Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

March 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM

Threats to Medicaid Expansion in Virginia

This week’s newsletter highlights the serious threats to Medicaid Expansion in Virginia, spotlights a few recent press conferences, and shares select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed.  Dear Friend,  This week’s…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

March 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM

Disruptions to Education

This week’s newsletter highlights ongoing disruptions to public education at both the federal and state level; shares the recent work of the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority; reflects on select community engagements from this past week; and shares warm wishes for a Happy New Year to …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

March 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM

Attacks on Social, Education, and Economic Progress

This week’s newsletter discusses ongoing attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, shares an upcoming community town hall, highlights select community engagements from this past week, as well as the upcoming celebrations of Purim and Holi. Thank you for taking the time to read this …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

March 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM

Threats to Medicaid and Education Concerns in Virginia

This week’s newsletter discusses the dire threat that the loss of Medicaid support presents to Virginians and the need to appropriately fund education in Virginia. The newsletter also provides details on upcoming community town halls, shares information on the Virginia Board for People with Disabili…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

February 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM

The General Assembly Has Adjourned

In this newsletter, I explain the historic investments included in the budget agreed to by the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, share my final legislative update for the 2025 session, and highlight our recent “Shadowing the Senator” participant and engagements from this past week. Thank you f…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

February 17, 2025 at 4:58 PM

Heading Into the Final Week of Session

We have wrapped up our fifth week of the session at the General Assembly, and we are now in the final stretch of the 2025 Session. In this newsletter, I share the progress of some of my bills as well as engagements from the past week. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for sta…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

February 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM

Press Conferences and Updates on Legislation

We have wrapped up our fourth week of the session at the General Assembly, passed the Senate’s Budget Bill (SB800), and began hearing legislation from the House of Delegates post-Crossover. In this newsletter, I highlight the several press conferences in which I participated and share engagements fr…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

February 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM

Budget Sunday and Updates on Legislation

We have wrapped up our third week of the session at the General Assembly and are nearing our halfway point. This halfway point is known as “Crossover,” and it is the final date by which all legislation must pass out of its Chamber of origin. In this newsletter, I share information on the Senate budg…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

January 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM

General Assembly Updates

On Friday, we concluded our second full week of session and have several updates to share. In this newsletter, I share updates on my legislation, as well as some highlights from the General Assembly this past week. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed. Dear …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

January 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM

The General Assembly

The first week of session has concluded, and we are preparing for the week ahead. In this newsletter, I provide an update on some of my legislation and share engagements from this past week. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed. Dear Friend,  The first week …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

January 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM

Important Water Information for Richmond City and the General Assembly Convenes Tomorrow

This week’s newsletter provides updates on the ongoing City of Richmond Water Treatment Plant restoration effort, shares information on the upcoming 2025 General Assembly session, including my legislative and budgetary priorities, shares details from my office’s “Pre-Session Town Hall,” and highligh…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

December 23, 2024 at 5:10 PM

Upcoming Pre-Session Town Hall, Open House, and Wishing You Happy Holidays

This week’s newsletter contains my reflections on the Governor’s proposed budget, provides information on our Pre-Session Town Hall and Office Open House, shares updates from recent Commission meetings, highlights our “Shadowing the Senator” program, and features select community engagements from th…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

December 16, 2024 at 5:45 PM

Funding Public Education in Virginia

This week’s newsletter shares information about the Commonwealth’s funding of K-12 education, provides updates on recent legislative meetings, and reflects on select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.  Dear Friend,  This week’s …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

December 9, 2024 at 6:27 PM

Exploring Microtransit with GRTC

This week’s newsletter highlights my office’s recent excursion with the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s (GRTC) LINK microtransit service, provides updates from legislative commissions, and shares select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for stayi…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

December 2, 2024 at 5:03 PM

Constituent Services, Commission Meetings, and Giving Tuesday

This week’s newsletter provides information on constituent services through my office, discusses updates from recent Commission meetings, shares a community engagement from this past week, and commemorates Giving Tuesday. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.  Dear Friend, …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

November 25, 2024 at 5:05 PM

Senate Finance and Appropriations Annual Meeting and the Ruling on RGGI

This week’s newsletter shares information from the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee’s Annual meeting, discusses a recent court ruling on removing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for rea…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

November 19, 2024 at 5:15 PM

Three Constitutional Amendments

This week’s newsletter provides details about the three constitutional amendments that will be introduced this upcoming Session: the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, restoration of rights for returning citizens, and marriage equality; the newsletter also shares information from the Central…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

November 11, 2024 at 5:02 PM

The Presidential Election & Virginia’s Path Forward

This week’s newsletter reflects on the 2024 Presidential Election and Virginia’s path forward, provides updates on recent Committee and Commission meetings, shares a recent Shadowing the Senator Program experience, highlights select community engagements from this past week, and commemorates Veteran…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

November 1, 2024 at 4:57 PM

Youngkin’s Purge of Voters

This week’s newsletter discusses the Youngkin administration’s purge of voters and shares my recent op-ed in the Cardinal News, highlights the Virginia Education Summit and recent Commission meetings, and shares details from select community engagements. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

October 21, 2024 at 4:03 PM

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s Reports on Higher Education in Virginia

This week’s newsletter shares information on the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s recent meeting on higher education in Virginia, discusses National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

October 8, 2024 at 4:00 PM

The Impacts of the US Electoral College on our National Elections

This week’s newsletter explores the impacts of the Electoral College on our national elections, shares information on an upcoming listening session with the Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, and reflects on select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading th…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

September 30, 2024 at 4:10 PM

Early Voting, Free COVID Tests, and More

This week’s newsletter shares early voting information, provides updates from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, highlights how to receive free COVID tests from the federal government, and shares select engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for stayin…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

September 24, 2024 at 5:14 PM

Examining a New K-12 Funding Formula

This week’s newsletter shares information about proposed changes to public school funding, important updates from various Committee and Commission meetings, information on an upcoming event with the Harris-Walz campaign in Henrico, and highlights from events this past week. Thank you for reading thi…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

September 16, 2024 at 6:50 PM

Upcoming Special Education and Health Committee Meeting

This week’s newsletter shares information on the upcoming meeting of the Senate Education and Health Committee, discusses National Voter Registration Day and early voting, and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

September 9, 2024 at 9:55 PM

Community Conversation and a Meeting of the Richmond Delegation

This week’s newsletter provides information on our recent town hall for Senate District 15, the Joint Meeting between the Richmond City Delegation and our School Board, and some of my appointed Commission meetings, and also reflects on select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

September 1, 2024 at 2:45 PM

Sunday Edition Newsletter: Changes to Accreditation and Accountability

This week’s newsletter provides information on recently-adopted changes to Virginia’s accreditation and accountability systems for public schools, shares upcoming events hosted by my office, highlights a new civic education website from the Senate of Virginia, and reflects on select community engage…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

August 26, 2024 at 9:30 PM

The DNC and Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

This week’s newsletter reflects on my time at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this past week, provides information on upcoming events hosted by my office, shares the Senate Page Program application and the “Virginia She Served Business Builder Pilot Initiative,” and highlights select c…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

August 17, 2024 at 2:15 PM

Joint Committee Meeting + ‘Shadow the Senator’ Program

This week’s newsletter highlights the meeting of the Joint Committee of the Senate and House Finance and Appropriations Committees, special presentations provided by my one of my office staff members and by our summer’s Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering & Science (COVES) Fellow, two days of S…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

August 9, 2024 at 3:30 PM

Democratic VP Pick Tim Walz and the National Conference of State Legislatures

This week’s newsletter highlights my personal thoughts on Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. I also share details about my time at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, this past week. Thank you for reading …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

August 2, 2024 at 4:20 PM

Opportunities for Community Engagement and Sales Tax Holiday

This week’s newsletter shares upcoming opportunities for community engagement, provides information on the State Sales Tax Holiday, and spotlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and staying informed. Dear Friend,  This week’s newsletter shares…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

July 29, 2024 at 3:15 PM

Support for VP Harris and Attendance at the Southern Legislative Conference

In this week’s newsletter, I extend gratitude to President Joe Biden for his decades of public service to our nation and enthusiastically endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. I also share some highlights from the Southern Legislative Conference, provide information abo…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

July 20, 2024 at 2:12 PM

Right to Contraception and Special Session

In this week’s newsletter, I discuss our continued efforts around the Virginia Right to Contraception Act, provide updates on the Special Session, share information from recent Commission meetings, and highlight select community events. Thank you for reading this newsletter and staying informed.  De…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

July 12, 2024 at 4:31 PM

The National Forum on Education Policy

This week’s newsletter highlights my participation in two back-to-back conferences in Washington, DC: the K-12 School Finance Thinkers Meeting and the Education Commission of the States’ 2024 National Forum on Education Policy. I also highlight some recent community events. Thank you for reading thi…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

July 1, 2024 at 2:30 PM

The Anniversary of Dobbs and VA Legislation Effective Today

In this week’s newsletter, I reflect on the second anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision and provide information on laws that are effective in Virginia today, July 1. I also share a recent article featuring Laura Akesson, my office’s Commonwealth of Virginia Engine…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

June 21, 2024 at 3:30 PM

Special Session and Primary Election Day

In this week’s newsletter, I provide updates from our recent Special Session of the Virginia Senate, extend congratulations to our Democratic Congressional nominees, reflect on select community engagements from this past week, and share wishes for the recent celebrations of Father’s Day, Eid ul Adha…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

June 15, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Upcoming Special Session and Youngkin’s Actions on Clean Car Standards

In this week’s newsletter, I share information on the upcoming Special Session of the Virginia Senate, discuss the Youngkin administration’s efforts to reverse course on Virginia’s Clean Car Standards, provide updates on recent commission meetings, and highlight select community engagements from thi…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

June 8, 2024 at 2:30 PM

General Assembly and Richmond City Council Joint Meeting

In this week’s newsletter, I summarize the meeting organized by my office that brought together the Richmond delegation and the Richmond City Council for a discussion of priorities for the city. I also highlight recent community engagements. Thank you for reading and staying informed.  Dear Friend, …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

May 31, 2024 at 5:05 PM

Youngkin Vetoes Legislation Protecting Contraceptives

In this week’s newsletter, I provide a final update on two of my bills from this past 2024 Session: the Right to Contraception and the Contraceptive Equity Act. I also share brief details about recent Commission meetings, spotlight the “Shadowing the Senator” program and its participants, and highli…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

May 21, 2024 at 6:14 PM

Protecting the Right to Contraception

Friend, Our Governor claims to be moderate, but would 'a moderate' veto a bill establishing a Right to Contraception?   That's exactly what happened on Friday when the Governor vetoed my Virginia Right to Contraception Act (SB237). This comes after he attempted to gut the legislation, make it a sof…

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  Team Hashmi · [email protected]

May 19, 2024 at 2:12 PM

All the odds were against her...and she won.

We defeated MAGA extremism once, and we can do it again. Friend, Ghazala Hashmi is no stranger to challenges. When she first ran for the Virginia State Senate in 2019, she was a political outsider. No one tapped her to run, no big groups funded her primary race, and no one thought she'd be able to …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

May 17, 2024 at 3:45 PM

Our State Budget + Virginia Universities’ Responses to Student Protests

This week’s newsletter highlights our recent Special Session and the passing of the state’s biennium budget, discusses the upcoming review of Virginia universities’ responses to student protests, and highlights this week’s community engagements. Thank you for reading and staying informed.  Dear Fr…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

May 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM

The State Budget & Upcoming Special Session

This week’s newsletter begins with information on the upcoming Special Session of the Virginia General Assembly, shares information on upcoming recreational activities for all abilities, and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading and staying informed.  D…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

May 4, 2024 at 2:45 PM

Announcing my run for Lieutenant Governor

This week’s newsletter begins with an exciting announcement: I have officially announced my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. The newsletter also shares select community engagements from this past week, and commemorates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Thank you for reading and st…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

May 2, 2024 at 7:12 PM

Lt. Governor

We’re running for Lt. Governor. Will you join us? Friend,  My name’s Ghazala Hashmi, and I wanted you to hear it from me: I’m running for Lieutenant Governor of our great commonwealth of Virginia. I’d like to tell you a little bit more about why I’m running, but if you’re ready to join our campaign …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

April 26, 2024 at 3:05 PM

Updates on the Budget and the Upcoming Special Session

This week’s newsletter reflects on the ongoing budget discussions, my staffer’s recent visit with the Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Virginia; it also provides information about Library of Virginia On the Go and highlights a few community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading and …

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

April 20, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Reconvene Session and Chesterfield CTE

This week’s newsletter discusses the outcomes of 2024 Reconvened Session, reflects on a recent tour of our Chesterfield Career and Technical Education Center - Hull Street Campus, shares information on an upcoming civic engagement opportunity in Chesterfield County, provides updates from the Virgini…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

April 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Reconvene on Wednesday: Amendments, Vetoes, and the Budget

This Wednesday, April 17, the General Assembly will reconvene in Richmond to address the Governor’s amendments and vetoes to bills passed during the 2024 Session which ended just over a month ago on Saturday, March 9.  Dear Friend, This Wednesday, April 17, the General Assembly will reconvene in Ri…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

April 6, 2024 at 2:45 PM

Right to Contraception Tour

This week has been busy with travel: a tour of restaurants participating in Chesterfield County’s first annual Restaurant Week, and a press tour across Virginia to put a spotlight on The Right to Contraception Act, a bill that the governor has yet to sign. This week’s newsletter highlights the Right…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

March 29, 2024 at 4:01 PM

From Virginia to SCOTUS: Reproductive Health Care is Under Attack

This week’s newsletter discusses some of the political and legal concerns we face regarding reproductive health care within Virginia and the United States; reflects on office engagements from this week, including my town hall with Chancellor Doré as well as a recent “Shadowing the Senator” experien…

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  Ghazala Hashmi · [email protected]

March 22, 2024 at 4:18 PM

Who has presented a backwards budget?

Now that we are post-Session, members of the General Assembly are awaiting the Governor’s actions on the many bills that passed out of both Chambers, many of which required long days and weeks of discussion, negotiation, and compromise. The Governor has already vetoed many items of legislation, some…

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