| | Dear Friend, The holiday season is near and winter’s chill has begun to creep into the mornings and nights. I hope this season is equal parts restorative, reflective, and jubilant. I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. The General Assembly is preparing for the upcoming legislative session, with bill drafting happening now, and important meetings coming in December. Below is an update on some recent state and local news and programs. |
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| | Clockwise from top left: Delegate Mark Sickles, Speaker Don Scott, and Rep. Bobby Scott at a surprise party for Speaker Scott; Velma “Mama J” Johnson at her restaurant Mama J’s; Velma and her son Lester; Sally Chambers ready to go canvassing; Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (Michigan), and Rep. Jennifer McClellan; Sue LeGrand and Senator Slotkin at Governor-Elect Spanberger’s campaign bus tour; Mayor Avula and Ruth Morrison; Mayor Avula’s Transition Team. |
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| House Appropriations Retreat The House Appropriations Committee met for a retreat in Prince William County, November 17-19. Each year, the HAC retreat balances a specific regional focus while also discussing statewide trends and reports. For instance, last year, the committee toured southwest Virginia in the wake of Hurricane Helene. This year, the committee met in Northern Virginia, where many communities have been disrupted and reshaped by the federal government’s downsizing and restructuring, and then again with the protracted government shutdown.
During the retreat, we received reports on nationwide trends and a report on the economic health of Northern Virginia. We also spent time reviewing important considerations for the upcoming legislative session, including medicaid forecasts and K-12 rebenchmarking. Final reports covered state debt capacity and unemployment insurance. You can find links to the presentations given at this link.
In addition to the reports, we toured the George Mason Science & Technology Campus at Innovation Park which included their forensic science program and the autonomous robotics laboratory, and later we toured GMU’s Hylton Performing Arts Center. Additionally, we toured Micron Technologies and MurLarkey, a Virginia business that had received a agricultural and forestry development grant. |
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| | Clockwise from top left: Micron Technologies; Touring George Mason drone lab; Governor-Elect Spanberger speaking at the House Appropriations Committee Retreat; Christy Coleman (Executive Director Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation); New Exhibit “Fresh Views on the American Revolution” at Jamestown-Yorktown. |
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| Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission JLARC met November 10, to receive several reports including demographics trends in the state; state spending this year; a report on the performance of economic development incentives; and a study on correctional education programs in Virginia. You can find a link to the reports, agenda, minutes, and a recording of the meeting at this link. |
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| | Election Day Across the 78th District |
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| Virginia Mobile ID The Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced Mobile ID, a secure way to confirm identification via your mobile device. The application has been tested over the past year and a half to ensure high consumer experience and technology performance. The application has rigorous data privacy standards. User data, such as where the ID is scanned, is not collected and stored.
The Mobile ID can be used with law enforcement, TSA, at DMV locations, at select VABC stores, and at select businesses. In the future, it will be compatible with mobile wallets such as Apple or Samsung wallets.
You can learn more here. |
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| | Clockwise from top left: Beth Lane (Director & Executive Producer) at UnBroken Film Screening; Leah Hollon, ND, MPH with her new book “Unwinding the Imprints of Disease”; Audrey Burton at Kroger; Marriage of Randy Grumbine & Kim Reese overlooking the James River; Elizabeth Hobbs and John Jones of the Virginia Sheriff’s Association; Roberta Oster and Sam Asher outside of Idle Hands Bakery. |
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| Code Refresh The City of Richmond’s Planning Department has released its second draft map of proposed zoning changes. The new drafts respond to initial requests for public comment and make several changes to implement the feedback received. The Zoning Advisory Council will meet December 10 (agenda TBD). You can find the new maps and share your feedback, as well as stay up to date on open houses and council meetings at the Code Refresh website. |
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Clockwise from top left: Randolph Civic Association meeting with Latasha Wyche (President), Blake Stack, Yvonne Singleton, and Tomeka Mitchell; Kathy Glazer (President, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation) and Hannah Emerson; President Taylor Reveley, IV (Longwood University); Alan Lombardo (CEO, Sheltering Arms Institute) and Delegate Rodney Willett; Annie & Edward Witthoefft at the Sportaball (Sportable’s Gala); Michael Rogers (President, Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People) and Erik Johnston (President, Community Action Partnership). |
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| Richmond Healthy Homes Program The City is accepting applications for the Healthy Homes Program, an incentive program that provides income-eligible participants with assistance to perform essential health and safety repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy efficiency improvements. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can find more information and apply here. |
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| Community Composting There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, one of which is composting. Composting organic waste prevents that waste from entering landfills where it creates methane due to anaerobic decomposition. Instead, it is turned into a nutrient rich soil that can be used for habitat restoration or growing crops. In Richmond, there are numerous, free ways to participate in composting. Recently, at the Randolph Civic Association meeting, I was amazed to learn about the neighborhood’s partnership with Natural Organic Processes Enterprises (NOPE) to provide a compost drop-off point. You can learn more at this link. Outside of Randolph, there are many other ways to participate in composting. Three years ago, Richmond launched its Community Compost Initiative. You can find more information and a map of drop off locations here. |
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The Boulevard Toll (Nickel) Bridge Centennial Celebration Clockwise from top left: Celebration on the bridge; Maymont’s Painted Box Turtle, Beth O’Leary; Councilwoman Sarah Abubaker, Val Murphy, Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch, and Delegate Mike Jones; Jay Paul and Emily Ward. |
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| Community Events Thanksgiving is this Thursday, November 27. If you are in need of food or other items, CBS6 put together this list of Richmond area turkey giveaways and food drives. The Community Thanksgiving Feast will be at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, doors open at 10 AM. You can find volunteer opportunities throughout the holiday season at this link from the Community Foundation. Axios Richmond has put together this guide for entertaining out-of-town guests. RVA Illuminates, the annual lighting of the Downtown Skyline, will be December 5, 4pm. More information here. The Christmas Parade will be December 6, 10:15 AM. More information here. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has opened “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beats & Alicia Keys.” More information here. The Valentine Museum has several upcoming events including a walking tour of the court end neighborhood focused on early republic history (November 30, more information here) as well as the First Friday Art Trolley, with a Christmas Carol theme (December 5, more information here). The Virginia Museum of History & Culture has several upcoming events including a lecture on “The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists who Championed the American Revolution,” (December 4, more information here) as well as 18th Century Chocolate Making demonstrations happening Saturdays throughout December (more information here). The Black History Museum & Cultural Center will host visits with Soul Santa, beginning November 29. More information here. The Virginia House will host a Holiday Open House, December 14, 12-4pm. More information here. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has several wreath making workshops throughout December (information here) and has opened the GardenFest of Lights (information here). The Branch Museum will host a Holiday Speakeasy Party, December 10. You can find ticket information here. The American Civil War Museum will host a Holiday open house at their Appomattox location. More information here. |
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| Clockwise from top left: Cabell & John West; Elise Gilmore (Co-Founder of the Find Francine Initiative); Elise Traub (Best Friend’s Animal Society); Kristin & Andy Kwandy; Tamsen Kingry (CEO, Richmond SPCA). |
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| Thank YouIt is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or at 804-698-1078 if I can be helpful to you. Sincerely, |
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