Week 1: A Productive First Week of Session 2021

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your on-going support and patience with this year’s legislative process. It is a challenge conducting our Senate business in person, in a socially distanced manner, while adhering to all CDC protocols. Nevertheless, I am fully committed to serving you and the entire Commonwealth. 

Vaccines - Governor Northam this week announced that any Virginian aged 65 or older and any Virginian between the ages of 16 and 65 with a high-risk medical condition or disability that increases their risk of severe illness from Covid-19 will be moved into Phase 1b of vaccine distribution. For more information on making an appointment to receive the vaccine, frequently check your locality’s health department website (Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington) 

For this newsletter, I will highlight my work as Chair of the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee (Rehab). Next week I will update you on the status of my bills and the early disposition of the Governor’s legalization of marijuana bill, that bill will first be heard in Rehab, the Judiciary Committee will receive it next, and the Appropriations and Finance Committee will have the responsibility of appropriating funds to get the regulatory process started. 

Legalization of Marijuana - My committee will be considering the regulatory framework and social equity pieces associated with allowing for the expansion of marijuana production and related sales to enter the Virginia market. The Judiciary Committee will be considering a very important expungement proposal that would clear the felony records of those who were once convicted of marijuana possession, if such possession were to become legal under a new law. 

The first meeting of Rehab took place on Friday, January 15. The committee covers prison reform issues, social service programs, and the regulation of alcohol. Noted in the paragraphs below are highlights of key legislation from Friday's docket.

Cocktails to Go - The most widely supported bill that reported out of Rehab was a time limited extension to the current practice of allowing cocktails to accompany carry-out food orders. We all felt that an extension of this practice was necessary to help sustain restaurants unable to operate at full capacity under the current pandemic health safety guidelines. 

Ending Private Management of Prisons - The most controversial bill heard on Friday was a bill offered by Senator Adam Ebbin to end the private management of any prison in Virginia by the year 2024. Information was presented to demonstrate that staffing and salaries at the only privately operated correctional facility in the commonwealth are below those offered to employees of the Department of Corrections (DOC). Evidence was also presented to indicate that the training of the privately employed staff is below DOC's standard. However, arguments about the possible loss of jobs in Brunswick County persuaded committee members to vote against the bill. 

This was very disappointing. Although Senator Ebbin did have language to require DOC to give priority hiring to the current employees and no evidence was presented that DOC would close the prison if private management was ended, that was not enough to give some lawmakers comfort. Other issues associated with the “no” vote rested with the fact that health services and other ancillary services would still be contracted out. 

The operations of Virginia prisons is an extension of our judicial system and need to reflect the rehabilitative values we expect from our judicial system. It is difficult to believe that profit making companies will invest the resources necessary to meet the outcomes we expect. The conversation about prison management, oversight, and lines of accountability must continue.

Constituent Communication During Session - Due to the ongoing pandemic, this General Assembly Session will continue with the health-related safety adjustments that were put in place for the special session. Meetings will not take place in the Capitol complex and the legislative office building will be closed to the public throughout session. If you wish to testify on a bill, you can sign up to speak, virtually, on the General Assembly’s streaming page. 

Most of my work will be done via email, phone, and digital meetings. The best way to reach me is via email (district31@senate.virginia.gov). The usual staff support, such as administrative assistants, who would normally answer phone lines, is limited this year, so please be patient for responses. I will continue to provide information and updates on the session through my website, Facebook, Twitter, and in these weekly newsletters.

Stay safe and continue to be diligent about good COVID prevention practices. A healthy and brighter future is just around the corner.

Sincerely,