NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 29, 2020

Neighbors,

More than 3,600 Virginians have died as a result of COVID-19. And during the last few days, Virginia has experienced a sharp rise in new positive COVID-19 cases, with a seven day moving average of 1,140 new positive cases. I know many are feeling “pandemic fatigue,” but please continue social distancing, wearing masks, and practicing good hygiene. Doing so helps us limit the spread of COVID-19. 

Election Day is just five days away, and we are seeing historic numbers of Virginians voting early. Please vote and make your voice heard in this year’s elections! As you make your plans to vote, note that Saturday, October 31, is the last day for early in-person voting.

Below are updates regarding: 

  • Elections

    • Updated in-person voting hours for October 29 and 30

    • Deadline to vote in-person is October 30

  • Legislative Updates

    • Bills signed into law by Governor Northam 

  • COVID-19 updates

    • ReBuild Virginia

    • COVIDwise reminder

    • Flu shot reminder

As always, please let me know if I can be of assistance by calling my office at 804-698-1042 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.

Best, Kathy

Delegate, 42nd District

ELECTIONS

Before Election Day, you can vote early in-person or submit your absentee ballot at 14 sites in Fairfax County; you can find the list of all early voting locations and their hours here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting 

Updated in-person voting hours for October 29 and 30

The Fairfax County Department of Elections is extending its polling hours on October 29 and 30 from 11am-7pm at all satellite early voting locations. 

Deadline to vote early in-person is October 31

The deadline for early in-person voting is this upcoming Saturday, October 31. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

The Special Legislative Session has almost concluded. As I have mentioned, the session was convened by Governor Northam to finalize the biennial budget, improve Virginia’s COVID-19 response, and reform the criminal justice system. 

The General Assembly passed nearly 60 bills during the Special Legislative Session. The Governor is considering these bills and the updated biennial budget, and we expect to reconvene soon to address any of his proposed amendments or vetoes. 

An overview of the bills that the Governor has signed into law is below, the full list is available at https://lis.virginia.gov/l/legp604.exe?202+lst+APP:

New laws to address COVID-19 include:

  • Strengthening Virginia’s anti-price gouging laws during a state of emergency.

  • Prohibiting garnishment of stimulus relief checks. 

  • Establishing visitation policies at nursing home facilities during the pandemic.

  • Requiring the Department of Health to make certain data about COVID-19 outbreaks publicly available.

  • Additionally, the Governor has signed my bill to amend Virginia’s short-term compensation program so that we can be eligible for about $2.7 million in federal funding.

New laws to reform our criminal justice system include:

  • Banning choke holds and no knock warrants.

  • Strengthening the requirements for civilian review panels.

  • Reforming jury sentencing policies.

  • Giving the Attorney General the authority to investigate patterns of discrimination by law enforcement.

  • Updating the membership of the state committee that establishes the training requirements for law enforcement officers.

COVID-19 UPDATES

ReBuild Virginia

  • The Governor announced that the ReBuild Virginia program, a grant program created to assist small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, will expand its eligibility and funding amount. Now, all businesses and nonprofits with $10 million or less in gross revenue or fewer than 250 employees will be eligible under the new criteria, and the maximum grant award will increase from $10,000 to $100,000. To learn more about the grant, visit www.governor.virginia.gov/rebuildva/. 

COVIDwise reminder

  • I encourage everyone to download COVIDwise, Virginia’s app that can notify you of possible COVID-19 exposure. You can learn more about this app, it’s data privacy policies, and how to download it here. 

Flu shot reminder

  • The Virginia Department of Health recommends that everyone get a flu shot, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the flu and how to get a flu shot, please visit here.