By Todd Pillion
The 2024 Session of the Virginia General Assembly kicked off at noon on Wednesday, January 10. Following November’s state legislative elections, coupled with recent redistricting, there has been significant turnover and shifts at the State Capitol. With a Republican governor and slim Democrat majorities in the Senate and House, passing anything into law hinges on the ability to work together in a bipartisan manner.
Since this is the beginning of a new term, all senators were officially sworn in with the oath of office on Wednesday. Shortly after, we adopted organizational and procedural rules for the Senate and received committee assignments. In addition to being reappointed to the Committee on Education and Health and Committee on General Laws, I am excited to begin new appointments on the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee as well as the Senate Rules Committee.
The state budget is the single most important and complex piece of legislation that is considered by the General Assembly. This year we will adopt a new budget and I look forward to having an active role in shaping that process alongside my colleagues on the Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Following our business on Wednesday, the Senate and House hosted Governor Youngkin to offer his State of the Commonwealth address.
In it, the Governor discussed his administration’s accomplishments and laid out his vision for Virginia in the coming years.
The Governor laid out an ambitious agenda. This includes legislation to keep Virginians safer from violent crime and destructive street drugs, a proposal to allow students to earn career credentials while completing their high school diplomas, and improvements to our mental health care system, to name a few.
In the coming weeks, I will closely review the Governor’s proposals as they go through the legislative process. I look forward to working with the Governor to improve our schools, make our neighborhoods safer, and ensure every Virginian has the skills and the opportunity to obtain a good job, as well as delivering a fiscally sound state budget that invests in Virginians and our future.
On Thursday, the Senate Education and Health Committee got straight to work where we took action on eight bills.
The week also consisted of meetings with fellow legislators, state agency heads, constituents, and representatives of various groups in preparation for session.
Local bankers from Southwest Virginia were among the first constituent groups to visit our brand new General Assembly Building. Delegate Kilgore, Delegate O’Quinn, and I enjoyed meeting with various representatives to discuss banking, finance, and regulatory issues.
The General Assembly Building is where individual Senate and House member offices are located during the legislative session and is the site where most committee meetings take place. It is located adjacent to the State Capitol. If you plan on visiting us during session, please reach out to us to schedule an appointment.
During session, our office can be reached by phone at (804) 698-7506 and by email to [email protected]. Please note that this contact information has changed since redistricting.
