Del. Terry Austin reports back to Botetourt
Greetings to the Constituents of Virginia’s 19th House District:
The General Assembly completed what is supposed to be the eighth and final week of the 2020 Session. Unfortunately, we do not have a budget and have thus been required to extend session past the traditional sixty-day deadline. While not unprecedented, the situation we find ourselves in is not one that should instill confidence in Virginians. As such, I will continue to travel to Richmond until we have passed a balanced budget, as required by the Constitution of Virginia.
As budget negotiations progress, I will continue to advocate for the reasonable allocation of taxpayer money, economic opportunity, and the improvement of our education system. This includes my budget amendments to create a regional health sciences program, ensure that two important health sciences courses are still offered in our college system, and restore online Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) funding. It is important that we take the opportunity to expand educational opportunities for Virginians and satisfy the current needs of our region’s economy. These targeted investments in our education system will provide the opportunity for students of all ages to play an active role in strengthening our economy.
Two gun control bills passed this week. They seek to institute background checks and restore the one-handgun-a-month law. My colleagues and I were able to temper these two specific bills by ensuring both that background checks do not apply to gun transfers and that the one-gun limit does not apply to people with concealed carry permits. Families should be able to pass down their heirlooms without interference, and licensed concealed carriers should be treated as the responsible gunowners they are.
Overall, seven of the Governor’s eight gun control measures passed the General Assembly. Though these bills passed with the new majority, the efforts by law abiding citizens to temper them had a moderating effect on the most egregious attempts to diminish our Second Amendment right. Moving forward, we must continue to look at this issue through the lens of mental health.
As for my legislation, I am pleased to report that my bill to create a funding mechanism to attract airline service in our region was agreed to in conference and passed the House and Senate this past Saturday, March 7th. This bill will help Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, and airports throughout the Commonwealth, to attract new flights and new business. I am hopeful that the Governor will understand the economic development benefits that this fund will have for areas across Virginia and look forward to it being signed into law.
My bill to implement bonding for the improvements to Interstate 81 was incorporated into the Speaker’s transportation omnibus bill. The ability to bond this project will expedite the first 63 improvements by ten years and is crucial in addressing the safety and reliability issues as quickly as possible.
My bill to expand membership to organizations such as the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority has been passed by both houses and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. The deadline of which is April 7th. As I have said before, increasing participation in these authorities will help facilitate the expansion of broadband in our region and the Commonwealth, and is vital for increasing economic and educational opportunities in the areas that need it most.
A bill to create The Office of the Children’s Ombudsman, of which I am chief co-patron, also passed through both bodies on Sunday. This newly created office will oversee all aspects of the foster care system and ensure that it is protecting children as effectively as possible. I worked across the aisle to ensure funding for this office and look forward to it being signed into law.
As always, please contact my office to let me know your position on current issues. I can be reached on the Richmond office phone number (804) 698-1019 or via email to deltaustin@house.virginia.gov. The General Assembly Building continues to be renovated and my office is now located at Room E405 in the Pocahontas Building on 900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
Sincerely,
Delegate Terry L. Austin
19th House District
