Weekly Column: Budgeting Is a Careful Balancing Act

The following is my column that will appear in this week's Mt. Vernon Gazette in the first week of January in 2023.   

Budgeting Is a Careful Balancing Act

                 In December, Governor Youngkin proposed amendments to the state’s two-year budget.  While he did include some laudable proposals, he also continued to promote some unacceptable strategies.

               Virginia’s revenue picture continues to be very positive, but many of our advisors have indicated that our revenue gains could be ephemeral.  First, inflation continues to be up and when things cost more, people spend more and employers give raises to keep up with inflation.  Since Virginia’s General Fund is largely funded by sales and income taxes, our revenues are up compared to some past years.

Weekly Column: Continuing Our Progress - Working for You

The following is my column that will appear in this week's Mt. Vernon Gazette in the week of November 28, 2022.   

Continuing Our Progress - Working for You

            It has been an honor to serve our community in the Virginia legislature for the last 12 years.  I am letting you know that I will run for re-election to represent the 34^th District in the Senate of Virginia in 2023.

A New District
            The redistricting of state and federal elected officials’ districts made substantial changes in the Senate district I have represented for the last six years. The area of Fairfax County south of Alexandria and east of Interstate 95/495 is currently divided between three state Senate districts.  After the election in 2023, there will only be one district and it has been renumbered as the 34^th Senate District similar to the configuration in our area before 2001.  The new boundaries are roughly everything in Fairfax County south of Alexandria, west of the Potomac River, north of the Occoquan River and east of the CSX railroad tracks that run from Alexandria to Richmond, Pohick Creek and the former Lorton Prison.  

The New 34th Senate District 

Yellow Line Service Follow Up: Alternative Service Options

Several Alternative Travel Options Available While Yellow Line Service is Suspended

Need help navigating your options? Check out: https://novatransit.org/programs/novarides/

YELLOW LINE PASSENGERS: As you may recall, back in March the WMATA announced they are suspending Yellow Line service across the Potomac between Pentagon and L’Enfant stations for eight months, starting Sept. 10th, 2022. You can see my blog post about it here: Yellow Line Service Disruptions. As promised, I wanted to provide you with information for alternative service options while the Yellow Line is suspended.

WMATA is providing several travel alternatives over the next eight months. This includes free shuttle bus service, alternative rail routes, free passage on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and Northern Virginia supplemental services from DASH, OmniRide, and Fairfax Connector. Riders can plan ahead by visiting the project’s Service Impacts and Travel Alternatives information webpage now.

Weekly Column: Working for a Safer, More Efficient Transportation System

The following is my column that will appear in this week's Mt. Vernon Gazette in the week of August 1, 2022.   

Working for a Safer, More Efficient Transportation System

This is an update on several important transportation projects underway in our area, including the U.S. 1 Speed Study, undergrounding utilities on U.S. 1, the I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study, and the Youngkin Administration’s reallocation of transit funds.

Since 2017, we have seen the following on U.S. 1 in Fairfax County:

• 1,785 crashes
• 1,185 injuries
• 15 deaths

The per-lane-miles-travelled accident rate between Fort Belvoir and Hybla Valley is 70% higher than the Virginia and Fairfax County averages.  From Hybla Valley to Alexandria it is 40% higher. These are troubling numbers.  The $800 million widening of U.S. 1 and construction of bus rapid transit will bring significant safety improvements and is being engineered with lane widths assuming a 35 MPH speed limit.

Sign the petition to Underground Utilities on U.S. 1

On July 26, Mt. Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck is bringing a board matter before his colleagues that would raise the funds to finally underground utilities on U.S. 1 and other revitalizations areas in Fairfax County.  His plan creates a revolving fund with revenue raised by a utility fee capped capped at $1/month and reimbursed by development proffers.  Fairfax County is the only jurisdiction in Virginia authorized to impose this fee.

Weekly Column: U.S. Supreme Court Puts Virginian's Safety at Risk

The following is my column that will appear in this week's Mt. Vernon Gazette in the week of July 4, 2022.   

U.S. Supreme Court Puts Virginian's Safety at Risk

The U.S. Supreme Court on June 23 issued a disturbing decision on guns, the New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen case, which clarified the scope of firearms rules declared by the Supreme Court in a previous case, D.C. v. Heller, decided in 2008. This is yet another disappointing decision from that court, like the one I wrote about last week,  the Dobbs case, which would severely limit women’s reproductive rights.

                Before 2008, American courts interpreted the Second Amendment as authorizing states the freedom to regulate their militias – today’s National Guard.  In Heller, the Court invalidated the District of Columbia’s handgun ban and requirement that rifles in the home be stored with trigger locks and unassembled.  This was the first time the Court found such a right existed. 

Weekly Column: The U.S. Supreme Court Decision Threatens Women’s Fundamental Rights

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of June 26, 2022.

The U.S. Supreme Court Decision Threatens Women’s Fundamental Rights

Last week the U.S. Supreme Court issued three very important decisions: Carson v. Maikin, New York Rifle & Pistol Assn v. Bruen and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org. (Dobbs).  The Carson case relates to taxpayer funding of religious schools.  NY Rifle affects firearm violence prevention.  Dobbs eviscerates a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions.  This column addresses the Dobbs decision.  I will discuss NY Rifle next week, Carson and the Governor’s budget amendments in future columns. 

             The Dobbs case overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade decision which has been the law of the land since January 22, 1973.  That decision held that the right to privacy embodied in various amendments in the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights gave women a constitutional right to make their own healthcare decisions.  Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the Roe case was wrongly decided and should no longer stand. 

Weekly Column: Historic Investment In K-12 Education

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of June 7, 2022.

                Last week, I wrote about some of the local effects of the bipartisan budget agreement that we sent to the Governor last week.  This week I will write about some of the broader issues addressed in the budget.

               First, I was not pleased with the tax cuts which I believe are short-sighted.  The budget contains several other priorities I do not support such as a new $100 million “college laboratory school” program and new funds for school resource officers, but bipartisanship requires compromise.   

Weekly Column: You Can't Always Get What You Want

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of May 31, 2022.

               On Wednesday of this week, I cleared my trial calendar and headed to Richmond to vote for the bipartisan conference report on our $188 billion state budget.  The compromise was a mixed bag.  This week, I will write about some local priorities in the budget.  Next week, I will write about the coming tax cuts and some of the broader investments that benefit the entire Commonwealth. 

               First, the Commonwealth’s current fiscal picture appears healthy but I have serious concerns that our excess revenues are largely driven by $5 Trillion of federal stimulus monies that have been pumped into our economy instead of solid underlying economic fundamentals.  It is very dangerous to reset tax rates assuming revenues that could vanish when the stream of borrowed money fizzles out. 

2022 Little Hunting Creek Cleanup!

 

Mark your calendars to join me, Delegate Paul Krizek and Friends of Little Hunting Creek for our annual creek cleanup!

Details are as follows:

2022 LITTLE HUNTING CREEK CLEAN UP
APRIL 30TH
9 AM - 11 AM
RSVP: bit.ly/CreekCleanup2022

Weekly Column: Session Ends - Budget Is Pending

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of March 14, 2022.

Session Ends - Budget Is Pending

Last week, state legislators completed the 2022 General Assembly session and 18 of the 27 bills I introduced are now on their way to the Governor.  Unfortunately, we were not able to reach an agreement on a state budget, on two state Supreme Court justices or on a commissioner for the State Corporation Commission and will have a special session.

               Last week, I served on 16 conference committees charged with working out compromises on some of our most difficult bills to reconcile.

Unfortunately, the House of Delegates unexpectedly killed one of my bills to generate more bike and pedestrian solutions.  We have a massive backlog of unfunded pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure projects in Northern Virginia - especially in eastern Northern Virginia which were built before County land use rules required sidewalks or bike lanes on roads.  There is also no meaningful funding stream under which these projects are competitive so planners do not even develop or seek significant projects.  

Yellow Line Service Disruption Across Potomac

 WMATA Announces Yellow Line Construction: Service Across the Potomac to Pause for Renovations

YELLOW LINE PASSENGERS: The WMATA has announced they will be suspending Yellow Line service across the Potomac between Pentagon and L’Enfant stations for seven to eight months, starting Sept. 10th, 2022. 

Weekly Column: Last Week On Tap: House Kills Five Bills

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of March 7, 2022.

Last Week On Tap: House Kills Five Bills

               Last week, Week 7 of the 2023 Regular General Assembly Session, brought major action on many bills.  This coming week, no committees can meet after Monday and the session is scheduled to end on Saturday, March 12.

               The House of Delegates killed seven of my 25 remaining bills.  First, SB246 required law enforcement officers to advise a driver why they were stopped before asking for their driver’s license and vehicle registration. I introduced this bill after a constituent from Kingstowne ended up in the local news after she was stopped and charged with driving while intoxicated and after she asked why she was stopped.  She blew a 0.00% breath alcohol concentration and her case dismissed, but the entire situation was avoidable.  This policy is consistent with Virginia law enforcement accreditation standards, Virginia State Police and Fairfax County Police policies, but the Virginia Sheriffs Association opposed it and a House committee voted the bill down on a party-line vote. 

Weekly Column: Senate and House Set Up Fight Over $3 Billion Tax Cut

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of February 28, 2022.

Senate and House Set Up Fight Over $3 Billion Tax Cut  

               In the sixth week of the General Assembly Session each chamber offered their proposed budgets.  Each chamber’s budget is very different.

               First, I was able to secure several changes to the budget that are important to our community.  The Senate Finance Committee included $10 million in the budget to fund the Phase II improvements at Widewater State Park.  Phase II will include a new visitor center, new trails, a loop road, parking areas, and picnic areas.  I have been fighting for this for five years and I am working with Delegate Candi King and Delegate Tara Durant to ensure the House of Delegates will agree to fund it.

Weekly Column: Juvenile Deception, Facial Recognition and Medical Record Transparency

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of February 21, 2022.

Juvenile Deception, Facial Recognition and Medical Record Transparency

               The sixth week of the General Assembly brought us to “Crossover” – the moment when each chamber must finish work on bills originating in each chamber and we begin work on bills coming from the other side.

               Twenty-five of my twenty-seven bills were passed by the Senate and will now be heard in the House of Delegates.  On the last day of session, I defended eight bills on the floor of the Senate alone.  I will discuss several in this column that I have not covered in prior columns. 

Weekly Column: Last Week in Richmond: 25 Bills Moving

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of February 14, 2022.

 Last Week in Richmond:  25 Bills Moving

  In the General Assembly, the first week of February is always the week we deal with difficult and controversial legislation and this year was no different. 

               I have introduced 27 bills and 25 appear headed for passage to the House of Delegates, one was tabled and referred for study at my request and one was killed. That bill was intended to make serving in the General Assembly more realistic for people whose employers would not be supportive of service in a part-time legislature like ours.  

Week Four: Bills Moving in Richmond & Retail Marijuana Under Discussion

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of February 1, 2022.

Week Four:  Bills Moving in Richmond & Retail Marijuana Under Discussion

In the fourth week of the General Assembly’s session, several of my 27 bills advanced.

The Senate passed my resolution to create a two-year study between the House and Senate to evaluate the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response.   If adopted by the House of Delegates, this will be a major, two-year evaluation with recommendations about lessons learned.

One of my bills would place our projected $1 billion surplus from the Virginia 529 Plan into an endowment fund to create 2,000 full-ride scholarships for female and minority students who would have been denied admission to Virginia universities before 1900 because of gender and race-based discrimination practices.  I asked that the bill be tabled and referred to an ongoing study about the surplus.  Various Senate committees have favorably acted on all of my other bills so far.  

Weekly Column: Named Chairman of Two Subcommittees & Bills Are Moving

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of February 1, 2022.

Named Chairman of Two Subcommittees & Bills Are Moving

    In the state legislature’s third week in session, the Senate passed and sent to the House of Delegates five of my bill and many of my other bills advanced.

    First, I was named the Chairman of two different subcommittees.  The Senate Commerce & Labor Committee Chairman created a Labor & Employment Subcommittee which I will chair and consider 11 bills focused on workforce issues.  I was also named the Chairman of the Criminal Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee which will consider 19 bills addressing criminal justice issues. 

Opposing Names Changes to Mt. Vernon District and Hollin Hall Precinct

Senator Scott Surovell sent the letter below to the Fairfax County Redistricting Committee which is considering changes to the names of the Mount Vernon Magisterial District and Hollin Hall Precinct.

The Fairfax County Redistricting Committee is meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 6-8 pm to consider their recommendations.

Senator Surovell Opposes Mount Vernon Name Change Letter by Scott A. Surovell on Scribd

Weekly Column: Week #2: A New Governor, Bills Moving & Budget Amendments For SD36

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of January 24, 2022.

Week #2: A New Governor, Bills Moving & Budget Amendments For SD36 

In the second week of this year’s General Assembly, Governor Youngkin gave his State of the Commonwealth speech to a joint session of the House of Delegates and Senate and we began serious work on over 2,000 bills. 

               While I was pleased that Governor Youngkin said he wants all Virginians to get vaccinated for COVID-19, supports a Chesapeake Bay cleanup and ending raw sewage discharges into the James River, he also advocated for many policies that many people of the 36^th Senate District do not support, policies like charter schools and funding cuts to schools and our transportation. 

Senate committees advanced several of my bills recently. 

Weekly Column: A New Day in Richmond and Many Challenges

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of January 15, 2021.

A New Day in Richmond and Many Challenges

               As the Virginia General Assembly begins its 2022 session, my 13^th, I look forward to working with Governor Glenn Youngkin, the new House of Delegates leadership and other legislators to reach a consensus on the best direction for our state.

              While I did not support them, I attended Governor Youngkin’s inauguration and  swearing in, along with the swearing in of Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares.

Budgets Reflect Priorities

               No matter what happens with other bills, one thing we are required to accomplish this session is to pass a budget.  Thanks to federal pandemic funds, Virginia has significant excess revenues in our two-year budget cycle that ends on June 30, 2022.  A little over half of those revenues will be appropriated to the “Rainy Day Fund” and to mandatory water quality improvement. 

Winter Storm Watch: What you need to know

UPDATE: 8:00 AM, 1/17/2022

VDOT Update

There is no longer a Winter Weather advisory in effect, however continue to proceed with caution.

• Crews continue to treat roads for icy spots. Treat anything that looks wet as if it could be ice, especially bridges and overpasses. If there is snow or ice on roadways, travel is hazardous.

• Continue to avoid or delay trips if possible to give trucks room to work and treat icy areas. Temperatures will remain around freezing most of the day, causing potential icy conditions especially on ramps, bridges, overpasses and other elevated surfaces.

Winter Storm Warning: What you need to know

UPDATE: 11:00 PM, 1/6/22

VDOT, VA Dept. Of Emergency Management, Natl. Weather Service Update

VDOT and other agencies provided an update earlier today on the storm moving through the Commonwealth tonight. Here are a few highlights:

• There's a 10-40% chance that Fairfax and PWC get 6+ inches
• This is going to be a very cold and gusty event which means there will be snow drifting and piling up but it won't be heavy so hopefully not as many trees down.
• Snow will be over by 8 am tomorrow morning.
• Interstate system is clear of snow now. Primary roads are between clear and minor blockages. Secondary streets are mostly clear or moderately snowy. Fredericksburg still has some severely blocked roads.
• We have over 1 million cubic yards of debris down on the roads hampering recovery effort. NoVA has over 200,000 cubic yards - mostly trees. The big ice storm last year only produced 500,000 statewide.
• VDOT is working to clear trees tangled in power lines and coordinating with power companies.
• This storm tomorrow is going to be different from Monday's. It's going to start as snow which means VDOT can pre-treat roads this time. All interstates are pre-treated. Most arterials are, too. 
• Pavement temps are above freezing so we shouldn't see as much ice at the outset.

School Closures

Fairfax County School buildings will be closed tomorrow with no virtual learning.

Click Here For Fairfax School Closures

Prince William County Schools are closed Code Green.

Click Here for PWCS School Closures

UPDATE: 10 PM, 1/5/22

VDOT Update

VDOT crews are ready for snowfall and wintry precipitation forecast across northern Virginia tomorrow evening.

As always, residents are asked to track the latest forecasts, plan ahead to avoid nonessential travel during winter weather, and to be aware of the potential for black ice and nightly refreeze as temperatures remain low.