Week 8: This Session's Finish Line Is In Sight
Dear Friend,
We just completed week 8. After many intense hours dissecting legislation and crafting compromises, I am proud to say that transformational legislation is passing! Proposals have to be vetted enough, but if they hang around too long, folks will find things to tweak and the compromises fall apart. Helping caucus members navigate this process keeps me awake at night. Highlights of last week’s successes are noted below:
The Clean Economy Act - The Act passed the Senate and is working its way through the House. I am expecting that the bill we send to the Governor will solidify Virginia’s transition to 100 percent clean energy within a generation. There are requirements in the bill that accelerate the closure of coal plants, employ a cap and trade model to reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen the regulatory oversight of Dominion. I am confident that Virginia will become a national leader on renewable energy.
Plastic Bag Bill - My bill banning certain uses of polystyrene was incorporated into Senator Ebbin’s plastic bag bill. It looks like a bill will pass to require retailers in Northern Virginia to apply a five cent tax on plastic bags. The legislation has a delayed enactment clause, and the revenue from the taxes will be shared between retailers and the State. Frequently, lawmakers from downstate only want laws to apply to Northern Virginia. You should know that I fight this approach, as often as I can, because all Virginians deserve the protections and benefits of progressive policies, but sometimes the more limited approach is our only option. Rest assured, I will work to ensure that State dollars generated from this tax are used to help fund important environmental programs.
Promoting Excellence & Rewarding Skilled Labor - Bills passed enabling state and local governments to require project labor agreements (PLAs) on publicly funded projects. These agreements may define material and workmanship standards, mandate rigorous safety requirements, and outline project and budget milestones that must be met. PLAs are a management tool that can be used to control costs and achieve other important policy goals.
Domestic Workers (Maids and Nannies) Gain Protection - I am very proud that legislation has passed the Senate to enable domestic workers to file unpaid wage complaints at the State level. Currently, the only recourse for these workers, who are required to be paid minimum wage under Federal law, is to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor. Approximately 60,000 Virginians who clean houses and care for children would benefit from this legislation. If these proposals become law, Virginia would be the first Southern state to enact such protections. It is important to note that the legislation does not include au pairs, who are foreign workers coming to the country through a program regulated by the federal government.
Collective Bargaining - This has been one of the most contentious issues of the session. Yet, I predict that legislation will pass that gives localities broad authority in this area without including prescriptive directives. As you might expect, there are differences of opinion regarding what guidelines should be included in the legislation.
Paid Sick Days - My bill would require employers with 15 employees or more to provide full-time employees with at least 5 paid days of sick leave annually. Under my bill, part-time employees could earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. If employers have paid time off policies that are at least as generous as these requirements, they would be exempt from the provisions. The Virginia Interfaith Center and other advocacy groups are excited about this proposal because it allows an employee to claim a sick day if he or she is caring for a child or family member. I am continuing to negotiate details of the bill in conference.
Dental Coverage under Medicaid - I am excited to say that the Senate Budget incorporated my proposal to fund dental care for all Medicaid recipients. Oral health is an important element of one’s overall health and an integral part of any primary care program. This is big step forward. I am hopeful my budget amendment makes it through the conference process.
Improving Access to HealthCare - My telemedicine bill has passed both chambers and is on the Governor’s desk! This bill directs the Department of Health Professions to pursue the establishment of reciprocal agreements with states that are contiguous to the Commonwealth for the purposes of licensing doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathic medicine, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The bill also directs the Department of Medicine to prioritize applications for licensure by endorsement from the above-mentioned professionals from contiguous states in a streamlined process that takes no longer than 20 days. This bill is particularly important to Virginians living in the southwestern part of the state. Rural lawmakers and groups not ordinarily aligned with my legislative agenda, such as Americans for Prosperity, were supportive of this legislation.
No Surprise Medical Bills - I am cautiously optimistic that my bill will pass. We are continuing to negotiate with the Virginia Health and Hospital Association, doctors groups, and the Insurance industry. Fortunately, I am able to rely on the Virginia Poverty Law Center and other consumer oriented think tanks in my efforts to wade through the divergent arguments. At the moment, we have more areas of agreement than not. Some folks have been working on this for 10 years, and they say this is the closest we have ever come to an agreement. I say we are going to get this bill over the finish line because it is time to protect Virginians from surprise medical bills. Stay tuned.
It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Richmond.
Sincerely,
Senator Barbara Favola
31st District - Representing Parts of Arlington, Fairfax & Loudoun