Week 3: Keeping Campaign Promises

Dear Friend,

As you may have heard on the news, approximately 22,000 pro-gun activists from around the country descended upon the city of Richmond on Monday, January 20th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A much smaller number of activists attended rallies on the grounds of the Capitol.

Fortunately, the F.B.I., State Police, Richmond Police, and Capitol Police did an amazing job planning for the event and executing security measures in a very professional but non-confrontational way. No firearms were allowed on the Capitol grounds or in the Pocahontas Building, where lawmakers’ offices are located. Several Citizen Defense League members (a group to the right of the NRA) visited my office and we had civil conversations about the second amendment, but no common ground could be found.

Later in the week, the Senate passed a “red flag” bill (a bill I co-sponsored) that reaches the appropriate balance between the right to bear arms and the rights of others to be safe in their homes, schools, and communities. Under this bill, two law enforcement officers or a Commonwealth Attorney may petition the court, with an affidavit of facts, requesting that an individual be required to relinquish his or her firearms for a period of time that is determined by the judge.The Senate bill tracks the Florida law. I expect a similar bill to pass the House of Delegates. Thank you to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, the Brady Group, and many other advocates for helping the Senate act on this important piece of legislation.

Green Energy Plan - I am excited to say that my Green Energy Plan passed the Senate on a 21 to 18 vote. It was surprising that the vote was this close. My bill establishes targets of net zero carbon emissions for all sectors of the economy by 2045 and holds the electrical sector to this standard by 2040. However, it does not describe how to achieve these goals. The legislation also expands the stakeholder group charged with providing advice on the Plan to include representatives from solar, wind, and other clean energy sectors, as well as environmental groups. Although my legislation is considered ambitious but reasonable by many, I am now being called the AOC of Virginia by one of my colleagues and she is asking her followers to “hold me accountable.” Obviously, the climate change deniers will fight environmental progress every step of the way. But we must not give up. It is worth noting that I could not have passed this legislation without the invaluable help of the Sierra Club and Zero Carbon group.

Ending Surprise Medical Bills - In collaboration with the Virginia Health and Hospital Association and the Virginia Medical Society, I crafted a bill that will protect patients seeking emergency care from surprise bills because the doctors treating them were out of the patient’s insurance network. There was a lengthy and passionate discussion of the issue in front of a subcommittee of the Labor and Commerce Committee. Unfortunately, the insurance companies opposed my bill and asked lawmakers to defeat it. However, my bill made it out of the subcommittee on 2-1 vote. I remain optimistic but anxious about the possibility of my bill passing the full committee next week.

Reform Practices at the Department of Corrections (DOC) - There continue to be many bills before my Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee aimed at reforming certain DOC practices. This week we passed bills to stop the practice of strip searches when individuals are attempting to visit inmates at state prisons. Regular contact with friends and family while being incarcerated is the single most important element in helping inmates reintegrate into society once they are released. Of course, successful re-integration significantly reduces recidivism. I believe Virginia must implement “best practices” across its judicial and corrections system if we are to ever achieve a more just and fair society.

Foster Care and Guardianship Care - I have focused on improving the safety net for foster care kids and the relatives who care for these children my entire time in the Senate. This year, more and more gaps are being addressed. I am working on legislation with a Republican sponsor that will improve training and increase funding for kinship families. We are hoping that this bi-partisan effort will cement the votes needed to protect the Governor’s budget increases and encourage the administration to apply for the appropriate Federal waivers. Nothing is ever easy, but this effort will make an incredible difference for many children and families. 

Upcoming Week - On Monday, January 27, each body will pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) resolution that was passed in the other body. When that happens, Virginia will have officially ratified he ERA. I am proud to say that a woman will be presiding over each body of the General Assembly on that day: Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn in the House of Delegates; and Senator Louise Lucas, President pro-tempore of the Senate. The passage of the ERA, and the fact that women will be the presiding officers, sends such an important message about the new Virginia.

 It is honor and privilege to represent you in Richmond and to fight for our progressive values. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement.

Sincerely,

Senator Barbara Favola

31st District - Representing Parts of Arlington, Fairfax & Loudoun