NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
Neighbors,
In Virginia, to date, there have been more than 145,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 3,100 people have died from this disease. I thank you for continuing to wear masks, practice social distancing, and use recommended hygiene practices to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Thank you to everyone who joined this week’s tele-town hall to get updates on the 2020 Special Session. I hope you are able to attend my next tele-town hall, which will focus on voting in the November elections.
Save the Date: Elections Tele-Town Hall
Wednesday, 10/7 at 6:30
Join me, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay, and New Virginia Majority Co-Executive Director Tram Nguyen! We’ll be discussing Virginia’s election laws and answering questions about how to cast a ballot for the November elections.
Dial-in (605) 472-5239 | Access Code 811044 | Submit Questions here
Below are updates regarding:
Legislative Updates: Biennial Budget
Flu shot reminder
Virtual Q&A regarding I-495 Northern Extension Project
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
Legislative Updates: Biennial Budget
As I have shared previously, in March, we passed a biennial budget. However, in April, we froze about $2 billion in new spending to give the Governor and General Assembly time to assess the impacts of COVID-19.
At the beginning of this Special Session, Governor Northam announced that we have about a $2.7 billion shortfall from our revenue estimates from this spring. As Virginia’s constitution requires that we balance our state budget, the General Assembly is finalizing the biennial budget based on the updated revenue forecast.
House Bill 5005, which is the House of Delegates’ proposed budget bill for fiscal years 2021 and 2022, passed the House Appropriations Committee. It will be voted on by the full House of Delegates next week. This bill makes amendments to the Governor’s updated proposed biennial budget, which is available here. Below are some highlights of House Bill 5005, and you can see the full list of proposed amendments here: https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendments/2020/2/HB5005/Introduced/CA/
Healthcare
Requires medical facilities to allow individuals with disabilities to designate a support person to accompany them during appointments. This is a proposal that I introduced to address concerns from constituents who have faced hardships given the changes to visitation and related policies during this pandemic.
Education
$95 million for school divisions that are expected to lose money from the sales tax revenue reforecast. These funds come from revenue collected through games of skills and will help address the impacts on school division budgets caused by COVID-19.
Housing
$55 million to, in response to COVID-19, expand access to affordable housing, assist with rental payments, and help people who are homeless. Of these funds, $25 million is for the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (VRMRP).
Establishment of payment plan guidelines, including requiring tenants be informed of the VRMRP during the current national eviction moratorium, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Extends the eviction moratorium once the national eviction moratorium expires at the end of the year. It will continue for the duration of Governor Northam’s State of Emergency Declaration.
Broadband
$50 million to expand broadband access across Virginia. This is particularly important for families who require broadband to telework and/or fully participate in distance learning.
Utility Termination Moratorium
Extends the current moratorium on utility service termination to when the Governor determines that economic and public health conditions no longer warrant such moratorium or 60 days after the State of Emergency Declaration ends, whichever is sooner.
Flu Shot Reminder
The Virginia Department of Health recommends that everyone get a flu shot. You can see their full announcement here.To learn more about the flu and how to get a flu shot, please visit here.
Virtual Q&A regarding I-495 Northern Extension Project
The Virginia Department of Transportation will be hosting two virtual question and answer sessions regarding the I-495 Northern Extension Project. They will be held on September 28 and September 30, both from 7pm-9pm. You can learn more about the project and how to participate in the virtual sessions here.
There are many ways you can stay engaged in the 2020 Special Legislative Session. Learn more here: http://kathyfordelegate.com/staying-engaged