I'm the last Republican Delegate representing Northern Virginia, working to undo these bad laws. Please help keep me on the job by donating before our deadline tomorrow, midnight, June 30.
Here are a few links which recap new laws from 2020 Session:
Some House Democrats' Bad Bills (Don’t Take Bill Titles Too Seriously)
An example: “HB 1526 Virginia Clean Economy Act.” Which would be more accurately referred to as, "THE 20% NEW ENERGY TAX INCREASE WHICH WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON CLIMATE ACT." Regional Greenhouse Gas agreements will add another 10% to energy bills. Another example: Senate Bill 868 – The Virginia Values Act, more accurately titled ,"RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DESTRUCTION ACT."
Public Safety: Public Safety is one of the first and highest duties of the General Assembly. Republicans have worked every year to hold accountable those who would harm our fellow Virginians, and ensure that our laws keep up with the changing times and changing threats.
For more than two decades, those tried and convicted in Virginia have known they will serve the sentence given to them by a judge or jury. Governor Allen's abolition of parole made our streets safer, and led to the current low crime and low recidivism rate we see today. House Democrats passed legislation that will make eligible for parole an estimated 280 violent offenders in Virginia. Those who will now have the ability to come before the Virginia Parole Board include rapists and murderers. Democrats also rejected common-sense legislation that would increase the penalties for those who commit violent crimes with firearms.
House Democrats also passed legislation that would end mandatory reporting to law enforcement for serious crimes committed in our schools such as sexual battery and stalking. House Democrats claim they want to keep neighborhoods and communities safe, but their legislation will make it harder to hold accountable those who commit crimes.
Finally, Democrats passed HB 582, which will allow public employees, including law enforcement, to enter into collective bargaining agreements, which make it more difficult to fire bad employees. Read more here about why that's the wrong way to go, especially right now.
Energy: Republicans have consistently supported policies that ensure our constituents and businesses have reliable and affordable energy. Because of our leadership, Virginia residents and businesses have some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation. As public opinion has shifted to emphasize having more renewable sources in Virginia’s energy portfolio, Republicans have embraced realistic, market-based approaches to diversifying Virginia’s energy production.
Republicans’ approach to energy has been an ‘all-of-the-above’ position that incorporates renewables with our existing fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. This approach allows Virginians to have reliable, affordable energy and take into account the communities that rely on energy production while promoting a cleaner environment.
Unfortunately, House Democrats have made it quite clear that they want to end fossil fuel energy sources as quickly as possible, regardless of the short- and long-term consequences of such policies. While Republicans have managed a gradual incorporation of renewables, and prevented catastrophic energy policies from being enacted, the 2020 General Assembly Session was different.
House Democrats passed some of the most aggressive changes to energy policy in the country, moving to a completely renewable portfolio of sources by 2045. This legislation will increase electric bills by 23.9 percent, according to House Democrats.
Taxes (A summary of all tax increases is online here) On taxes, Democrats quickly implemented new or additional taxes on Virginians. Republicans have worked to cut taxes as much as possible. The new taxes and fees being levied by House Democrats will undoubtedly be felt by Virginians soon, and hinder economic recovery. The new and increased taxes passed this session total almost $2 billion.
Education: Public education is an important issue. Republicans in the General Assembly have championed increased funding for public schools and higher teacher pay, all while adopting reforms to the SOLs and making sure more money is spent in the classroom. Republicans left Democrats a K-12 educational system that is one of the best and safest in the nation. This year’s budget, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, made significant new investments in education, but we'll have to wait until August to see how those plans have been impacted by the Governor's lockdowns.
Elections: A number of changes were made to Virginia’s election law. These include:
2nd Amendment: The General Assembly passed 7 out of 8 gun control bills endorsed by Governor Northam. Democrats have abandoned all pretense of moderation in their pursuit of gun control. Where they were once content to nibble around the edges of the Second Amendment, now that they’re in control they’ve adopted criminalizing law-abiding citizens, banning the most common firearms and magazines, and demanding citizens turn over their lawfully purchased property as their central policies. Republicans are committed to stopping gun violence, but we’re committed to doing it in a way that respects the Second Amendment -- and a way that works.
Family, Life, and Religious Liberty: The 2020 General Assembly saw Democrats move forward in their quest to abandon “safe, legal, and rare” and implement policies that will roll back longstanding law designed to protect women and ensure an informed decision is being made about an abortion. Additionally, under these new policies, those who may perform an abortion has been drastically expanded. They also passed several bills ensuring that LGBT activists will step up their attacks on religious organizations, including churches, schools, foster/adoption placements, and many other community services.
Anti-business legislation - I covered this last week, read more here.
I hope this newsletter helps you be aware of what's new, and why we need to return our legislature to Republican control. Tomorrow night is a reporting deadline for campaign finances; if you can contribute to help me hold this seat, I would appreciate your support!
Sincerely,
