In the six weeks since the General Assembly adjourned the regular session, I have been incredibly busy meeting with community stakeholders, talking with constituents, and getting ready to head back to Richmond for the Reconvene Session. As I share some of what my month has included, please remember, if you have any questions or need any assistance, reach out to my office. We’re here for YOU!
Mobile Office Hours
I am pleased to announce that my office will be hosting office hours throughout the district this year, starting with Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Cascades Library.
You can reserve a time slot using the button below or simply drop in. My staff will be available to assist you with any issues you are experiencing with state agencies, discuss important updates from the legislative session, and listen to your concerns.
Legislative Updates
On April 17, 2024, the General Assembly reconvened in Richmond to review the Governor’s decisions on the legislation we had already passed. I am thrilled to announce that seven of my bills are now law! These new laws will become effective on July 1, 2024.
Use the links below to read about them!
HB102 – Raise Pay Caps for Representing Indigent Defendants
HB105 – Fixes Oversights in the Resale Disclosure Act (Constituent Requested!)
HB281 – Child Daycare in Office Buildings (Chamber of Commerce Requested!)
HB383 – Realtor Education (Realtor Requested!)
HB392 – Aid Small Businesses under PPFA
HB719 – Hazing Education (Constituent Requested!)
HB1402 – Transparency from Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Legislators must reconsider pieces of legislation that the Governor has either vetoed or amended during a reconvened session. You can view all the vetoes and recommendations HERE and HERE.
Unfortunately, the Governor sent back many vetoes and recommendations that were not in the best interest of Virginians. The General Assembly passed bills aimed at disarming abusers and protecting survivors, preventing tragedies at schools, and saving lives. We passed bills to give localities and their voters the right to invest in school infrastructure, support at-risk students, and invest in quality education. We also passed bills aiming to protect healthcare providers and the right to choose when to get pregnant. Though the Governor responded with vetoes and useless amendments, we will continue to move forward together.
At the end of our very long day, we accepted 62 of the Governor’s recommendations and sent 55 bills back to the Governor’s desk. This means the Governor has up to 30 days to take the “final bite at the apple” by either signing or vetoing the 55 bills.
What is happening with the Budget?
During a budget year, the House of Delegates, the Senate, and the Governor must agree on the biennial budget for the Commonwealth. In March, the General Assembly sent the Governor a sensible budget that included various proposals.
In addition to signing or vetoing remaining legislation, he submitted an unprecedented 233 amendments to the bipartisan budget. The General Assembly had one week to review each of his actions ahead of the reconvene session.
Unfortunately, we were unable to compromise during the reconvened session. The House, the Senate, and the Governor came together and agreed that the best path forward for the budget was to call a Special Session and work together to come up with a new budget that would benefit all Virginians.
We have just under a month to prepare an updated budget for the special session beginning on May 13, 2024. It is our hope that over the next few weeks, both chambers and the Governor can come together to fund Virginia’s essential services, increase education funding, expand access to affordable healthcare and transportation projects, and ensure no one falls through the cracks.
Reworking the budget does not mean we are starting from scratch. The budget that passed the House and Senate in March created a foundation that will allow us to make adjustments based on input from all parties. We are optimistic that we will create a budget that works for all Virginians.
As always, I will keep you updated on how this conversation progresses. If you want to compare the General Assembly’s budget with the Governors’ budget, you can do so HERE.
There’s No Place Like Home
It has been a busy month with traveling around the district and gearing up for the Reconvene Session!
Eid al-Fitr Prayers at the ADAMS Center
Goodwill Opening in Sterling
Eid Community Festival
Reconvene Session
LCPS Business Partnership Breakfast
How My Office Can Help You
Navigating state agencies can be confusing and difficult at times. As your delegate, I can help you communicate with state agencies such as the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), Departments of Taxation, Social Services, Transportation, and more! I can also submit inquiries with those agencies on your behalf and help you engage with the state agency you need. There are limits to what I can do, however. For example, I am unable to expedite cases or force state agencies to favor your inquiry, provide legal advice or recommend a specific attorney, intervene with judicial issues, overturn decisions, or be involved with matters involving private businesses.
Whether you want to bring an issue to my attention, need my office’s assistance, or want to invite me to a community event, please reach out! If there is any way I can assist you, please let me know here: https://atoosareaser.com/help/
As always, I am grateful for your ongoing support!
Yours in Service,
Atoosa Reaser (she/her)
Virginia House of Delegates
District 27 (Eastern Loudoun)
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