Week 9: Session Comes to a Roaring End

Dear Friend,

The 2020 General Assembly session has concluded its actions on legislative proposals, but we will be returning on Thursday (March 12) to vote on the biennium budget. Based on the landmark proposals that have already passed and the final negotiations on the budget, Virginia will soon be a more inclusive, safer, and compassionate state. This transformational session was possible because Democrats were in charge of both chambers. You were the catalyst for these changes and it started at the voting booth. Thank You. 

No More Surprise Medical Bills - First, I am very excited to say that my bill to end surprise medical bills passed both bodies and is on its way to the Governor. So often patients must go to an emergency room outside of their insurance network or schedule an operation and some doctors, like anesthesiologists, are not in their insurance network. Under my bill, the patient will not be responsible for any charges outside of his or her already expected deductibles or co-payment requirements. Any remaining charges must be negotiated between the provider and the patient’s insurance plan. Virginians no longer have to fear bankruptcy because of high medical bills. This was an incredible win after years of failed negotiations involving hospitals, doctors, and the insurance industry. 

Northam’s Gun Safety Package Passes (Absent Assault Weapons Ban) - I am glad that both chambers passed seven of the eight gun safety measures that Governor Northam requested, in substantially the same form. Although the Senate did not agree to the assault weapons ban, universal background checks, granting localities the authority to ban weapons in public places, safe storage requirements in day homes serving children, and the one hand gun a month limit did pass. However, the Administration conceded on two issues that were important in garnering enough votes in the Senate: 1) background checks will not apply to gun transfers and; 2) the handgun limit will not apply to people with concealed carry permits. In the legislative sausage-making process, the gun safety proposals fared very well and I am gratified that they did. Gun safety was an extremely important issue in the November 2019 elections. 

Supporting Working Families - After much negotiation, the House and Senate decided on a compromise bill that will raise the minimum wage incrementally until it reaches $12.00 per hour in 2023. Between now and 2023, the Virginia Department of Commerce and Trade and other organizations will evaluate the impact of the new minimum wage on businesses and consumer purchasing power. The General Assembly will consider the findings of these groups and determine if adjustments should be made to the minimum wage and if these adjustments should be regionally based or statewide. 

Collective Bargaining for Local Employees - Enabling legislation passed to permit local governments to enter collective bargaining agreements with certain groups of public employees. The local governing body may establish a process for such negotiations or may decline such a request from employees. Language in the bill does prohibit strikes. 

Climate Change Action - State lawmakers passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which requires that all energy sold by the state’s electric utilities come from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, by 2045. The measure was sponsored by Senator Jennifer McClellan and Delegate Rip Sullivan, and I was a co-patron. The omnibus bill expands the private solar market, boosts the state’s energy efficiency standard, and requires a study of the social costs of carbon emissions. This bill is long overdue! Additionally, I was able to pass supporting legislation that requires the Governor to update the State Energy Plan for achieving the goals outlined in the Virginia Clean Economy Act every four years. 

Confederate Monuments - Local governing bodies will be given authority to make certain decisions regarding the display of confederate monuments within their jurisdictional boundaries. Essentially, if a governing body wants to remove a confederate monument, the body will have to offer the monument to a museum, historical society, governmental entity, or military battlefield after public hearings are held and a vote is taken. The intent of the legislation is to allow for the existence of such monuments, but within an historical context. Since the cost of removal would likely be the obligation of the jurisdiction, some localities may decide to contextualize the monuments where they reside, but at least the General Assembly has given local officials some options. 

Independent Redistricting - Each body passed a proposal to amend the Virginia Constitution to allow the establishment of an independent redistricting commission. The amendment will be offered on the ballot in November. The constitutional amendment garnered much debate because some lawmakers did not feel that the amendment language sufficiently protected the interests of African American voters. There was also some concern that the Virginia Supreme Court would be deciding the redistricting recommendation if there were dissenting votes from members of the Commission. I voted for the constitutional amendment because I believe that the interests of African American voters can be protected through enabling legislation and most experts tell us that whatever recommendation the commission comes up with will be tested in court. Fortunately, history shows us that regardless of the political persuasion of judges, the judicial branch has declined to draw redistricting maps, but has delegated the decision to experts. I believe a constitutional amendment is the only way to memorialize a non-partisan approach to drawing district lines and this transformational approach should be memorialized. 

Areas where we made some progress, but more needs to be done, are the decriminalization of marijuana and criminal justice reform. Proposals passed in each of these areas, but major legislative overhauls were not possible. However, we did make progress on policies to address the school to prison pipeline. Funding for mental health interventions and more expansive early childhood educational opportunities made it into the budget. 

I will cover additional topics and budget highlights in my Friday newsletter, but I wanted to give you a sense of the incredible progress we made in just 60 days! On issues that are important to most voters: improving access to health care, making higher education more affordable, addressing gun safety concerns, tackling climate change, and improving income security, this General Assembly delivered. 

It is an honor and pleasure to serve you. I truly appreciate your on-going support.

Sincerely,

Senator Barbara Favola

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