by Del. Margaret B. Ransone
It has been a busy fourth week in Richmond. While many of us have been working on good policy, others have gotten bogged down in arguments that deal with sexual harassment training, arguing over my personal rights to carry a concealed weapon to protect myself while in Richmond and a new idea to tax voters $100 per year instead of accepting donations.
These arguments have been taking up floor time and cause further divisions instead of moving forward on important issues.
However, my bills have been moving through the legislative process.
House Bill 1405 would increase the number of members on the state board of elections from three to six making it an even number, three members are from each party making the board bi-partisan. The bill passed the House and moved to the Senate.
House Bill 1404 would amend the Code of Virginia to authorize certified restaurants and retail markets to purchase processed snakehead and sell in Virginia markets. The bill passed the agriculture subcommittee.
House Bill 1491 would authorize the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to convey a permanent easement and right of way across the Rappahannock River, so Dominion Energy can rebuild its transmission line underground. The bill passed the agriculture subcommittee.
House Bill 1020 would allow local school boards to set the school calendar and determine the opening day of the school year. The bill passed the House and moved to the Senate.
Also, I presented to the House appropriations subcommittee a budget amendment that increases pay for sheriff’s deputies. The deputies are on the front lines and put themselves in harm’s ways to protect our communities, they serve with honor and yet we continue to have more demands with less pay. I will push hard for this budget increase.
This week my office was visited by many groups and constituents from Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, King George 4H, Secretary Hopkins for Veterans and Defense Affairs, Kenny Pinkard of Omega, former Ms. Virginia Senior America 2016 Rebecca Nunn and current Ms. Senior Virginia America 2017 Dr. Cheryl Davis.
