Nearly a month into the legislative session, the House is busy reviewing a wide range of bills that will impact our Commonwealth. We are quickly approaching Crossover, the midpoint of the legislative session where the House and Senate must complete work on their own bills so that they may ‘crossover’ to the other body for consideration. With that deadline approaching, our daily floor sessions continue to grow in length to ensure we get our work done in a timely fashion.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
This past week, several key pieces of legislation were brought before the House for a vote. Here’s a few key items that are worth mentioning:
On Wednesday, the House passed House Bill 4 with a vote of 59-40. HB 4 reinstates the mandatory reporting requirement to law enforcement of serious crimes taking place in schools, including sexual assault. I previously voted for this bill when it came before the House Education Committee last week, and I did the same when it came to the full House vote.
House Bill 127 likewise passed the House on Wednesday with a vote of 50-48. HB 127 restores a race-blind admission process to Virginia’s renowned Governor’s schools while strengthening middle school curricula to ensure students are academically prepared.
House Bill 435 tackles one of several necessary reforms for the Virginia Parole Board that Virginians have been asking for. Passing 52-48, this bill will change the frequency in which parole hearings occur from every year to every three years. This bill will support victims of violent crime and their families by ensuring that painful memories are not constantly brought back to the surface.
OFFICE VISITORS
This week I had the privilege to meet with some groups who play integral roles in our community. Here’s a few pictures we snapped during their visits.
IN THE NEWS
Here’s a few news articles you may find of interest:
- States moving fast after Congress failed to expand felon voting rights
- Republican Delegate A.C. Cordoza was rejected from the Black Caucus, watch his response
- Virginia Senate Democrats reject bills to ban ‘inherently divisive’ teaching concepts, help expand charter schools
- Chesterfield creating the region’s first court docket that will provide support to military vets who run afoul of the law
- Virginia’s GOP governor wants to join parents’ lawsuit against school mask mandates
It is an honor to represent you and your family in the Virginia House of Delegates. Please reach out to me with concerns on any bills making their way through the legislative process or if you need assistance with a state agency. My staff and I stand ready to assist you in any way possible.
Sincerely,
Mike Cherry