Email from Senate of Virginia

First Week of the 2025 Session

Greetings,

In the fifteen or more years I worked at the Virginia General Assembly, I can never remember anything like the first week of the 2025 session. The City of Richmond experienced a complete malfunction of its water system, leaving the entire city and a couple of surrounding counties without a sign of water.

I moved into my rental on Sunday, only to find myself without water by Monday afternoon. While some meetings and events proceeded as planned on Monday and Tuesday, by Wednesday, it was decided to hold a brief session and then recess until this week, hoping the water crisis would be resolved. The Capitol and General Assembly Buildings were closed due to safety concerns, particularly the inoperability of the fire suppression systems.

I won't even try to touch on the mismanagement of the City of Richmond and its infrastructure over the years, but more information is being uncovered daily.

Because of the days missed, we have fallen behind in the legislative process. We still have to conclude our business by February 22nd in what is considered a short session, and now we have even fewer days to accomplish our work. This means there will probably be weekend work and long days ahead.

This year, I am introducing approximately a dozen pieces of legislation. Some are driven by requests from the localities I represent, while others aim to address pressing concerns with practical solutions. One initiative I am particularly excited about would establish the Virginia Fire Personnel and Equipment Grant Program.

During my travels around the district last year, I heard from fire departments about the immense challenges they face in recruiting and retaining firefighters. They also shared how the skyrocketing cost of equipment is adding to their burdens. On top of their already demanding roles, volunteers are expected to take on additional responsibilities, from fundraising to equipment maintenance and everything in between.

The bill's purpose is to provide grants to localities to hire additional firefighters and improve their firefighting and emergency medical services. Localities can use grants for programs to hire new, additional full-time firefighters, convert part-time or volunteer firefighters to full-time firefighters, or recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. They can also provide grants to localities to improve firefighting and emergency medical services, including acquiring firefighting and emergency medical services vehicles and equipment and modifying facilities. For both grants, the bill provides that funds shall not be used to supplant any funds currently provided by the Commonwealth or by the locality and shall be used to increase the total amount of funds available to provide firefighting or emergency medical services.

I am excited to carry once again a bill that prohibits men from playing women’s sports in grades K-12 or institutes of higher education. This legislation helps maintain safety in sports and preserves the competitive balance, ensuring a level playing field for all athletes. It is crucial to preserve the integrity of women’s sports and safeguard opportunities for female athletes to excel. This proposal focuses on preserving fairness, safety, and opportunities for female athletes while maintaining the integrity of sports within the established biological categories.

My team and I are always here to assist with any questions or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at our Richmond number, 804.698.7509, or via email at [email protected]

What a proud moment it was to stand beside Attorney General Miyares, Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Delegate Delores Oates, and special guest Riley Gaines as we work to protect women in sports.

Unfortunately, my bill SB749, which prohibits men from playing women’s sports in grades K-12 or institutes of higher education, died on a party-line vote in committee on Thursday.

Link to Watch the Press Conference

One of the best parts of session is welcoming constituents to my office in the General Assembly Building. Whether it’s families, students, community leaders, or advocates for important causes, these visits are a reminder of who we represent and why we serve.

I love seeing familiar faces at session! Thanks Kenneth and Brenda Bowman for coming to Richmond to support a bill that will affect Pittsylvania County.

What a great way to start the day! Breakfast with members of Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Virginia Rural Caucus and fellow legislators at the Virginia Capitol.