2022 marks my third regular session representing the people of Loudoun and Prince William County in the Senate of Virginia. As always, I am deeply honored and humbled by the faith that my constituents place in me each year to represent them. This year, things are a little bit different from previous years as we welcome the newly elected Governor Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, and Attorney General Jason Miyares. I am committed to finding common ground with our new statewide leaders wherever it can be found, while still opposing any policies that I feel are not in the best interests of the 13th District.
This year, I am bringing up 21 bills on a variety of different topics, including transportation, energy efficiency, National Guard recruitment, charitable gaming, campaign finance reform, affordable housing, and election security. I want to highlight a few of these bills for you today.
SB463: This bill would forbid political candidates from using campaign funds for personal use, including mortgage/rent, personal travel, and tuition. It’s essential that Virginians be able to trust that lobbyists and special interests are not padding the personal pockets of our elected officials, and that candidates are not profiting from running for office.
SB254: This creates a third-party licensure for alcoholic beverage deliveries, as well as extending the cocktails-to-go program until at least June 2024. During the pandemic, deliveries of alcoholic beverages and cocktails have been a lifeline for our struggling restaurant and hospitality businesses, and I have already worked to codify this program to help our small businesses in Virginia. This bill would allow the program to continue with necessary health and public safety regulations.
SB312: This bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and implement a statewide housing choice voucher program to assist low-income Virginians to secure safe and affordable housing. It’s no secret that many Virginians are in dire need of affordable housing options, especially here in Loudoun where housing prices are rapidly rising. This bill would help to alleviate that pressure for the most vulnerable among us.
In addition to the bills I am working on, I am also proud of the bills that we are defeating in the Senate. On the Privileges and Elections Committee, we were able to defeat several bills that would have restricted voting access. In addition, in General Laws and Technology we defeated bills that would have rolled back our hard-won gun safety laws that we've passed in the past two years. Lastly, in Commerce and Labor, my colleagues and I blocked a bill that would have prevented an increase in Virginia's minimum wage that's scheduled for next year. I am committed to protecting the progress that we've made here in Virginia.
