Last week the General Assembly kicked into high gear holding committee hearings to review the thousands of bills considered during the “long” 60-day session. Seven of my bills have passed through committee and I am proud to report that two of them — one providing photo identification cards for private investigators, the other protecting the safety of asbestos workers — have passed the Senate by comfortable margins.
The annual tradition of gun safety groups and Second Amendment advocates converging on Capitol Square continued on Martin Luther King Day as I met with people on both sides of the issue to hear their perspectives. I am sponsoring three measures to prevent gun violence this year, the first of which would have penalized adults for allowing toddlers 4 and younger to handle firearms; sadly, this bill did not survive committee. A second piece of legislation to require universal background checks was combined with another member’s bill and awaits further consideration, while the third — prohibiting intoxicated people from carrying loaded weapons in public — will be considered this week.
Last Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee heard each senator present their budget amendments to be considered in the Senate budget that will be released in mid-February. I proposed several budget amendments, including funding to foster the development of the unmanned aerial systems industry, the creation of an Office of Immigrant Assistance, and the addition of new Department of Labor and Industry safety and health inspectors to bring us up to the federal government’s recommended benchmark employment level. I also submitted a budget amendment to fund a Commission Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. I will continue working with colleagues to see that as many of these amendments as possible are included in the final budget that the General Assembly sends to Governor McAuliffe.
Due to last week’s blizzard, two of our town hall meetings have been rescheduled. I hope Mother Nature will be more cooperative so that you can join me at one:
- Arlington: Saturday, Feb. 6, 10-11:30 a.m.
Walter Reed Community Center – 2909 16th Street South, Arlington, 22204
with Del. Alfonso Lopez
- Alexandria: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2-3:30 p.m.
Mt. Vernon Community School – 2601 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, 22301 with Del. Mark Levine
Mt. Vernon: Saturday, Feb. 20, 12:30-2 p.m. Whitman Middle School – 2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, 22306 with Sen. Scott Surovell and Del. Paul Krizek
Lee District: Saturday, Feb. 20, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Hayfield Elementary School – 7633 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, 22315 with Sen. Scott Surovell, Del. Mark Sickles and Del. Paul Krizek
Please share your thoughts on legislation and other state-related matters with me by emailing district30@senate.virginia.gov. Follow me on Twitter @AdamEbbin and Facebook at www.facebook.com/EbbinCampaign. You can sign up for my weekly email updates and check town hall postponement notices at www.AdamEbbin.com.
It is my continued honor to represent the citizens of the 30th Senate District.