We have a Budget! Friends, As the summer begins, I want to give you an update now that the special session is in the rearview mirror. Budget & Special Session Update Virginia finally has a budget! While the budget does not include everything the General assembly we wanted, I think that this is a good forward-looking budget. Some highlights of the budget include: 3% raises for teachers for the next two years and increased funding for multiple early and K-12 education programs Increased funding for higher education 3% raises for state employees $150 million in additional dedicated state funding for Metro that was needed to prevent catastrophic service cuts While the budget did include many of my priorities, I was disappointed that the language requiring Virginia to stay in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) did not make it into the final budget. I will continue to fight for programs like RGGI in future years because continuing to move backwards on climate is not an option. You can find a summary of the final budget from the Senate Finance Committee here, and find a searchable full version of the budget here. Governor Youngkin’s Final Vetoes Additionally, this past week was the final veto deadline for the last bills of the 2024 regular session. Unfortunately, there were quite a few bills that I supported that were vetoed by Governor Youngkin. Those bills included: SB237 - This bill would have codified a right to contraception in Virginia. Given the attacks on access to all forms of reproductive healthcare, including contraception, happening around the country, I supported this legislation to show that Virginia will always stand on the side of access to healthcare. Democrats in the General Assembly will continue our fight to protect and expand access to contraception. SB729 - This bill would have created a Green Energy bank in Virginia that would have brought in hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to address clean energy & the climate crisis. SB517 - This bill would have removed tax breaks for racist neo-Confederate organizations. Summer in Sully Fundraiser I am excited to announce that I will be having a fundraiser hosted by Maggie Godbold in the Sully District on Sunday, June 23rd! There will be drinks and appetizers, and it will be a great time. You can learn more and RSVP here. Congrats Graduates! This time of year brings many graduations. The majority of this year's class started high school or college during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and faced immense challenges. I want to take a moment to congratulate each member of the class of 2024 for their hard work and achievements. I will be attending many of the graduation ceremonies around the district in the coming weeks, and I am excited to be delivering the commencement address at my alma mater, Falls Church High School. Upcoming Events I will be around the district this weekend for the various Memorial Day celebrations. If you will be attending ViVa Vienna make sure you stop by the consistent services booth I am hosting with Del. Seibold. Elections Early voting continues for the primaries happening around Virginia. As a reminder, there is a Democratic primary in the 11th district and no primary in the 8th district. Lean more about voting here. Photo Gallery Sen. Salim at the City of Fairfax Asian Festival Sen. Salim at the Falls Church Special Olympic Event Sen. Salim at the Vice President's Residence for AAPI Heritage Month Be a Better Bus Hero - Share Your Input on Metro's Proposed 2025 Better Bus Network!  In spring 2023, Metro asked the region to share their thoughts on a draft bus network, the Visionary Network. Using your input, they have created the proposed 2025 Better Bus Network, which represents Metro's commitment to improving service and connections using the resources it has today. The proposed 2025 Network includes: A network of bus routes that better connect the region Improved service, especially during evenings and on weekends New route names More efficient bus stop spacing Review and provide feedback on the proposed 2025 Network by using Metro's interactive comment map, taking a survey, submitting written comments, or uploading a document at wmata.com/betterbus by 5:00 p.m. on July 15, 2024. Or, provide testimony at an in-person or virtual Public Hearing. To view the full schedule of in-person events, visit wmata.com/betterbus. Share your feedback online by July 15, 2024 for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card!   Contributions During the annual legislative session, legislators are forbidden from accepting political donations. Now that the session is over, please consider making a donation. During non-election years, your donations are crucial towards paying staff and keeping my operations going. Click HERE to contribute. Donate $25 Donate $50 Donate $100 Sincerely, Senator Saddam Azlan Salim Virginia State Senate District 37   Send me your Thoughts! PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY FRIENDS OF SADDAM AZLAN SALIM THIS NEWSLETTER WAS PAID FOR BY CAMPAIGN FUNDS. NO TAXPAYER FUNDS WERE USED IN THE CREATION OF THIS NEWSLETTER. Friends of Saddam Azlan Salim | P.O Box 249 | Merrifield, VA 22116-0249 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice