124484)

Gubernatorial Appointments
Throughout the year, the Governor of Virginia makes appointments to various boards, commissions, councils, and other collegial bodies. If you are interested, the vacancy list can be found at commonwealth.virginia.gov/boards in an easily searchable format that is updated monthly as positions are filled or become vacant. For recommendations or further questions about applications, please reach out to my office.

It is an honor to serve you in the General Assembly. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you. I can be reached at 804-698-1169 or delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. 

Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr

October Update

Dear Friend,

I hope you and your family are enjoying the warm days before the cooler season settles in. Fall festivals, community, school and sports events abound, as well as the swirl of activities during a campaign season. Although we are about halfway between legislative sessions, legislative work continues. Committees and commissions meet, and numerous meetings about upcoming legislative concerns and constituent issues take place.

Appropriations

During recent meetings, finance secretary Aubrey Layne provided an overview of Virginia’s economy for the 2019 fiscal year (July 2018- June 2019). The surplus of $797 million has already been appropriated for reserves, water quality, and taxpayer relief. Taxpayers can expect to receive checks from the taxpayer relief fund October 1- 15. Generally, the Commonwealth is doing well however, Governor Northam urges caution and strategy as we go into the new budget cycle.

Additional reports at the monthly Appropriations meeting included overviews of Medicaid program expenditures, the lottery 2019 financial performance, future concerns about the negative impact of “gray gaming,” and the Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) continued rising sales of spirits, as well as plans for a new office in 2021. The Department of General Services (DGS) report on Capital projects included two facilities of local interest. The Virginia War Memorial Carillon renovations are slated to be completed in Fall 2020, while the Virginia War Memorial on Belvidere will be completed late this year.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC)

JLARC, of which I am a member, meets monthly and provides oversight of state agencies and the expenditure of taxpayer money. The September meeting reviewed the operation and performance of regional and state jails and the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG).

The Virginia Housing Commission

The Housing Commission, of which I am also a member, meets monthly. A recent meeting focused on the Commonwealth's population and housing trends. Virginia's population is growing, but at a slow rate. Some Virginians are moving south for a better cost of living rate, contributing to the slow growth rate. Modular and manufactured housing, which are constructed to the same state and building codes as conventional housing, were discussed. In addition, a work group focused on the rise of electric vehicles and the increased need for charging stations.


Interim Meeting Reports

For your convenience, the Division of Legislative Services provides summaries of all Division-staffed interim meetings. In addition to the Appropriations Committee and JLARC meeting summaries, you can find, for example, summaries from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission, the Crime Commission, the Virginia Code Commission, the Subcommittee on Coastal Flooding and others.


Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA)

The Virginia Center on Aging was created by the General Assembly in 1978, to provide interdisciplinary study and research pertaining to the aged and the aging and serve as a resource to organizations and agencies. Its Advisory Committee, of which I am a member, meets regularly. As our Commonwealth’s older population increases and will become the majority in several years, the VCoA’s work of defining and protecting the life of older Virginians through training, education, lifelong learning, and Alzheimer’s research and education is essential.The VCoA expands our communities’ capacity to provide informed caregiving and serves as a statewide resource center. Dementia research and VCU Road Scholar are included programs.

House Page Applications

Applications from 13 and 14-year-old students for the 2020 House Page Program will be accepted through October 31. For 172 years, the Page Program has fostered leadership in young men and women throughout Virginia and given youth a first-hand experience of the legislative process, civic engagement, and public service. Pages are chosen by the Speaker of the House and the Page Program; any applicant also needs a recommendation letter from their delegate. If you know a student in the 69th district who is interested in applying, please have them contact my office by calling 804-698-1069 or emailing delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. You can learn about and apply to the House Page program on the Virginia General Assembly website here.

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT)

The DRPT celebrated ten years of Virginia-sponsored passenger rail service in the Commonwealth, September 19, at Main Street Station. The first Virginia-sponsored Amtrak train was launched in 2009. A decade later, Virginia’s state-sponsored Amtrak services have grown from one to four routes and includes six daily round-trip trains, with average annual ridership exceeding 850,000. DRPT continues to build a rail network that supports job creation, workforce recruitment, tourism, and business investment in Virginia.

To celebrate, DRPT announced a special $10 fare for ten days, beginning October 1- October 10, 2019, for one-way trips on all Northeast Regional routes to and from Virginia, including Washington. D.C. Customers can book trips by visiting www.amtrak.com/virginia. The fare is available now through October 10, by using the code V110 at check out.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)

The Chesapeake Bay, whose watershed comprises six states, includes more than 3,600-plus species of plant and animal life. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has been leading the way to restore the 64,000-squaremile watershed since 1967, by working with agencies, engaging leaders, and educating communities. By 2025, CBF plans to reduce pollution and improve the health of local streams and rivers that feed into the bay through their Watershed Implementation Plan. Virginia’s Watershed Implementation Plan was created through collaborative efforts between federal and state governments to strategize the most effective way to clean up the local waterways. In addition to this work, CBF educates 14-15,000 students in Virginia every year and connects with students and teachers through hands-on, experiential learning. In September, some local officials were treated to a trip on the James River aboard "The Bay Watcher," which departed from Jordan’s Point in Hopewell, and explored the river, its inhabitants, and watershed down to the Westover area. On our excursion we were encouraged to learn how to take action to “Save the Bay”.


2020 Drone Challenge

NASA announced the first ever drone challenge, also known as the Safeguard with Autonomous Navigation Demonstration, to be hosted in Hampton, Virginia. The SAND challenge will give small businesses the opportunity to compete in autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle competition, designed to push the boundaries of traditional operations. SAND Applications are open now through November 1. The competition will take place in May 2020. Visit sand2020.nianet.org for more information.

OnThe Square

On a lighter note, OnTheSquareVA is a group of events designed to get state employees up and moving and enjoying Capitol Square. Calendar opportunities include the Capitol run, cornhole tournament, food trucks, Friday farmers market, DMV Real ID registration, and meditation.

Important Election Day-- November 5

Are you registered to vote? The deadline to register to vote for the November 5th election is October 15th. If you are unable to make it to the polls, you may request an absentee ballot by mail by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 or in person at City Hall (900 E. Broad St) by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2019. All 100 seats in the Virginia General Assembly will be on the ballot.

Helpful Links:
How to register to vote
Find out who is on your ballot
Find out where to vote
Photo ID Requirements to Vote

Reinstated Driver's Licenses

A law to reinstate driver's licenses due to unpaid fines went into effect in July. However, after suspension for unpaid fines and fees were wiped clear, many effected Virginians may be unaware that they can take action with DMV to get themselves back on the road. Learn more here or visit Drive-to-Work for assistance.


Virginia Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission

As part of its commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and abolition of slavery in the United States, the Virginia Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission will construct the Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument on Brown’s Island to be unveiled in 2020. The 12-foot bronze statue will represent newly freed slaves and will highlight notable African American Virginians. In addition, the Commission has been holding community conversations around the state to commemorate Dr. King's visits which began in 1956, and to assess our status concerning Dr. King's "beloved community." Another Commission group has begun work to focus on the painful history of lynching in our Commonwealth.

Controversy/History

The Valentine Museum is partnering with Richmond 300, the city's master planning process, to explore questions about Richmond's future.Topics included will cover access and equity in land uses, transportation and parking in the city, black-owned businesses, and green space access, among others.

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. You can email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1169. I look forward to seeing you and your friends and family around Richmond.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

July Update

Dear Friend,

I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying the warm weather and taking necessary precautions to stay hydrated and cool during heat advisories, as well as planning some enjoyable activities around Richmond and our Commonwealth during the remainder of the summer. 

Special Legislative Session

As I am sure you are aware, our City and our Commonwealth have been devastated by gun violence again recently. After the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, Governor Northam issued a call for a special session to meet on Tuesday, July 9th to address gun violence prevention. No bills were discussed or passed during the special session, which adjourned until Monday, November 18th. Instead, the Courts of Justice and Militia, Police and Public Safety Committees met after adjournment and referred the majority of the legislation to the Virginia State Crime Commission. You may review special session legislation here. Additionally, you can review Governor Northam's priorities, which were introduced by Democratic Delegates and Senators on his website.

The Crime Commission has scheduled two meetings, Monday, August 19 at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday, August 20 at noon to discuss the special session's. Public comment will be taken for the first 3 hours at the August 20 meeting. Both meetings will take place in the House Committee Room of the Pocahontas Building (900 East Main Street). If you are unavailable to attend the commission meetings you may submit public comments at comments@vscc.virginia.gov or

Virginia State Crime Commission
1111 East Broad Street, Suite B036
Richmond, Virginia 23219


Since the beginning of my time in office, I have worked with my colleagues in the General Assembly to introduce and pass legislation that combats gun violence and ensures public safety. I look forward to continuing that work in November and hope that all can come together for common sense solutions that protect our citizens, and importantly, our children.

New Laws


After each legislative session, new laws passed take effect on July 1. The Division of Legislative Services provides a comprehensive summary of legislation passed, In Due Course, which you can read about here. A few examples of laws taking effect:

  • Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Requires health insurers, health care subscription plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in individuals of any age.

  • Opening Day of School: Requires each local school board to set the school calendar so that the first day students are required to attend school is no earlier than 14 days before Labor Day.

  • Tobacco Purchasing Age: Increases the age requirement for purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21 unless the individual is an active duty personnel.

  • Safe Reporting of Overdoses: Building upon legislation that I introduced in 2014, 2015, and 2017, this new law eliminates the requirement to cooperate with law enforcement when qualifying for affirmative defense in the case of a drug or alcohol overdose. The opioid epidemic has devastated many lives in our Commonwealth and country. This is a good development in the effort of trying to save lives and help people recover from addiction.

  • Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections, charges: Maximum charge for state safety inspection for a motor vehicle will increase from $16 to $20.

Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC)

JLARC, of which I am a member, provides oversight of state agencies. The July meeting focused on the Virginia Retirement System (VRS )and Virginia 529. The VRS is meeting its investment goals and continues to do well. Virginia 529 is benefiting from more investment expertise; its INVEST 529 offers a good option for citizens interested in college savings. The Weighted Average Tuition (WAT) program will replace the Prepaid program and offer more flexibility and affordability. You can review the VRS Oversight Report from the July JLARC meeting here.

Redistricting Update

The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 opinion dismissed the appeal from the Republican party in Virginia’s redistricting case on Monday, June 17th. This means that the redrawn House of Delegates map will remain in place during the 2019 election cycle. However, the new map will only be in effect for one legislative election cycle. The lines for the entire General Assembly (House and Senate) will change again in 2021, after completion of the 2020 census. The boundaries of the 69th district, which I represent, have been changed as a result of the redistricting case. More communities in the City of Richmond's eighth Councilmanic district are now included. While areas of historic Manchester, Blackwell and portions of Oakgrove-Bellemeade in the City of Richmond, as well as the Davis precinct of Chesterfield County are no longer included.

Every year, I have introduced legislation related to non-partisan redistricting. I am pleased that Virginians will be able to cast their ballots in fairly drawn districts this November. Additionally, this past legislative session, we passed a constitutional amendment that is the first step to ensure that the future reapportionment of the districts will be done fairly and in a nonpartisan manner. That bill will have to be passed again in the 2020 session and by voters in the November 2020 election before it becomes law to impact the 2021 redistricting process. I look forward to supporting its passage.

Celebrating 400 Years of Democracy

Four hundred years ago, the first representative legislative assembly was established in Jamestowne. On July 30, members of the Virginia General Assembly, Congress, state legislatures nationwide, and possibly the President of the United States President will gather at Jamestown for a Commemorative Session. There will be many ceremonies, public programs, and a concert by the Richmond Symphony at Historic Jamestowne. In addition, College of William & Mary will be hosting a forum to connect with leading political, academic and cultural leaders. You can learn more by visiting:www.americanevolution2019.com.

The Changing Face of Politics: Approaching 2020, a One Day University program sponsored by the Times-Dispatch will be at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Wednesday, July 31, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. In addition, the Museum features Determined: The 400-year Struggle for Black Equality. This exhibition (through March 2020) examines the long history of black Americans' fight for freedom, equal justice, and access to equal opportunities through the profiles of thirty individuals.

Equality Virginia's Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit (TIES)


Equality Virginia, the leading LGBT advocacy organization in Virginia, will lead their annual TIES event at the University of Richmond on Saturday, October 19. The Summit is an opportunity to build a safe, empowering community of shared respect that is inclusive to people who are transgender or gender diverse. You can find more information and details for registration here.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens' Beautiful RVA


The Beautiful RVA program will provide a 12-week course, beginning in September, that teaches sustainable horticulture, urban greening and community building. Visit their website to apply (deadline July 31) and learn more about Beautiful RVA’s many beautification projects throughout Richmond and in the 69th district such as the McDonough Community Garden, Broad Rock Community Garden, Fifth District Mini Farm, and Eighth District Mini Farm.

VMFA Kehinde Wiley Acquisition


The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Board unanimously approved the acquisition of Kehinde Wiley’s sculpture, “Rumors of War” on June 19. Kehinde Wiley is a world-renowned visual artist known for his presidential portrait of Barack Obama. Wiley’s well attended exhibition, “A New Republic,” was featured at the VMFA in the summer of 2016. His artwork commonly features vivid, monumental portrayals of African-American and African-Diaspora individuals, challenging the hierarchies of conventional European and American portraiture. Cast in bronze, “Rumors of War” presents a confident African American in urban street wear seated on a horse in the style (and roughly the same size) of the J.E.B. Stuart monument. The sculpture will be unveiled in Times Square on September 27, and be permanently installed at the museum’s Arthur Ashe Boulevard entrance in December. The sculpture was acquired through private funds—no state money was used. It is exciting that Richmond will receive Wiley's first and largest piece of public art.


American Flood Coalition

Flooding has been an ongoing concern causing blocked roadways and hazardous still water for citizens in communities throughout Richmond and our Commonwealth. It is vital that we find appropriate and positive solutions to this crucial issue. I am happy that I have become a member of the American Flood Coalition, which is dedicated to combating these issues. The American Flood Coalition is a non-partisan organization comprised of cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses, and civic groups who work together to advocate for federal funding and national solutions to sea level rise. I look forward to working with the American Flood Coalition to help prevent flooding and the catastrophic damages it causes our communities.

Power Scholars Academy

The Power Scholars Academy is an innovative partnership with the YMCA, BellXcel Foundation and Walmart to restructure the summer school program at Broad Rock Elementary School with an evidence-based curriculum. Academic learning, social well-being and life skills are combined in a fun environment for young students. This highly innovative and effective curriculum has been tested across the country and found to be an outstanding program for participants. I was proud to stand alongside other Richmond community partners at the grant presentation recently and look forward to the Academy's success.


Dominion Energy's "100 Homes 100 Vets"

Dominion Energy partnered with the Department of Veteran Services to launch “100 Homes 100 Vets.” This program is need-based and shareholder-funded to provide free energy efficiency upgrades and home weatherization for at least 100 qualified veterans who live in the Commonwealth and are served by Dominion Energy. It is an extension of their EnergyShare program which has helped families facing hardship by providing bill assistance. To find out more information and if you may be eligible, please visit their website.

Richmond City Lead Grant


Richmond received a federal Lead Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that will address lead paint hazards in homes and rental units for properties built before 1978. The household must include a pregnant woman or a child under six who has had a blood level test conducted within the last six months. You can call the Richmond City Health District at 804-205-3727 to see if your household may qualify.

Commonwealth Employment Equity Initiative


The Commonwealth Employment Equity Initiative adopts industry-wide best practices in compensation and employment which will attract and retain top talent in our state workforce. The Governor announced that the initiative will bring greater equity and overdue improvements to our state hiring policy. The state job application has been comprehensively redesigned by eliminating salary history, school name, age indicator, and other fields with potential for unconscious bias and offering the applicant's preferred pronouns to highlight the state’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Applicants may choose to submit only a resume and personal information. For the first time, applicants may also use a mobile device to apply for a state position. With revisions to the State Compensation Policy, applicants for state jobs can expect salaries fairly aligned with experience, competencies, and relevant credentials as of July 1, 2019.

City Increase in Real Estate Assessments

Richmond real estate average assessments increased by 7.7%. The biggest increases were residential properties in Swansboro and Maury areas South Richmond, which saw a 25% increase.The assessment reflects the intensely competitive Richmond real estate market. While rising property assessments can be a boom for investors, it can offer hardship to long-term residents. As a member of the Virginia Housing Commission, I appreciate having worked on reducing the number of evictions in the Commonwealth in the last General Assembly session and look forward to improving access to affordable housing.

Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) National Recognition

GRTC as awarded a bronze rating by The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy for Pulse, Richmond’s year-old, rapid transit system. Pulse received a top score based on international best practices to ensure that Best Rapid Transit systems more uniformly deliver word class passenger experiences, significant economic benefits, and positive environmental impacts. In the past, Richmond has received low ratings for the region’s transit system but through collaborative efforts between the city and GRTC, we are now on par with cities like Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Mexico City, and Beijing. Ridership has increased by 15% and the report indicated significant improvement in access to jobs.

It is an honor to serve you in the Virginia House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you. I can be reached by email at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or by phone at 804-698-1169.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

May Update

Dear Friend,

I hope you and your family are enjoying spring in Richmond. As we head into nicer weather, Richmond has many upcoming festivals and fun activities. The General Assembly adjourned on February 24th. On April 3, we reconvened to decide on the Governor’s amendments and vetoes of bills. Overall, this session was productive, and many new laws will go into effect on July 1. Below are some highlights from the reconvene session as well as information about activities in Richmond this spring.

Update from Reconvene Session

In between the legislative and reconvene sessions, the Governor signed 842 bills into law and amended or vetoed 64 pieces of legislation. Among the 64 bills, 17 were vetoed by the Governor and all of the vetoed bills were sustained by the General Assembly, meaning they will not become law. You can read more about which bills were vetoed here and a full list of amendments that were passed here.
 
Notable amendments that passed were:

  • Eliminating the suspension of driver’s license over unpaid court costs and fees, which will reinstate the driving privileges for more than 600,000 drivers on July 1.

  • Improvements to I-81 by increasing truck registration fees and diesel tax rates in addition to a 2.1% regional motor fuels tax along the I-81 corridor. I-95 and I-64 will also see improvements south of Prince William County and between Richmond and Williamsburg.

  • Funding to rebuild the Central State Hospital in Petersburg, which would add 250 more beds

Failed amendments included:

  • Expanding distracted driving legislation statewide beyond the ban on using a mobile device in a work zone

  • Funding for census education and outreach to ensure an accurate census count in 2020

The next step was for the Governor to take action on the amended bills that were rejected by the General Assembly. He had 30 days (May 3) to either sign the bill into law without his recommendation or veto the bill. On May 3, the Governor vetoed additional bills related to restrictions on small businesses, changes to the Virginians with Disabilities Act, lowering the staffing ratio for school counselors, and undermining access to quality, affordable health care. You can find more details on the Governor’s vetoes and other announcements here.
 
The Division of Legislative Services (DLS) provides a detailed and comprehensive summary of all the proposed amendments and vetoes, which you can read here. Additionally, if you are interested in reviewing the 2019 session, DLS has released their “2019 Session Highlights” report. Hard copies are available upon request by calling my office at 804-698-1169.

ConserveVirginia

ConserveVirginia is the first in the nation, data-driven, statewide, land conservation strategy that identifies high value lands and conservation sites across the Commonwealth. Its living “smart map” includes six categories that represent a different conservation value: Agriculture & Forestry, Natural Habitat & Ecosystem Diversity, Floodplains & Flooding Resilience, Cultural & Historic Preservation, Scenic Preservation, and Protected Landscapes Resilience. More than 5 million acres of agricultural and forest lands fall under these categories. The map will be updated regularly as new data is available and additional resources and tools emerge. The goal is to take the next step in identifying how and where to achieve better conservation outcomes and to prioritize the most important lands from a statewide perspective. You can view the interactive map here.

Virginia Film Industry Update

The third series in AMC Network’sThe Walking Dead franchise will film its debut season in Virginia. Production of the ten-episode series will begin in Central Virginia this summer. This is the second AMC series to film in the Commonwealth;TURN: Washington’s Spies filmed four seasons in Virginia between 2013-2017. The film industry is growing quickly in Virginia by bringing in an annual total economic impact of more than $800 million in 2017. WithThe Walking Dead having one of the largest audiences on television today, we will hopefully see an increase in jobs for skilled workers, economic opportunity for local businesses, and an uptick in tourism. 

The show is eligible to receive a Virginia film tax credit, but the exact amount will be determined based on the number of Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased, and other deliverables like Virginia tourism promotions. To read more about Virginia’s growing film production industry, visit www.filmvirginia.org.

eVA - Virginia’s Procurement System

According to the Department of General Services (DGS), 1,657 businesses, including 153 SWaM businesses, within the 69th district participated in Virginia’s enterprise procurement program in 2018. Top commodities included garbage removal, new building construction services, and police and security-equipped automobiles. This amounted in a total of $44.2 million in spending.

If you own a business or are simply interested in learning more, DGS offers a website called eVA, an electronic procurement system used by over 11,000 state and local government purchasing professionals to buy over $7 billion in goods and services each year. On the website, you can find free public reports, which show you who is buying, who they are buying it from, and how often. Click on “Procurement Transparency Reports” on the home page to find this information.

You can also explore a wealth of information on how to do business with the Commonwealth and view current solicitations by state agencies, local governments, and many school systems. To get started doing business with the state, you must register your business as an eVA vendor - registration is free and it will provide access to additional tools and resources, like online bidding and customer care. If your business is selected to work through eVA, there is a 1% fee on purchase orders that is capped at $500 for small businesses and $1,500 for other businesses.

eVA is transforming how Virginia businesses and governments work together for the benefit of everyone. I appreciate the transparency reports as they reflect and relate to the legislation that I recently passed, HB1668, which provides oversight and training for high risk contracts.

2019 Election and Voter Registration

Every year is an election year in Virginia. This year, registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on members for the House of Delegates and Senate. The primary election is Tuesday, June 11th and the deadline to register to vote in the primary is May 20th.

Helpful Links:
How to register to vote
Find out who is on your ballot
Find out where to vote
Photo ID Requirements to Vote

The General Election is on Tuesday, November 5th, and the deadline to register to vote in the general election is October 14th.

DMV Real ID

Beginning October 1, 2020, federal identification requirements are changing for domestic air travel and access to secure federal facilities. This means, in order to board a domestic flight on or after that date, you will need to have visited the DMV in person with certain documents to update your driver’s license or ID card to a REAL ID. Otherwise, you will have to present another federally approved form of identification, like a passport, at TSA checkpoints.

DMV is actively spreading the word and recommends not waiting until the last minute to get your REAL ID. If you would like a DMV REAL ID expert to attend one of your community group meetings, please contact me at 804-698-1169 or delegate.carr@betsycarr.org and my staff will help you arrange this.

Storm Preparation

With the spring weather has come plenty of rain as well, and before we know it, hurricane season will be upon us. It is important to stay prepared for adverse weather. Here are some tips and reminders:

  • Make sure your prescription medications are filled

  • Keep your car’s gas tank full

  • If you have pets, stock up on food and supplies

  • Keep your mobile device charged and have a portable charger

  • Keep matches, candles, flashlights and batteries stocked in an accessible location at home

  • Keep extra water and non-perishable food on hand

  • Buy surge protectors for sensitive electronics

  • If you have a portable generator, make sure you have fuel and it is ready for use

  • Turn off or unplug important appliances

If you lose power, always report it by visiting www.dominionenergy.com or 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357). Stay away from downed lines and anything touching them - always assume lines are energized and report it using the phone number above.

If you or someone in your household uses electrically powered medical equipment, you can submit this to Dominion at www.dominionenergy.com/medical-conditions. A physician’s statement and signature are required and you must re-submit annually. In the event of a power outage, Dominion will prioritize restoring your service.


Google Initiative in City of Richmond

Google is working with small businesses, jobseekers, students, teachers, and veterans in the City of Richmond through a program called Grow with Google. They have a partnership with public libraries to bring free tools and resources to job seekers and small businesses nationwide. There is also an online option offered for businesses and job seekers unable to participate in the in-person trainings. Local organizations interested in joining the Grow with Google Partner Program can learn more and apply here.

Virginia Space Launch

It was a delight to travel to Wallops Island on April 17th to witness the 10th cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. Virginia Space, Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems, and NASA celebrated the launch, which also carried student scientific experiments as part of the inaugural ThinSat program. The more than 40 experiments included in the launch are designed to research cardiovascular health, Alzheimer’s, and removing atmospheric carbon dioxide. ThinSat is a low-cost initiative aimed at increasing student engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related fields; more than 50 middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities participated in the program. You can read more about the student-inspired satellites at theTimes-Dispatch.

Exciting Spring Activities and Events in Richmond

As you know, Richmond is a vibrant community, especially in the spring. There are many fun events for you and your family to enjoy. Here are a few that may be of particular interest:

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. You can email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1169. I look forward to seeing you and your friends and family around Richmond.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

End of Session Update

Dear Friend,

The 2019 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on Sunday, February 24th with a budget. I was pleased to have 10 of my 15 bills passed as well as two resolutions. You can view my legislation here.

The Budget
As you may know, the General Assembly must passed a balanced budget each year. This year, the focus was on amendments as we adopted the biennial budget in 2018. While the budget is not perfect and I wish some issues received more funding, overall, I believe this is a good budget containing many excellent measures and I voted “yes” for its passage.

  • Spending: The budget bill includes $43.27 billion in general fund spending, excluding the reserve deposit. An additional $1.43 billion will be deposited into the reserve fund, which leaves $7.6 million in unappropriated funds.

  • Revenues: The Commonwealth expects $42.09 billion in general fund revenues. Due to the federal tax conformity, we are expecting $699.7 million in general fund revenue and $505.6 million to be directly deposited into the restricted reserve fund.

  • Higher Education: In order to maintain tuition levels at FY19 for next year, the Commonwealth is providing $57.5 million to institutions of higher education. Additionally, $18 million goes toward creating the Tech Talent Investment Fund to increase the number of computer science and related degrees and invest in instruction support.

  • Teacher Salaries: In addition to the 3% increase already appropriated through the biennial budget, amendments were passed to increase this to a total of 5%

You can review a thorough comparative analysis of the budget from the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis here.  You can also review the conference report of the budget here.

Notable Legislation that Passed
“Move Over” Law (HB1911)-As you may recall, Hanover County’s Lt. Brad Clark, a firefighter, was killed due to a driver not properly moving over when Lt. Clark was responding to a scene on the road. This bill makes a driver’s failure to move into a nonadjacent lane on a highway with at least four lanes a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Insurance Coverage for Autism (HB2577)-Health insurers will be required to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in individuals of any age. Currently, coverage is only required to be provided from ages two to 10.

Casino Gambling (SB1126) –Following up on the information I provided during my last update, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) will study gambling and report back to the General Assembly by November 2019. However, qualifying cities will be able to hold a voter referendum in November 2020 to allow casino gaming.

Independent Redistricting Commission (SJ306 & HJ615) – The General Assembly came to a consensus to create a 16-member (8 citizen members and 8 legislative members) redistricting commission that will redraw the Commonwealth’s districts after the 2020 Census. It is not a perfect bill, but it is a good step toward ending partisan gerrymandering. The citizen members will be recommended by the legislative leaders from each party and a panel of retired judges will select an equal number of citizen members from each party’s list. After the Commission is formed and has maps available, the General Assembly will have final approval, but cannot make changes. In the event that the legislature fails to adopt a map after two proposals from the Commission, then the Supreme Court of Virginia will draw the lines. All meetings will be open to the public and all records and communications will be considered public too.
 
Since this is a constitutional amendment, it will need to pass the General Assembly two years in a row, meaning it will need to be introduced and passed again in 2020. Once this happens then the voters will need to approve it through a referendum in 2020. You can read more detailed information at the Times-Dispatch.
 
New Tobacco Regulations (HB2748 & SB1727) – Citizens must now be 21 years old to purchase or possess tobacco and e-cigarettes. This is a change from 18 years old. Virginia is one of six other states that have changed their laws based on the rise in teenage vaping.
 
Personal Hygiene Products (HB2540 & SB1715) – Sales tax will be reduced for personal hygiene products, both for menstrual and incontinence use.

Unsuccessful Legislation
Equal Rights Amendment -Despite efforts to revive the Equal Rights Amendment in the House throughout session, it ultimately failed to be considered on the House floor. I was disappointed that Virginia will not join the 37 other states who have ratified the ERA but was proud of the many advocates who devoted so much of their time this session.

Conversion Therapy Ban –Many bills that supported and protected the LGBTQ community failed to pass this session. One of them (SB1773) pertained to banning conversion therapy by licensed professionals on minors by supporting regulatory boards’ actions. While this bill failed, the Commonwealth’s health professional boards are exploring options for banning the practice of conversion therapy through professional guidelines and regulations. You can read more about it at the Times-Dispatch and you can review all of Equality Virginia’s priority legislation here.

Hands Free driving (HB1811) – This bill would have banned drivers from using a hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. Following several local instances of pedestrians or cyclists being hit by cars, I was supportive of the original bill. However, the legislation was amended to allow some ability to hold the hand-held device “in his hand,” which made the legislation too subjective and in the view of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, it would open the possibility to disproportionately target drivers of color. According to the Virginia Highway Safety Office, in 2017 there were 26,123 distracted-driver involved crashes that killed 843 people. Hopefully, this bill is re-introduced in 2020 and we can come to a common-sense solution. You can read more here.
 
Balance Billing (HB1714 & SB1763) – There were several different measures in both the House and Senate that aimed to eliminate balance billing, a serious issue that I know many constituents have dealt with in the past several years. Unfortunately, all the balance billing bills failed. This is certainly a complicated issue. Health providers and insurers have different perspectives, and patients sometimes feel they have to make up the difference when it comes to paying a bill. I am hopeful that with continued advocacy from constituents, all stakeholders will come to the table for a solution next session. You can read more about the issue here.
 
There were many more important and interesting bills that passed and failed in the General Assembly this session. The Roanoke Times has a simple overview that you can review here.
 
Additionally, if you have questions about any legislation, you can contact my office at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call 804-698-1169.
 
The General Assembly will reconvene on April 3, 2019. During this session, the House and Senate will accept or reject any vetoes from the Governor. Otherwise, the bills that have passed the General Assembly this session are set to become law on July 1, 2019.

Community Happenings

Richmond Black Restaurant Week -Richmond has made a name for itself based on all its spectacular food offerings. I am excited that next week isRichmond Black RestaurantWeek(March 3-10). There are 30 participating restaurants from all over the Richmond area. You can participate by going for lunch, dinner, drinks, or if you would like a fun event for the family, visit “Mobile Soul Sunday” on March 3rdfrom noon – 5:00 p.m. on Hull Street between 11thand 14thstreets. Enjoy more than 15 food trucks as well as music, vendors, and a kids zone.

Visithttps://www.vablackrestaurantexperience.com/restaurantsto find restaurants near you and learn more about related events happening next week. I strongly believe that it is essential that we support our black-owned restaurants and businesses in order to not only promote our outstanding culinary scene, but also to more deeply understand and appreciate our Richmond community.

Tax Prep for Seniors –Tax season is here. Senior Connections offers tax help. You must make an appointment beforehand by contacting Pat Gieson at 804-343-3059.

2019 Governor’s Fellows Program –This prestigious program offers rising college seniors, graduating seniors, and graduate students attending colleges and universities in Virginia, firsthand experience in state government at the highest level of the executive branch. Each fellow is placed with a member of the Governor’s Cabinet or with a member of his personal staff, providing an unparalleled opportunity to understand and learn about how the Office of the Governor works and makes decisions. Virginia residents attending out-of-state colleges and universities are also eligible. The selection of Fellows, while competitive, is based on merit. Applications are due on Friday, March 15, 2019. The program runs Monday, June 3, 2019, through Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Visit the Governor’s Fellows Program website for more information:https://www.governor.virginia.gov/the-administration/fellows/

James River Park System’s Invasive Plant Task Force –Invasive plants are non-native species capable of overtaking natural communities, including our beloved James River Park System. This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week and there are many opportunities to volunteer and learn more about this problem. A celebration will be held on Friday, March 1, at Westover Station (5407 Forest Hill Avenue) from 7pm – 10 pm, featuring the Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra. Find out more information here:https://jamesriverpark.org/invasives/

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. Please never hesitate to contact me if my office can be helpful to you. You can email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call my office at 804-698-1169. I look forward to seeing you and your friends and family around Richmond this spring.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

February 2019 - Session Update

Dear Friend, 

It is my hope that your new year is off to a strong, positive start. Here at the General Assembly, we have been in the midst of a fast-paced, short (45 day) session. There have been challenges and successes, and I am confident that progress has been made to help Virginians.
 
In this update, I will provide you with important information on the budget (as it currently stands), legislative topics of interest, some highlights from my legislation, photos from my meetings with constituents and other events, as well as general community information.

2019 General Assembly Session
As a reminder, session started on January 9th and will last approximately 45 days (expected adjournment on February 23rd). The House and Senate meet in their respective chambers daily at 12 noon. You can visit the Capitol in person to witness the day’s proceedings in the Gallery or you can watch from home or work by visiting: https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/chamber/chamberstream.php
 
You can also watch committee meetings on the live-stream as well.
 
Another important website is http://lis.virginia.gov/, where you can find information on bills, legislators, committees, as well as the daily meeting schedule.
 
If you ever have questions about the legislative process or how to access bill information, you are welcome to contact my office at 804-698-1169 or delegate.carr@betsycarr.org

2019 Budget
The House Appropriations Committee met on Sunday, February 3rd to provide an overview of the committee approved budget and on Thursday, February 7th, the House passed the budget. In general, it provides extra funds for teacher and state employee pay, more funding to reduce the likelihood of tuition increases in our public colleges and universities, as well as a down payment on high-tech education initiatives for Amazon and the technology business sector.

Highlights of the House budget bill:

  • Adds 5% raises for teachers (the House added 2% to the 3% raise as the Governor proposed), which takes effect on January 1 instead of July 1

  • Allocates $36 million toward hiring additional school counselors to reduce the counselor to student ratio throughout the state

  • Includes $3.2 million in funds for additional REVIVE! Kits and naloxone spray used for the reversal of opioid overdose

  • Provides $8.8 million in funding for the acceleration of STEP-VA mental health crisis services as well as $7.9 million for 254 additional nurses and psychiatrists at state mental health facilities

  • Provides $3 million of TANF funds to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks

  • Creates the Tech Talent Investment Fund to increase the number of computer science and STEM degrees with $27.9 million in funding

  • Provides $5.2 million for the Tuition Assistance Grant program (TAG) to increase assistance awarded to full-time students attending private, non-profit colleges and universities

  • Includes $74 million for a mandatory deposit into Virginia’s water quality funds

 
You can read a budget overview in the Times-Dispatch and a side-by-side comparison of the Governor, House, and Senate budgets by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.

Session Overview
This legislative session, the House of Delegates introduced 1,568 bills and the Senate introduced 1,101. VPAP has an interesting infographic on House and Senate bills that have passed so far.  Given that this is a “short” session, the first half has moved quickly. While many bills are important and will impact the daily lives of Virginians, here are a few topics that have caught significant attention:
 
Coal Ash
On January 24th, a bipartisan group of legislators came to an agreement to clean up large coal ash ponds in Chesapeake City and Prince William, Chesterfield, and Fluvanna counties. The agreement requires more than 27 million cubic yards of coal ash to be removed from unlined ponds in areas adjacent to major waterways. At least 25% of the ash will be recycled for beneficial use, such as concrete or building materials, while the rest will be safely disposed in modern, lined landfills. Additionally, there are limits to the amount of removal costs that can be recovered from ratepayers in any given year and minimized transportation impacts of closure activities on nearby communities. The legislation passed the House, 95-3, and I supported it.
 
Equal Rights Amendment
I was proud of the outreach and efforts of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) advocates from around the Commonwealth. They had a phenomenal showing at the General Assembly this session. I co-sponsored both the House and Senate resolutions and was disappointed that, despite bipartisan support, it did not pass. Thank you to the many constituents from my district who contacted me or came to visit me in the Pocahontas Building.

Even though the ERA did not pass, I am pleased that the House budget allocated $495,000 to support efforts to commemorate the centennial of Women's Suffrage in 2020.
 
Gambling
Several gambling bills in both the House and Senate were introduced this session. Many argue that Virginia runs the risk of losing money for gambling to other states, with projects such as the Pamunkey Indian Tribe’s riverfront casino in Norfolk in the works. In the House, the bill that ultimately passed establishes a Gaming Study Commission comprised of five members from the House, four from the Senate, three citizen members, and three ex-officio members. It is tasked with studying the existing gaming industry and proposals to expand casino gaming, online betting and gaming, as well as tribal gaming and horse racing. The goal is to complete the Commission’s work by January 1, 2020 in order to have stronger, holistic, and comprehensive legislation during future sessions. Other states with prevalent and widespread gambling programs report that they wish that they had undertaken a similar study period as the one proposed in Virginia before embarking on their multiple gambling programs.

Protecting the Rights of LGBTQ Community
This session, I was grateful for the bipartisan support of LGBTQ legislation. These bills sought to protect our LGBTQ friends and neighbors from discrimination in both housing and public employment. They were scheduled to be heard in House General Laws Committee, on which I serve, but unfortunately, they were not added to the subcommittee agenda for a vote. It was disappointing that these bills did not receive a full and fair hearing. The Senate approved similar legislation, as it has in years past, so there is a chance these bills could be heard again after crossover to the House. I will continue to advocate for and support legislation that protects the LGBTQ community and thank the many advocates from the 69th district who come to the Capitol every year. Visit Equality Virginia’s website for a full list of bills and their current statuses.

Tax Conformity
The House, on Monday, February 11, voted to pass the Senate bill on tax conformity, which had been agreed upon by the administration. The bill (SB1372) conforms Virginia and federal tax regulations. Its passage and anticipated signature by the Governor in seven days means that citizens will be able to file their taxes knowing what the rules are. Most everyone will receive a rebate. The bill raises the Virginia standard deduction by 50%, which will provide tax relief to some tax filers, including millions of Virginia tax payers earning less than $50,000 per year. Additionally, a one-time tax credit of up to $110 will be provided to each taxpayer ($220 to married couples filing jointly), depending on how much income tax one owes or has paid. While many Virginians will receive this benefit, there has been criticism that it does not help low-income working families as much as higher earners. You can read an overview from the Times-Dispatch here.

Brief Update on My Legislation
 
This year, I introduced 15 pieces of legislation as well as 4 constitutional amendments and resolutions. You can view all of my legislation here. I am pleased to report that 10 of my bills and 2 resolutions have passed the House.
 
Protecting Taxpayers when Procuring High Risk Contracts (HB1668)
A Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report found that state agencies are spending billions of dollars on contracts with third parties each year and that most of the state agencies could do a much better job of developing contract documents that protect the state’s interest and taxpayer dollars. This bill, which passed the House, will require high-value, high-risk contracts to be reviewed by legal and subject matter experts before they are finalized. It will also develop guidance for agencies to follow when staffing high-risk contracts. You can read more about the JLARC report here.
 
Allowing Localities to Tax or Ban Plastic Bags (HB1669)
Virginia taxpayers spend millions of dollars a year to clean up litter. VDOT estimates that it spends $6 million a year picking up litter on the roadways. Plastic bags are a major source of contamination during the recycling process. From a PBS report, I learned that 30% of all plastic, which includes bags, are used only one time before being discarded. This, coupled with a shrinking recyclables market due to China’s embargo, is a major waste management and environmental problem. Cities, municipalities, and companies across the nation have announced that bans or reduction of use are on the way. At the request of many constituents and advocacy groups, I introduced a bill to authorize any locality to impose a tax of five cents per bag on disposable plastic bags provided to consumers by certain retailers. Revenues from the local tax would be collected by the Tax Commissioner and distributed monthly to the locality imposing the tax to be used by such locality for the mitigation of pollution and litter. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass (10-12), but there was an acknowledgement from some committee members that this is a known problem that needs to be addressed.
 
Addressing Virginia’s Eviction Problem (HB2054) 
This bill came at the recommendation of the Virginia Housing Commission, of which I am a member. It, along with 5 other pieces of legislation, resulted from a special workgroup focused on alleviating Virginia’s eviction problem. The bill requires landlords to provide their tenants with written leases. In the event that a landlord fails to comply with the requirement, then by law the terms under which a tenant is renting will include the following:

  • A lease of 12 months, with no automatic renewal;

  • Rent to be paid in 12 monthly installments

While the intent of the law is to protect tenants when landlords fail to provide a lease, the bill takes a balanced approach – stipulating that if the rent is not paid by the fifth day of the month, then the landlord is entitled to charge a late fee. You can read more about our work on reducing evictions in Virginia here.

Serving the Commonwealth on a Board or Commission

There are nearly 300 boards, commissions, and councils in Virginia. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, directed by the Governor, makes about 700 appointments each year. Qualified citizens who are willing and interested in serving the Commonwealth are sought. Your service and contributions can help to ensure that the Commonwealth is working efficiently and for everyone.You can find more information about how to apply and what positions are currently open here.

The Virginia Festival of the Book
Virginia Humanities is producing its 25thannual Virginia Festival of the Book, March 20-24, 2019. Join writers and readers to promote and celebrate, reading, literacy, and literary culture in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. This is the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region, attracting more than 20,000 people. All programs are open to the public and free to attend, except for a few events. Visithttps://www.vabook.org/for more information.

One special project is,Finding Wisdom, which includes the creation of nearly 10,000 posters printed by letterpress featuring quotes, sayings, and aphorisms. The printer is Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., the inaugural Frank Riccio Artist in Residence.You can learn more here.

It is a tremendous delight and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. If you have questions about the legislature, connecting with a state agency, or getting more involved in the community, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 804-698-1169 or email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org, if I can be helpful in any way.

Also, if you have not completed my 2019 legislative survey, here is the link where you can do so: http://www.betsycarr.org/constituent-survey/.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

December 2018 - Pre-Session Email Update

Dear Friend,

It is my hope that you and your family are having an enjoyable holiday season surrounded by loved ones. Additionally, I hope that you survived our first snowstorm of the season and are getting prepared for the hard winter forecast ahead. In the midst of the seasonal excitement, I am looking forward to sharing news related to the upcoming session and some other relevant activities I have participated in since my last update to you.

First, I’d like to share that I have had the honor and privilege to serve the 69th district since 2010. During that time, I have met many hardworking, dedicated constituents who are eager to make Richmond and our Commonwealth a better place. I have had successes passing important pieces of legislation and served on numerous committees, including Appropriations, JLARC, and the Virginia Housing Commission. Depending on the outcome of the redistricting court case, my district may look a slightly different; however, I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of the 69th District as we go forward.

Governor Northam’s Budget Announcements
On Tuesday, December 18th, Governor Northam outlined his proposed budget recommendations for the 2018-2020 biennium during the joint meeting of the Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and House Finance committees. You can access more detailed information here.
Right now, Virginia's financial outlook is positive as the Commonwealth had more revenue than expected. Based on this, the Governor predicts a continuation of strong revenue as well as anticipating additional revenue based on the General Assembly's decisions regarding the Internet Sales Tax and federal tax code conformity. Highlights are below:

Compensation

  • There is a one-time, one percent bonus for state employees, effective December 2019, as well as money to fund the state’s share of a one percent bonus for state-supported local employees. Additionally, support for retired law enforcement officers provides increased  health insurance credits for state police, deputy sheriffs, and other state law enforcement officers who retire with at least 15 years of service.

Education

  • $268.7 million in new money for K-12 Education: This includes additional money ($88 million) for teacher salaries to result in a 5% raise effective July 1, 2019; the At-Risk Add-On and Supplemental Lottery Per Pupil Allocation will be boosted by $70 million; and a $80 million one-time deposit in the Literary Fund will free up resources for low-interest loans for school construction.

  • Improving School Safety: There is new money for investments to ensure safe learning environments for K-12 students; $36 million to fund additional school counselors; $3.3 million to the Virginia Center for School Campus Safety, which will fund critical positions; expand access to training for school professionals, school resource and security officers; supplement expired grant support for the annual school climate survey; and provide additional active shooter trainings. It also adds funding for a treat assessment case management tool.

Higher Education

Workforce Development

  • There is $5.5 million for career advisors at community colleges; $4 million for workforce credential grant program, which helps students pay for training in high-demand jobs; and $8 million in one-time funding to create a case management system across agencies to keep track of the way people enter our workforce systems.

Natural Resources

  • Investments to Protect Virginia’s Water Quality & Accelerate Chesapeake Bay Cleanupinclude increased funding for Virginia’s agricultural best management practices cost share program, the technical experts needed to assist farmers, and several important nonpoint source water quality programs to $90 million per year by FY 2020.

  • The Stormwater Local Assistance Fund receives a dedicated $50 million to help urban and suburban areas reduce pollution coming off of impervious surfaces.

  • Data-driven land conservation strategy receives $11 million with the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.

  • The Department of Environmental Quality receives $2.5 million to begin returning to previous staffing levels to properly regulate and enforce Virginia’s environmental standards.

Rural Broadband

Infrastructure

  • The Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank, which funds projects across the Commonwealth will receive $75 million to help provide seed money for improvements to I-81. An additional investment of $20 million to develop pad-ready business sites, $10 million for Virginia Saves, a revolving fund for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and a new position at the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy to support the solar industry and create an office focused on offshore wind are also included.

Medicaid/Health

  • To expand crisis response systems at community service boards, there is $9 million; $5 million for community transition support, and $2 million for permanent supportive housing, as well as additional funding to help first responders buy more Naloxone, a lifesaving opioid reversal drug.

Veterans

  • Funding is provided for behavioral health support positions for veterans and for new positions to help process benefits as well as  added positions to help veterans transition into the civilian workforce

Housing

  • The Housing Trust Fund, which provides loans for home purchases and helps reduce homelessness receives $19 million. There is funding for a new position at the Department of Housing and Community Development to work on the issue of eviction and additional support for legal aid attorneys to provide legal assistance to Virginians facing the prospect of eviction.

Other Items include

  • Support for Virginia’s Complete Count Committee to make sure that all of our state’s residents are counted in the vital upcoming census

  • $4.25 million to the Department of Social Services to prepare for potential storm evacuations, in light of the close call with Hurricane Florence in September

  • Provision for Virginia to stop suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid court costs and fees

  • Funding for the Department of Elections to enhance training for local elections officials and improve our oversight over maintenance of the voter lists

  • Funding for a voter referendum for the Equal Rights Amendment

  • $6 million to pay for the presidential primaries in 2020

Remember that the Governor’s budget amendments must be approved by both the House and Senate during the legislative session. You can read the Governor’s complete statement here.

2019 Legislation

The 2019 legislative session is a "short session" for approximately 45 days. During shorter sessions, members of the House of Delegates are limited to introducing 15 pieces of legislation. Throughout the year, I gather ideas for legislation in a variety of ways, including but not limited to, concerns received from constituents, advocacy groups, professional associations, commission and committees on which I serve, and the local news. Here are a few of the bills I plan to introduce this session:

High Risk Contracts
Based on the recommendations from JLARC (click here to review the report), of which I am a member, this legislation adds a definition of high-risk contracts and requires that, before execution, all state contracts that meet the definition of “high risk” be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of General Services, and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. The centralized review and approval process will ensure that contracts provide a good value to the state and reduce risks to both state agencies and the public.

Review of State Employee Compensation
Another recommendation from JLARC (click here to review the report), this legislation requires the Department of Human Resource Management to provide a report that specifies the job roles that should receive higher salary increases based on their recruitment and retention challenges, the amount by which other job roles’ salaries should be increased, and cost estimates for funding the proposed increases. Overall, state employee salaries are competitive with what other employers pay. Some jobs, however, have average salaries far below the market for these occupations, including jobs that perform essential government services and functions such as protecting public health and safety and managing public funds.

Groundwater Withdrawal Permits
A final recommendation from JLARC (click here to review the report) and a re-introduction from 2018’s session, this legislation directs the State Water Control Board to instruct the DEQ to modify the permitted withdrawal amounts for certain industrial holders of water withdrawal permits within the Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area and further defines “human consumption” and “waste.” The Code clearly establishes that water withdrawals should be prioritized for human consumption, but currently more than 60 percent of all current permitted groundwater use in eastern Virginia is for industrial purposes. In order to reduce “crowding out” and costs to residential customers, we need to modify the amount of permitted withdrawal and reaffirm that high quality groundwater is for human consumption.

Non-payment of Child Support and suspension of driver’s licenses
Not having a driver’s license is a barrier to employment and income needed to pay child support. This legislation makes payment plans for child support more accessible by reducing the down payment requirements and increasing the length or payment of delinquent child support obligations, which can in turn remove the suspension of a person’s driver’s license. Payment plans with high dollar requirements are not realistic for lower income individuals. By making payments more reasonable, people will be able to make a payment plan, reinstate their driver’s license, and access employment and an income.

Local zoning for affordable housing
At the request of the City of Richmond, this legislation adds the City to the list of localities able to amend zoning ordinances to provide for an affordable housing dwelling unit program.

Giving Localities the Option to Ban or Tax Single-Use Grocery Bags
One of the best ways to reduce the amount of trash headed to landfills, as well as preserving our environment, is to ban or tax single-use items such as plastic bags. As China has closed its doors to our garbage, we need to reduce the amount of waste we are producing in the Commonwealth as well as be good stewards of our natural surroundings. This legislation allows any locality to adopt an ordinance to impose a tangible personal property tax of five cents for each disposable paper bag or plastic bag provided to the consumer by retailers in grocery stores, convenience stores, or drug stores.

Virginia Housing Commission will be sponsoring several pieces of legislation resulting from its work on reducing evictions; one of which I will introduce.

To keep track of my legislation, click here.

Useful Resources for the General Assembly Session

Starting Wednesday, January 9th, session occurs each week day at noon. You can visit the Capitol in person and sit in the gallery of either the House or Senate to observe. Or you can watch via livestream wherever you are by visiting the Virginia General Assembly website and clicking on “Members and Session” on the left-hand side of the page.

I encourage you to use the Legislative Information Systems website (http://lis.virginia.gov/) to access bill information, committee information, and meeting schedules.

If you have specific bills you’d like to talk to me about, you can communicate with me in a number of ways:
Email: delegate.carr@betsycarr.org
Phone: 804-698-1169
Mail: PO Box 406 Richmond, VA 23218
Complete my survey: https://www.betsycarr.org/constituent-survey/

You can also schedule an appointment to meet with me by calling our office at 804-698-1169.

Important Dates for Session:
January 9 - First day of Session
February 6 - Crossover (all the bills passed in the House go to the Senate and vice versa)
February 23 - Last day of Session

Community News

GRTC’s New Routes
Our bus system in Richmond experienced many positive changes in 2018: New routes, faster service, simplified bus route names, and the Pulse. If you are still learning your new routes or are experiencing issues, you can participate in the Travel Training program. An associate will meet you at your stop, work with you to create your own travel plan and show you how to ride the bus to get to your destination. They will even ride along with you. It is free, except for the cost of bus fare. Call or email: 804-474-9320 or kcalder@ridegrtc.com

If you have a bus stop amenity request (such as new benches, trash cans, or shelters), you can email your request to planningcomment@ridegrtc.com

The Pulse service frequency is now every 10 minutes during the daytime until 7 p.m. and service begins at 5 a.m. on weekdays, a half-hour earlier. The Pulse operates from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends.

Richmond Public High School students can ride for free. RPS high school students need to return their permission slip to their school to have unlimited free rides on GRTC local city routes, including the Pulse. Call 804-358-GRTC if you need a permission slip mailed to you.

Visit ridegrtc.com or call 804-358-GRTC for more detailed information on services and routes available to you.

Training, Education, and Technology for Veterans and their Families in Need
Earlier this fall, I had the opportunity to visit Tech4Troops, a non-profit with a mission to end veteran homelessness and poverty. Tech4Troops hires veterans and provides them with valuable technical training. They accept donations of e-waste, such as old computers, which they then use in their training as well as gift the refurbished technology to Veterans and their families. Visit https://techfortroops.org/ to learn more and get involved.

Frommer’s Best Places to Go in 2019
The new year marks the 400th anniversary of several key historical events in our country, including the first English-style representative legislative assembly in the Western Hemisphere in Jamestown and the arrival of the first enslaved Africans. The American Evolution program is organizing cultural performances, talks, historical exhibits, and art installations to museums, theaters, and universities across the Commonwealth. As Virginia takes center-stage next year as a top destination, I encourage you to take advantage of all the offerings to learn about our history and how we can continue to do better in order to make our Commonwealth the best it can be. Visit https://www.americanevolution2019.com/ to learn more.

Currently one outstanding exhibition is  "Tenacity: Women in Jamestown and Early Virginia." It will be available until January 2020 and explores the captivating and little-known personal stories of women in Jamestown and the Virginia colonies. These women certainly had tenacious spirits and made a lasting impact on their societies. From the arrival of the first English women in Virginia in 1608 to the Powhatan Indian women they encountered to the arrival of the first documented African woman in 1619, this exhibition explores women's roles, rights, and issues of the 17th century and how they are still relevant even today.

As always, it is a tremendous honor to serve you in the General Assembly. I look forward to hearing more from you as we enter the legislative session on January 9th. It is vital that I hear from my constituents in order to serve you in the best way possible. Please never hesitate to reach out to me with your concerns by emailing delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or calling the office at 804-698-1169.

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

November 2018 Update

Dear Friend,

It is my hope that you have persevered through the wet and hurricane seasons and are enjoying the fall weather and the many special weekend festivals featured in our metropolitan area.

A quick reminder that Election Day is on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. 
City of Richmond Ballot:
Member United State Senate:

  • Corey A. Stewart – R

  • Timothy M. Kaine – D

  • Matt J. Water – L

Member House of Representatives – 4th District

  • Ryan A. McAdams – R

  • A. Donald McEachin – D

  • Peter J. “Pete” Wells – L

Chesterfield County Ballot:
Member United State Senate:

  • Corey A. Stewart – R

  • Timothy M. Kaine – D

  • Matt J. Water – L

Member House of Representatives – 4th District

  • Ryan A. McAdams – R

  • A. Donald McEachin – D

  • Peter J. “Pete” Wells – L

Member House of Representatives – 7th District

  • Dave A. Brat – R

  • Abigail A. Spanberger – D

  • Joseph B. Walton – L

Commonwealth’s Attorney *Special Election*

  • John F. Childrey

  • K. Scott Miles

If you do not live in the City of Richmond or Chesterfield County, you can find out who is on your ballot by visiting: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/voter-outreach/voting-info-tool.html
 
Constitutional Amendments (statewide):
Question 1: Should a county, city, or town be authorized to provide a partial tax exemption for real property that is subject to recurrent flooding, if flooding resiliency improvements have been made on the property?
 
Question 2: Shall the real property tax exemption for a primary residence that is currently provided to the surviving spouses of veterans who had a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability be amended to allow the surviving spouse to move to a different primary residence and still claim the exemption?
 
I plan to vote “yes” on both amendments. You can find more details about them here: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/election-law/proposed-constitutional-amendment-2018/index.html
 
In addition, I support our incumbents Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman A. Donald McEachin, as well as candidates for House of Representatives 7th District, Abigail Spanberger, and for Commonwealth’s Attorney, Scott Miles.
 
If you cannot vote on Election Day, you can complete your in-person absentee ballot application up to three days before Election Day, which would be on Saturday, November 3.
To cast an in-person absentee ballot, you will need to visit your local registrar’s office, which can be found here: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup
 
On Tuesday, November 6th, polling places with be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Remember: Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
 
All polling places must be fully accessible to elderly voters (65 and older) and voters with disabilities. However, if you need it, curbside voting is available to you.
 
Virginia law requires all voters to provide an acceptable form of photo identification at the polls. If you do not have this with you at the polls, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot and you’ll have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of identification to your locality’s electoral board for your vote to be counted.
 
Acceptable forms of identification for in-person voting include:

  • Valid Virginia Driver’s License or Identification Card

  • Valid Virginia DMV issues Veteran’s ID Card

  • Valid United States Passport

  • Other government issued photo identification cards (must be issued by US Government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth)

  • Tribal enrollment or other tribal ID issued by one of 11 tribes recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia

  • Valid college or university student photo identification card (must be from an institution of higher education in Virginia)

  • Employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business

If you feel that your right to vote has been violated, please document your complaint by contacting your voter registrar or local electoral board.
 
For the City of Richmond:
Office of the General Registrar
J. Kirk Showalter
804-646-5950
 
For Chesterfield County:
Chesterfield Registrar’s Office
Constance Tyler
804-748-1471
 
For more information about how and where to vote as well as to find out who is on your ballot, visit www.elections.virginia.gov.

Enrollment for Medicaid Expansion

Starting on November 1st, individuals who meet Virginia’s new income criteria will be able to submit their application for Medicaid. Coverage begins on January 1, 2019. Visithttps://www.coverva.org/expansionfor information on eligibility and other important details.

Redistricting

As you may know, the Courts ruled 11 districts, including the 69th, to be unconstitutional based on racial gerrymandering, which illegally reduced the voting strength of black Virginians. Maps were introduced from both sides of the aisle. The Democrats’ plan was killed in committee and the General Assembly was set to vote on the Republicans’ map on October 21st, but the special session was cancelled. Because the House of Delegates could not reach an agreement and was set to miss the court-ordered October 31stdeadline, the maps will be drawn by a special, nonpartisan expert hired by the Courts. The three-judge panel appointed Bernard Grofman, who is an economics and political science professor at the University of California, Irvine. Grofman also helped redraw Virginia’s congressional districts in 2015. The judges expect to have a draft of the maps available by December 2018 and finalized by March 28, 2019. Another redistricting will take place after the decennial census in 2020.

Legislative Reporting 

The Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS) has released a checklist of special and periodic reports to the General Assembly. If this is of interest to you, you can access this list athttps://rga.lis.virginia.gov/reports2018-2019.pdf. The 72-page documents details reports ranging from the Capitol Square Preservation Council to food safety and restaurant inspection programs to solar energy. If any report summary interests you, you can request a copy of the report by e-mailingreportdocs@dlas.virginia.govand identify by report number (e.g. 5, 79, 323, etc.) the reports you wish to receive.

On the Road and Distance Learning with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Sixty-five years after the launch of the original Artmobile, the VMFA celebrated the opening ofVMFA on the Road: An Artmobile for the 21stCentury.The inaugural exhibition is called How Far Can Creativity Take You?featuring VMFA Fellowship Artists.

The VMFA discontinued its Artmobile program in the early 1990s, but as part of a renewed commitment to statewide outreach, they began exploring ways to revive the program. The Museum received an 18-wheel tractor-trailer with 640 feet of display space, previously used by the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission. The current Artmobile exhibition has three sections: An introduction to VMFA and its unique history; in-depth video interviews with the featured artists, VMFA curators, and educators; and a modular interactive studio for visitors. The Artmobile will visit Richmond from January 24-26. As a former VMFA staff member in statewide programs, I am happy that an artmobile will once again be traversing our state.  For more information and tour dates visit:https://www.vmfa.museum/exhibitions/vmfa-on-the-road/

With the Evans Distance Learning Program, students and teachers can video-conference with a VMFA educator for a “virtual field trip” of their Richmond campus. Exploring on-view works of art, students are invited to make personal connections with objects while expanding their understanding of topics they are exploring in the virtual classroom. The programs serve grade 6-12 and community college audiences. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes. Feel free to pass on this opportunity to your teachers and schools, who can book sessions by visiting:www.vmfa.museum/learn/distance-learning


High School Students Can Learn to Fly

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Liberty University, Averett University and the Virginia Department of Aviation, is offering flight academies at no cost for high school students statewide. The Pathways Flight Academies will immerse students in learning to fly while discovering the range of exciting aviation career opportunities available. Four, two-week residential academies will be offered during the summer of 2019 for selected students who have shown an interest in and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM), and have career aspirations to become a pilot. During the program, students will undertake ground school and flight training that can culminate in their first solo flight at the end of the academy.

Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens, Virginia residents, and 16 years old by the start of the Academy. They must also be able to pass an FAA flight physical exam upon acceptance into the program. Twenty-four students will be selected. The demand for aviation jobs is extremely high. Sixty thousand new U.S. pilots will be needed in the next 15 years as well as 10,000 new U.S. air traffic controllers and 480,000 new aviation maintenance technicians worldwide by 2026. 

The application deadline is January 25, 2019. Learn more about the Pathways Flight Academies and the application process at http://www.vsgc.odu.edu/pathwaysflightacademies.

2019 Legislative Session

The new session will begin on January 9, 2019. If you have legislative ideas or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Already, I am working on bill drafts with several constituents  You can call my office at 804-698-1169 or e-mail me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. Hearing from constituents like you helps me to better understand the issues and informs me in how I should vote. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

July 2018 Update

Dear Friend,

I hope your summer has been filled with fun and relaxation, whether you’ve stayed locally or ventured out to other regions. Since my last e-mail newsletter, new laws have gone into effect. For a full-report, I encourage you to review the Division of Legislative Services’ “In Due Course." Here are some bills that may be of interest to you and your family:

Grand larceny threshold increase (HB1550/SB105)
The law increases from $200 to $500 the threshold amount of money taken or value of goods taken at which the crime rises from petit larceny to grand larceny. As part of the Criminal Justice Reform Compromise, the General Assembly also strengthened the restitution laws in the Commonwealth. This new law allows a Defendant to remain on probation until restitution payments are complete, for up to 10 years, with review hearings monitoring compliance with restitution.

Unstructured recreational time for public elementary schools (HB1419/SB273)
Local schools boards can now provide elementary schools a certain amount of unstructured recreational time that is intended to develop teamwork, social skills, and overall physical fitness for students.

Student discipline; long-term suspension (HB1600)
The maximum length of a long-term suspension was reduced from 364 calendar days to 45 school days. Long-term suspension can extend beyond a 45-school-day period, if the offense involves weapons, drugs, serious bodily injury, or if the school board or division superintendent finds that aggravating circumstances exist.

Certification of use and dispensing CBD oil and THC-A oil (HB1251/SB726)
This law became effective on March 9, 2018, and provides that a practitioner may issue a written certification for the use of cannabidiol (CBD) or THC-A oil for the treatment or to alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease determined by the practitioner to benefit from such use. The law also increases the supply of CBD oil or THC-A oil a pharmaceutical process may dispense from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply. This came at the recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care.

Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering (HB1609)
Historical horse racing is now established as a form of horse racing. Historical horse racing is defined as a form of racing that creates pari-mutuel pools from wagers placed on previously conducted horse races and is hosted at a racetrack owned or operated by a significant infrastructure limited licensee or a satellite facility that is owned and operated by a significant infrastructure licensee or a nonprofit industry stakeholder organization recognized by the Virginia Racing Commission.

Local regulation of solar facilities (HB508/SB429)
A property owner may install a solar facility on the roof of a dwelling or other building to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that dwelling or building, provided that such installation is in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district as well as any provisions pertaining to any local historic or architectural preservation district.

Rear-facing child restraint devices (HB708)
Effective July 1, 2019, child restraint devices are prohibited from being forward-facing until, at least, the child reaches two years of age or until the child reaches the minimum weight limit for forward-facing car seats as prescribed by the manufacturer.

Public safety answering points; deployment of text to 911 (SB418)
Each public safety answering point (PSAP), by July 1, 2020, must be able to receive and process calls for emergency assistance via text message.

Use of handheld personal communications devices (HB1525)
There is now a mandatory fine of $250 for using a cellphone for reading emails or texting while operating a motor vehicle in a highway work zone when workers are present. 

Electric Utility Regulation (SB966)
In lieu of the biennial review proceedings previously required, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power will be subject to triennial reviews of their rates, terms, and conditions for generation, distribution, and transmission services. Dominion’s first review will be held in 2021, which is one year earlier than currently scheduled and Appalachian’s will be held in 2020 and will utilize the three 12-month test periods beginning January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2019. There is also a new rate adjustment clause for expenses of electric distribution grid transformation projects and declares that these projects be in the public interest. The cost of such projects may be recovered through a rate adjustment clause or a customer credit reinvestment offset. 

Recycling Study (SB218)
The Department of Environmental Quality will study and then report to the General Assembly on how to improve recycling in Virginia over the next ten years by November 1, 2019. In addition, it adds the definition of Beneficial Use, Beneficiation Facility, and Recycling Center to the code all in an effort to improve recycling in the Commonwealth.

Pre-Filing Legislation for 2019
The General Assembly has already made preparations for the 2019 legislative session. As of July 16, legislators began pre-filing legislation for the coming year. If you have a concern with potential policy-related solutions, please reach out to my office. My office is happy to explore legislative possibilities that could improve the lives of citizens in our Commonwealth.

Medicaid Expansion
As I mentioned in my last update, on June 7th, Governor Northam signed the new state budget that expands eligibility for health coverage for up to 400,000 Virginia adults, beginning on January 1, 2019. There is still a great deal of work ahead to implement the changes to the Medicaid program, as outlined in the budget. If you are interested or seeking medicaid coverage, please read the eligibility requirements, the frequently asked questions, and visit www.CoverVA.org to learn more. There is also a toll-free number to call, 1-855-242-8282.

New coverage will apply to adults ages 19-64 with incomes under 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. For example, a single adult making $16,750 or less annually would meet income requirements. Coverage will include primary and acute care, behavioral health services, addiction and recovery treatment services, pharmacy services, and preventive care and treatment.

If you have any issues or questions, you are always welcome to contact my office at 804-698-1169.

Virginia is a Top State for Doing Business
This year, Virginia was named the 4th best state to do business in the country in CNBC’s 2018 “Top States for Business” ranking. Rising from #7 in 2017 and through bi-partisan efforts, Virginia’s highly-qualified workforce and increased educational opportunities have helped pave the way to 4th place. CNBC scores states in 10 categories, including economy, cost of living, and education. Virginia received high marks in workforce and business friendliness, but lower marks in the cost of living and cost of doing business. Read more about Virginia in comparison to other top ranked states here.

Exploring the Commonwealth
As much as I love our greater Richmond community, it is refreshing to visit other parts of the state to learn about their local economies and cultures. Recently, I had the opportunity to join the legislative Sportsmen's Caucus on a trip to St. Paul, Virginia, located in the southwestern region.Kayaking and floating down the Clinch River, as well as ATV riding on the Spearhead Trails, were highlights of the trip. Additionally, learning about the much needed economic growth of southwest Virginia was interesting and inspiring. This new economic development offers an opportunity for those affected by coal and manufacturing job losses.

Focusing on outdoor activity, the state and other organizations, like the Nature Conservancy, are purchasing plots of acreage along the Clinch River in order to develop a state park. In 2016, the General Assembly approved $2.5 million for the first phase, and the goal is for the park to stretch from Tazewell County through Russell, Wise, and Scott counties into Tennessee. The Clinch River, the “coral reef of North America,” is one of the world’s most biodiverse rivers and home to a large number of aquatic species and 46 mussel species, 20 of which are endangered. The Nature Conservancy is working with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to improve conservation and restoration efforts. If you are looking for an in-state vacation, I encourage you to consider southwest Virginia for your next trip. Feel free to reach out to me for tips on where to stay and what to do.

News from State Agencies 

Paid Parental Leave and Child Care Options 
Earlier this summer, Governor Northam issued two executive orders to provide support for state employees both at work and at home, which include paid parental leave and early child care and education. Executive Order Number Twelve authorizes paid parental leave for employees of executive branch state agencies, and provides up to eight weeks of paid parental leave to enable employees to care for and bond with a newborn, or for a child under the age of eighteen newly-placed for adoption, foster, or custodial care.

Executive Order Number Thirteen set up an Advisory Commission on Quality Child Care to study early child care and learning options for state employees. It will study the feasibility of providing evidence-based early care and learning programs for young children of state employees working on or around Capitol Square in Richmond. It will also explore the creation of similar programs for state workers in other parts of the Commonwealth.

I think this is an excellent step forward for parents working in the administration and hopefully will provide a model for potential legislation that can extend to all state employees. The Commonwealth needs to attract and retain talented state employees, and this is a great way to recognize those with young children and growing families. You can find more details at the Department of Human Resource Management’s website at www.dhrm.virginia.gov.

Virginia Retirement System
As a member of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), I had the opportunity to hear the Virginia Retirement System’s (VRS) report. The VRS hit its long-term target of increasing investment income by 7 percent in the recent fiscal year, and a new analysis suggests VRS should consider lowering the target for returns in the short term, which would range from 6.4 percent for the average annual return. The system will not reset contribution rates until 2019 for the next biennial budget. You can read more about the VRS report here, and if you are a state employee with questions about your VRS account, please contact my office at 804-698-1169 to be connected with a VRS representative who can assist you.

DMV - Virginia REAL ID and Veteran Indicator 
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has begun its Virginia REAL ID Public Education Campaign ahead of the October 1, 2018 first issuance date.

On October 1, the DMV will begin offering Virginians the option of applying for a Virginia REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card. A REAL ID compliant credential allows the holder to prove their identity for certain federal purposes, like boarding a domestic flight or entering a military base. It will cost an additional $10 for the first issuance and will require applicants to come into the DMV with their required proof documents. The Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement of REAL ID regulations will begin on October 1, 2020. For more information, you can visit, www.dmvNOW.com/REALID.

The DMV is also now offering driver’s licenses and ID cards with a Veteran Indicator. As a result of recent legislation, the DMV has replaced its previously issued Veteran ID card with an optional Veteran Indicator on its driver’s licenses and ID cards. In the first week, the DMV issued 726 credentials with Veteran Indicators. If you currently hold a Virginia driver’s license or ID card, you can apply online for a replacement or renewal credential with the new Veteran Indicator. Customers who have already proven their Veteran Status can simply click “yes” to request an indicator on their new credential. Otherwise, customers can click a link to submit the required proof documents showing their discharge date and status. Applying for the indicator is free though standard fees apply to whatever credential they are requesting.

Serving on a State Board
Do you have a skill set or interest and would like to put it to use by serving on a state board or commission? Gubernatorial appointments are made on an ongoing basis with about 900 appointments being made throughout the year. There are three types of boards and commissions: Advisory, Policy, and Supervisory. Serving the Commonwealth of Virginia is both an honor and privilege, and I encourage you to seek opportunities that may be of interest to you. You can learn more at the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website and here is the link to current open positions.

Upcoming Events

National Night Out
One of my favorite evenings of the year is coming up - National Night Out. A great evening to meet and fellowship with your neighbors and community. National Night Out is “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” Some neighborhoods have block parties, others have activities for youth or cookouts. There is also an opportunity to get to know your local public safety officers and elected officials. I always enjoy visiting several events in the 69th district and seeing the diversity of our Richmond community in full display.

To find out more information or register your neighborhood event, visit the City of Richmond’s website.

Richmond Peace Education Center’s Conflict Resolution Training
Today, our country and local communities are experiencing conflict both politically and culturally. If you are interested in gaining skills on how to effectively resolve disputes in a peaceful manner, then consider taking RPEC’s two-day conflict resolution training. This is open to both teachers and any adult interested and includes engaging group exercises where you can strengthen your communication, active and empathetic listening, and conflict problem-solving skills. This is a great tool to have under your belt at home, the workplace, the classroom and community. Learn more here.

The McShin Foundation’s Authentic Recovery Coach Training
Virginia and many other states are facing an opioid epidemic. Locally, the McShin Foundation is leading the way to help people with substance abuse issues seek long-term recovery, and they are ready to help you, or anyone interested, in becoming a “Recovery Coach.” Taking place monthly on the final Thursday and Friday, this is an opportunity to begin learning how to turn your lived experience into a career of helping others. You will learn how to remove barriers and obstacles to recovery and serve as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking or already in recovery. CEUs will be accepted through the NAADAC Certification Commission and the VA Certification Board. You can register and learn more information here.

Save the Date 
I am excited and proud to announce my 7th annual Taste of the 69th District will be on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. Featuring 25+ restaurants from around the 69th district, this is an excellent opportunity to sample local cuisine as well as meet your neighbors and local elected officials, like myself. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the General Assembly. If you have questions, concerns, or need help with a state agency, please never hesitate to contact my office at 804-698-1169 or email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

June 2018 Legislative Update

It is with great pleasure and honor that I write to tell you (as I am sure you have read in the news) that the General Assembly passed the budget, which included Medicaid expansion, and was signed by Governor Northam on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

After five years of advocacy from many constituents in the 69th district and across the Commonwealth, I am proud to have been a part of the process that brings much needed healthcare coverage to more than 300,000 Virginians, effective January 1, 2019. In the 69th district alone, according to the Commonwealth Institute, 6,800 individuals could gain coverage through this expansion. Now Virginia the 33rd state, along with Washington, D.C., to include expanded healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Thank you for your patience and diligence on this crucial issue.

Along with Medicaid expansion, the two-year, $117 billion budget includes raises for state employees and teachers and addresses capacity issues at mental health facilities. You can review more budget detailshere.

Committees & Commissions

The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC), of which I am a member, has released a comprehensive reference guide, “Virginia Compared to the Other States.” If you are interested in how our Commonwealth compares in terms of population, economy, education, taxes, employment, and more, this is a great place to start learning. 

Additionally, JLARC released a report of the Virginia College Savings Plan (Virginia529), which administers a prepaid tuition program, two education savings programs, and a disability savings program. This is the largest 529 savings plan in the country, with $69.1 billion in assets and a 21 percent share of the national market as of March 31, 2018. In 2017, JLARC staff were asked to review the investment management structure of Virginia529’s Prepaid529 fund and determine whether there are other ways to more efficiently manage the fund, for instance, assigning it to the Virginia Retirement System or the Department of Treasury. JLARC’s report found that while the Prepaid529 investments should not be transferred, there were recommendations for strengthening the investment management structure.

At the June JLARC meeting, some legislators pointed to recommendations in the JLARC report and advocated reduction of the Prepaid529 “pricing reserve” fee from 10% to 7%. You can read more about the report at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. in Virginia

It is an honor to serve on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. The Commission is currently working on a number of projects that will help preserve the legacy of Dr. King. Through a series of roundtables held in each of the communities that he visited in Virginia, community leaders, educators, historians, and others are examining Dr. King’s question, “Where do we go from here?” I have had the opportunity to sit in on all of the community roundtables and found each of them to be meaningful and thought-provoking. Most recently, at the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, I enjoyed discussion on the “radical King” as described by historian, Dr. Robert Vinson. He emphasized the way King advocated for change along with racial equality by campaigning for the end of the Vietnam war and supporting a sanitation workers’ strike. 

There is so much for us to remember and learn from the great Dr. King. If you are able, please join us at the next roundtable on July 11 at the High Street Baptist Church in Danville from 6 to 8 p.m. or view it live (and find the archived videos from Charlottesville, Richmond, Farmville and Williamsburg) by searching @VAMLKCommission on Facebook. You can also learn more about the Commission’s activities and donate to support the construction of the “Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument” at http://mlkcommission.dls.virginia.gov/

In a similar vein, during the 2018 legislative session, I introduced HJR86, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. On July 9, 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified granting citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” and requiring equal protection under the law for all persons within states’ jurisdiction. This marks a significant victory in a centuries-long fight for freedom. It is my hope that this commemorative resolution, along with the evolving festivities to honor the 400th anniversary of the first Africans’ arrival in Jamestown (1619), will help others remember, acknowledge, and learn from our nation’s history of enslaving people of color as well as restricting their educational, economic, and social rights so that history is not repeated.

Keeping Our Children Safe

Sadly, the United States has continued to suffer mass shootings in public places, such as our schools. After the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida this past February, we have witnessed students and adults coming together to advocate for stronger gun control. In response, the Virginia House Democratic caucus established the “Safe Virginia Initiative” Task Force, a working group focused on developing policy initiatives that will reduce gun violence in Virginia. The group, led by Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn and Kathleen Murphy, is organizing events between May and October of this year throughout Virginia and will include public input.

The National Conference of State Legislatures has a comprehensive, interactive graphic on school safety legislation across the country, for your review here.

Community Notes

Hurricane Season Officially Underway

June 1, 2018 marked the official start of the hurricane season. Some Virginians have already experienced wind storms and flooding conditions. These summer storms can be unpredictable; preparation is key. Here are the items you need for an emergency storm kit:

  • Flashlight with extra batteries

  • At least 3 days of non-perishable food

  • Gallon of water per person, per day

  • First Aid Kit

  • Blankets and extra clothes

  • Battery-powered lantern, fan, radio, and extra batteries

  • Cash for emergency use

  • Update your electric account phone number online or by calling 800-222-0401

  • Sign up for text alerts to receive storm updates. Sign up here.

  • Fully charge your phone(s) before the storm arrives

If your power goes out, call Dominion at 866-366-4357 or report it online here. Don’t assume your neighbor called or that Dominion is aware already!

No Kid Hungry Summer Meals Program

For many kids, summer is a time of sunshine, playtime, and freedom from homework. But for the Virginia kids who struggle with hunger, summer vacation can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. For many, summer can be the hungriest time of the year. A lack of reliable nutrition during the summer months takes a major toll on children. Kids who struggle with hunger are more likely to experience “summer slide,” forgetting what they learned the year before.

The Summer Meals Program (also known as the Summer Food Service Program, or SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides FREE meals to youth 18 years old and younger when school is not in session. The program is intended to fill in the gaps for students who count on school breakfast and lunch during the school year, but lose that resource in the summer.  The Virginia Department of Education administers the program.

Meals are prepared by sponsoring organizations, such as school nutrition departments and food banks, and served at safe, trusted community sites such as libraries, parks, schools, and churches. Meals are available to all children at open sites, regardless of income or address. Many sites provide enrichment activities, and they offer an opportunity for children to spend time with their neighbors and friends. In Virginia in 2017, 149 sponsors served more than 3.7 million meals from over 1,500 individual locations through the Summer Meals Program.

Children and families can find free meal sites in their area by texting “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 starting in early/mid-June. Visitwww.nokidhungry.org/virginia for more information.

Financial Aid Assistance

Do you have a student who needs help with the financial aid process? GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc (GRASP) is a charitable, college-access organization that assists students and families in obtaining funding for post-secondary education. They are happy to provide a financial aid session to help get you and your family on the right track. Please contact my office for more information by calling 804-698-1169.

Let’s Keep Virginia Beautiful - Adopt-A-Highway

Virginia’s Adopt-a-Highway program is celebrating 30 Years in 2018!  A partnership established between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Keep Virginia Beautiful, encourages new participants to join the thousands of groups that have helped keep Virginia’s roadways litter-free since it was first established in 1988.  The Adopt-a-Highway program provides a FREE opportunity for businesses, civic groups and even families to clean up litter and be recognized for their efforts with a sign featuring their name after two pickups have been documented.  An increase in miles covered with regular litter cleanups will translate into overall savings for the commonwealth and provide a cleaner, greener environment for us all to enjoy.  For more information, please emailinfo@keepvirginiabeautiful.org or visit their website.

Explore and Learn Virginia History

You can be a tourist in our own town this summer by using the Virginia History Trails App presented by American Evolution. The Virginia History Trails app, a customized digital platform, is great tool for exploring Virginia history without having to leave your hometown. The app features 20 trails and 400 stories from all across Virginia. You can download the Virginia History Trails app on Google Play or App Store.

It is an honor and privilege to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you. You can call my office at 804-698-1169 or email at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org.

Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr

2018 End Of Session Update

Dear Friend,

The 2018 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 10, with unfinished business. The House of Delegates and Senate budget negotiators were unable to reach a compromise before the General Assembly adjourned. Governor Northam has now called a special session April 11, for the Assembly to complete work on the budget for 2019-2020 and for the remainder of 2018, which is called the “caboose budget.”
 
Expansion of health care coverage for low-income Virginians remains the major conflict between the House and Senate budgets. The House budget provides for this expansion using federal dollars, thereby providing savings to be used in crucial areas such as education and public safety. The Senate budget did not expand health care coverage, and thus had significantly less to spend on other areas. As noted by Mayor Stoney, the House version of the budget has an additional $2 million for Richmond Public Schools. I supported the House version of the budget, as did my House colleagues from the Richmond delegation.
 
As I wrote earlier, the General Assembly passed legislation that I introduced this session. The Richmond Times-Dispatchfeatured an article on my HB 594 which gives localities another tool to help combat criminal blight. The Virginia Housing Commission, on which I serve, worked with the City of Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham on this issue. Chief Durham wanted additional tools to combat situations including prostitution and excessive calls for service due to drugs and other crimes at the same locations. Each individual locality in the state will now be able to set up an ordinance within the scope of the law passed by the General Assembly.
 
The General Assembly also passed my bill HB 609, which will improve safety in homes that are rented. The bill lays out guidelines for how and when  landlords must install and update smoke alarms in their managed properties. This will help ensure that dwellers have sufficient time to reach safety if a fire or smoke incident does occur.
 
My bills HB 590 and HB 591 will make it easier for land banks and land trusts to acquire property that they can develop, and ensure that the property then remains affordable for the long term. Entities such as Richmond’s own Maggie Walker Community Land Trust will be able to benefit from this type of legislation, a continuation of legislation that I have worked on for serveral years with colleagues on  the Housing Commission.
 
Other legislative efforts during the 2018 session included reforms to school suspensions, an increase in the felony larceny threshold so that we can ensure that one mistake does not ruin an entire life and the expansion of the state revenue reserve funds. The expansion of state revenue reserves is important because it is one of the top priorities of the bond rating agencies. Virginia needs to exceed compliance with these regulations so that we can continue to borrow money for capital construction projects and other needs at the lowest possible interest rate in the market, thus saving the most taxpayer money possible.
 
A discussion of other legislation that will affect everyday life for Virginians can be found in this article printed in The Virginian-Pilot.
 
After the Special Session of the General Assembly on April 11, the regularly scheduled Reconvened Session, which meets 6 weeks after the sine die adjournment, will take place April 18. During that session the legislature approves the Governor’s bill and budget amendments.
 
During the coming months, committees and commissions on which I serve – the Advisory Council on Economic Justice, the Appropriations Committee, the Housing Commission, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, and the Joint Rules Committee – will continue to hold meetings.
 
In addition, neighborhood and civic groups will hold their regular and special annual meetings, clean-ups, house and garden tours, block parties, spring markets and family festivals. Please let my office know if you would like more information.
 
It is a tremendous honor to serve you in the House of Delegates. I am available to meet with any constituents throughout the year in my office or in their local district community.

Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful with a state agency or with legislative information. My phone number is 804-698-1069 and my email address is delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. I look forward to our continuing work together.

Sincerely,

Betsy

Storm Response And Final Week Of Legislative Session

Dear Friend,

I would like to provide you with follow-up information after Friday’s severe windstorm as well as a brief General Assembly update with only one week of this legislative session remaining.

On the weather front
Dominion Energy Virginia faces the largest scale power outage since the 2012 derecho and most protracted high winds since Hurricane Irene in 2011. Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency.

As of Sunday afternoon approximately 60,000 of the nearly 700,000 customers affected by the storm were without service. Approximately 40,000 of the customers without power are in Northern Virginia, approximately 6500 are in the Fredericksburg area and 7,000 in the Charlottesville area. About 1800 customer outages remained in the Richmond area, 3000 in Gloucester, 1200 on the Northern Neck, and 200 in Southside Virginia as well as smaller number of outages across the Dominion system. Almost 4,000 Dominion Energy personnel are working around the clock to restore power. The great majority of critical services have been restored. Focus is now on neighborhood restoration and having schools ready for classes on Monday. Full restoration of customer service is anticipated for Tuesday evening.

With large-scale outages like this one, the power company’s first priority is to address downed power lines due to the safety issues they create.  As a reminder, stay 30 feet away from downed wires, assume that they are energized, and report them immediately to 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357). Citizens are asked to report outages at the Dominion Energy website,www.dominionenergy.com/outages-center or by calling the toll free number. Updates can be viewed on Dominion Energy’s Twitter at:https://twitter.com/domenergyva and on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/dominionenergyva.

On the legistlative front
The budget, the most important work the Assembly addresses each Session, remains yet to be passed. The final budget that passes will be whatever compromise Senate and House member conferees work out between the House and Senate budgets, which both passed in late February. The major difference between the two budgets is the expansion of  health care coverage for low-income Virginians, included in the House budget. While there are similarities in the two budgets, there is a difference of $600 million dollars to be reconciled. Here is a comparison Michael Martz provided in theRichmond Times Dispatch.

By extending healthcare coverage and receiving a 90% federal match, the House budget captures savings of $371 million in general funds. As a result, investment is available for public education and workforce training, as well as long-deserved salary adjustments for our critical state employees and school teachers. For the Port of Virginia to remain a key economic driver and competitive with other East Coast ports, funds have been designated for the much needed widening and deepening of its channels.

On a smaller scale, other funded items of particular constituent interest include visual screenings for elementary school students and digitizing specific collections for the Library of Virginia.

Since the start of the 2018 session, I have met with hundreds of constituents from the district who have taken the time to advocate at the General Assembly and to discuss their priorities with me. I much appreciate their input.

In addition to daily meetings with constituents, professional and special interest groups, and advocates for pending bills, I attend several caucus groups which meet on a regular basis to discuss topics of common interest.  These meetings provide General Assembly members with opportunities for learning and cooperation in different ways.

The Military & Veterans Caucus meets weekly to discuss legislation that impacts veterans and creates a helpful chart of legislation supported by our veteran community. At the Sportsmen’s Caucus I have learned about state parks, trails,  wildlife, the state of oysters and crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation. The Capital Region Caucus, with delegates from  Richmond City, and Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Powhatan, Goochland, and Charles City counties met to address specific legislative concerns and to explore how the budget might affect those localities. Caucuses for the Arts, Tourism, New Virginians and Outdoor Recreation bring together interested colleagues. 

After the tragic shooting at the high school in Parkland, Florida, delegates and senators also formed the Gun Violence Prevention Caucus. The Caucus meets to discuss efforts, legislation, prevention tactics, and other ways to reduce gun violence in our Commonwealth and in our communities. The tremendous energy and determination from the students at Stoneman Douglas High School shows that we cannot and will not lose hope in affecting change. I will participate in these caucus discussions. I would like to express my thanks to the many constituents who contacted me in support of gun safety legislation and those who took the time to speak at committee meetings on the bills during the session. 

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, on which I am honored to serve, will remember his legacy and influence in Virginia in a series of Community Conversations held in each of the locations across the state that Dr. King visited 50 years ago. The roundtables are part of the Commission's King in Virginia project. The project will research, compile, and exhibit information on Dr. King’s visits to Virginia and the time he spent in Richmond to urge the reopening of schools that had closed resisting desegregation. The first of these events occurred Thursday, March 1, in Richmond. There are three remaining roundtable events, the details of which can be found below. The public is welcome. For more information on these events, please contact my office.

Tuesday, March 13 in Charlottesville
Old Cabell Hall Auditorium, University of Virginia
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 24, Farmville
First Baptist Church
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6, Williamsburg
First Baptist Church
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The Virginia Governor’s Fellow program provides a unique opportunity for rising college seniors and graduating college seniors. This extensive and competitive summer program places students and graduates in positions in the Office of Governor Ralph Northam for a hands-on fellowship experience in the inner workings of state government. More details on this exciting and beneficial program are available at this link. Please contact my office if you have any questions or would like additional information. 

It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. I am available to meet with any constituents throughout the year in my office or in their local district community. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful with a state agency or with legislative information. My phone number is 804-698-1069 and my email address is delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. I look forward to our continuing work together.

Sincerely,
Betsy

Crossover 2018 Email Update

The General Assembly convened for the 2018 Legislative Session on January 10.  Since then, the House and Senate have considered over 2000 bills; I would like to provide you an update from the Capitol at ‘crossover’, the midpoint of the legislative session.
 
The bills I introduced this session reflected issues of community concern, as well as recommendations from the Housing Commission and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) on which I serve.  A bill (HB 594) addressing crime blight along a couple of traffic corridors in our area, which had been identified by our Richmond police chief, as well as similar problems from other police chiefs around the state, passed in the House. It reflected the consensus of a number of stakeholders including law enforcement, motel owners and the Poverty Law Center. Another bill (HB 609) endorsed by the Housing Commission, provides a statewide system for ensuring the proper installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in rental residences. This can help protect residents and ensure proper warning when there is fire or smoke danger in the home.
 
Continuing recent legislative work establishing a land bank and land trust, House Bill 590 and House Bill 591 were passed for the construction and preservation of affordable housing in our community.
 
Two bills, which were the result of JLARC recommendations, dealt with the issue of establishing a statewide policy on regional water use and planning in our Commonwealth.
 
HB 1185 would have required that localities work together to plan their use of water. Currently, each locality, which uses a common water source, can develop its own plan. This approach can be problematic because upstream localities could, for instance, make a plan for river water use without considering implications on downstream localities. Although other delegates expressed interest and support for regional planning, there was concern about the immediate cost to implement such planning and the bill did not pass.
 
The second bill (HB 1186) would have ensured that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) follow current Virginia Code when issuing permits for water withdrawals from the Potomac aquifer, which is the aquifer underneath the eastern half of Virginia. This bill would have ensured that permits are prioritized for human consumption; for instance, human needs and a municipal water supply would take precedence over an industrial commercial use. While the bill failed, DEQ has agreed to determine how best to implement the intent of the law prioritizing human use. DEQ will provide options that address complicated considerations such as economic development, agricultural use, and the Hampton Roads Sanitation District project which plans to inject “purified” water back into the aquifer. A consensus advisory group met in the recent past; their agreements resulted in lower withdrawal permits. For the present time, the aquifer level is not in immediate danger. However, implementing the intent of the code, which prioritizes aquifer use for human consumption, ensuring an adequate water supply for citizens’ use in the future, remains a necessity. I plan to continue working on these issues, in collaboration with my colleagues and experts in the field.
 
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s full report on Virginia’s Water Resource Planning and Management is available at this link.
 
Gun safety, a frequently expressed community concern, was the subject of several of my bills which were, unfortunately, unsuccessful in this year’s session. House Bill 597 would have banned the use of ‘bump stocks’, devices that can be used to increase the rate of fire of a weapon. A bump stock device was used in the tragic Las Vegas shooting that resulted in over fifty dead and hundreds wounded; such devices remain legal in our Commonwealth. Other bills included limiting the number of magazines (HB 596), and requiring in-person training for a concealed carry license (HB 602).
 
HB 603 would have raised the permit application fee for a concealed handgun for non-residents of Virginia and raised revenue for our Virginia State Police. Although this measure seemed analogous to that of charging higher tuition for out-of-state students attending our public universities, the bill was defeated in subcommittee.
 
House Joint Resolution 86, which I submitted, commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution which requires equal protection under law for all persons.  The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission, on which I am privileged to serve, recommended this resolution.
 
Several key issues permeate this year’s legislative session. Expanding access to health care coverage continues to be a major priority for representatives. Governor Northam and Speaker of the House Cox have had pertinent discussions about how Virginia can provide more health coverage to our residents. The House of Delegates Appropriations Committee will present its Fiscal Years 2019-2020 budget proposal on Sunday, February 18.  Where we stand on the critically important task of ensuring quality health coverage for more of our citizens may be clearer then.


Legislation supported by Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company has garnered much attention. House Bill 1558 would lift the “rate freeze” that was passed by the General Assembly, which I opposed back in 2015. Although this year’s bill does propose investments in renewable energy while returning $200 million to ratepayers in one-time bill credits using money that was deemed to be “over-earned” by Dominion Energy, both concepts which I favor, I believe that both can and should be done in simple legislation and not within a complex package of technical regulations.
 
An amendment by Delegate Toscano addressed a significant concern about whether customers would be forced to pay twice for renewable energy projects, what the news media has been calling a “double-dip”. In the floor debate, delegates expressed concern that the bill limits the State Corporation Commision’s oversight control of utiltites. The bill does provide for “Grid Transformation.” For instance, there will be two-way communication between utility and customer. In some sections of the state which are subject to frequent hurricanes, customers are pleased with the possibiltiy that they will not have to call the utility company when their power goes out because the utility company will be able to already know that information. Much work and stakeholder input has gone into improving HB 1558. Governor Northam, the League of Conservation Voters, and many other groups now support it. However, I believe more work needs to be done. Along with 40 of my colleagues (out of 100), I voted against the bill on its final passage in the House. However, after a conference occurs to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the bill, the final bill, which will be voted on nearer to the end of session, may offer more measures that representatives appreciate and can support. I will certainly continue to evaluate the legislation as it evolves.
 
The General Assembly continues work, in conjunction with the Executive Branch, to stem the tide of the opioid crisis in our Commonwealth. Legislation has advanced that puts limits on certain prescriptions and other regulations on certain pharmacies to ensure that prescriptions are not over-provided. Studies have demonstrated that addiction often starts with legitimate need for the drugs that are initially provided through prescription. Delegates who are doctors in their full-time careers advanced these bills.
 
I have always been a strong supporter of equality in the LGBTQ community. Moreover, numerous constituents contacted me to support legislation that would have banned discrimination in the workplace and in housing for the LGBTQ community, such as SB 202 and SB 423. While I co-sponsored these bills, and pushed for them to be passed by making motions in the subcommittee, the Republican majority defeated these bills. They were not even heard by the full House of Delegates. Thank you to the many constituents who contacted me to make their voices heard and also to those who took time to appear and testify before the General Laws subcommittee. I will continue to fight for equality and opportunity for all Virginians.
 
Many constituents, who advocated making city streets safer for pedestrians and for bike users, wrote to support increased penalties for distracted drivers using hand held communication devices. House Bill 181 passed the House although there was considerable opposition because of concern that selected community members may be targeted unfairly.
 
Legislation regarding protections for animals is also being discussed. House Bill 646, which I co-patroned, would put in place adequate shelter and space requirements  before tethering of an animal would be allowed. This bill did not pass. However, House Bill 889, which simply allows a locality to implement limits on how long a dog may be tethered outside, with certain conditions, did pass the House of Delegates and will now be heard in the Senate. Meanwhile a different Senate bill (SB 872) concerning the subject will come to the House.
 
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)  continues to receive legislative focus.  This critical infrastructure system, upon which thousands of Virginia citizens daily rely, must have its capital needs properly funded while appropriate oversight of management and safety is ensured. The final piece of legislation to fund Virginia’s share of WMATA is a work in progress. Members of the Northern Virginia delegation are working tirelessly to ensure adequate funding. Many constituents have contacted me supporting legislation that reforms and properly funds the WMATA system and addresses transit in Virginia.
 
As a member of the Appropriations Committee, work on the state budget for Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020 is ongoing. Virginia is required to pass a balanced budget each biennium. I submitted various amendments to the introduced budget. Among my budget amendments are those that would direct more funding to school districts that serve a disproportionately high number of at-risk and low-income students, fund emergency construction and repair needs for facilities at Virginia Commonwealth University, and expand access to Virginia’s popular and helpful 529 College Savings Plan by allowing our citizens to make smaller deposits to these prepaid college tuition plans.
 
Participation in the Richmond Public Schools Job Shadow Dayeach year is a special delight. Aijya, a middle school student at Elkhardt-Thompson, shadowed me and my office staff for the day to learn more about the legislature and how a bill becomes a law.
 
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation are sponsoring this year’s Poetry Out Loud contest. Students can apply at www.poetryoutloud.org and submit their work to compete in both the Virginia and national poetry recitation contests.
 
Constituents often want to know how best to follow General Assembly business. The General Assembly’s legislative website, available at this link, is an excellent resource to view the legislation and budget amendments introduced by each legislative member. Additionally, the website provides office contact information such as phone and fax numbers and email addresses for each delegate and senator. You can search legislation by bill number, by committee, or by General Assembly member. Various committee meetings are streamed online by visiting the meeting agenda for the committee.
 
Additionally, the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) provides a user friendly way to search legislation by topic. As always, if you have a question regarding legislation, please feel free to contact me.
 
The General Assembly is scheduled to adopt the FY 2019 and FY 2020 budget, finish all legislative business, and adjourn ‘sine die’ by Saturday, March 10th.
 
It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. I am available to meet with any constituents throughout the year in my office or in their local district community. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful with a state agency or with legislative information. My phone number is 804-698-1069 and my email address is delegate.carr@betsycarr.org. I look forward to our continuing work together.
 
Sincerely,
Betsy

Winter 2017 Legislative Update

Dear Friend,

As we prepare for the start of the 2018 Legislative Session of the General Assembly in January, I am pleased to provide you with an update from the Capitol.

The 2018 Session begins January 10, 2018 and is scheduled to last 60 days. This session will include the development of a new state budget for the next biennium. After the November elections, Ralph Northam and Justin Fairfax were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively, and Mark Herring was re-elected as Attorney General. All three will be sworn into office to serve their term on January 13, 2018. Inauguration tickets can be requested at this link, but are not guaranteed. Democrats picked up at least 15 seats in the House of Delegates. However, the House majority is still undecided as recounts are occurring in 3 House districts.

Each year, I invite constituents to complete my legislative survey. The survey includes questions on topics that are expected to come before the General Assembly. The results of the constituent survey help me to best represent our community and our shared values. Please consider completing my 2018 Session Survey by visiting this link. Paper copies are available by contacting my office at 804-698-1069 and providing a mailing address.

Today, Governor Terry McAuliffe presented to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees the final proposed budget of his term. Governor McAuliffe presented a budget that expands Medicaid by drawing down federal funds, addresses the core state government services that had funding deficiency, continues workforce training investments and investments in K-12 education, and improves the fiscal strength of our Commonwealth. 

Legislators have already begun filing bills to be considered in the 2018 session. I plan to introduce a wide range of legislation that will help citizens and improve their lives in our Commonwealth. Expanded options for affordable housing organizations, redistricting reform, restoration of civil rights, affirmative defense for overdose victims receiving help, expanded gun safety laws, ensuring ground water use is prioritized for human consumption, study of best treatment models for substance abuse, reforms to Virginia’s concealed handgun permitting process, and a study of options for combating bullying among youth and youth suicide in the LGBT community are among the subjects of some of my proposed legislation.

Over the past few weeks, I have been meeting with groups who plan to advocate before the General Assembly. A few of these groups include the Chesterfield Education Association, the Military Officers of America, Open High School, the Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Port Authority, local Realtors, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, as well as individual constituents.

Recently I toured the St. Francis Home, located in the 69th District, to receive an update on the Home’s efforts to expand care and funding for senior citizens and advocate at the General Assembly.

Members of the Capital Region House and Senate delegation met recently to discuss regional issues including transportation and education funding and an expansion of broadband, as well as to hear legislative priorities of the surrounding counties and cities.

The Virginia Women’s Monument Commission recently held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new women’s monument on Capitol Square. The “Voices from the Garden” Monument will commemorate women’s contributions across four centuries from every corner of our Commonwealth. This will be the first memorial to women of its kind in the entire United States.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission continues its work on the Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument to be erected on Brown’s Island in Richmond, and to plan public discussions throughout the state for the upcoming commemorative “King in Virginia” year. The Richmond Symphony will feature a MLK Tribute for its February 3-4 concert.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) has continued to meet over the past months to review study reports of multiple state agencies and programs. The reports are available online for the public to review by visiting jlarc.virginia.gov. Recently, JLARC released a report regarding early childhood education and child tax credit programs in Virginia.

The NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton is accepting entries through December 31 for an art contest with the theme “The Next 100 Years”. Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to apply. Information regarding submission of art and contest details is available at this link.

In preparation for the legislative session, please note that the General Assembly has relocated offices for both Delegates and Senators. My office is now located in the Pocahontas Building, at 900 East Main Street in Richmond. Those planning to visit the General Assembly during the session should enter the Pocahontas Building on Main Street, between 9th and 10th Streets.

My mailing address, email address, and phone number remain the same. My mailing address is Post Office Box 406 Richmond, Virginia 23218, my email address is delegate.carr@betsycarr.org, and my office phone number is 804-698-1069.

It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. I am available to meet with constituents throughout the year in my office or in their local district community. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful with a state agency or with legislative information.

Wishing you a very enjoyable holiday season and a healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2018.

Spring 2017 Legislative Update

Dear Friend,

I appreciate the opportunity to provide you a legislative update. The General Assembly met April 5 for the reconvened session to consider the Governor’s vetoes and amendments to legislation that passed during the 2017 regular session. A listing of legislation vetoed by the Governor is available at this link. Fortunately, the General Assembly did not override any of the Governor’s vetoes, many of which preserved keeping Virginia more welcoming, inclusive and business friendly.

Several of the Governor’s budget and legislative amendments attracted significant interest. An amendment to place a year-long ban on permitting for the closure of coal ash storage facilities passed. However, an important budget amendment that would have allowed for the expansion of Medicaid in Virginia failed.

Many constituents contacted me regarding a bill, HB 2264, that I opposed which would have  limited the funding of family planning services. This bill was vetoed by Governor McAuliffe and will not become law. Redistricting reform was a major topic of conversation in the legislative session and since adjournment. The General Assembly did not pass any redistricting reform legislation, including my HJ 651, during the session. Since the session adjourned in February, lawsuits relating to the constitutionality of Virginia’s House of Delegates districts are ongoing.

School suspension was another much-discussed topic. A bill I supported to attempt to limit the number of days a child could be suspended from school did not pass on a tie vote in the House. Those in favor of the bill argued that keeping children out of school is ultimately not helping them learn. Removing violent behavior from the classroom is necessary, but those children will be not be assisted in the best way if they have no supervision or direction. Those arguing against the bill were concerned about the removal of local control of school-related decisions. This session was not the first one to see this type of legislation introduced. Frequently, new, comprehensive and/or controversial legislation may take several years before moving successfully through the legislative process. After hearing arguments from all stakeholders, the introducers of the bill learn what modifications will enable the bill to pass. 

Solar energy is a popular topic in constituent emails. Recently, Dominion Virginia Power submitted its integrated resource plan to the state for review. Dominion states that their plan includes an increase in the use of solar energy across Virginia. The Richmond Times-Dispatch recently published an article detailing the plan which includes comments from various stakeholder groups.

The Governor signed legislation that I introduced allowing for the expansion of land bank programs to reduce blighted properties. Additionally, he signed my bill which establishes a process for candidate withdrawal from a race for an elected position after the ballots have already been printed.

As a result of work this session, there were several measures taken related to the topic of marijuana reform. Senator Marsden’s SB 1027, which I co-patroned, will allow for the production of cannabidiol oil in Virginia to treat epilepsy. Additionally, the Virginia State Crime Commission will study whether or not Virginia should decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

Before the 2018 session begins next January, legislative committees and commissions, will continue meeting. I will attend and serve as a member on the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, Housing Commission, Appropriations Committee, and Joint Rules Committee meetings. The General Assembly publishes a calendar for committee or commission meetings that are open to the public and is available here. 

Primary elections will be held across Virginia on June 13th atyour regular polling location. Both the Democratic Party and Republican Party will hold nomination contests. The deadline toregister to vote in the primary is May 22. The deadline to request that an absentee ballot be mailed to you is June 6. Voters in the City of Richmond will vote in Democratic nomination contests for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, City Treasurer and Sheriff, or in Republican nomination contests for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In Chesterfield County, voters will participate in Democratic or Republican nomination contests for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

This year’s General Election Day is November 7, 2017. I will be seeking re-election to the House of Delegates. On the ballot this day will be elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor,  Attorney General and House of Delegate candidates in both Richmond and Chesterfield. Richmond voters will also select a City Treasurer, Sheriff and Commonwealth Attorney.

There will be a Spring Cleaning event at 6807 Midlothian TurnpikeSaturday, May 6, hosted by the Richmond Clean City Commission. Shredding machines will be on hand to accept up to 5 boxes or bags of personal documents; electronics recycling will be available. Containers of pesticides, herbicides or oil-based paints will be accepted for proper disposal. Additionally, old curbside recycling bins that have been cleaned will be collected for use in the schools.

As we enter spring and summer months, there are many opportunities for engaging in seasonal activities. The City of Richmond Parks and Recreation Department’s Spring and Summer Program Guide is available at this link. The Program Guide provides information on a wide variety of activities that are taking place including recreation youth sports leagues, aquatics, dance classes, and youth summer camps. At this link, you can register for any of the Parks and Recreation Department activities in Richmond. 

The Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Summer Program Guide is available at this link and provides information on camps and activities that are taking place. Chesterfield County provides both adult and youth programs for residents.

There are 3 inviting farmer’s markets in the 69th District:BirdHouse, on Tuesdays from 3 to 6:30pm at 1507 Grayland Avenue, South of the James, from 8am to noon on Saturdays at New Kent and 42nd Streets, and Carytown Market, on Sundays from 11am to 3pm at 3201 West Cary Street.

Beginning June 12th, my office will be located in the Pocahontas Building at the southwest corner of Capitol Square at Bank and 10th Streets. The current General Assembly Building, will be demolished over the course of the next year due to health and safety concerns. A new General Assembly office building, welcoming for citizens and functional for legislative representatives and staff, will open in January 2021. A special sub-committee of Rules, on which I serve, is overseeing rebuilding plans and process.

While the legislature is in session for only a few months, I am available to meet with constituents throughout the year. I welcome visitors, including students, to my office; and can meet with community members in their local district locations. It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful with a state agency or with legislative information. My e-mail address is delegate.carr@betsycarr.org and my office phone number is 804-698-1069.

Sincerely,

Betsy

End of Session Update

I’m pleased to provide you with an update from the 2017 Virginia General Assembly session. The House of Delegates and State Senate met January 13 to February 25 and considered 4,735 bills on a wide range of topics, over 800 of which were sent to the Governor for signature.

During this year’s session, I introduced a variety of legislation which passed. House Bill 1931 will allow for the full implementation of Richmond’s upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system by granting Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) the ability to enforce the collection of transit fees. House Bill 1936 aims to address blighted and derelict properties by allowing a locality to transfer the responsibilities involved in managing a land bank to a group such as a non-profit organization that is separate from the locality. The bill’s goal is to help redevelop and sell properties so that they may return to the tax rolls of various localities. Provisions in House Bill 2006 prevent fraud in the use of assistance animals in multi-unit dwellings. House Bill 1933 outlines the process for candidate withdrawal from an election to ensure that voters have current information on Election Day.

Additionally, I put forward legislation to codify a process for the restoration of civil rights (House Resolution 650) and to establish a nonpartisan commission for redistricting (House Resolution 651). These resolutions, as well as all other introduced resolutions on the related topics failed to pass in the General Assembly this year.

I served on the conference committees for House Bill 2386 and Senate Bill 854 which provide installment payment plans for those having difficulty paying court fees. As long as payments continue according to the designated plan, a driver's license will not be suspended.

Each year passing a balanced budget is the legislature’s most important work: it reflects priorities for use of taxpayer money. This year the great challenge was addressing our Commonwealth’s $1.25 billion shortfall from the 2016 passed budget. The House and Senate passed an amended budget February 25. It will go to the Governor and, after his amendments or line item vetoes, it will undergo a final vote during the Reconvene Session, April 5.

The budget sent to the Governor will provide for a 3% pay raise for state employees and a 2% pay raise for state-supported local employees and college faculty. Additionally, the budget funds the state’s share of a 2% pay raise for teachers while sending 35% of all Lottery of Virginia proceeds to local school divisions without restrictions. For example, a school division can spend the money on salary increases, technology infrastructure, or payments to the Virginia Retirement System depending on its needs.

Additionally, the budget provides for a $6,793 salary increase for all Virginia State Troopers and an entry level salary increase as well. These necessary increases support the important role that our state troopers have in our Commonwealth and allow the agency to increase trooper recruitment efforts. The Virginia Capitol Police, the oldest police force in the United States, will also receive salary increases.

The Library of Virginia, which faced significant budget cuts, operating hour reductions, and layoffs at the end of 2016 will have those cuts and reductions restored with an increase of $600,000 to the Library’s budget. I co-patroned the budget amendment to restore library funding.

Another important focus of the budget was addressing mental health and substance abuse in our Commonwealth. The budget will increase services for individuals with mental illness and expand services for 3,000 individuals with incomes at or below 100% of the poverty line. The budget also allows for same day mental health treatment services to be expanded at Community Service Board locations across the Commonwealth. Additional funding for substance abuse treatment was included in the budget, with $5 million for supportive housing for individuals in recovery and $1 million for opioid detoxification services.

The budget provides $5.5 million for community employment and training programs including work force training and $2 million to support employment service organizations. An additional $2 million will provide a 2.5% increase in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding throughout the state. More complete budget information is discussed here.

Delegate Delores McQuinn’s legislation that I co-patroned will grant $100,000 to the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities at UVA to identify the history of formerly enslaved African Americans in Virginia and determine ways to preserve the history so that it may be used for educational and cultural purposes.

Additional legislation in this year's session that attracted general interest included the regulation of the short term lodging industry, the rights of LGBT citizens, women’s healthcare, and redistricting reform.

The Housing Commission, on which I serve, has studied the short term lodging industry for the past year. Senate Bill 1578 passed this session. This bill allows, but does not mandate, any locality to adopt an ordinance which regulates short term rentals such as AirBnB. The legislation will not affect the current status of short-term rentals in Richmond unless the city adopts an ordinance establishing a registry. Similarly, it will allow Chesterfield to adopt a regulatory framework if the county so chooses.

Many constituents contacted me this session regarding the rights of our LGBT citizens. I was pleased to support initiatives that worked to expand rights. I co-patroned a bill by Senator Jennifer Wexton which, although it was unsuccessful, would have made discrimination against members of the LGBT community in housing illegal. A bill similar to North Carolina’s controversial ‘bathroom bill,’ failed.

Last week, the members of the House Democratic Caucus were able to sustain Governor McAuliffe’s veto of House Bill 2264, which would have cut funding to Planned Parenthood across Virginia. Many constituents contacted me in opposition to this bill; Planned Parenthood makes affordable crucial services for many women who would not otherwise have access to health care.

Redistricting reform was a major discussion topic this legislative session thanks to the work of many constituents and the advocacy group OneVirginia2021. Although all bills aimed at redistricting reform failed this session, it is my hope that this critical issue will eventually be addressed by the General Assembly. Continued efforts by constituents to contact their legislators did make an impact this year by putting the issue directly before the legislators and ensuring that each legislator knew how important this issue is to their constituents. Additionally, ProgressVA’s filming of committee deliberation and votes increased transparency throughout the session.

My resolution to recognize the centennial of women’s suffrage and the Nineteenth Amendment was combined with another resolution which establishes a task force facilitated by the Virginia Historical Society for the purpose of commemorating this significant anniversary.

A Richmond Times-Dispatch article discusses 25 reasons why the General Assembly was important here.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) assists our veterans with a wide variety of services. These include housing and homelessness services, legal assistance, and both short and long-term care concerns. The complete DVS veteran’s resource guide, is available on the DVS website. Our office is also able to assist with issues affecting our veterans and help connect to necessary services.

The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Office of the Governor make appointments of citizens to serve on a wide variety of boards and commissions. On the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, you can read more about the available appointments and check to see if you or someone you know that is interested may qualify to serve.

The James River Association provides an interesting river expedition experience for students during the summer months. Information about these river adventures can be found on the James River Association website.

The Carillon, Virginia’s Official Memorial to World War I, is located in Byrd Park at the south end of the Boulevard in the 69th District. On April 6, 2017, at 11:45 A.M., the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission will host a special commemorative program there to mark the 100th Anniversary of the United States entry into World War I. The program is free and open to the public; information is available at this link.

During the summer, the legislative offices of the General Assembly will relocate. The General Assembly Building at the corner of 9th and Broad Streets in Richmond will be demolished due to growing health and safety concerns. For the next four years, legislative offices will be in the Pocahontas Building, located at the corner of 10th and Bank Streets in Richmond. My phone number and e-mail address will remain the same; my new office address will be available in June.

While the legislature is in session for only a few months, I am available to meet with constituents throughout the year. It is a privilege to serve you in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful with a state agency or with legislative information. My e-mail address is delegate.carr@betsycarr.org and my office phone number is 804-698-1069.

Fall 2016 Legislative and Community Update

Dear Friend,
 
As we enjoy cooler fall temperatures, I would like to provide you with an update from the Capitol, as well as important information regarding the 2016 election and community events.
 
The 2016 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8thfor President and Vice-President of the United States. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. To find the name and address of your polling precinct, please click on this link. Remember that you will need a photo ID to vote. Additionally, citizens in the City of Richmond will vote to elect a new mayor, members of City Council and the School Board and, with parts of Chesterfield and other places, for a new member of Congress to represent Virignia's 4th Congressional District.
 
The deadline to request an absentee ballot be sent to you is Tuesday, November 1 at 5pm. To request one electronically, please visit this link, and click on “Apply online for a Virginia absentee ballot”. Once you have provided your information, an absentee ballot will be mailed to your address. The deadline to vote absentee by appearing in person is Saturday, November 5 at 5pm. If you are in Richmond, you may vote absentee at City Hall. If you are in Chesterfield, you may absentee at the General Registrar’s office, located at 9848 Lori Road, 23832.
 
Two commissions of which I am a member have been meeting since the end of the 2016 legislative session to work on legislative and government concerns.
 
The Speaker’s Commission on Employee Retirement Security and Pension Reform focuses on our state employees and is studying the most responsible ways to address public sector retirement benefits. I am a member of the Work Force Work Group, and we have focused on factors which influence the state workforce’s ability to keep pace with private sector jobs concerning pay and benefits, as well as ways to enhance recruitment and retention of state employees. In general, the “bench” for middle management among state employees is not deep. In some agencies more than half of the “institutional knowledge” will be retiring soon. State workers are involved with important work that has far-reaching impact; their mission is attractive for those who want to be involved in meaningful work. The next generation of workers wants their jobs to involve performance feedback and mentoring that focuses on overall personal and professional development.
 
Recent meetings of the Virginia Housing Commission have focused on the regulation of the short-term residential lodging industry and platforms such as AirBnB. We have also examined issues concerning common-interest communities, which are developments consisting of individually owned units but also requiring the maintenance of common areas, such as in a condominium complex. The commission has also reviewed research that looks at the impact of housing on regional economies.
 
The House Appropriations Committee Public Safety Subcommittee and Senate Finance Committee Public Safety Subcommittee met jointly at the Bon Air Juvenile Detention Center in early October. Committee members toured the site with recent changes made to the juvenile justice system model in mind and discussed the facility’s capital improvement needs. Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Mr. Andrew Block, addressed the joint committee on the need to design and build a new facility to best address the most pressing concerns related to safety and recidivism among those in DJJ care. Currently, juvenile justice facilities are designed similar to adult prisons. The new model focuses less on long term detention and more on short term rehabilitation. Additionally, Col. Steve Flaherty discussed technology capital needs of the Virginia State Police. The Virginia State Police operate a system known as STARS, a statewide radio system that allows troopers and dispatch officers to communicate effectively no matter where they may be. This system also operates all communication from state police patrol cars. As technology changes and advances, upgrades to the communication system used by our first responders are essential.
 
At the House Appropriations Committee’s October meeting, agenda subjects included presentations on state revenue, trade, and economic development. Secretary of Finance Ric Brown provided an economic overview for the month of September. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore briefed the committee on the Virginia International Trade Corporation (VITC). VITC will create international trade development programs with strict performance measures and will provide services to businesses across our Commonwealth looking to expand their reach. Additionally, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), which shares similar business and trade growth goals as VITC, briefed the committee on the reorganization and structure of the partnership. While VITC works to expand trade opportunities in international markets, the VEDP provides site selection and business expansion or relocation services to private sector companies who decide to locate or expand their business in Virginia. It is important to continue encouraging companies to locate their businesses here as a way to expand access to good paying jobs. Both the VITC and VEDP play an important role in this process.   
 
The Department of Planning and Budget also briefed the committee on the Governor’s proposed actions to address the budget shortfall. The Governor’s proposed savings plan includes forgoing raises to state employees, withdrawing from the revenue stabilization fund, applying additional lottery revenue to public education, and applying savings from executive branch agency spending from the prior year. While it is difficult for the state to face a shortfall, the situation could be much worse and underscores the continuing need for investment in jobs that will pay above average wages.
 
The Carillon Neighborhood Historic District recently held an unveiling ceremony for an historic marker located at the entrance to the Carillon neighborhood. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the National Register of Historic Places recognized the Carillon Neighborhood Historic District for its long-standing commitment to social history and for serving as a model for racial integration in both the City of Richmond and our Commonwealth. Many long time neighbors, some of whom were members of the neighborhood’s first civic association when it began in 1968, joined together to celebrate the unveiling and shared emotional stories of how the neighborhood has impacted their lives.
 
The Lumpkin’s Jail Site ground-breaking and development ceremony took place in Shockoe Bottom on October 10, the anniversary of Gabriel’s Rebellion in 1800. Known for its work on the celebrated Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., the architectural group SmithGroupJJR will lead the development. The Slave Trail Commission, chaired by Delegate Delores McQuinn, has long envisioned that the project in Shockoe will involve community input from across the city for the full, finalized plans before the construction begins. The area, in addition to being a center for the country’s slave trade, was the center of the city’s history from its beginning. 
 
Attorney General Mark Herring, as part of his program that focuses on the safe disposal of prescription medication, recently sponsored a drug take-back event. At the event, citizens brought unused or old prescription medication that they no longer needed to a central site where it was properly disposed. The Attorney General’s office and the City of Richmond Police Department plan to have additional, similar events in the future to limit prescription drug abuse in our communities and protect children from accessing the medication. If you were unable to participate in the drug take-back event, you can visit this link which contains tips on how to safely dispose of prescription drugs in your home.
 
Important events and celebrations continue in our community and business life, even with the predominance of election season activities. For instance, in our district, there have been notable happenings for business and economic development in South Richmond. Roanoke Cement Company was awarded the OSHA SHARP certification, signifying that it is a model safety work site. The opening of Clopton Siteworks promises to bring new small business activity and jobs to the space of a long dormant former Philip Morris tobacco warehouse in the Jefferson Davis corridor, adjacent to Manchester. Tricycle Gardens, in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture, has initiated an urban agriculture certificate program. In our Commonwealth’s cultural life, at the Library of Virginia’s Literary Awards Celebration, Poet Nikki Giovanni received the Literary Lifetime Achievement Award and Richmonder Carole Weinstein was awarded the Library’s first ever Honorary Patron of Letters Degree.
 
Veterans Day, November 11, will be marked by ceremonies at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, at 10 a.m. and at the Historic 1917 Courthouse at 2 p.m. in Chesterfield.
 
After the election, members of the House and Senate will begin work on legislation for the 2017 Legislative Session of the General Assembly which will convene on January 11, and I will be busy preparing bills to introduce. As always, I am available to meet with constituents now, during the legislative session, and throughout the year. Please feel free to call my office at 804-698-1069 or e-mail me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org if I can be of assistance to you. Knowing your thoughts and concerns helps me to best represent you.

Summer 2016 Update

Dear Friend,
 
As the summer continues, I am pleased to provide you with an update from the Capitol and important community information.
 
The new fiscal year for our Commonwealth began July 1, 2016, and marked the start date for newly passed legislation and the biennial budget. There were numerous changes to Virginia’s laws including strengthening ethics regulations, increasing penalties on unlicensed child care providers, and expanding access to background checks for firearms purchased at gun shows. Additionally, for bike safety, drivers must wait for a reasonable time before opening a parked car door into the traffic lane. The Division of Legislative Services provides an in-depth overview of new and modified laws in their publication, In Due Course. The Richmond Times-Dispatch also provides a very useful overview of legislative changes.
 
The legislative session was successful in passing important initiatives. A new bond package will strengthen research at our universities, expand and enhance the Port of Virginia and improve our state parks. Additionally, an important investment was made to expand workforce development credential programs at our community colleges.
 
A priority for our Commonwealth continues to be expansion of the new Virginia economy. The unemployment rate throughout the state is 3.7%. However, creation of good-paying jobs and expanding workforce training in existing and emerging fields is important. For example, in cybersecurity, thousands of jobs that pay over $80,000 a year are unfilled due to a lack of available qualified workers. 

Increasing the number of available jobs that pay above average salaries in our Commonwealth is critical to our overall financial health. This is especially true as the Commonwealth now faces a budget shortfall of $266.3 million. This shortfall, caused by declining payroll withholdings and sales tax revenue, has forced the Commonwealth to reforecast anticipated revenues on which the passed budget was based. This means that the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees must re-estimate what the state’s revenue will be by September 1. The shortfall could cause a delay in the pay raises for state employees that were included in the passed budget.
 
Governor McAuliffe’s historic April Restoration of Rights Order continues to be implemented. To check if you or someone you know are eligible for rights restoration, please provide your information at this link.

The new Commission on Employee Retirement Security and Pension Reform, to which the Speaker appointed me, held its first meeting on July 11. The Commission’s task is to study and make recommendations to the General Assembly about the current state of compensation and retirement plans offered to state and local employees, including school teachers. A Commission workgroup focusing on the state workforce will explore ways to help recruit and retain top talent in our government.
 
I continue to serve as a member of the Housing Commission. Work group sessions recently have focused on short-term lodging platforms such as AirBnB, service animal regulations, and property owner associations.
 
On June 20 and 21, the House Appropriations Committee traveled to the Eastern Shore of Virginia for a tour. The Committee visited various sites that are important to the Commonwealth’s economic, education and recreation interests. A few of the sites included Kiptopeke State Park, a beautiful park with pristine bay beaches, the Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Norfolk, the UVA Coastal Research Center, a clam and oyster nursery, and the NASA Space Facility on Wallops Island. Committee members gained a better understanding of these important sites and programs. The Eastern Shore is home to some of the Commonwealth’s emerging and growing businesses.
 
As we look toward the 2017 session, the Page Program in the House of Delegates will begin accepting applications on August 1. The Page program provides a unique opportunity for 13 and 14 year olds in Virginia. The House of Delegates’ Pages work to assist the Delegates and staff during the legislative session of the General Assembly each year. The tasks include running errands, assisting staff with mailings, and working on the House floor daily. The program is competitive and requires an endorsement from the Page’s Delegate. More information on the House Page Program, including living arrangements, work hours, and training is available at this link. Additionally, please feel free to contact my office at 804-698-1169 for more information on this program. The application deadline is October 17.
 
Election Day for 2016 is Tuesday, November 8. Along with the presidential election, citizens in the City of Richmond will also elect a new mayor, members of City Council, and members of the School Board. Citizens in Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond will elect a congressman. The deadline to register to vote or update your voting information in time for the November election is Monday, October 17. To register to vote in the Commonwealth or to find more information, please visit this website.
 
Governor McAuliffe recently announced that citizens of Virginia who are visiting the DMV will now be able to electronically register to vote on the keypads in all 74 DMV locations across the Commonwealth. Additionally, you are now able to update your information, such as your address, with the DMV and the Department of Elections online using this link. At the Richmond Central Customer Service Center, 2300 West Broad Street, citizens may now sign up for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check to save time when traveling through airports. 
 
The 2017 Legislative Session of the Virginia General Assembly will begin on January 11, 2017. Members of the House and Senate will begin filing legislation during the summer and throughout the fall. As always, I am available to meet with constituents now, during the legislative session, and throughout the year. Please feel free to call my office at 804-698-1069 or e-mail me atdelegate.carr@betsycarr.org if I can be of assistance to you. Knowing your thoughts and concerns helps me to best represent you.
 
Sincerely,

 
Betsy B. Carr

May 2016 Update

Dear Friend,
 
I am pleased to provide you with a legislative update from the General Assembly, as well as some pertinent community information.
 
When the General Assembly adjourned March 11, it had passed a balanced biennium budget, considered 2,352 bills, of which it passed 889, and appointed judges. On April 20, it met for its annual re-convene session to consider Governor McAuliffe’s vetoes and amendments to legislation. The Governor said that he vetoed legislation which prevented the growth of the state’s New Economy and the ability to bring new businesses and jobs to Virginia. The General Assembly did not override any of the Governor’s 32 vetoes and accepted many of his amendments to legislation. A full summary of those vetoes and amendments are available at this link. Highlights of passed legislation concerning areas such as education, business, courts, health, housing, and transportation are available here.
 
On April 22, Governor McAuliffe issued an historic Grant Order to restore the civil rights, including the right to vote, to more than 200,000 Virginians, who are former felons and who have completed the terms of their sentences. “Virginians who have served their time and reentered society should do so as full citizens of our Commonwealth and country,” said the Governor.“Too often in both our distant and recent history, politicians have used their authority to restrict peoples’ ability to participate in our democracy. Today we are reversing that disturbing trend and restoring the rights of more than 200,000 of our fellow Virginians who work, raise families and pay taxes in every corner of our Commonwealth.”
 
The Constitution of Virginia gives the Governor the sole authority to restore civil rights to citizens. Those with restored rights are now eligible to vote. Members of our community who wish to check if their rights have been restored under this order can do so by clicking this link and entering the required information. If an error message is received, please call (804) 786-2441 and provide your information.
 
At our recent meeting of the Appropriations Committee May 16, Finance Secretary Ric Brown reported a recent shortfall in expected state revenues. If this trend continues, projected spending may need to be revised; adjustments in the passed budget may be necessary to accommodate the re-forecasted revenues.
 
The budget contained significant increases in K-12 and higher education, including a 2% increase in 2017 for elementary and secondary education teachers and support staff. Money from the state lottery fund is directed to local school divisions, which they can use with limited state involvement on initiatives or projects important locally. The funding increase amounts to approximately $36.6 million in 2017 and $157 million in 2018.
 
Other education measures of note included establishing the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program (House Bill 66) which I co-patroned. By providing funding to public institutions of higher education that offer non-credit programs, it aims to put more skilled workers in the state’s labor force. After this work-force training, students can then obtain certificates or credentials in a field where they attain gainful employment. The Commonwealth will provide $12.5 million over the next two years to fund this program.
 
Governor’s schools, of particular interest in our area where there are many Maggie Walker students, received 2.5% increased funding in the approved budget.
 
Additionally, the budget increases the amount of state funding to schools that offer a breakfast program to their students.
 
The budget included money to fully fund a program known as “STEM Learning through the Arts” in both Richmond and Chesterfield Public Schools. The arts are important to our vibrant city and region, and are a valuable addition to education and tourism. Our area is home to many artists and energizing creative activity.
 
I was most pleased with the budget language that included necessary repairs to the Carillon, located in Byrd Park and which is the Commonwealth’s official memorial to World War I. The centennial of the United States’ entry into WWI is 2017. Budget language formed the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission. A signature event is planned for Armistice Day in November 2018 at the Carillon. The Commission through various events and outreach efforts, and working in conjunction with the National WWI Commission, will commemorate Virginia’s key contributions and citizen sacrifices in WWI. Known to historians as the Great War, it has become the forgotten war even though much of what is happening in the world today, from events and political maps in the mid-east to evolution in civil laws and rights began during WWI and its aftermath.
 
During the session, many constituents contacted me to advocate for the legislators’ confirmation of Justice Jane Roush, who Governor McAuliffe had appointed to the Virginia Supreme Court during recess appointments.  I voted with 37 colleagues for her appointment; she has been acknowledged as a very knowledgeable, broadly experienced and imminently qualified jurist. Her career accomplishments were undisputed, she was well-liked by her peers and respected by attorneys in the field and those who practiced before her court.  However, the legislative majority put forth Stephen McCullough’s name, and he was elected as the new Supreme Court Justice to serve a 12-year term.
 
Legislation to regulate the short-term residential lodging industry, mainly online platforms such as AirBnB and HomeAway drew much attention.  Creating regulation of this industry, which is one driven by technology use - namely the use of apps on smartphones - is complex.  It is similar to that involved in the regulatory framework of ride-sharing platforms such as Uber. Ultimately, the General Assembly assigned to the Virginia Housing Commission the study for the best way to regulate short-term residential lodging. As a member of the Commission’s work group on short-term rental, I look forward to continuing to learn more about the topic and proper regulation of this business model. Our next work group meeting is July 14.
 
Additionally, the Virginia Housing Commission moved legislation that will help localities address blighted, vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties by establishing land banks. The bi-partisan bill, for which I served as a chief co-patron, does not involve eminent domain, is an option based on a locality’s interest, and joins similar type measures initiated in other states across the nation.
 
A popular legislative initiative that encompassed several bills was the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund, or GO Virginia. The goal of the program is to allow localities to partner with one another in search of economic development projects that will benefit a local region. Recognizing the importance of this initiative, and working through governance issues, the Governor and legislative members reached consensus; the program will be delayed one year.
 
Protecting and supporting Virginia’s veterans was a priority during the 2016 legislative session. The General Assembly passed legislation that will help homeless veterans obtain ID cards and expand their access to important services. Additionally, there is continued focus on helping veterans obtain stable employment by connecting them with employers through the Virginia Values Veterans program. This program hosts events around our Commonwealth to encourage companies to hire Virginia’s veterans, and allow veterans to network with employers.
 
Additionally, construction of state buildings using bonds, including renovations on Capitol Square and juvenile justice facilities was incorporated in the budget.
 
For more information and detail regarding items that were discussed during the full regular session, the Richmond Times-Dispatch collected a list of 25 reasons the 2016 General Assembly session mattered.
 
The Virginia Public Access Project, a non-partisan organization focused on transparency, has released a data-driven review of the legislative session. If you are interested, using this link,  you can view a number of different graphs and charts that describe the overall outcome of legislation introduced during the session.
 
With the arrival of the warmer weather, Governor McAuliffe recently urged Virginians to prepare for mosquito season, due to concern about the Zika virus. Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel reiterated the importance of mosquito repellent use and removing areas of standing water. Dr. Hazel recommended that all citizens follow the precaution guidelines that are available here.
 
Listed below are a few events that may interest you.
 
On Saturday May 21, from 10 A.M to 2 P.M. the Clean City Commission will be hosting a Spring Cleaning Day. The event will be held at 6807 Midlothian Turnpike; visitors will be able to shred documents, recycle unused electronics, and turn in old curbside-recycling bins so they can be used in our schools.
 
May 29 is 529 College Savings Day across the United States. Here in Virginia, the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan can help families across our Commonwealth as they prepare to assist their loved ones in pursuing higher education. A 529 plan allows one to place money in a special savings account. When the money is removed from the account for use on higher education expenses, the earnings on the account are tax-free. You can find out more about the 529 College Savings Plan here.
 
Beginning June 11, the VMFA will feature an exhibit from internationally renowned and exciting contemporary painter Kehinde Wiley. His works have “challenged and complicated the tradition of European and American portraiture and brought issues of race, power and representation to the fore in our cultural conversation.” Along with his signature portraits of black men, viewers will be able to see new portraits of women, monumental sculpture and paintings in stained glass. To learn more about this upcoming exhibit, you can visit this website.
 
Please visit my website, new look, same address, www.betsycarr.org, for other community photos and information.
 
As we near Memorial Day, May 30, and honor those who gave their lives in service to our county, we appreciate all that their sacrifice continues to make possible for us in our daily lives. We benefit from a vibrant community, an ever more attractive city, opportunities to experience, among many other things, the outdoors and our river, farmer’s markets, community gatherings and participation in representative government.
 
Thank you for the privilege of serving you. I greatly appreciate being able to work for and with you.  If I can be of assistance to you or answer questions, please never hesitate to contact me (804-698-1069 ordelegate.carr@betsycarr.org). I enjoy having you call and visit me at my General Assembly Building office, Room 527. I am also available to meet with you in your neighborhood or community.

Sincerely,


Betsy B. Carr

Vote Today in the Presidential Primary

Dear Friend,
 
Here's a quick and friendly reminder that the polls are open today until 7:00 p.m.

Today is referred by many as Super Tuesday because 12 states are voting in the Presidential Primary. Virginia is one of those states and since we are an "open primary state," voters can choose to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary contests. However, you cannot vote in both primaries.

To find your polling place and other important information, please visit the State Board of Elections website.

If you are elderly, disabled, or for another reason cannot enter the polling location without physical assistance, you are allowed to request curbside voting at your assigned polling precinct.

Be sure that you are registered and know where to vote by checking your registration statushere. If you have questions, please give us a call at 804-767-7530.

Finally, remember to bring your photo ID to the polls.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

Valid Virginia driver's license or ID card
Valid Virginia DMV issued Veteran's ID card
Valid United States Passport
Any Federal, Virginia state or Virginia local government-issued photo ID card
Any photo ID card issued by an employer in the ordinary course of business
A student ID issued by a Virginia institute of higher learning or a public or private high school.
Virginia Voter Photo ID card obtained through any local registrar's office. 

If you do not bring a photo ID, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot and will received instructions from the election officials on how to submit a copy of your identification so that your vote will be counted. More information on the provisional ballot process for voters who do not have their ID can be found here. 
 
Thank you for voting.

Sincerely,

Betsy B. Carr

Legislative Office

Delegate Betsy B. Carr
General Assembly Building, Suite 1110
201 North 9th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

804.698.1078 (phone)
delegate.carr@betsycarr.org

Campaign Address

Carr for Delegate
Post Office Box 14625
Richmond, Virginia 23221
info@betsycarr.org

Mailing Address

The Honorable Betsy B. Carr
Post Office Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218