January 28th Newsletter
As you can read in more detail below, Delegate VanValkenburg and I were honored to have seven Henrico County high school students with us on Wednesday for a legislative fellowship. This group was here to learn more about the law-making process from us but, as is often the case, their fresh perspectives on this oldest legislative body were enlightening. During a roundtable discussion with the fellows, one of the students asked what is our favorite part of being a delegate. My immediate response was the satisfaction that I feel when meeting a constituent who thanks me for passing a particular bill that has made life better for her and her family. Now reflecting on the fellows’ day here, I may want to expand my “favorite” list to include interactions like this that I had with the students. It is inspiring to me to find young people who want to know more about their government and weigh in on the issues of the day. Remember, the fellows were here for the day by choice and based on their interest in government, not because of a school assignment.
If you have any questions or need assistance with a state agency, please contact my office at delrwillett@house.virginia.gov or phone at 804-698-1073, and a member of my staff will be happy to assist you. I also will continue to keep you informed with relevant, accurate information via Twitter, Facebook, and my website. Please stay well and stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Rodney
New Information
2022 Legislative Session Week 3
We have just wrapped up week 3 of the 2022 General Assembly session, and while we are still in the beginning of our 60-day session, we are quickly moving through legislation in committee and subcommittee meetings. I presented a number of my bills and budget amendments before committees this week, and am still waiting to present some others as we head into February.
I am very excited to have partnered with Delegate Tata from across the aisle and merged our identical bills to require the Department of Veterans Services to establish a new position of Suicide Prevention Coordinator. The coordinator will play a key role in addressing the mental health issues that so many of our veterans are facing. That bill passed the Public Safety Subcommittee #1 this week and I am looking forward to it passing the full committee next week. I am also pleased that my bills HB400 and HB402, which support the creation of much-needed affordable housing projects, advanced through their committees. See below for a bill matrix with updates on all of my introduced legislation, and see the full version of all my bills online here.
VanValkenburg-Willett Legislative Fellowship
Delegate VanValkenburg and I were thrilled to welcome seven Henrico County high school students to the Capitol on Wednesday for a legislative fellowship. The fellows were selected based on academic performance and interest in public service. The day began with the fellows watching the House Education Early Childhood/Innovation Subcommittee, where they heard legislation introduced on funding for school construction and modernization and evidence-based literacy standards. The fellows also shadowed meetings with legislative staff and heard from organizations representing healthcare, education, and immigrant rights.
The fellows took a guided tour of our historic state Capitol building before the floor session, where I introduced them and the entire chamber welcomed them. After a break for lunch, the fellows participated in a series of panel discussions with government relations staff, journalists, and the Clerk of the House.
It was a joy and pleasure to meet our fellows and I am so thankful for their interest in state government and passion for public service. Delegate VanValkenburg and I are planning on hosting this fellowship again next year. Please reach out to my office at DelRWillett@house.virginia.gov if you would like to learn more about the program.
Henrico Schools to implement test-to-stay COVID-19 program
Henrico County Public Schools announced that the school district plans to participate in the state health department’s test-to-stay program, which allows unvaccinated students exposed to COVID-19 to continue attending school during their quarantine period.
The program requires close contacts to take an at-home COVID-19 test every morning for five days after exposure to the virus. If the test is negative and the person is asymptomatic, the student is allowed to stay in school.
The program will begin in Henrico as soon as the school division receives the at-home antigen test kits from the VDH, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks. The program is funded by the ELC Reopening Schools Grant. As resources allow, VDH expects to scale up this program quickly to ensure that as many schools as possible have access to the test-to-stay program during the Omicron surge.
Staff members are not currently eligible to participate in TTS. For a student to participate, he or she must have been exposed to COVID-19 during school or a school-sponsored activity, not fully vaccinated, remain asymptomatic, receive written consent from a guardian, and be willing and able to consistently and correctly wear a mask while at school during the entire quarantine period, with exceptions for eating and drinking.
Governor Youngkin Declares State of Emergency for Winter Storm Nor’easter
Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency today in anticipation of a winter storm arriving this evening that will affect several regions of the Commonwealth. At this time, forecasts indicate that while this will be a statewide event, areas along the coastline will experience the largest impacts. Heavy wet snow along with high winds are predicted which pose a threat for downed trees, electrical outages, and major impacts to travel. In addition, there is also the threat of tidal flooding.
A state of emergency allows the Commonwealth to mobilize resources and to deploy people and equipment to assist in response and recovery efforts. This action does not apply to individuals or private businesses. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Transportation, and other pertinent agencies are already mobilizing and preparing for the impact of these storms.
To learn more about how to prepare yourself, your family, and your business for winter weather, visit www.vaemergency.gov/winter-weather. For real-time traffic conditions anywhere in the state, dial 5-1-1 or visit 511Virginia.org. See more information on the State of Emergency, including a list of preparedness to reduce potential impacts from the storm online here.
Henrico Board of Supervisors Approve Real Estate Tax Credit
On Tuesday night, Henrico supervisors approved the introduction of an ordinance that would provide a real estate tax credit of 2 cents per $100 of assessed value to property owners in the county. County officials believe it will be the first time a Virginia locality has provided such a credit since the General Assembly granted them with permission to do so in 2005. The Board of Supervisors has scheduled a public hearing and a potential vote for February 22 on the real estate tax credit. See more information on upcoming board meetings online here.
The action is the first part of a “2+2” plan proposed by County Manager John Vithoulkas as a way to ease the real estate tax burden on property owners during a time when property values are skyrocketing. The second part – a 2-cent per $100 of assessed value decrease in the county’s real estate tax rate, to 85 cents – will be part of his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Combined, the two moves will cost the county about $20 million in revenue that it would have collected or kept otherwise, but officials wanted to provide some relief for property owners as a way to counter the rapid increases in property values and associated assessments.
