Week 3 - School Choice, Sanctuary Cities and Guns

    

As the third week of the 2017 Legislative Session kicks off, we are setting some unusual records.  The number of visitors to the General Assembly Building has reached numbers not seen in 30 years.  About 4,900 visitors are pouring into the Capitol each day and security lines reached far into the Capitol Square.  My staff and I meet with nearly 150 people a day.  We are also on course to break our record for the largest number of emails during a session at approximately 9,000 in 45 days.   Here are a few of my bills this year: Protecting Girls From Brutality One of my most controversial bills is SB1060, which makes female genital mutilation a crime.  Twenty-four states have passed laws to outlaw this brutal practice.  Genital mutilation is the ritual removal of the female genitalia. This gruesome practice is typically performed in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and this is now spilling over into America. Many families fly their daughters out of the country to skirt the law and perform this violent mutilation elsewhere. However, my legislation will not only make genital mutilation a crime, but it also gives a woman standing to sue her parents years later if they mutilated her as a little girl. Concealed Carry Permits My bill, SB1362, will allow active duty military personnel to carry concealed without a special permit.  This bill was hotly debated but passed the Senate by a vote of 22 to 18.   Search Warrant Bill I have reintroduced SB1262, a bill to hold Sanctuary Cities accountable for any property damage or injuries committed by people in the country illegally.  I expect it will be heard in committee soon.    Protecting Voter Integrity This year I have submitted SB1455, a bill to make it illegal to pay people to register to vote.  This bill passed out of committee and is on its way to the full Senate for a vote.   School Choice I am co-sponsoring Delegate LaRock's House Bill 1605, a School Choice bill. This bill establishes a Parental Choice Education Savings Account.  You can see a full list of my legislation here. If you are visiting Virginia's historic Capitol between now and February 25th, please remember to stop by my office and say hello.  We're in office 311 of the General Assembly Building.  If you have any issues of particular concern to you, I welcome your comments at District13@senate.virginia.gov or a letter to Senate of Virginia, P.O. Box 396, Richmond VA 23218 or you can call my office at 804-698-7513. Warm Regards, Richard H. Black Senator of Virginia, 13th District   Thank you to everyone who helped us go over 27,000 Twitter followers!   Follow us on  Twitter and Facebook to keep up with events in Richmond. ______________________________________________________________________________ www.SenatorBlack.com  AUTHORIZED AND PAID FOR BY BLACK FOR SENATE

2017 Legislative Session: Week 3

96th District, Virginia House of Delegates                                           January 27, 2017 Stay Connected!         www.BrendaPogge.com Contact Delegate Pogge Richmond Office  General Assembly Building Room 403 P.O. Box 406 Richmond, VA 23218 Phone: 804-698-1096 Fax: 804-786-6310 DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov    Legislative Aide Amanda Johnston Amanda@brendapogge.com What a week! Monday began with driving rain and gusty winds. By Wednesday, the sun was shining as temperatures reached the mid-60's. Rain or shine, though, one factor remained constant: record-breaking crowds at the Capitol. Daily public attendance has consistently topped 4,500. The halls and elevators are continually full of Virginians who are making their voices heard.  As a legislator, I truly appreciate seeing so many citizens visiting the seat of government here in the Commonwealth. A consistent theme heard from visitors is education. From early childhood to K-12 to higher education, Virginians expect a strong system of education. Here are just a few ways we are working to address this priority. Early childhood: Delegate Jimmie Massie is carrying House Bill 1963, legislation making families with at-risk four year olds (who are not served by Head Start) eligible for tax credits to enroll in a pre-k program. K-12: Did you know that in 2016 the House budget sent 31% of lottery funds--$272 million--back to local school divisions? This mechanism gives local schools more flexibility by not requiring matching funds or mandating how the funds must be spent. In regard to innovation, Delegate Dickie Bell is carrying House Bill 1400 establishing Virginia Virtual Schools so students are not bound to brick-and-mortar buildings for their education. Instead, they can take classes offered all over Virginia. Higher education: College costs are soaring, and students are graduating with staggering debt. Delegate Kirk Cox is carrying House Bill 2427, legislation to incentivize students to complete their degrees on time. The bill increases financial aid funds as students progress through their academic career.  How much are you paying for healthcare? With the cost of healthcare continuing to rise, consumers need tools allowing them to compare costs. I am pleased to share a resource for finding the average price of healthcare services. The Virginia Health Information Healthcare Pricing Transparency Report allows consumers to compare average prices of commonly performed procedures. Lear more by visiting www.vhi.org/HealthcarePricing. Still time to visit! Based on the number of visitors this week, I can only conclude that Virginians are accepting legislators' invitations to visit Richmond. As a longtime political acitvist, I'm excited to see so many voters engaged in the legislative process. A few of the visiting groups include: AARP Avalon Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance Home Educators Association of Virginia Historic Virginia Land Conservancy LEAD Historic Triangle Military Officers Association of America OneVirginia2021 Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association Virginia Education Association Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy Williamsburg Area Transit Authority As always, please remain in touch with me by email at DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-698-1096. If you find yourself in Richmond, my office is located in Room 403 of the General Assembly Building at the corner of 9th and Broad Streets. Have a great weekend!     Delegate Brenda Pogge Paid for and Authorized by Brenda Pogge for Delegate

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2017 Legislative Session: Week 2

96th District, Virginia House of Delegates                                           January 20, 2017 Stay Connected!         www.BrendaPogge.com Contact Delegate Pogge Richmond Office  General Assembly Building Room 403 P.O. Box 406 Richmond, VA 23218 Phone: 804-698-1096 Fax: 804-786-6310 DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov    Legislative Aide Amanda Johnston Amanda@brendapogge.com With the first full week of session drawing to a close, legislators are wrapping up final committee meetings before heading home to their respective districts today. One of the most important aspects of serving as a "citizen legislator" is taking the time to listen to constituent feedback. In addition to receiving input via email and phonecalls while in Richmond, I enjoy talking with constituents at home in the district. Returning to Williamsburg each weekend allows me to hear in-person feedback so that I can best represent residents of the 96th House District. One sentiment I frequently hear is frustration with regulations and bureaucracy. While not all regulations are undesirable, they should be transparent, fair, and impose minimal financial burdens on businesses and families. Several House members have submitted bills to strengthen public input requirements on newly proposed regulations, create accountability for those agencies that think they should be exempt from public input, and generally scale back the tremendous amount of regulatory burden working professionals currently experience. I understand firsthand these challenges, and I look forward to working with my House colleagues to support this legislation. For information on the proposed Red Tape Reduction Commission, click HERE. Please also take a minute to read the recent Daily Press article outlining these initiatives. 2017 Legislative Survey Thank you to all who have completed my 2017 survey, either online or via hard copy. If you have not yet done so, please take a minute to submit the survey online by clicking HERE. Results will be provided during the upcoming weeks.  Amending the Budget During this year's short session, legislators are focused on adjusting Virginia's biennial budget. Accordingly, the House Appropriations Committee is tasked with hearing budget amendments and making final recommendations. Although I am not an Appropriations Committee member, I am able to submit budget amendment requests. I introduced only three requests, one of which would provide funding for a mobile crisis team for a local agency, Colonial Behavioral Health. A mobile crisis team provides 24-7 on-scene evaluation, treatment, and interventions for individuals and families who are dealing with a mental health crisis. Click HERE to read the budget amendment. Visitors welcome! The past week brought a great many visitors to the General Assembly Building. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was exceptionally busy, as many Virginians took advantage of the holiday and traveled to Richmond to lobby their representatives. Although my hectic committee schedule frequently kept me away from my office, I appreciate all of the constituents who took the time to visit. Some of the groups represented are listed below: Americans for Prosperity Greater Williamsburg Partnership League of Women Voters March of Dimes Registrars & Electoral Board Members Virginia Citizens Defense League The College of William & Mary If you are unable to visit, you may reach me via email at DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-698-1096. If you find yourself in Richmond, my office is located in Room 403 of the General Assembly Building at the corner of 9th and Broad Streets. Enjoy your weekend!     Delegate Brenda Pogge Paid for and Authorized by Brenda Pogge for Delegate

Brenda Pogge for Delegate, P.O. Box 196, Norge, VA 23127 SafeUnsubscribe™ alexanderofyork@gmail.com Forward email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by brenda@brendapogge.com in collaboration with Try it free today

more big news & more t-shirts

Mary --   Take a moment and smile -- today is Obama's last day in office!   Tomorrow at noon Donald Trump becomes the 45th President of the United States.   I've never been more optimistic about the future then I am right now.   But Mary, you and I must not rest on our laurels.     Now is not the time for complacency    Now is the time to push forward and finish the job Donald Trump started by taking Richmond back from the political elites this November.   That's why I'm counting on you to let me know you're with me by chipping in a generous contribution of $25 so I can send you a campaign t-shirt in the mail.     But before you order your shirt, Mary, please allow me to share some more big news with you.   On Tuesday, I told you how numerous Ted Cruz Presidential campaign staff had joined our team to help take Richmond back.   Today, on the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration, I'm excited to announce 12 more members of the Virginia Trump Team are publicly supporting my campaign.   All in all, Mary, that's nearly 25 members of the Virginia Trump Team working together with you and me to take back Richmond!   These men and women formed the backbone of Trump's Virginia campaign, helping him raise more than $1 million dollars in the Commonwealth.   And they're now using that same passion, drive and determination to help us defeat Terry McAuliffe and his liberal elite allies.   I've included a full press release down below with more details and information for you.    Mary, this is our year.   The wind is in our sails.   Please join me in the fight to take back Richmond by chipping in $25 to get your Stewart for Governor shirt shipped directly to you.   Thanks in advance for your support.   And remember, Mary -- today is Obama's last day!   -- Corey     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Corey Stewart Overwhelmed by Additional Trump Team Support Woodbridge, VA -  The Virginia Trump Team continues to unify behind Corey Stewart for Governor. These hard working men and women formed the backbone of the Trump campaign in Virginia, and strongly support Corey's pledge to "drain the swamp", partner with the Trump administration to remove criminal illegal aliens, and bring jobs back to Virginia. Just as Donald Trump places great emphasis on loyalty, so do his supporters throughout the Commonwealth. Says Kristina Johnson, "Corey has backed President-elect Donald Trump from the very beginning and never wavered on that support. I know he will work hand in hand with the Trump administration to carry out Mr. Trump's agenda to make America great again." Annette Truelove adds, "His strength of character and courage of conviction are exactly what we need leading Virginia into the future under President Trump." These leaders know that Virginia cannot afford to elect another Washington insider like Terry McAuliffe. Diane Weber, the Trump Campaign's Albemarle County Chairwoman, strongly endorses our campaign, stating "Corey has a track record of good governance and conservative leadership, and a solid Northern Virginia constituency that the GOP needs to win a statewide election. Corey is the only one who can bring Virginia back into the red-state fold." Eli Valentine, who served the campaign in Norfolk and Chesapeake, is unequivocal: "We defeated the establishment in Washington and now it's time we do it right here in Virginia. We need a governor with strong conservative values and fresh ideas." Shaun Franck supports Corey "without hesitation," adding that "Corey's track record speaks for itself. He has been a leader in fighting illegal immigration in Prince William County, he wants to make Virginia competitive again, and bring jobs back to the Commonwealth. I will work my hardest to see that he is Virginia's next Governor!" Corey Stewart responded when told of the news, "I am so proud to announce the support of these tremendous grassroots leaders and activists. They were instrumental in the Trump campaign here in Virginia and I am honored to have them on my team. With their support, I know that our anti-establishment, conservative message will resonate across the commonwealth as we work hard to take back Virginia from the corrupt insiders." New Trump Team Endorsements Diane Weber - Albermarle County Chairwoman, Donald J. Trump for President Ken Reid - Loudoun County Chairman, Donald J. Trump for President Heather Mitchell - Regional Field Organizer (1st District), Donald J. Trump for President Eli Valentine - Field Organizer (Norfolk/Chesapeake), Donald J. Trump for President Shaun Franck - Hanover County/Ashland Volunteer Coordinator, Donald J. Trump for President Kristina Johnson - Richmond Volunteer Coordinator, Donald J. Trump for President Annette Truelove - Charles City County Volunteer Coordinator, Donald J. Trump for President David Lucy - Outreach Director, Student Trump Coalition Virginia Alexis Rucker - Co-Chair, Student Trump Coalition at Liberty University Jordan Gray - Chairman, Student Trump Coalition at CNU; Ministry Leader, Clocktower Ministry Matthew Lempke - Chairman, Student Trump Coalition at VCU Rhonda J. Brier - Campaign Motorcade Team Member, Donald J. Trump for President Previous Trump Team Endorsements: Jack Morgan - 9th District Chairman, Donald J. Trump for President Alice Butler-Short - Founder and State Director, Virginia Women For Trump Ronald L. Hedlund - Henrico County Chairman, Donald J. Trump for President; 7th District State Central Committee Member Lynn Rash - 9th District Co-Director, Donald J. Trump for President Brandon Howard - 4th District Coordinator, Donald J. Trump for President; Chairman, Republican Party of the City of Hopewell Brian M. H. Landrum - Student Activities Director, Donald J. Trump for President; Chairman, Student Trump Coalition Virginia William I. Totten - Smyth County Volunteer Coordinator, Donald J. Trump for President Joshua Rosene - Regional Field Director for Roanoke & New River Valley, Team Virginia Robin Richards - 2nd District Regional Field Director, Donald J. Trump for President Michael Herzberg - Hanover County Volunteer Coordinator, Donald J. Trump for President Scott Knuth - National Pro-Trump Delegate, 8th Congressional District Zachary Dunn - Co-Chair, Student Trump Coalition at Liberty University Christianné L. Allen - Intern to Senior Advisor Mike Rubino, Donald J. Trump for President   Click HERE or the image above to chip in a generous gift of $25 or more to receive your Corey Stewart for Governor T-Shirt in the mail. Copyright © 2017 Stewart for Governor, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in through our website or attended one of our events. Our mailing address is: Stewart for Governor PO Box 2128 Woodbridge, VA 22195 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list