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Post Adjournment Session Update
Dear Friends:
The 2022 Session concluded on Saturday, March 12, however, there is much work to be done. While the General Assembly completed much work, we haven’t finished our most important job: the biennial budget.
The House of Delegates was fully prepared to stay in Richmond and keep working to ensure that the people’s business got finished. Senate Democrats, however, insisted on leaving town. This move has consequences. Not only are letting tax relief wait at a time when Virginia families need it most, they’re leaving school systems and other local governments hanging on their own budget planning.
Why? The reason is simple — Democrats want to force a special session which would give them an opportunity to kill any recess appointments made by the Governor. They are putting tax relief, school funding, and other priorities on hold just to ensure that the Governor can’t appoint judges or members of several boards.
This is frustrating, but not surprising. Last week, Senate Democrats voted down all of Governor Youngkin’s Parole Board nominees in a partisan ploy to “teach the House a lesson”. As a result, they permanently blocked great public servants, such as Sheriff Hank Partin of Montgomery County, from serving on the Parole Board. This is shameful behavior that puts political chess before the citizens of Virginia.
I hope Democrats will put the gamesmanship aside soon and come back to the table. It is truly sad because despite stark disagreement on certain issues, the Senate Democrats are taking away from a lot of great, bipartisan work that was done this Session.
I will keep you updated on developments regarding the Special Session to address the General Assembly’s unfinished business. Additionally, we are scheduled to meet on April 27 to consider the Governor’s recommendations to legislation. I will provide a comprehensive end of Session update once the Governor has acted on remaining legislation.
Thank you for your support. I am proud to go to work for you in Richmond, and despite partisan setbacks, I believe this will turn out to be a very good Session for Virginians.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
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