I am very proud of the community and the passionate
advocates who made the trip to Richmond to tell their stories and urge the
committee members to pass the bill. Some had heartbreaking stories, like a
woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to drive herself to doctor’s
appointments because her husband was not allowed a driver’s license. Another
woman had to resume driving for her whole family just one week after giving
birth.
It was breathtaking to see so many of these committed
Virginians hold up a wave of American flags as they asked to legally share our
roads and be a more integrated part of our communities. The committee room was
packed wall-to-wall with petitioners, who themselves were only a fraction of
the over 3000 people who signed the petition asking the Senate to pass SB 390.
Despite the bill being passed by indefinitely yesterday, I consider
the accomplishments of the Drive Virginia Forward movement a success, along
with how many supporters were gathered in the General Assembly Building
yesterday. This movement and the people behind it have my wholehearted support
and if we do not pass legislation this year providing temporary driver’s
licenses, we will be back next year to try again.
This is awesome, Scott! Makes me proud to know and support you!
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