This is the second week of the 2023 Virginia General Assembly and our work is beginning to pick up. This newsletter contains updates and news on the Commonwealth and the 93rd district. Keep reading to learn more about what happened in Richmond this week, my legislative priorities, and more!
The 2nd Week of Session in Review
This week started with solemn remembrances of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Many members of the Virginia General Assembly took this time to speak about how their lives were impacted by Dr. King.
Also on Monday, Delegate Roem and I gathered with some of our House colleagues to present our plan for providing free breakfast and lunch for all Virginia public school students.
Link to HB 1967
Link to Budget Amendment
Coverage of the press conference
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Legislation aims to provide free school meals for all VA students
13NewsNow: Free school meal legislation heads to General Assembly
Virginian Pilot – Virginia schools would provide free meals for all students under bill sponsored by 3 Hampton Roads lawmakers
On Thursday we were grateful to select a clergy from our district to lead us in the invocation at the beginning of the House session. Reverend Lisa Green from St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, Virginia delivered a heartwarming invocation.
Team Mullin’s 2023 Legislative Priorities
Three of our bills have been referred to the Committee on Courts of Justice:
–HB 1959 enables courts to go to a final determination on competency when an initial evaluator has determined the defendant to be unrestorably incompetent
–HB 1960 Repeals mandatory minimums for many nonviolent and drug-related offenses
–HB 1961 Family abuse protective orders; relief available, password to electronic device.
Four bills have been referred to other committees:
–HB 1966 Workers’ compensation; failure to timely pay compensation.
-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Energy
–HB 1967 requires school-provided breakfasts and lunches for all public school students
-referred to the Committee on Education
–HB 1965 Virginia FIOA; required release of law-enforcement disciplinary records
-referred to the Committee on General Laws
One bill is awaiting referral:
–HB 1964 City of Newport News, charter amendment, alters certain advertising requirements.
One bill has made it through the committee process:
–HB 1968 an agency bill to designate Green Book historic sites with markers.
-reported unanimously from the Committee on Agriculture Chesapeake & Natural Resources
–HB 1962 City of Newport News charter amendment, on real estate assessment.
-reported unanimously from the Committee on Cities Counties and Towns
Budget Amendments
This week member request to amend the state budget became available to view HERE. All of our asks will help to ensure that our district receives funding for important projects:
136#67h– Security Renovations in Newport News
This amendment provides $8.0 million from the general fund to support security and modernization renovations at Richneck ($1.5 Million) and Dutrow ($5.5 Million) Elementary Schools in Newport News with Open Classroom layouts. This was a popular design for schools in the early 1970s but does not meet modern security needs. Four second-grade classrooms at Richneck were designed for an open format. This amendment will add doors to the main hallway leading to the classrooms which will have the capability to be locked.
386#12h– Preservation of Archaeological Evidence Near James Fort
This amendment provides $500,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2024 to assist in the preservation of archaeological evidence at Jamestown Settlement, due to the ongoing threat of tidal flooding, sea level rise, and inundation in the area. The funding would assist Preservation Virginia and Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation to conduct research, catalogue features and artifacts, and care for recovered artifacts.
126#6h– Historic Study of the Green Book in Virginia
This amendment provides $97,000 in fiscal year 2024 from the general fund for the Virginia Tourism Authority and Department of Historic Resources to conduct a historic study describing Green Book sites in Virginia. The information gathered will accelerate and simplify the listing of these properties on the Virginia Landmarks Register, making them eligible for potential sources of funding, highway markers, and increase public education about the Green Book and Black History in Virginia.
Highlights From the Week
In the News:
Peninsula Chronicle: Newport News/ Williamsburg Airport Announces Partnership With William & Mary
13NewsNow: Virginia advocates, lawmakers push for gun violence prevention following Richneck school shooting
W&M News: Williamsburg Bray School, moves from W&M to Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area February 10th
WYDaily: Virginia Receives Federal Funding for Rail Projects, Including Newport News Transportation Center
Newport News Gov: U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $640,994 to Grow Seafood Industrial Park in Newport News
DHCD News: 2023 Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot Program Awarded Projects
13NewsNow: Virginia lawmaker seeks funding for security renovations at Richneck Elementary School
As always, thank you 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