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Dear Friend,
This week’s newsletter reflects on the ongoing budget discussions, my staffer’s recent visit with the Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Virginia; it also provides information about Library of Virginia On the Go and highlights a few community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading and staying informed.
Brief Budget Update
In advance of the upcoming Special Session which will bring my General Assembly colleagues back to Richmond on May 13, the budget conferees are preparing to spend several days at the Capitol renegotiating the budget with the governor’s administration.
Some central areas of concern during the ongoing budget discussions are
the fate of Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
vitally important funding for our public schools
critical funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, an interstate compact established by Congress for transit collaboration among Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia
much needed 3% pay increases for teachers and state employees
Of course, much more is at stake with our state budget. We have a responsibility to deliver a budget that is balanced, on time, and that demonstrates our collective values by funding for the public good.
Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Virginia
This week, one of my staff members joined the Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Virginia (BTMVA) [[link removed]] to participate in its Circle meeting with Falling Creek Middle School students. BTMA offers a support system for middle- and high school youth as they transition into young adults and focuses on students between the ages of 12 and 17. Students work with individual mentors who serve as strong role models for them.
Gerardo joined the Circle meeting on Monday morning, and provides these comments:
BTMVA offers a support system for young men who are suffering from challenging circumstances in and out of school. Many young men in our communities fall through the cracks and can benefit from the support of mentors and peers going through similar circumstances. During the school year, BTMVA meets with young men across our Central Region for weekly check-ins, known as Circle, giving them an opportunity to discuss what is really going on in their lives. They are met with understanding, care, and guidance.
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Having role models at a young age is critical. During my visit, I shared my own journey as a first-generation immigrant student and highlighted opportunities available to become civically engaged. I witnessed young men learning accountability, values, and how to manage their emotions proactively. Empowering our young men to overcome cycles of dysfunctionality is inspiring. I want to commend Warren, Angel, Ashley, Brian, and Mr. Marti for their service to our next generation.
Library of Virginia On the Go
Next Saturday, May 4, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, the Library of Virginia will be bringing its Library of Virginia On the Go [[link removed]] van to the North Courthouse Road Library. The Library of Virginia and its ambassadors will offer families information on reference tutorials, library card registration and children’s activities, as well as presentations on its resources like Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative database [[link removed]] and Virginia Chronicle [[link removed]] . The library will also be hosting more family-friendly activities as a part of Star Wars Day. More information is available on the Chesterfield County Public Library calendar [[link removed]] .
Select Community Engagements
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Last Saturday, I attended the 19th Annual Punjabi Mela North Indian Festival at Main Street Station along with hundreds of community members. This event was a magnificent display of the diversity of the cultures present in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Later that day on Saturday, I traveled to Arlington to join the Arlington Democratic Committee for its Blue Victory Dinner to celebrate our 2023 victories and to update members on our success this past session. Arlington Democrats also know how imperative the 2024 elections are for the state of our democracy. Our local committees are fired up and ready to help deliver victories at the local, state, and federal levels.
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On Tuesday morning, I attended the Venture Richmond Annual Update and Breakfast at which the organization shared ongoing developments projects in Richmond. These include the new headquarters for Virginia Public Media [[link removed]] , CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation [[link removed]] , and the Riverfront Amphitheater [[link removed]] . Each project highlights a unique opportunity for the City and our region more broadly.
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Later on Tuesday afternoon, I spoke to Dr. Daniel Palazzolo’s class at the University of Richmond. All of the students in his course served as legislative interns, including our intern Amal, during the 2024 General Assembly, joining either legislative offices or lobbying firms. Students were particularly interested in why I chose to run for office, the need for campaign finance reform, the challenges of a citizen legislature, and perspectives on partisan divides.
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Later that evening, I joined Senator Mamie Locke's 70th Birthday Party. As a college professor herself who has taught generations of students at Hampton University, Senator Locke fully understands the imperative need to support our higher education institutions, including our historically-black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as effectively fund public education.
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Wednesday morning, I joined Delegates Rae Cousins and Carrie Coyner for a panel discussion during the annual Metro Richmond Women's Bar Association Breakfast. Our discussion focused on the appointment of judges, pay parity for public defenders, highlights and challenges of the 2024 Session, and more.
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On Wednesday evening, I joined other elected officials, including Senators Lamont Bagby and Schuyler VanValkenburg, and Delegate Betsy Carr for a reception in support of REPRO Rising Virginia. As the keynote speaker, I spoke on how our Commonwealth is at a crossroads: are we going to affirm and protect the rights of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions, or will we mirror other states across the country and introduce archaic laws that threaten the well-being and lives of our citizens. Every election is critical, but our national political climate and our own Governor’s refusal to sign legislation codifying reproductive healthcare protections demonstrates how critical our upcoming elections both in 2024 and 2025 will be.
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Thursday was a busy day, and it began with a meeting with Capital Area Health Network (CAHN) and a tour of their facility in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond. CAHN is a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which provide comprehensive primary care, dental care, and behavioral health services to children and adults within our communities who otherwise may not be able to afford health care. Last year alone, CAHN treated over 14,900 patients in the Metro Richmond Area. I greatly appreciate the work of the dedicated CAHN staff.
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Later on Thursday afternoon, I traveled to Newport News to participate in the Peninsula Insiders Post-Session Luncheon at Christopher Newport University. I joined Senator Danny Diggs and Delegates Shelly Simonds and Anne Ferrell Tata in providing reflections on the 2024 legislative session. Attendees were particularly interested in workforce development issues, investing in higher education, and the ongoing budget discussions.
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Thursday finished off with a virtual meeting as I joined other elected officials from across the Commonwealth, from the local to the federal level, to speak with members of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. For nearly 90 years, this organization has mobilized families to advocate for social justice, and last night many members of the organization, both adults and young people, asked questions about school construction, infrastructure, budget priorities, and more.
Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: [email protected] [gmail.com]
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here [[link removed]] .
— Ghazala
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