October 13, 2026

Neighbors, 

I am hosting my 6th Annual Veterans & Military Families Town Hall tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 176 in Springfield.

I’ll be joined by special guests Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Tim Williams and Supervisor Rodney Lusk. I hope you will join us to hear updates on veterans issues, and connect with state and local resources!

Delegate Kathy Tran’s 6th Annual 

Veterans & Military Families Town Hall

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 

Light Reception: 6:30pm │ Town Hall: 7:00 p.m.

American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Avenue, Springfield, VA 22150

In this newsletter, I’ve included the following updates:

  • Make a Plan to Early Vote
  • Traffic Light at West Springfield High School
  • Community Updates
    • Women’s Equality Day
    • Franconia Springfield Bridge Walk
    • Teamster’s Women’s Conference
    • President Gregory Washington, George Mason University
    • Tour of Cardinal Forest CVS
  • Legislative Updates
    • Special Commemorative Session
    • House Health and Human Resources Committee
    • House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee
    • Legislative Meetings

As always, let me know if you have questions or need assistance by calling my office at (804) 698-1018 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov. 

Best, Kathy

Kathy KL Tran

Delegate

Make a Plan to Early Vote

I hope you will make a plan to have your voice heard in our elections this year!

Early voting has started for the General Election and lasts through October 31. You can find information about early voting locations and hours here. You can check your voting information and polling place here. Local Departments of Elections are also now sending out absentee ballots – Click here to request your absentee ballot.

Traffic Light at West Springfield High School

On October 27, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to approve VDOT’s design for a new traffic signal at Rolling Road and Grigsby Drive, outside of West Springfield High School. 

I wrote a letter to the Board of Supervisors urging them to approve the design so the project can move forward. This intersection is where the school’s crossing guard operates, and many students cross here every day. 

County staff recently recommended to the Board that a high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) signal or traffic signal be installed at this intersection. At my request, VDOT studied this intersection in 2023 and determined that a full traffic signal is warranted and that a HAWK signal would not work at this location. 

Since that study, VDOT and Fairfax County secured funding to install a traffic signal at Rolling Road and Grigsby and make other related improvements. 

Given the urgency of student safety, my office has asked VDOT to identify opportunities to accelerate the timeline for completing the installation of the traffic signal. VDOT indicated that earlier approval of required school easements by Fairfax County Public Schools could help. I will work with the FCPS School Board and Superintendent to expedite the necessary approvals.

Community Updates

Women’s Equality Day

It was wonderful to see constituents and many community leaders at Occoquan Regional Park and the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, enshrining the right for women to vote in the U.S. Constitution. 

Franconia Springfield Bridge Walk

I was pleased to join American Legion Post 176, VFW Springfield Post 7327, leaders from Fort Belvoir, Supervisor Rodney Lusk, veterans, military families, and many constituents and neighbors for the Franconia-Springfield Bridge Walk — this tradition celebrates the strong partnership between our community and Fort Belvoir Garrison.

Teamsters Women’s Conference

I was honored to speak at the Teamsters Women’s Conference, where 1,500 women leaders gathered to learn from other leaders and build solidarity. I shared our work in Virginia to expand collective bargaining rights to public sector employees.

President Gregory Washington, George Mason University

I appreciated the opportunity to catch up with George Mason University President Washington. We had a wide ranging conversation about college admissions and affordability, as well as public sector collective bargaining. Lots of great things are happening at George Mason University, and I wish the Patriots a wonderful school year!

Tour of Cardinal Forest CVS

Did you know the Cardinal Forest CVS filled 159,000 prescriptions last year? I enjoyed touring the store and learning about the pharmacy, Minute Clinic, and store operations. Thanks for welcoming me and showing me all that you do for our community!

Legislative Updates

Special Commemorative Session

Last week, I attended the Commemorative Session of the Virginia General Assembly in historic Colonial Williamsburg to recognize the 250th anniversary of the first convening of the Virginia House of Delegates after independence. 

Our motto — “America Made in Virginia” — reflects the unique role and contributions that Virginia has in shaping our nation. I am honored to represent the 18th District and proud to partner with my colleagues to continue building a more perfect union.

House Health and Human Services Committee

James Madison University (JMU) and Augusta Health hosted the Joint Meeting of the House Health and Human Services Committee, Senate Health and Education Committee, and House Special Select Commission on Rural Health.

We learned about efforts underway to improve health outcomes for Virginians in the Shenandoah Valley, such as Augusta Regional Dental Clinic, Inc., a free and accessible dental clinic; “Food is Medicine” programs like the Healthy Community Health Center (HCHC) and the farm co-located at Augusta Hospital; and JMU’s programs to train patient assistants, nurses, audiologists, and speech pathologists. 

We also got a sobering update on the anticipated impacts that HR 1 and changes to the Medicaid program will have on our vulnerable neighbors and access to care at free clinics and hospitals throughout Virginia. In our community, nearly 1 in 5 people rely on Medicaid, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect and expand health care for all Virginians.

House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee

Virginia State University (VSU) hosted the Joint Meeting of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee.

We learned about the innovative work underway at VSU’s College of Agriculture, toured a logging operation, visited a sawmill, and saw modernization efforts at a wastewater site. I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from Virginia farmers, foresters, researchers, businesses, and public servants who help steward Virginia’s land and water.

Legislative Meetings

My staff and I are preparing for the 2027 legislative session by meeting with community members, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to learn about their priorities.

I was pleased to meet with Gina and Eileen, my constituent, who are advocates with the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. We have also met with:

  • American Civil Liberties Union (ALCU) of Virginia
  • The Arc of Northern Virginia
  • Children’s National Hospital
  • Clean Virginia
  • Inova
  • Medical Society of Northern Virginia
  • National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
  • Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Virginia State Council
  • Teamsters Local 322
  • Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists 
  • Virginia Bankers Association
  • Virginia Community College System
  • The Virginia Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers-American Association of University Professors Local 6741
  • Virginia Dental Hygienists
  • Virginia Poverty Law Center

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