by Emily Brewer

Week 2

The rubber has start to hit the road during Week 2 of the 2018 General Assembly session!

This week we began meeting with our assigned committees. This year I will be serving on the Finance, Science & Technology, and Militia, Police and Public Safety committees.

We have had numerous folks from across the district stop by our Capitol office over the past two weeks and I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone popping in to say hello. If you happen to be in the Richmond area during this year’s General Assembly Session please stop in to see us!

Governor Northam

Last week when Speaker Kirk Cox was sworn in, he spoke deliberately and thoughtfully on transparency and on bipartisanship. Majority Leader Todd Gilbert reiterated how important these practices during his speech the on the following Monday.

However, our new Governor, Ralph Northam, struck a very partisan tone in both his Inaugural Address as well as his first Address to the Joint Assembly on Monday night. I was honored to be alongside Senator Glen Sturtevant to offer the Republican response to Governor Northam’s Address. You can view the video of my response here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XfRZutdI8c.

He mentioned the word bipartisan just once in his remarks and emphasized many partisan issues on which we disagree.

What he failed to mention was caring for our veterans, fighting the opioid crisis and the importance of farming to Virginia’s economy. I think the governor missed an opportunity to continue the theme of cooperation that the House is attempting to set as we start our work this year.

There’s a lot of work to be done over the next few weeks. My team and I are just getting started, and hopefully these first speeches by the Governor were the exception, not the new normal.

Legislation

This week I took my first vote in the Finance Committee on HB 154 that reported out of committee with a unanimous 22-0 vote.

This bill was voted on today on the House Floor also passed there with unanimous support of 96-0. In order for federal and state statutes to work cohesively for tax filing purposes I, along with all other members of the Finance Committee, voted unanimously yesterday to ensure Virginians will be able to file their taxes properly and effectively for FY 2017.The bill will be sent to the Senate where they will have to pass it there as well before being sent to the Governor for final approval.

The first bill that I have introduced, HB 241 regarding close relative adoption, was heard in the House Committee on Health, Welfare & Institutions, where it was reported out of committee with unanimous support of 22-0.

HB 241 would reduce the amount of time a child must reside with a prospective close relative before the adoption process can begin. This commonsense legislation will provide children with better options for permanency and will also reduce the time and cost spent fighting red tape in the courtroom.

Budget

Budget amendment are now available to view here: https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/. On Wednesday, Appropriations Committee Chairman Chris Jones, spoke to members about the budgeting process. The budget is not a partisan piece of legislation and it is the best opportunity we have to work across the aisle. I will work hard to be a good steward of your tax dollars. The budget we pass will be structurally balanced and show a commitment to the core functions of government.

In closing:

Last week, I talked about highlighting practical solutions to everyday issues, prioritizing the real problems people talk about at home. If you ever have an everyday issue that you need a practical solution for, please do not hesitate to call or email my office.

You can email me at DelEBrewer@House.Virginia.Gov or call me at 804-698-1064. You can also join the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook or Twitter.

I will be providing you weekly updates during the 2018 General Assembly Session and will be meeting with constituent groups after Session to report on the Session and take questions.