Neighbors,
I hope you are having a good summer and are able to stay cool in the heat! Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases are rising in Virginia and across the country, given the Delta variant. Please continue to follow guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about mask wearing and other safety precautions. You can view the latest CDC guidelines here. You can find the nearest vaccination opportunity in Virginia here.
I appreciated the opportunity to attend recent Eagle Scout Courts of Honor for Ian, Daniel, Samir and Ishaan, constituents in the 42nd District. It was wonderful to celebrate their leadership and community service!
In this newsletter, I have included information about:
COVID-19 Mitigation
Legislative Updates - Upcoming Special Session
Community Input Opportunities
Virginia Redistricting Commission hearing
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Survey
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Webinar
As always, let me know if you have questions or need assistance by calling my office at (804) 698-1042 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.
Best, Kathy
Delegate, 42nd District
COVID-19 Mitigation
The Virginia Department of Health released its guidance to local school districts regarding mask wearing in the 2021-2022 school year. Local school districts must implement their own policies, given community conditions and public health recommendations. You can read the VDH guidance here.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES - UPCOMING SPECIAL SESSION
Virginia is receiving $4.3 billion in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Governor Northam has called the General Assembly into a Special Legislative Session starting on August 2, 2021 to appoint judges and allocate the federal ARPA funds.
In my conversations with constituents throughout the pandemic, I know many of you share my concerns that in rebuilding our economy, our top priorities include healthcare and mental health services, small business relief, reopening schools safely, and improved infrastructure and broadband access. I look forward to the start of the special session.
COMMUNITY INPUT OPPORTUNITIES
Virginia Redistricting Commission
The Virginia Redistricting Commission is holding a public hearing today, July 27 at Dewberry Hall (Johnson Center), George Mason University. Suggested parking is in the Mason Pond Parking Deck, 4500 Aquia Creek Ln, Fairfax.
Registration to speak in-person will be open on-site between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. Comments are limited to three minutes. The hearing will be livestreamed and archived online. Read more at https://bit.ly/3wZYjGa.
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is currently collecting input on how we can enhance public transit between the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station and the Quantico Marines Base.
DRPT is hosting a second virtual public information meeting today, July 27 from 7-8:30 p.m. Registration for the meeting is now open by using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PsJhZdk4QsSHiP9eJeU_LA.
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Grants
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice is hosting a webinar on August 4 for those interested in their grant program to help localities combat hate crimes. DCJS is soliciting applications to make competitive grants to localities within the Commonwealth that have established a partnership program with institutions and/or nonprofit organizations that have been targets or are at risk of being targets of hate crimes.
The goal of this program is to minimize bias-motivated incidents by providing funding that supports institutions and/or nonprofit organizations that may be at risk based on race, religious conviction, color, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin.
More information about the grant solicitation, including the guidelines and application procedures can be found here.