Greetings From Richmond!
The House of Delegates convened on January 10, and it has been an exciting first week of the 2018 General Assembly session! I am honored to represent the 42nd House District and look forward to staying connected to you and hearing about your priorities and concerns. I will publish this newsletter weekly during the session as one of the ways I will keep you in the loop regarding happenings in the General Assembly.
There are 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats in the House of Delegates, and we were able to establish rules for our operation and organization for the session. This includes having membership on committees and subcommittees proportional to our representation in the House, with the exception of the Rules Committee. We will also have recorded votes in subcommittees for the first time. Also, this year, you can also view committee meetings live.
Below are highlights of our busy first week in Richmond. If you have any questions about a legislative matter or need assistance with a state agency, feel free to contact my office by emailing DelKTran@house.virginia.gov or calling 804-698-1042.
Cheers, Kathy
Opening Session
I was sworn in alongside my fellow colleagues at the start of the 2018 General Assembly Session. This year's Delegates better reflect the diversity of our great Commonwealth, including a record number of women in the General Assembly. I am honored to be the first Vietnamese-American and one of the first Asian-American women elected to state office. I am ready to advocate for the many issues our community in the 42nd District deeply cares about, including supporting a world class public education system, creating an economy where everyone has opportunities to reach their potential, honoring our veterans and military families, expanding access to healthcare including women’s reproductive rights, safeguarding our environment, and creating a welcoming and inclusive Commonwealth for all.
(photo credit: Timothy C. Wright for the Washington Post)
Committee Assignments
I am honored to have been selected for the Privileges and Elections Committee and Science and Technology Committee. I joined my colleagues for the first Privileges and Elections Committee meeting and look forward to working with fellow committee members on important issues regarding redistricting reform and breaking down barriers to voting.
Joint Press Conference On Medicaid Expansion
I joined my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate for a joint press conference on one of our top priorities this session: expanding Medicaid to nearly 400,000 hardworking Virginians. The strong moral and economic imperatives for expanding Medicaid in Virginia are undeniable. My colleague, Delegate Wendy Gooditis (D-Clark County), shared her powerful story about how lack of access to medical care for her brother motivated her to run for public office. I stand with Delegate Gooditis and all the families across the Commonwealth who understand firsthand the need to increase access to healthcare. I am committed to working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in General Assembly to ensure we expand Medicaid.
Voting Rights Press Conference
I joined my Democratic colleagues at a press conference regarding the importance of breaking down barriers to voting and increasing voter participation. I discussed HB 1058, the Uniform Military and Overseas Act. I introduced this legislation, along with Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D-Fairfax County), to give active duty military service members and Virginia National Guard members who are stationed overseas the option of securely voting online. Our right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy, and we need to ensure that our servicemen and women – who risk their lives everyday to protect our right to vote – have more options to take part in our democracy, especially when overseas.
Visitors from the 42nd District!
I was glad to welcome members of our District for the Opening Session and for Governor McAuliffe’s State of the Commonwealth address. I look forward to seeing many more of you in Richmond during this session!
I hope to hear from you about the issues that are important to you. Please take a moment to complete our online constituent survey. To share your views on legislation pending in the 2018 General Assembly Session or recommend individuals or organizations that should be commended, please contact my office by emailing DelKTran@house.virginia.gov or calling 804-698-1042.