View in Browser <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Capitol Clips: State Budget Update Last week was one of the most important stretches of the General Assembly session. The Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee passed out its amendments to the budget the Governor proposed at the end of last year. The Senate also continued its work considering bills that had originally passed in the House. Enacting a budget is arguably the most important legislation the General Assembly tackles each year. The budget covers the next two years, although the General Assembly will likely adjust next year as necessary to respond to any economic impacts. The budget passed by the Senate proposed spending almost $63 billion of General Fund money over the next two years. This is a structurally balanced budget that, while not perfect, does help address many key priorities for the families I represent. It represents hard work, compromise, and a lot of give and take. The budget adds money to help Virginia’s economy compete in high-growth sectors of the economy like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals while helping workers prepare for good jobs by making our workforce training programs more efficient. There is funding to expand broadband to more communities throughout Virginia so families and businesses can access information and participate in the digital economy. Schools get a major boost with $1.6 billion in additional direct school aid, $400 million for school construction, and pay raises for teachers College degrees will be more accessible and affordable due to $74 million being added to financial aid funding. Virginia is making additional investments in mental health care with over $29 million in added funds for crisis intervention, peer recovery, and other community behavioral health programs. Public safety gets a boost with added funding to help recruit and retain correctional officers to keep prisons safe and orderly. While these and other provisions will help the families I represent, there are items in the budget I disagree with. Senators have the option to contest and vote against individual amendments while voting on the budget as a whole. Some of those contested items which I voted against include: a new tax on digital downloads and streaming but removed the tax relief Governor Youngkin had put in the bill. funding for legislation to allow violent criminals with long sentences to petition the courts to let them out early. funding for programs that infringe on your 2nd Amendment rights. Meanwhile, the House of Delegates has advanced its own state budget bill. In the coming days, a conference committee will be appointed to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the state budget. While there are only two weeks remaining in the regular session, our work is far from over. Stay tuned! This past week, Delegate Terry Kilgore and I were pleased to join in the celebration of Bristol, VA Sheriff Tyrone Foster who was recognized as a Strong Men and Women in Virginia honoree. I also enjoyed meeting with representatives from Russell County Farm Bureau and Scott County teachers who were participating in a training session on mental health. Ready for the 2024 Presidential Primary? Vote early through March 2 or at your regular polling precinct on Tuesday, March 5. More information from the Virginia Department of Elections is available here <[link removed]> . As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if I may be of assistance. We can be reached at (804) 698-7506 or by email at [email protected]. Thank you for the privilege and honor of serving in the Senate of Virginia. <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Paid for and authorized by Friends of Dr. Todd Pillion 102 Court Street NE, Suite 202, Abingdon, VA 24210, USA Powered by Squarespace <[link removed]> Unsubscribe <[link removed]>