52nd District September Newsletter

by | Oct 2, 2023 | 2023 Election, Newsletter, Session 2023

Happy Labor Day! Today, we honor and appreciate the incredible contributions and relentless spirit of workers who shape our world. Your dedication and hard work drive our progress and contribute to our future. We thank you for everything you do.

Budget and Special Session Update

I am happy to announce that after months of discussion, the House of Delegates and the state Senate conferees have agreed upon a revised budget for the current 2024 fiscal year. We created a budget that makes significant investments in education, natural resources, and jobs.

The budget includes a one-time rebate check of $200 (individual filers) and $400 (joint filers) for those who filed their taxes earlier this year. We are proposing an increase of $645.3 million in state support for public education funding. We are investing $155.6 million into mental health services, including crisis receiving centers, community-based children’s mental health services, and targeted pay raised for all Community Services Board staff. The budget also includes an additional 2% pay raise for all state employees and a reinstatement of the “sales state tax” that will be held the third weekend of October.

The House of Delegates and the Senate will meet on September 6th in Richmond. On this day, we will review and vote on the final passage of the revised budget. To watch us live, you can visit virginiageneralassembly.gov.

If you want to read the budget in its entirety or learn more about it, please click here.

2024 House and Senate Page Program

Applications are now open for the 2024 House and Senate Page Programs. The Page Programs, open to 13- and 14-year-olds, provide an immersive 60-day educational opportunity to experience firsthand how the Virginia General Assembly operates while in session. 

Applications for the House Page Program are due Monday, October 16, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. You can find the House Page Program application here.

Applications for the Senate Page Program are due Friday, October 20, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. You can find the Senate Page Program application here.

If you live in our district, please reach out to let me know you applied! 

Early Voting

The voting season starts this month in the Commonwealth for our House of Delegates, state Senate, Board of Supervisors, and School Board representatives.  

Prince William County residents may cast their vote early Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and only Sunday, Oct. 22, Saturday, Oct. 28 & Saturday, Nov. 4 until 5:00 p.m., at any of the below locations:

Locations Open Starting Friday, September 22, through Saturday, November 4

Locations Open Starting Tuesday, October 24th through Saturday, November 4

Curbside voting is available for seniors and voters with disabilities at all in-person voting locations in designated parking spaces. Drive-thru voting is not available.

If you would like to update your address or learn more information about your polling place, please visit: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/Lookup/polling 

Election Day is November 7, 2023, but there’s no need to wait until then to cast your vote. If you would like more information about who is on the ballot and how to vote, please visit: https://www.pwcvotes.org/

I-95 and Route 123

Interchange Improvements

The Virginia Department of Transportation is holding a virtual public information meeting on September 28th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the I-95/ Route 123 Progressive Design Build Project.

Currently, I-95 averages about 200,000 vehicles a day at the interchange, and Route 123 averages about 62,000. This project aims to improve traffic flow, safety, and bicyclist/pedestrian accessibility and connectivity.

For more information on the project and the link to the virtual meeting, please click here.

2023 Endorsements

Since the last District newsletter, my re-election campaign has received some exciting new endorsements. I now have endorsements from CASA in Action and Roe Your Vote Virginia.