June 10th Newsletter

I am very pleased to share that the General Assembly has approved the 2022-2024 budget after reconvening at the beginning of the month. We are awaiting the Governor’s final review of that approved budget and anticipate considering any line item changes he makes at the end of next week. Please see below for a summary of the most significant budget items, including record spending on education and healthcare while still providing tax relief to Virginians. I am particularly proud of the budget’s 10% increase in teacher salaries, along with pay improvements for the State Police and local sheriff's offices. We have seen significant losses of teachers and law enforcement personnel across the state throughout COVID and need to do all that we can to attract and retain them.

While I continue to advocate for a comprehensive reform of Virginia’s tax code, the new budget includes significant tax relief via increases in the standard deduction, elimination of most of the grocery tax, and payment of tax rebates. These measures cannot reverse all the effects of the inflation spike but will provide some financial relief to Virginia families.
And as school classes are wrapping up for the summer, I want to recognize our Henrico County Public School seniors as they graduate next week. Congratulations to all of you and best of luck to all of you in your next endeavors!

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

General Assembly Reconvenes for Special Session on Budget Compromise
On June 1st the General Assembly reconvened the 2022 Special Session I to vote on our 2022-2024 budget. As a reminder, the House and Senate were unable to reach an agreement on various budget proposals during the regular session so we adjourned while carrying over the budgets as well as a few remaining pieces of legislation to a special session to allow more time for negotiations. After months of deliberation between budget conferees (a select group of Senators and Delegates assigned to represent each chamber in negotiations), we have finally reached a compromise.

Thanks to strong fiscal stewardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, the budget includes roughly $4 billion in tax relief over a three year period. It also includes record investments in education, pay raises for teachers, state employees, and state-supported local employees, including sheriff’s deputies. See below for highlights of some of the major spending items of the enrolled budget. I also recommend that you take a look at the Commonwealth Institutue’s side by side analysis of major spending items in the Conference Report, the budgets passed by each chamber this March.

Tax Relief — In total, the conference report contains $4 billion in tax cuts over a three year period. The budget increases the standard deduction to $8,000 for individuals and $16,000 for couples. The current standard deduction for Virginia taxpayers is $4,500 for individuals and $9,000 for a couple. The budget also eliminates the 1.5% state sales tax on grocery and hygiene products. Localities will still be able to levy a 1 percent tax on groceries to support local revenues. There also are one-time tax rebates of $250 per person and $500 per couple.

Pay Increase for Teachers, Law Enforcement, and State Employees — The conference report provides a 5% pay raise for teachers and state employees over each of the next two years, as well as a one-time $1,000 bonus. Law enforcement, sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers, and mental health workers will also get a salary raise.

Education — The budget includes $1.25 billion for school construction and modernization, increases funding for the At-Risk-Add-On program that helps students in school divisions with high poverty rates, and provides nearly $272 million to increase support staff positions in schools. It also includes $41.6 million for early childhood and pre-k programs.

Health Care — The budget provides $700 million to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers of dental care, services for people with developmental disabilities, personal care and nursing facilities. It adds more than 600 developmental disability waiver slots, and provides $33.8 million to increase funds for permanent supportive housing for people with serious mental illnesses.

Gun Violence Prevention — The conference report includes $13 million for the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to reduce gun violence. The Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund will receive $4 million per year to distribute grants to local governments, community groups, and hospitals for “evidence-informed” gun violence reduction efforts. Those funds may also be used to support suicide prevention and “safe firearm removal practices” to remove guns away from people who are not allowed to have them, such as Virginians subjected to red flag orders. The Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund will receive $2.5 million per year to make funding available for anti-crime strategies targeting people, often gang members, most likely to shoot someone or become a shooting victim.

Budget Process — As a reminder, Virginia operates on a biennium budget. That is, every two years the sitting Governor proposes a budget in the form of a bill and presents the identical bill to both the House (HB30) and the Senate (SB30). As the outgoing Governor, Governor Northam and his administration presented the budget as one of the final acts in office in January 2022. During the General Assembly session, members can propose amendments to the introduced budget, which leads to unique versions of the budget in each chamber that must be reconciled before being sent to the Governor. HB30/SB30 sets out funding for July 1, 2022 - to June 30, 2024, however, we also have the opportunity to amend the previous biennium budget through HB29 and SB29. These bills are often called the “caboose” bill, and they provide amendments to the previous biennium budget.

The House passed the conference report on a vote of 88-7; the Senate similarly voted to accept the report on a vote of 32-4. Senators and Delegates are not able to vote on individual provisions of the conference report, rather we are required to vote “yes” or “no” on the budget as a whole. The budget was formally communicated to the Governor yesterday, June 9th, starting the clock on the seven-day window he has to return the budget with any amendments. We are expected to meet again in the coming weeks to vote on any amendments we may receive.

Richmond And Henrico Enter Into High COVID-19 Transmission Level

The CDC reported Richmond City and Henrico County as both having moved to the high COVID-19 community level. The CDC’s COVID-19 community level is a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used for COVID-19, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

Based on CDC guidance for individuals who live in an area with high COVID-19 community level, Richmond Henrico Health District (RHHD) recommends that everyone who lives, works, or spends time in Richmond or Henrico wear a mask indoors in public (regardless of vaccination status), stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, improve ventilation in indoor spaces, and follow CDC recommendations for isolation or quarantine if sick or exposed. Individuals who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness should wear a mask that provides greater protection, consider avoiding non-essential activities in public, and talk to their healthcare provider about whether they are a candidate for treatments. People who have a household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease should consider wearing a mask when indoors around them and getting tested before seeing them.

RHHD also continues to recommend everyone keep several at-home tests in their home in case it’s needed. Individuals can request free tests at covidtests.gov, purchase a test at a pharmacy and submit a claim to their insurance, or pick up a free COVID-19 home test at some Richmond Public Library locations (Broad Rock, East End, Ginter Park, Main Library, and North Ave). RHHD is also increasing the availability of free COVID-19 PCR test events to meet a potential increased demand; visit rchd.com for more information on testing.

Governor Youngkin Encourages Virginians to Prepare Now for the 2022 Hurricane Season

Governor Glenn Youngkin is urging Virginians to prepare now for this year’s hurricane season, which began on June 1st and lasts through November 30. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting another above-average hurricane season this year with a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provided these ranges with a 70% confidence.

For comprehensive information on preparedness, response, and recovery activities, please review the Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide from the Department of Emergency Management. The document not only includes evacuation information but also highlights actions to take in the event of tropical weather. Recent years have proven that hurricanes are also not just a coastal threat. Even storms that start in the lower Atlantic or the Gulf States have the potential to travel north and cause significant damage.

Take the time now to review your insurance policy, secure your property, and create a plan that includes arrangements for your pets or those that may need extra assistance. Below are a few critical steps to ensure you and your family’s safety.

Know your zone. Evacuation may become necessary depending on the track and severity of the storm. Review Virginia’s evacuation zones at KnowYourZoneVA.org. Users can enter their physical address in the search bar of the website to view and confirm their designated evacuation zone.
Complete a family communication plan. Prepare for how you will assemble and communicate with your family and loved ones. Identify meeting locations and anticipate where you will go. Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance on family communications plans is available here.
Check your insurance coverage. Remember, there may be a waiting period (typically 30 days) for a flood insurance policy to become effective, and be aware that not all storm-related losses, such as flooding, are covered under traditional policies. Now is the time to review your coverage and contact your insurance agent for any changes. If you are not insured against floods, talk to your insurance agent or visit floodsmart.gov. If you are a renter, now is the time to ensure you have adequate coverage to protect your belongings.
Make an emergency kit. Assemble an emergency kit that includes nonperishable food, water, medication, sanitary supplies, radios, extra batteries, and important documents. Learn more about building an emergency supply kit here.
Stay informed. Identify where to go for trusted sources of information during emergencies. Check with your local emergency management office to sign up for alerts that go directly to your phone or email. Be sure to monitor local news for watches and warnings in your area and follow the directions of local officials. Power outages are always a concern during weather events—make sure you have a battery-operated radio available so you can still receive life-saving alerts.

There are many resources available to assist with hurricane planning efforts. Learn more about preparing your business, your family, and your property against hurricane threats (and other disasters) at vaemergency.gov/prepare and ready.gov/hurricanes.

Join Me This Sunday! — Parents in the Park Conversation on Family Affordability with Freedom Virginia

Please join me and Senator Ghazala Hashmi this Sunday, June 12th from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm for a “Parents in the Park” event hosted by Freedom Virginia at R. Garland Dodd Park in Chester. Freedom Virginia is an advocacy organization that is working to advance policies that ensure working families are able to thrive in our Commonwealth, including paid family leave, affordable child care, and paid sick leave. Rising costs of childcare, gas, and groceries have made it harder for families to make ends meet, and we want to hear from you! Bring your family for an afternoon in the park and a discussion on how we can strengthen Virginia for all.

The event is free and open to the public but requires registration. Please sign up online here.

WHAT: Parents in the Park with Delegate Rodney Willett and Senator Ghazala Hashmi

WHERE: R Garland Dodd Park, 201 Enon Church Rd, Chester, VA 23836

WHEN: Sunday, June 12 from 12:00 - 2:00 pm

RSVP HERE

Community Events

Ceremonial Signing of Bipartisan Workforce Legislation with Governor Youngkin

Last week, I joined Governor Youngkin and members of the General Assembly for the ceremonial signing of legislation that will improve our delivery of government services and provide solutions for the Commonwealth’s business community. I was a Chief Co-Patron of legislation signed by Governor Youngkin (HB270) that will initiate several reforms at the Virginia Employment Commission to improve services and ensure operations run smoothly during periods of economic turmoil. The Governor also signed legislation (HB1156/SB15) patroned by Delegate Kathy Byron (R-Bedford) and Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) which established family leave insurance as a class of insurance.

*Governor Glenn Youngkin signs legislation at the Patrick Henry Building on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Official Photo by Christian Martinez, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin.*

Grand Opening of HCA Healthcare and Galen College of Virginia’s New Nursing Campus

This week I joined members of the General Assembly and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin for the grand opening of the HCA Virginia’s Center for Clinical Advancement, a new nursing college in Chester. The new school is the result of a partnership between HCA Healthcare and the Galen College of Nursing. The school will offer classes for nurses in training, as well as continuing education courses for those looking to advance in the profession.

*With First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg, Senator Ghazala Hashmi, Delegate Betsy Carr and leaders from HCA Healthcare, the Galen College of Nursing*

Cultural Center of India, Virginia (CCIVA) Taste of India Festival

It was a pleasure to visit the Cultural Center of India in Chester for their annual Taste of India Festival last Sunday. This annual event brings together delicious food, musical and dance performances, and local vendors to celebrate our diverse and vibrant Indian American community in Virginia. I was joined by many of my General Assembly colleagues including Senators Siobhan Dunnavant, Jennifer McClellan, and Ghazala Hashmi, and Delegates Betsy Carr, Schuyler VanValkenburg, and Suhas Subramanyam.

*With Nupa Agarwal, CCIVA member, and event organizer, and Senator Jennifer McClellan.*

Clean the Bay Day

Last Saturday was Clean the Bay Day, an annual event organized by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation on the first Saturday in June that encourages citizens to pick up litter along the river to improve our watershed. My staff and I spent the morning on Friday cleaning up the trails along Pony Pasture with volunteers. I encourage everyone to try to leave our public spaces cleaner than we find them this summer!

June 24th Newsletter

May 27th Newsletter