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Greetings, friends!
It was another busy week here at the General Assembly considering and advancing legislation and meeting with stakeholders and constituents. Below, I've included need-to-knows about the impending storm, a summary of what happened in the Capitol and updates regarding my legislative work.
For additional announcements and updates, please follow me on Facebook [[link removed]] , Instagram [[link removed]] , X/twitter [[link removed]] , and Bluesky [[link removed]] .
Winter Storm Need-to-Knows
Here are some resources to ensure that you can stay safe, warm, and informed during this time:
- Watch Governor Spanberger's press conference [[link removed]] about the storm, how the state is preparing, and what to expect.
- Visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Website [[link removed]] for more information on winter storm preparation . Make sure you have sufficient essentials, including food, water, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, and medications for each person and pet in your household sufficient to last at least 72 hours. For more tips and information, see Henrico County's Community Preparedness Guide [[link removed]] .
- ︎For FEMA ’s Ready campaign, go here [[link removed]] .
- Check the National Weather Service here. [[link removed]]
- Avoid traveling if at all possible. If you must travel, visit 511Virginia.org [[link removed]] or call 511 for road condition updates and follow these tips [[link removed]] (from a fellow native of update New York!) Go here for GRTC [[link removed]] service updates and snow routes.
- Report power outages or emergencies here. [[link removed]]
- For those in need of emergency shelter , Richmond’s Cold Weather Shelter (1900 Chamberlayne Avenue) is open with extended hours through at least Tuesday, January 27th. The Salvation Army Central Area Command operates the facility with partial support from Henrico County. More information is available here [[link removed]] and or call 804-653-5707.
- Make a note of key phone numbers and links for Henrico County residents:
* Water/Sewer: 804-501-5025
* Downed Trees: 804-727-8300 (West End), 804-652-3975 (East End)
* Henrico County Police: 804-501-5000
* Dominion Energy: 866-366-4357
* Richmond City Gas Works: 804-646-4646
* Emergencies: 911
* Register for Henrico County Emergency Alerts here [henrico.gov/services/henrico-alert/] . Otherwise, follow Henrico County Government and Departments' social media channels here [[link removed]] .
- Keep in mind that following the snow, sleet, and ice, several days of extreme cold are forecast. Make sure you take steps now to keep your pipes from freezing [[link removed]] . Read the steps below, in the case that you do need to shut off your home's water supply:
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Highlights of my Second Week of Session
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On January 21st, advocates, my fellow legislators, and I came together to push for more housing supply [[link removed]] . We talked about bills that would increase our housing stock and curb the current shortage. The cost of housing is crushing working Americans. We must do something about it to make sure Virginia remains a great place to do business and raise a family!
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January 23rd was my first day chairing the Rehab and Social Services Committee. Among other things, we passed the marijuana market bill. After five years of work, we should begin the process of setting up a legal, regulated, and most importantly, safe market.
My Legislative Updates
This session [[link removed]] , I've been assigned to the following committees: Education & Health, General Laws & Technology, Local Government, Rehabilitation & Social Services, and Rules. I also serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation & Social Services and Chair of the Public Education and Housing Sub-Committees.
For a full list of the bills I am carrying this session and to track their progress, search here [[link removed]] . In the meantime, since I am carrying so many bills, each newsletter I'll focus on the bills that saw action. Here are those updates
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Housing Bills:
- SB 77 [[link removed]] (Zero Lot Lines): Makes it easier for individuals who own older homes to make repairs to the exterior of their house when it hits their neighbors' property lines.
Status: Passed the full Senate (34-Y 5-N) and will head to the House for consideration after crossover.
- SB 490 [[link removed]] (Construction Loan Fund): Allows the Department of Housing & Community Development to dedicate up to 5% of the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to providing lower-interest loans for the construction of mixed-income housing developments.
Status: Assigned to the Senate Committee on General Laws & Technology's Housing Subcommittee.
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Voting & Elections Bills:
- SB 57 [[link removed]] (ERIC): Virginia would rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to improve the accuracy of voter rolls, expand access to voter registration for all eligible Virginians, reduce election costs, and streamline the election process.
Status: Reported from the Senate Committee on Privileges & Elections (8‑Y 7‑N) and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations.
- SB 65 [[link removed]] (ELECT Deputy Roles): Makes the two deputies of the State Commissioner of Elections regular civil service positions, and not political appointees .
Status : Re-referred from the Senate Committee on General Laws & Technology to the Senate Committee on Privileges & Elections (15-Y 0-N)
- SB 76 [[link removed]] (Presidential Year Primaries): Would require all primaries in a presidential election year be on the same day, on Super Tuesday in March.
Status: Unfortunately, despite passing last year, this bill f ailed to report (6-Y, 9-N) from the Senate Committee on Privileges & Elections
Education Bills:
- SB 167 [[link removed]] (Higher Ed FinAid Reform): Consolidates Virginia's two higher education financial aid programs, the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) and Fund with the Virginia Commonwealth Award to establish the Virginia Commonwealth Award in the Code of Virginia. The VGAP would be phased out and the fund would maintain the eligibility criteria of the Commonwealth Award.
Status: Reported from the Senate Committee on Education & Health and re-referred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
Looking to the future, if you would like to discuss any of my legislative priorities, share an opinion, request a meeting, or if you’d like for me to come and share a legislative update at an event, please do not hesitate to contact my office at: [email protected] [[email protected]] .
Yours in service,
Schyuler VanValkenburg
Senator, 16th District
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Paid for by VanValkenburg for Virginia
VanValkenburg for Virginia
PO Box 28782
Richmond, VA 23228
United States
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