NEWSLETTER
GREETINGS FROM RICHMOND
Greetings!
Week two of the 2020 Regular Session has concluded. As a reminder, January 26 is the deadline for my 2020 Legislative Session Survey, which is available online here. I look forward to hearing from constituents about your priorities for our community.
As always, if I can be of any assistance, please email me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov or call (804) 698-1042.
Cheers, Kathy
New Leadership Position and Subcommittee Assignments
Subcommittee assignments were finalized this week. I have been named as Chair of the Natural Resources Subcommittee for the House of Delegates, and I look forward to working with Chair Ken Plum of the Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources to safeguard our environment and natural resources.
In my first term, I served on two committees and one subcommittee. This year, I serve on the following three committees and five subcommittees — as you can imagine, I am busier than ever!
1) Committee on General Laws
- Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process Subcommittee
- Open Government/Procurement Subcommittee
2) Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources
- Natural Resources Subcommittee (Chair)
3) Committee on Health, Welfare, and Institutions
- Social Services Subcommittee
- Health Subcommittee
Equal Rights Amendment
The Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate both ratified the Equal Rights Amendment on a bipartisan basis on January 15. I saw many constituents who came in support of the ERA, and I was proud to have my eldest daughter with me on the House floor as I voted to ensure equality for women in the U.S. Constitution.
Legislation
Friday, January 17 was the deadline to submit all legislation for the 2020 Regular Session. There are 2,745 bills introduced in the House of Delegates and State Senate, in addition to numerous study proposals, commendations, other resolutions, and budget amendments that will need to be considered and voted on. You can view the complete list of introduced bills here. You can view all of my bills and requests for the 2020-2022 Biennial Budget here.
I presented House Bill 1198 to the Professions/ Occupations and Administrative Process Subcommittee. This bill updates our code to provide the Virginia State Workforce Development Board with flexibility to operate and respond to Virginia’s dynamic economy. It was unanimously reported out of subcommittee.
My bill, House Bill 1218 to prohibit using campaign funds for personal use, with an exception for childcare expenses as a result of campaign activities, was incorporated into Delegate Marcus Simon’s House Bill 848. Delegate Simon amended his bill to include this exception to align Virginia with the 2018 Federal Elections Commission ruling. I look forward to working with Delegate Simon to make progress on this issue.
Constituent Meetings and Input
This week, constituents who came to Richmond talked to my staff and me about equality for LGBTQ Virginians, addressing climate change, and criminal justice reform. Thank you for taking the time to come and meet with us. I continue to hear from constituents via email and phone calls as well, and I appreciate all the input we are receiving from the 42nd District.
I want to hear from you! Please fill out my 2020 Legislative Session Survey by January 26. The survey is available online here.
Cinder Bed Update
On Thursday, January 16, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 698 ratified an agreement with Transdev to end the bus operator strike from the Cinder Bed Bus Garage. Almost all services have been restored, and I hope that full resumption of services will occur soon. My previous newsletter outlines what I have done to bring constituent’s concerns to WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld.
Upcoming Events
On Saturday, January 25, I will be holding a town hall with Senators Barker and Marsden to provide updates on the 2020 General Session. The town hall will take place at Rolling Valley Elementary School from 10am-11:30am.