July 2nd Newsletter
Happy Independence Day! We have much to celebrate about this remarkable country. And this weekend can be more of a traditional celebration because we have already exceeded President Biden’s goal of having 70% of the adult population vaccinated by July 4th — Virginia reached this milestone two weeks early.
While it is important to celebrate our success and the progress we have made, we must remember that this 70% threshold is just our first milestone, and we have significant work left to do to ensure our communities are protected from this virus. Our health departments and private partners are working to make the vaccine easily accessible and convenient for all Virginians. The increase in vaccination rates and decline in new cases made it possible for Virginia to remove all COVID-19 mitigation measures on May 28th.
From the very beginning of the pandemic, it has been a team effort to control the virus and keep our communities healthy. We need everyone to continue to work together and stay focused to combat vaccine hesitancy and encourage all of our neighbors to protect themselves and our community by getting vaccinated. I hope that this holiday weekend provides you the opportunity to spend time with friends and family and celebrate the progress that has made our return to normal life possible.
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
Special Legislative Session on American Rescue Plan Funding to Convene August 2nd
This week, Governor Northam issued a proclamation calling the members of the General Assembly into a special session on Monday, August 2nd. The special session is necessary to fill judicial vacancies and allocate more than $4.3 billion in federal relief funding from the American Rescue Plan.
Including funding directly to localities, Virginia will receive over $7 billion in support from the federal government to help us recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make investments in our public health, infrastructure, education, and provide crucial relief to our struggling industries and small businesses. The Governor and leaders from the House and Senate issued a joint statement outlining our shared priorities for this federal funding:
Public health. Upgrade long-underfunded state and local public health services, boost affordable housing, and help Virginians with the cost of utilities.
Small businesses. Fully fund the Rebuild Virginia economic recovery program, invest in Virginia Tourism’s work to recruit visitors back to the Commonwealth, and help the Department of Housing and Community Development support Virginia’s main streets, small towns, and industrial revitalization.
Workers. Fund the Unemployment Trust Fund to support workers who lose their jobs and avoid increased costs on Virginia businesses, increase support for the Virginia Employment Commission—historically one of the lowest-funded unemployment systems in the country—to continue upgrading its computer systems and hire necessary staff.
Public schools. Modernize public school buildings across Virginia by rehabilitating and upgrading existing facilities, improving air quality and HVAC systems, and improving safety.
Broadband. Accelerate a 10-year plan to ensure universal broadband access within the next 18 months.
Funding from the American Rescue Plan is more flexible than relief from the CARES Act and allows our Commonwealth a longer time to distribute these funds — state and local governments have until December 31, 2024, to obligate this funding. Like our fight against the pandemic, our recovery will be a multi-year process to ensure that we are responsible stewards of this relief.
Our special session will convene in person, however, we will continue to offer opportunities for members of the public to testify or make public comments virtually and in person. Stay updated on the latest meetings in the House of Delegates online at bit.ly/vahousecalendar.
Kroger Health New “Community Immunity Giveaway” Program to Promote Vaccination
This Wednesday, I joined Secretary of Health Dr. Dan Carey, Virginia Vaccine Coordinator Dr. Danny Avula, state Senator Ghazala Hashmi, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, and Henrico Supervisor Pat O’Bannon for the announcement of Kroger Health’s new “Community Immunity Giveaway” Program to encourage more Virginia residents to become vaccinated.
Kroger will be giving away $1 million to five winners. The first million-dollar winner has already been announced in Mississippi. Another 50 people have the chance of winning free groceries for a year. To enter to win, you must get your COVID-19 vaccine at a Kroger pharmacy or clinic by July 10 and then register online. If you have previously received your COVID-19 vaccine from Kroger, you are also eligible for the giveaway program. Adults 18 or older, or children age 12 and up can receive a vaccine at Kroger stores without an appointment. To see all available vaccine locations please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov.
We have made tremendous progress over the past six months in our vaccine distribution efforts — on June 21st, Virginia became the 16th state to reach President Biden’s goal of having 70% of adults 18 years or older vaccinated with at least one dose. We reached this milestone two weeks before the President’s goal of July 4th. This success would not have been possible without the hard work of our local health departments, coordination with the federal government, and our private industry partners. I also want to thank the thousands of Virginians who have volunteered to administer the vaccine or help coordinate clinics and pop-up sites. It has been a team effort to reach this goal and I am thrilled with the progress that we have made.
Henrico Schools Summer Vaccination Clinics For Middle and High School Students
Starting June 30th, three Henrico middle schools will serve as COVID-19 vaccination sites for students in a new partnership with the Richmond and Henrico Health Department. In addition to the Pfizer vaccine, these sites will also offer tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (TDaP), HPV, and meningococcal virus vaccines. There are no appointments required and vaccines are free. TDaP and meningococcal virus vaccines are required for students entering 7th grade. The meningococcal virus vaccine is required for students entering 12th grade. HPV and COVID vaccines are offered as a convenience but are not required for school. See below for a schedule of upcoming vaccination clinics:
Wednesday, July 7 (9-11 a.m.)
Elko Middle School (5901 Elko Road, Sandston, Va.)
Wednesday, July 21 (9-11 a.m.)
Brookland Middle School (9200 Lydell Drive, Henrico, Va.)
Tuckahoe Middle School (9000 Three Chopt Road, Henrico, Va.)
Wednesday, July 28 (9-11 a.m.)
Elko Middle School (5901 Elko Road, Sandston, Va.)
Parents or guardians will need to sign student consent forms for students to be vaccinated. The forms will be available to fill out when you walk in for vaccinations. To see more information on this program, or to fill out consent forms before a clinic visit, see the HCPS website here.
Henrico Schools Free Meals To Continue Through Summer and 2021-2022 School Year
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our HCPS nutrition staff has worked tirelessly to provide no-cost meals to students, serving 3,990,370 free meals during the 2020-2021 school year.
Because of a pandemic-related extension from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all Henrico County children are eligible to receive free meals through the summer and the 2021-2022 school year. Students participating in Summer Academy and Henrico County summer enrichment programs will be offered free breakfast and lunch at those program locations. Meals will also be available for curbside pickup to the community at select schools and community sites. Meals program days will be Monday through Thursday.
Dates and times will be the same at all curbside pickup sites: 8:30-10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays from June 21-August 12. Select sites will also offer bulk meals for pickup on August 17, 24, and 31. All sites and meals services will be closed Monday, July 5, in recognition of the Independence Day holiday. Please see online here for more information on the program and a full list of all curbside pickup locations.
Henrico County Fourth of July Celebration At Meadow Farm
Henrico County will present its annual Red, White, and Lights community celebration of Independence Day on Sunday, July 4 at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road. See online here for more information from Henrico County on this annual event.
The free event, produced by the Division of Recreation and Parks, will begin at 5 p.m. and provide an evening of family entertainment, including a performance by the Richmond Symphony featuring a repertoire of patriotic and America-themed selections with guest conductor Antoine T. Clark and a laser-light show finale. Gates will be open from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and to arrive early to enjoy roving entertainment by juggler Jonathan Austin, Miss Sherri the Clown, and Uncle Sam on Stilts. Face painting, photo opportunities and visits with the Henrico County Public Library will also be available. A reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 6 p.m. on the steps of the farmhouse. Antoinette Essa, a reporter for WTVR CBS 6, will serve as emcee for the evening. Food trucks will be onsite to provide a meal or snack.
CarMax Free Fourth of July at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and CarMax recently announced that the “CarMax Free Fourth of July” event will return to the garden this year. On Sunday, July 4, all guests will be admitted free between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Guests may simply walk in; no advance reservations are required. Guests should anticipate large crowds.
Fully vaccinated guests do not have to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, but those who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask indoors at all times and outdoors when 6-foot social distancing is not possible. There will be no fireworks at this event. For more information please visit lewisginter.org.
Volunteer on My Campaign
It has been the honor of my life to serve my community in the House of Delegates. This year I am running for re-election to continue the progress we have made in Virginia over the past two years. My campaign is about connecting our community and building a stronger, more prosperous future for all Virginians. I have been out knocking doors and making calls to voters — but I need your help to make sure we reach every voter in the 73rd district.
To sign up to knock on doors visit bit.ly/knock4willett, and sign up to phone bank at bit.ly/call4willett. Personalized conversations with voters have been proven to be the most effective way to mobilize our electorate.
