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Dear Friend,
This week’s newsletter shares upcoming opportunities for community engagement, provides information on the State Sales Tax Holiday, and spotlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and staying informed.
Opportunities for Community Engagement
Upcoming Community Conversations
In early September, my office will host two events: a Summer Wrap Up and Community Conversation , then a joint meeting of the City of Richmond Delegation and the Richmond School Board . Here are the details:
Our Summer Wrap Up and Community Conversation will take place on Wednesday, September 4, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, at the Chesterfield County Meadowdale Library (4301 Meadowdale Blvd). I will provide updates from the General Assembly, including the policy work taking place through the various commissions and boards on which I serve. We will also have plenty of opportunity to hear directly from constituents in the 15th Senatorial District.
On Thursday, September 5, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, members of the Richmond General Assembly Delegation and the City of Richmond School Board will meet at the Reynolds Community College Downtown Campus (700 E Jackson St, Richmond) in the Community Room. Mirroring a conversation we convened in June between the General Assembly Delegation and Richmond City Council, this meeting will serve as an opportunity for state and local officials representing Richmond City to prepare for the 2025 legislative session. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Additional information, including registration, is forthcoming. As always, upcoming events are highlighted on my Facebook [[link removed]] , Instagram [[link removed]] , and X [[link removed]] accounts, as well as within this newsletter.
Annual Chesterfield School Supplies Drive
Chesterfield County Airport is collecting school supplies now through August 9 to ensure all students in Chesterfield have the supplies they need to succeed this school year. Suggested items include composition notebooks, dry erase markers, glue sticks, highlighters, pencils, pocket folders and more.
Donations may be dropped off at the following locations:
*
Chesterfield
County
Airport
Terminal
-
7511
Airfield
Drive
*
Any
Chesterfield
County
Public
Library
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branch
location
*
County
Administration
Building
-
9901
Lori
Road
*
Community
Development
Building
-
9800
Government
Center
Parkway
*
Eanes-Pittman
Public
Safety
Training
Center
-
6610
Public
Safety
Way
More information is available at Chesterfield County [[link removed]] .
City of Richmond “Keep Richmond Beautiful” Efforts
The City of Richmond Department of Public Works’ (DPW) city-wide beautification campaign is underway to keep Richmond’s spaces safe, healthy, and clean. The comprehensive effort includes enhancing public infrastructure such as replacing lighting and signs, performing vegetation control, organizing community clean-ups, and reducing waste in our communities.
As a part of this campaign, organized clean-up opportunities [[link removed]] across the City will be taking place in the coming months. Community members can also develop their own clean-ups through the Richmond Clean City Commission [[link removed]] .
The Neighborhood Clean-Up Program began on July 13, offering residents free curbside bulk and brush pickups until November 2. Acceptable bulk items include the following: furniture, mattresses, tires (four per household), appliances and brush (all brush must be cut into four-foot lengths and bundled). Electronics, construction debris, hazardous waste items and broken glass will not be accepted. A map of the pick-up schedule can be found using the Services Finder [[link removed]] . More information on the initiative can be found at City of Richmond [[link removed]] .
Canvass Launch Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning at 11:00AM, join me and supporters from across the Metro Richmond Area for a canvass launch in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Tim Kaine, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, and Leslie Mehta.
Since announcing her candidacy, Vice President Harris has recruited 29,000 volunteers, who have knocked on 126,000 doors in just 48 hours. We want to keep this momentum going here in the Commonwealth and support our entire Democratic ticket heading into November.
Canvassing opportunities are available throughout the day. Registration [[link removed]] is required.
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Virginia Sales Tax Holiday
Today is the start of the annual Virginia Sales Tax Holiday weekend, August 2 - 4. Items such as school supplies, clothes, emergency preparedness materials, and more can be purchased tax-free. A list of qualifying items is available through the Virginia Department of Taxation [[link removed]] .
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Select Community Engagements
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Last Saturday, I enjoyed serving as a keynote commencement speaker for the graduating classes of the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM). I appreciate the work of VUIM as its graduates serve as strong partners in pain management, therapeutic medicine, and healing services.
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Later Saturday evening, I traveled to Orange County to join the Culpeper, Greene, Madison, and Orange County Democrats for an event in support of Eugene Vindman, the Democratic 7th Congressional District candidate. Also attending were the current CD-7 representative, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and hundreds of supporters, who are ready to send a clear message this November: we will not go back on our progress.
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On Sunday, I joined the Bedford County Democrats for their monthly meeting alongside Gloria Witt, Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District. I shared highlights from the work of the General Assembly and the critical need to protect our progress in the upcoming elections.
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On Tuesday, I joined Physician Health and Masters of Public Health students from Shenandoah University to discuss my path to public service, my role as Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, and my legislative priorities. Students were particularly interested in my work in environmental and health care policy, and the connections between climate changes and health care.
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That same evening, I joined an event in support of United States Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Gerry Connolly’s re-election campaigns. Something that was particularly meaningful that evening was Senator Kaine’s recounting of elections and how impactful was Barack Obama’s historic victory in 2008. As I travel the state, I see widespread enthusiasm for our Democratic ticket this November. It looks like Virginia will be a strong leader in yet another historic success, this time for Kamala Harris.
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On Thursday morning, I joined engaged members of the Cedarfield Retirement Community to share my work and legislation from our 2024 session affecting seniors across Virginia. Our 2024 General Assembly made advancements in protecting seniors and vulnerable adults from financial exploitation and sophisticated scams. I also highlighted our efforts to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, as well as the Office of the Ombudsman for those residing in assisted living facilities. Community members were partially interested in my Medical Aid in Dying legislation, reproductive rights, and gender-affirming care for Virginians.
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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