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Dear Friend,
This newsletter reflects on my six years in the Senate of Virginia while looking ahead at my next chapter as Virginia’s 43rd Lieutenant Governor; highlights our Community Event launching inaugural week; and more. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed.
The Next Chapter
Recently, we closed the chapter on 2025 and now look forward to the 2026 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, the start of a new gubernatorial administration, and to the work of the Office of Lieutenant Governor.
This will be the final newsletter from my office as the state Senator representing the 15th Senatorial District. When we return, our next newsletter will be delivered from the Office of the 43rd Lieutenant Governor , and my staff and I look forward to continued engagement, collaboration, and correspondence with all Virginians.
As we close out the work of the Senate office, I have been reflecting on the past six Sessions in the Virginia Senate and the remarkable honor it has been to represent the constituents of the district and to champion issues that impact numerous communities across Virginia. My time in the Senate – from my first election in November 2019 and through to the second term that began in January 2024 – has been busy both in- and outside of the General Assembly Sessions. I share below some legislative and budgetary accomplishments, work on boards and commissions, and leadership positions held:
Highlights of Legislative Accomplishments
Education
* Sponsored a 2025 bill to end the cap on state funding for support positions in public schools (a major education funding reform)
* Worked on budget language and proposals to increase school funding and support public education when it faced legislative challenges Co-patroned legislation to provide in-state tuition to all Virginia students, expanding access to higher education and supporting our pipeline of workforce talent
* Established the Virginia Office of Education Economics to align curricula, degree and credentialing programs, and faculty capacity with workforce needs
* Authored legislation to prevent book banning or censorship in schools, responding to the culture war attacks on access to age-appropriate books and reading materials
Healthcare & Reproductive Rights
* Championed the Right to Contraception Act to guarantee access to contraception in Virginia (passed the General Assembly in 2024 and 2025, but vetoed by the governor)
* Sponsored bills protecting reproductive healthcare rights , including shielding providers from legal action for providing care legal in Virginia
* Served as Co-Chief Patron for the constitutional amendment recognizing fundamental reproductive freedom including abortion and contraception rights
* Introduced a budget amendment (with Sen. Creigh Deeds) to plan for alternative state funding if federal Medicaid funds were cut
* Advanced legislation expanding access to professional counseling services in Virginia
Housing & Tenant Rights
* Authored the Faith in Housing Act to enable faith communities and nonprofits to convert land for affordable housing
* Championed protection of tenant rights, including efforts to decrease eviction rates
* Worked on protections for mobile and manufactured home residents
Environment & Energy
* Co-patroned the Virginia Clean Economy Act and related renewable energy efforts, including programs to increase clean energy investment and reduce reliance on fossil fuels .
* Championed legislation to establish a virtual power plant pilot program to bolster grid resilience and lower energy costs
* Supported expanded energy efficiency programs for low-income, disabled, elderly, and veteran households
* Championed and passed the Environmental Justice Act requiring state agencies to evaluate impacts on frontline communities in policymaking
Worker Protections & Critical Social Policy Measures
* Engaged in bills addressing breakthrough therapies for veterans and other public health and safety issues
* Passed legislation related to protections in extreme heat conditions
* Advanced progress on medical aid in dying legislation
Budgetary Accomplishments & Fiscal Work
* Contributed to state budget negotiations as a member of Senate Finance and Appropriations and focused on increased funding for public education, healthcare, and workforce initiatives
* Sponsored budget amendments to support workforce development in health care , including establishing programs to address workforce shortages and strengthen data infrastructure
* Sponsored budget amendments to address the problem of the Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) concerns in the City of Richmond
* Advocated within the budget process for Medicaid funding protections and planning in the face of potential federal cuts
Legislative Boards, Commissions & Authorities
When not in the General Assembly, I have been honored to serve on a variety of boards and commissions, including the following:
* Joint Commission on Health Care - One of Virginia’s key legislative study commissions focused on healthcare policy and oversight. Served as Vice Chair of the Joint Commission on Health Care (2024 - 2025)
* Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority - This authority works statewide on health workforce planning and development. Served as Vice Chair of the Authority’s board (2024 - 2025)
* Broadband Advisory Council - Advises the Governor and General Assembly on broadband deployment policy. Appointed Member (2020 - 2025)
* Online Virginia Network Authority - Focuses on online education and digital learning infrastructure. Appointed Member (2020 - 2022)
* Virginia Housing Commission - A legislative commission studying housing policy in Virginia. Member (2020 - 2025)
* Central Virginia Transportation Authority - Regional authority addressing transportation planning and funding. Member (2023 - 2025)
* Disability Commission - A General Assembly authorized commission focusing on statewide disability policy. Member (2020 - 2025)
* Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Committee - Oversees scholarship administration associated with the landmark education desegregation case legacy. Member (2020 - 2025)
* Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission - Oversees and advises on programs honoring Dr. King’s legacy. Member (2020 - 2025)
* Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind - Oversees the residential VSDB located in Staunton as it serves the educational needs of deaf and blind students in Virginia. Member (2020 - 2024)
Leadership Roles
Over the past six years, I have also been honored to hold several key leadership positions, including the following:
* Chair, Senate Education and Health Committee (2024 & 2025)
* Chair of the Education Committee, Council of State Governments – Southern Region (elected 2025 - present)
* Chair, Senate Subcommittee on Public Education (2020-2023)
* Vice Chair, Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC)
Inaugural Community Event
On Saturday, hundreds of community members from across Virginia joined me in Richmond for a celebration of the people and communities that helped us win November’s elections. Every door knocked, call made, and vote cast led to this moment: with the eyes of the nation on the Commonwealth watching us make history. We are stronger and more resilient together, and together we will forge a path forward in the Commonwealth where a child’s name, a family’s personal struggles, and a community’s identity are not barriers to belonging.
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Congratulations Senator-elect Mike Jones and Delegate-elect Charlie Schmidt
On Tuesday, voters in Senate District 15 and House District 77 sent a strong message by electing Democrats Mike Jones to the Senate and Charlie Schmidt to the House of Delegates. Crucially, the election of Senator-elect Mike Jones to my former Senate district protected our narrow Democratic majority (21-19) in the Virginia State Senate, ensuring that critical priorities such as reproductive health care access, marriage equality, the restoration of voting rights for returning citizens, and more are a reality in Virginia. Both Senator-elect Jones and Delegate-elect Schmidt will be strong partners within the legislature, championing policies that help us build a Commonwealth that is more affordable, equitable, and just.
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Inaugural Activities Schedule
This week marks the lead-up to Inauguration, with activities occurring throughout the week. In addition to inaugural balls for all three executive-level officials, the Governor-elect is hosting a public Made in Virginia Market [[link removed]] highlighting Virginia-based vendors and businesses on Friday, January 16, from 3:00 - 8:00pm in Richmond.
On Saturday, thousands will gather in Capitol Square in Richmond to witness the inauguration swearing-in ceremony for the Spanberger-Hashmi-Jones administration. All inaugural activities will be live-streamed throughout the Commonwealth. Coverage information is available through local listings.
Following the Inauguration on Sunday, January 18, from 2:00 - 4:00pm members of the public are invited to visit Capitol Square for the Executive Mansion Open House. Additional information on Inauguration activities can be found here [[link removed]] .
Select Community Engagements
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On Monday evening, I was honored to join Initiatives for Change’s Town Hall to share my vision for the office of Lieutenant Governor and our new administration’s efforts on key policy priorities focused on economic resilience, a clean energy future, healthcare access, education, and much more.
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On Sunday, I joined the Fairfax County Democratic Committee's “Road to Richmond” Brunch ahead of a consequential legislative session and shared the urgent need to respond to harmful Washington policies affecting Virginians.
Connecting With My Office
Reach out to my office:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 804.698.7515
— Ghazala
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