We just ended the 6th week of the 2022 Virginia General Assembly Session and we made it through the crossover. This newsletter has updates and news on the Commonwealth and the 93rd district. Keep reading to hear about what happened this week in the General Assembly, local announcements, and more!
The Sixth Week of Session in Review
We finished debating all the house bills with the floor session on Monday going until 10 pm, we crossed over and now will vet all of the Senate Bills. The legislation will go through the same process by going through committees and will be voted on the house floor before being sent to the Governor’s desk.
Interview on the Green Book
I was glad to be interviewed on POD Virginia earlier this week alongside Delegate Jeion Ward about the historic importance of the Green Book. Businesses like BayShore Beach in Hampton have been overlooked and they deserve more attention than they receive for the services they provided during segregation. Jeion Ward shares her personal experiences and family stories about her experience with Green Book businesses.
Link to Podcast
Legislative Updates & Crossover
This week we had a number of bills finish their journey in subcommittee, full committee, and for some votes on the floor:
- HB 496 our bill to change the term “incapacitated adult” to “vulnerable adult” for the purposes of the crime of abuse and neglect of such adults
- Passed the House (100-Y 0-N)
- HB 497 this bill creates a penalty for the misuse of power of attorney; financial exploitation of incapacitated adults passed the House
- Passed the House (99-Y 0-N)
- Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
- HB 502 our bill to give credit for time spent in confinement while awaiting trial
- Passed the House (99-Y 0-N)
- Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
- Overall we brought seventeen bills to session and only three made it through the committee process, the house floor
As things wrap up in the house and legislation swaps chambers we are eager to hear your opinions and have your support on any bill you care about!
See a full list of our bills HERE
Our Budget Amendments:
Earlier this session, I had the opportunity to speak about a few of my budget amendments on the house floor. All of these amendments to the house budget will help to ensure that our district receives funding for important projects. Here is a list:
- Item 468 #1h, Encroachment Mitigation – Joint Base Langley Eustis
This amendment sets aside $350,000 per year of the biennium to be used for encroachment mitigation in the vicinity of Joint Base Langley-Eustis. A military construction project that will commence in calendar year 2022 will build a new access control point on approximately 13 acres of property in Newport News. Funds allocated for land purchases will be matched on a 1:1 basis by non-State dollars.
- Item 136 #6h, Soundscapes
This amendment provides $90,000 each year from the general fund to the City of Newport News for the Soundscapes music education program. This program teaches critical life skills to socio-economically disadvantaged youth through a rigorous, daily after school curriculum beginning in second grade through high school.
- Item 148 #1h, Christopher Newport University – Operating Support
This amendment provides $5.0 million in operating support for Christopher Newport University. 2022 was the fourth consecutive year of level tuition, a smaller freshman class, one-time funding sources, and cost pressures.
Crossover 2022 The bigger picture by VPAP
Just over half of the bills introduced at the start of the year are still active.
Tuesday was the deadline for legislation to pass its chamber of origin. Some 1,344 measures survived and now “crossover” to the other chamber for consideration before the scheduled March 12 adjournment of this year’s General Assembly session.
Floor Speech: Felon Disenfranchisement
This past Monday I gave a speech on the house floor about some important amendment to Virginia’s felon re-enfranchisement process. Under current law, the state of Virginia allows those who have committed felonies and have served out their time in prison to appeal to receive their voting rights back. This is a major step towards a better democracy, however, there are some lingering issues with the current system. Currently, around 8% of all Virginians have been disenfranchised and this is in part due to the non-automatic nature of the system. It is time for Virginia to join other states across the country and take measures against more Virginians becoming disenfranchised. Your fundamental rights should not depend on who is the governor of your state.
You can watch my whole speech here!
Mentions in the Press
Blue Virginia: Del. Danica Roem, Del. Mike Mullin Argue for Marriage Equality, Ex-Felon Voting Rights Constitutional Amendment Resolutions
WYDAILY: From Both Sides: Parents’ Choice Regarding Masking in Virginia’s Public Schools
Crossover Virtual Town Hall
Join the Newport News General Assembly delegation on February 23 for a Crossover Virtual Town Hall. Legislators will give a brief update on the 2022 session and hear from residents on state-level issues important to you. Register Here: bit.ly/NNDelegationTownHall
That’s all for this newsletter, thanks for reading! Keep connected with our office by calling (757) 525-9526, emailing DelMMullin@house.virginia.gov, or @mikemullin4va on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Be well,
Mike