Hopeful for 2022

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Dear Friend,

The 2022 legislative session starts January 12th. A new session is like the first day of class, there is always lots of anticipation about what twists and turns may lie ahead. 

Many of you may be anxious about the upcoming session, but let me assure you that the Senate Democrats will be a “brick wall” in protecting the progress we have made over the past two years. There will be no reversals on issues such as: access to voting, sensible gun safety laws, removing barriers to safe and legal abortion care, and addressing climate change.

I have always believed, however, that you never win a game by just playing defense. Virginians are suffering from economic and emotional stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and our human infrastructure systems, such as schools and hospitals, need our help. My legislative agenda addresses these pressing problems. Highlights of the agenda are noted below:

Teachers - In addition to a 10% raise over a two-year period, I will be sponsoring a bill to make it easier for immigrants who are licensed teachers from another country to teach in Virginia schools under a provisional license.

Health Care - During the pandemic we learned that telehealth can remove such barriers as excessive cost, the lack of transportation, and the need to take time off of work for someone who needs care. Working with the Virginia Telehealth Network and other providers, my bill will permanently fast track licensing requests from doctors practicing in states surrounding Virginia, if those states have reciprocal agreements with Virginia. 

Behavioral Health - I will be submitting budget proposals that increase capacity and access along the entire spectrum of behavioral healthcare. More dollars will be allocated to community-based care; crisis recovery centers, and psych beds. Most importantly, dollars will be targeted to increase pay to our behavioral healthcare professionals.

Improving Reimbursements to Providers - Our healthcare providers are leaving the profession, stating that they are burned out and feeling under-valued. Many cannot understand why individuals are not being vaccinated when preventive measures are available - this pandemic has taken its toll. 

In an effort to buttress our hospital and provider systems, it is my hope that our recent increases in provider reimbursements through the Medicaid program, and other funding streams will continue and be enhanced. The quality of our healthcare systems depends upon Virginia taking action.

Addressing Climate Change - I am sponsoring legislation to make it easier and more affordable for low-income homes to install solar panels and other upgrades. I will also be sponsoring a bill to require public buildings that are replacing or upgrading roofs of a certain size to be solar ready. The Sierra Club, Virginia Grassroots Coalition, and other environmental activists are supporting these bills.

Child Care Subsidies - I am working with a broad range of stakeholders to continue child care subsidies for those up to 85 percent of the state median income while a parent is unemployed and looking for work. We are also attempting to remove time limitations on the subsidy program for eligible parents.

Foster Care Prevention - My proposal creates the opportunity for relatives or fictive kin to access public support payments under a joint custody agreement when children must leave their biological parents for a temporary period of time. Studies show that children do so much better when they are placed with relatives or family friends in those unfortunate situations when a parent must be absent.

In summary, I look forward to keeping you posted on the development of these major initiatives. With the increasing spread of the omicron variant, I would advise you to abandon plans for in-person visits to the General Assembly during the 2022 session. Instead, I encourage you to contact my office through email or by phone. My staff is also willing to arrange zoom calls in lieu of in-person visits. 

We are in this together, and we will prevail over whatever challenges may come our way.  Take care and stay safe.

Sincerely,