Dear Friend,

This week’s newsletter shares how special education in the Commonwealth could be impacted by the Trump Administration’s irresponsible cuts, provides an overview of our recent Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee (SFAC) meeting, highlights select community engagements from this past week, and extends well wishes to those across the Commonwealth celebrating Diwali. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.

Special Education 

Recently the Trump Administration announced an additional 466 layoffs at the federal Department of Education. This announcement includes the staff members responsible for roughly $15 billion in special education funding and for ensuring that states provide special education services to the nation's 7.5 million children with disabilities. In Virginia, 185,000 students receive special education services in our public schools. In fact, 95 percent of students with disabilities are educated through our public schools; the cuts announced by Trump represent devastating impacts for children with special needs.

Additionally, Donald Trump shared his perspective that the government shutdown and cuts are aimed at “closing up programs that are Democrat programs.” As we know, these harmful cuts made by the Trump Administration and the Republican-led Congress harm all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. Significantly, the cuts to the Department of Education harm our most vulnerable children.

Virginia’s Responses

As shared in previous newsletters, Virginia’s General Assembly can take some steps to help decrease the impacts of the chaos and disruptions of federal actions; our steps will require a substantial commitment of state and local resources. Some of these steps may include the following:

• Increasing state funding: Under Democratic leadership in the General Assembly, the Commonwealth has been moving towards an overhaul of Virginia's 52-year-old education funding formula, based on the report findings of the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Council (JLARC). Over the past two Sessions, we have begun increased investments for English language learners, at-risk students, and special education.
• Boosting local support: Because much of Virginia's education funding comes from local dollars, districts may need to increase their own revenue to maintain services at a time when families are struggling with growing inflation, stagnant wages, and a tight job market. 
• Addressing gaps in Virginia law: We will likely need to address gaps in Virginia law that may emerge because of the restructuring or dismantling of federal-level regulations or departments. Currently, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act protect Virginians. However, if federal protections disappear, Virginia will need to address gaps in our Code. Since this past March, I initiated conversations with a variety of stakeholders to evaluate the potential legislative language that is necessary to protect education access for Virginia students.

Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Meeting 

Last Tuesday, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee (SFAC) convened at Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth Campus) to receive presentations on the state’s economic outlook. A presentation by Secretary of Finance Stephen E. Cummings highlighted Virginia’s financial standing and developing  unemployment rate, and discussed how the ongoing government shutdown could impact 7,308 Virginia state agency employees who are funded by federal dollars. 

A subsequent presentation by Dr. Robert McNab, Chair of the Department of Economics at Old Dominion University, highlighted key areas of concern: rising unemployment claims across the Commonwealth; potential impacts of the reduced immigration into the United States on Virginia’s economy; declines in the number of international students coming to the United States for higher education; and international trade and the impacts of imports and exports into the Commonwealth. 

The Committee also received a briefing from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). 

Most concerning was the presentation by the Virginia Department of Social Services outlining the impacts of H.R.1 on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a program that supports more than 40 million Americans, including 1 in 5 children. Structural changes to SNAP include the following:

• New work requirements in H.R.1 removes previous exemptions for specific groups, including for veterans, people who are homeless, and foster care youth who have aged out of foster care at 18 through 24 years old. 
• Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) will have additional work requirements. Benefits for ABAWDs are limited to 3 months in a 36-month period unless individuals work, volunteer, or train for at least 80 hours per month.
• H.R.1 removes SNAP eligibility for several categories of lawfully present immigrants who are not Lawful Permanent Residents, including those who have been granted humanitarian protections, refugees, asylees, and certain survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, or other humanitarian protections.

Reducing those who qualify for this vital assistance will not save the Commonwealth money, however. The Department of Social Services shared that the federal actions increase the potential annual cost to Virginia for SNAP by approximately $360 million; this additional funding will be necessary to cover the newly-enacted state share of SNAP benefit costs; our state agency also faces a 25% increase in administrative expenses. 

The Senate Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, as well as the Senate Special Subcommittee on Federal Impacts to Resources, will continue to monitor federal-level policies impacting Virginia and prepare an effective state-level response. The full meeting recording is available. 

Early Voting is Underway

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4—just a few days away! Virginians do not have to wait to cast their ballots. In-person voting is available now through November 1. Voter registration status, mail-in ballot requests, and more information about upcoming elections are available at the Virginia Department of Elections or I Will Vote.

For my constituents in Senate District 15 (Chesterfield County and City of Richmond), early voting information is as follows:

Early Voting Locations: Chesterfield County

Early in-person voting is available at Central Library (7051 Lucy Corr Blvd, Chesterfield). Please note that early voting is not available at the Chesterfield Registrar’s Office. 

Additional satellite locations are also available. Verify voting hours for satellite locations through the Chesterfield Registrar’s Office. Residents registered to vote in Chesterfield County may vote at any of the following locations during this next phase of the early voting period (now through November 1):

• Clover Hill Library (6701 Deer Run Drive, Midlothian)
• Ettrick-Matoaca Library (4501 River Road, South Chesterfield)
• LaPrade Library (9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield)
• Meadowdale Library (4301 Meadowdale Boulevard, North Chesterfield)
• North Courthouse Road Library (325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield) 

Early Voting Locations: City of Richmond

Early in-person voting is available for City of Richmond residents at the Office of Elections (2134 West Laburnum Avenue, Richmond).

Additional satellite locations have also opened. Voters can verify voting hours for satellite locations through the Richmond Registrar’s Office. Residents registered to vote in the City of Richmond may vote at any of the following locations during this next phase of the early voting period (now through November 1):

• City Hall (900 East Broad Street, Richmond)
• Hickory Hill Community Center (3000 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond)

Select Community Engagements

Shortly after the conclusion of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, I joined small business owners and local business leaders in Portsmouth for an informative community discussion. These businesses provide essential goods and services to their localities. As Lieutenant Governor, I look forward to continuing to support initiatives for small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Photo credit: American Civil War Museum

On Wednesday evening, I joined the American Civil War Museum for its renowned Lincoln Prize Lecture series featuring Dr. Edda Fields-Black for her award-winning book Combee, selected as the 2025 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize and 2025 Pulitzer Prize. The museum's programs, opportunities, and exhibits help enhance our understanding of the Civil War and its impacts on Virginia and the nation.

On Thursday, my office joined resident family advocates and legislators on the campus of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Dinwiddie County campus, to tour Hiram W. Davis Medical Center (HWDMC) and adjacent facilities, and to listen to families' concerns about its potential closure. DBHDS will present its recommendations to the Governor and the Joint Commission on Healthcare before the General Assembly makes the final determination for its residents.

On Thursday evening, I joined Clean Virginia’s “The Energy Bills are Too Damn High!” statewide tour stop with Richmond area residents to discuss the key factors driving up the cost of energy bills and the steps needed to continue lowering energy costs across our Commonwealth, most especially our working-class families. 

On Friday, I had the privilege of visiting the ADAMS Center alongside our Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Abigail Spanberger, Senator Kannan Srinivasan, and former Delegate David Ramadan. I enjoyed connecting again with ADAMS Center leaders and community members during their prayer services.

On Friday morning, my Legislative Assistant joined the SPAN Center for its annual “Empty Plate Luncheon” alongside community leaders, advocates, and friends in support of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers. The year's message focused on the need for empathy, an active exercise that we must continue to develop by listening and learning from one another, as empathy is a reflection of one's habits of the heart. 

Also on Friday, in Leesburg, I joined Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and my General Assembly colleagues, Senators Scott Surovell, Russet Perry, and Saddam Salim, as well as Delegate Marty Martinez, alongside supporters of my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Election day is fast approaching, and I am incredibly grateful to supporters all across our Commonwealth, whom I have had the privilege of meeting.

Early Saturday morning, I joined incredible volunteers from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Virginia AFL-CIO for a day of action in support of November campaigns. Joining us also was John McAuliff, candidate for House of Delegates District 30. It is always an honor to join fellow educators and public servants such as AFT President Randi Weingarten and the Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse-Mays.

Later that morning, in Loudoun County, I joined friends and community members for a meet-and-greet to share my vision for our collective futures and commitment to empower all Virginians to achieve their dreams and aspirations. I look forward to representing the voices of all communities in Richmond with integrity, purpose, and dedication.  

I concluded an action-packed Saturday by joining more supporters of my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Our vision for Virginia resonates with communities across our country as we restore empathy, responsible governance, sound judgment, and integrity in Richmond.

On Sunday, I began my day by joining the congregation of Raj Khalsa Gurdwara in Sterling. It was wonderful to connect with community members alongside my fellow Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC) members Delegate JJ Singh and Delegate Atoosa Reaser, as well as former Delegate Kathleen Murphy. 

On Sunday, I was honored to join former Congressman Jim Moran at his home alongside supporters, including former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock and Delegates Mark Sickles and Rip Sullivan, to discuss my vision for a new path forward for all Virginians as its next Lieutenant Governor.

Later that evening, I joined community members in Centreville for a meet and greet. I appreciate the community members who spent Sunday afternoon with me, sharing their hopes for the incoming administration and how we can work together to stand up to chaos from Washington, protect our communities and small businesses, and drive our Commonwealth forward.

Diwali

October 20 marked the beginning of Diwali. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. My office and I hope all who observed with their loved ones across the Commonwealth had joyous celebrations.

Connecting With My Office

My office can be reached at the following:

Email:  [email protected] 

Phone:  804.698.7515

If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here. 

— Ghazala

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