Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Greetings from Richmond!  Today, the 2015 session of the Virginia General Assembly was gaveled to order.  This is technically a "short" session, which will last approximately six weeks.  But during that time, we will take on a number of issues that will affect our daily lives.  These include how to balance our state budget while protecting core services, whether to expand Medicaid, changes to campus sexual assault policies, proposed gun safety legislation, stronger ethics rules for elected officials, and redistricting reform -- just to name a few.

Your opinion is very important to me.  Please take a few moments to let me know where you stand on some of the issues likely to come before the General Assembly by filling out my 2015 Constituent Survey.  I will distribute the results near the end of the session to those who provide their address.

I also hope you will join me for my annual Town Hall meeting with Senator Chap Petersen on Saturday, January 31st.  The forum will take place from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Fairfax City Hall, 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax.  It is a point of pride that I live in a community where so many people come out to share their ideas and priorities!

During the session, I will once again provide you with weekly updates about action on important topics and the status of my legislative agenda.  This year I am carrying 15 bills that address issues including ethics reform, affordable housing, how to assist struggling schools, protecting personal information, restoring the Chesapeake Bay, and economic development.  I will provide more details next week, but you can get a glimpse by clicking here.

Finally, if you are interested in visiting Richmond during the session, please contact me at [email protected].  My Legislative Assistant, Rama Van Pelt, and I will be happy to help you set up a tour of the Capitol, reserve seating for a House of Delegates floor session, and offer recommendations of other places to visit while in Richmond.