As you may just be learning, we have yet another water issue that is impacting Henrico. In case you think that you are reading old news, this latest water issue is unrelated to the City of Richmond system filtration problem that was just resolved yesterday. Henrico's water is safe to drink, but please limit usage so that the county can refill depleted water tanks and restore pressure in northern and eastern areas.
The current problem started yesterday, Thursday, with water main break on Canal Street in Richmond, Henrico’s water service remains stable and safe. Overnight, Henrico Department of Public Utilities staff refilled storage tanks to help maintain service and they will continue this nightly until the Canal Street repairs are complete. Pressure may fluctuate in the meantime, so residents are encouraged to conserve water when possible.
Out of caution, Henrico will open a water distribution site today, Friday, May 30, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the former Best Products site (1400 Best Plaza Drive). Drive-through service is available—limit one case of bottled water per vehicle. This is an evolving situation. For updates, follow Henrico County Government on social media.
More information is available HERE. |
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Hi Friend,
I hope that everyone is having a great spring. This is definitely a time for social events and celebrations, including graduations and anniversaries. In recent weeks, I have had a few of those milestones to recognize, and I attended several other celebratory events. As enjoyable as those happenings were, each celebration also connected me to a contrasting and poignant reminder of the unsettled times in which we live.
My first stop for May celebrations was my daughter’s graduation from Claremont McKenna College. She is the youngest of my three children, so this was a life event in so many ways. We had a great time with the entire family, able to gather in southern California. The graduation speaker was Richard Heinzel, the founder of Doctors Without Borders Canada. He was impressive, witty, and inspiring, all key speaker attributes when addressing graduates and their families. And by following his passions of helping others and exploring the world, he created an organization that has saved thousands of lives. What many attendees did not know, however, was that Heinzel was not the graduation speaker the college had originally scheduled. That speaker was supposed to be the author Salman Rushdie, best known for writing The Satanic Verses and surviving a knife attack where he lost an eye in 2022. Even before the attack against him, Rushdie did not speak often in public because of the bounty on his head from the Iranian government. He committed to addressing the Claremont graduates because of a prior connection to the school. Still, he then backed out at the last minute when he learned that his knife attacker was being sentenced the day before the graduation and that the publicity from that court announcement may set off protests and more threats against his life. The threat of another attack on Rushdie was an unfortunate reminder that free speech still can cost too much.
Next celebration stop, I attended the Combat Antisemitism Movement Jewish American Heritage dinner in Richmond. That event recognized several people, from political leaders to high school students, who have spoken up and taken action to combat antisemitism. I was fortunate to meet a representative from the Israeli Embassy at the event, who helps to organize trips to Israel so that people can learn more about the country and its successes and challenges. Within days of my enjoying that gathering on a beautiful spring evening, a man shot and killed two Israeli Embassy workers as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, focused on humanitarian diplomacy and improving the delivery of aid to Gaza and the broader Middle East. One of the victims was Sarah Milgrim, who helped coordinate diplomacy travel programs for the embassy and was a co-worker of the representative I had just met. And her boyfriend, who also perished, Yaron Lischinsky, was within days of proposing to Sara. What a tragedy at so many levels, given the couple’s commitment to each other and providing a lifeline to those in need in the Middle East.
My third celebration was a trip to New York City with my wife for our wedding anniversary. We had a great time, and among other excursions, we visited the Whitney Museum to see the exhibit by painter Amy Sherald. She is best known for her portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama, but her work has gained more recent recognition for how well she has captured the story of African Americans via the realist style of her painting. All of her paintings are based on photos she had taken of her subjects, except for one: Sherald did a posthumous painting of Breonna Taylor, the innocent victim of a police raid in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2020. In describing the importance of her making that painting, Sherald said, “The work of justice is unfinished.”
Sherald’s words resonated with me almost as much as her remarkable painting. Could there be a more beautiful depiction of Breonna? But then we know how unjust her death was, hers and too many others.
I am not trying to take anything away from the celebrations I joined - they all were wonderful events. I am sharing these connected and contrasting stories, however, to show that each of my experiences, while so enjoyable, also pointed me to the realities of violence and other injustices that still plague our society. My ultimate takeaway here is the need to challenge those injustices through whatever medium is available: write an op-ed, paint a sign, or just have a conversation with someone. And be empathetic about it – see Breonna’s blue dress.
As always, If you have any questions or need assistance with a state agency, please contact my office at DelRWillett@house.virginia.gov or phone at 804-698-1058, and my expert staff will be happy to assist you. I also will continue to keep you informed with relevant, accurate information via X/Twitter, Facebook, and my website. Please stay well and stay in touch.
Sincerely, |
Rodney Willett Delegate, HD58 |
Amy Sherald and her portrait of Breonna Taylor. |
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Budget Bill and Constitutional Decisions |
As I shared in my end-of-session letter, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued $900 million in line-item vetoes to the bipartisan budget amendments the General Assembly passed in February. Despite those vetoes, the remaining budget invests in working families, strengthens our economy, and ensures that every Virginian has the opportunity to thrive. With over $1 billion in tax cuts, it puts money back into the pockets of hardworking Virginians while also making critical investments in education, public safety, and infrastructure. It includes tax rebates, raises for teachers and first responders, and targeted funding to drive economic growth and innovation. It strikes a balance between fiscal responsibility and investments—building a stronger, more prosperous Virginia for all.
But the Governor’s final budget actions weren’t as straightforward as they seemed. Earlier this month, the Clerk of the House of Delegates rejected three of Governor Youngkin’s vetoes, calling them unconstitutional under the Virginia Constitution's process for vetoes and amendments. In his role as Keeper of the Rolls, Clerk Paul Nardo published a letter on the Virginia Legislative Information System stating that he would not formally enroll these vetoes into law. As a result, the following provisions remain in the final budget:
- Expanded access to weight-loss medications through Virginia’s Medicaid program
- Increased Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes to support staff recruitment and retention
- A prohibition on the state issuing a contingency-based contract for managing employee health benefits
I’m especially proud to have championed the amendment for the expansion of Medicaid patients' access to weight-loss drugs. This is a life-saving measure for thousands of Virginians, and it originated from the Select Committee on Rural Health Care which I chaired and where there was a bipartisan commitment to supporting this amendment and ensuring that every Virginian, regardless of zip code, has access to quality care.
I don’t expect this to be the end of the conversation as the Governor has said he still considers the vetoes to be in effect but the Virginia Constitution and Virginia Supreme Court would say differently. I’ll keep you updated as this issue develops and continue fighting for solutions that improve lives across the Commonwealth. You also can learn more about this issue via the link below to the news coverage.
You can read the full budget HERE. |
Western Henrico Town Hall |
I’d like to invite you to join me for a Western Henrico Town Hall. I’ll be joined by Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg and Delegate Destiny LeVere-Bolling for a conversation about this year’s legislative accomplishments and what they mean for our community. 📅 Date: June 11, 2025
📍 Location: Tuckahoe Library, 1901 Starling Dr, Henrico, VA 23229
🕠 Time: 6:30–7:30 PM You can RSVP and submit your questions in advance with the button below: |
The spring has been busy so far with meetings picking back up in the General Assembly Building and events in and around Henrico! |
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I chair the Joint Commission on Health Care. |
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Our Community Resource Fair was a huge success and I am grateful for all the agencies who participated! |
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It was an honor to speak at a public townhall hosted by Health Brigade. |
| I joined colleagues at the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard reception! |
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ICYMI: News Around Henrico |
I’m grateful to share that I don’t have a primary opponent this year—but there are critical races up the ballot that deserve your attention and your vote.
In-person early voting for the June 17 Democratic Primary begins on Friday, May 2 and runs through Saturday, June 14. Every locality in Virginia offers early voting, but you can only vote early in the jurisdiction where you’re registered.
Virginia’s official 45-day early voting period begins Saturday, May 3, but if your local registrar’s office will be closed that day, they are required to open for early voting on Friday, May 2 instead.
Now is a great time to double-check your registration and make your voting plan. Primary elections shape the choices we have in November—let’s make sure our voices are heard.
You can check your voter registration using the button below: |
I’ve been working hard to raise the resources we need for this election cycle, and I’m so grateful for the support we’ve received so far. If you’re able to make a one-time contribution—or even better, set up a recurring donation—it makes a real difference.
Your support helps us plan community events, order essential campaign materials, and get ready to open our (soon-to-be) new office. Every dollar helps us stay organized, energized, and ready to connect with voters.
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How to Apply for REAL ID |
There are two steps to apply for a REAL ID: - Complete an application. -mBring the required documents to a DMV customer service center. Step 1: Application
Start the application online before visiting a customer service center or
Fill out a paper application at a customer service center Step 2: Bring required documents to the DMV. These include: One proof of identity.
Two proofs of Virginia residency. One proof of legal presence.
Proof of your Social Security number (SSN), if you have been issued one. If you know your SSN, DMV can verify it electronically. Proof of name change, if your name appears differently on your proof documents. $10 fee, plus the cost of the driver’s license or ID card you’re applying for. See fee chart.
Note: For example, a standard driver's license renewal costs $32, while a standard driver's license replacement costs $20. See acceptable documents guide.
Note: All documents must be originals and will be subject to verification. However, printouts of acceptable online residency documents can be used as proof of residency. Temporary documents and photocopies of documents will not be accepted. |
Congressional App Challenge |
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan is excited to share that the 2025 Congressional App Challenge launches today, May 1, 2025! The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that encourages middle and high school students to create an original software application. Students can work as individuals or on teams to create an application, or “app,” for web, PC, tablet, mobile, robotics or other platform of their choice. Check out last year’s winners, who created a mobile app that scans images for melanoma skin cancer!
The competition runs from May 1, 2025-October 30, 2025.
Submissions will be chosen by a panel of expert judges, and the winning app will be featured on the Congressional App Challenge’s website, Congresswoman McClellan’s website and social media platforms, and may be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building. The winning students will be invited to Washington, D.C. to meet Congresswoman McClellan and attend the annual #HouseOfCode science fair.
The registration link can be found here. Full rules, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines are here. Please share with your networks and any interested students and feel free to reach out with any questions about the Congressional App Challenge!
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Have an event or opportunity coming up that you would like to have highlighted in our newsletter? Send your information to caleigh@rodwillett.com! |
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Paid for and Authorized by Rodney Willett for Delegate
Rodney Willett for Delegate
PO Box 29428
Henrico, VA 23242
United States |
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