February 10, 2025 Newsletter
Dear friends,
We have wrapped up our fourth week of the session at the General Assembly, passed the Senate’s Budget Bill (SB800), and began hearing legislation from the House of Delegates post-Crossover. In this newsletter, I highlight the several press conferences in which I participated and share engagements from this past week. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed.
A Week of Press Conferences
Joint Press Conference of the Democratic Caucuses of the Senate and House of Delegates
I joined the Senate and House Democrats on the steps of the Capitol to demand that the Governor and Attorney General stand up to President Trump’s actions that are harming Virginians and the country itself. Trump’s far-right and extremist administration has already taken steps to cut Medicaid, funding for education, federal research dollars impacting critical cancer and medical research, and federally-funded clinics in Virginia. Additionally, Trump has given Elon Musk, a private citizen and presumably the richest man in the world, unchecked power over the lives of hundreds of thousands of Virginians who are federal employees or contractors who are already being laid off or are being threatened with layoffs after decades of service to our country. As governor of the Commonwealth, Youngkin has a responsibility to speak on behalf of Virginians and protect lives, the stability of government, and the critical services on which so many depend.
Press Conference to Defend the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA)
On Monday morning, I joined Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, several other legislators, advocates, and a coalition of partners for Defend the Virginia Clean Economy Act to speak about the essential need to protect our environment, respond effectively to climate change, support the development of renewable energy industries, and ensure progress in meeting the goals of the VCEA. This session alone, we were able to block 13 bills that were designed to curb or to derail our transition to renewable energy. In contrast, several bills, including my bill to develop Virginia’s first pilot program for a virtual power plant, continue to make progress through the legislative process.
Press Conference with the Fund our Schools Coalition
On Thursday morning, I joined the Fund our Schools Coalition to celebrate the successes of the Senate and House Budget Bills that invest much-needed dollars in lifting the arbitrary cap placed on support staff in our schools. Since 2009, the cap on support staff has harmed our schools, as schools have struggled to allocate funding for teacher aides, school counselors and behavioral health specialists, and more. Fully funding the needed positions, as identified by Virginia’s Standards of Quality, is an important and vital step to providing support and resources for our school districts.
Press Conference on the Right to Contraception
On Friday morning, I joined Delegate Cia Price, Americans for Contraception, and several other advocates at the Capitol Bell Tower to address the critical need to protect rights to contraception. Delegate Price and I are again carrying The Right to Contraception Act legislation; it has once again passed both Chambers. Last year, Youngkin vetoed the legislation which protects the right to contraceptive medications and devices in the face of a Supreme Court that has already declared that it is ready to “revisit” the 1965 decision that made access to contraception legal in this country.
This Week’s Engagements with Visitors to the General Assembly Building
The General Assembly Building is humming during Session with visitors, advocacy organizations, partners, students, and many members of the public engaged with the work of the legislature. Here are a few highlights from this week’s engagements:
On Monday, I had the pleasure of chatting with Chesterfield members of the Virginia Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau represents the diverse agricultural communities of our state. Through continuous legislative activities, VAFB has been the leading voice for farmers and rural communities in Virginia. A top concern for the Farm Bureau is the preservation of farm lands and farming communities in Virginia.
On Monday morning, my staff had the chance to speak to representatives from Community Health Workers. They were visiting Capitol Square to discuss and advocate for safe, healthy, and equitable working conditions for some of the most crucial workers in Virginia. This Session, I am carrying two bills that emerged from the Joint Commission on Health Care that create more opportunities for our certified Community Health Workers.
On Wednesday morning, students and alumni from Brightpoint Community College visited the General Assembly to share the impacts that accessible and affordable education at our community colleges have had on their lives. They were accompanied by Dr. Bill Fiege, the recently-appointed President of Brightpoint Community College.
Also on Wednesday, Lego was at the General Assembly to share its work through LEGO Education to advance STEM in Pre-K through middle schools, ensuring students have access to engaging, hands-on activities promoting mathematics and sciences. We look forward to soon welcoming LEGO fully to my district as the work on the manufacturing plant continues in Chesterfield County.
I also met with the Virginia Housing Alliance to discuss the need to expand housing opportunities and end homelessness throughout the Commonwealth. Over the past several years, I have been honored to work with VHA as we tackle the housing crisis that continues to impact so many of our communities.
On Wednesday afternoon, I met with the Virginia Society of Clinical Social Workers. The organization is working hard for more accessible social worker licensing by lowering financial barriers and reducing barriers faced by those practitioners licensed in other states.
As we headed into Thursday, I was able to speak at the annual legislative gathering of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Members of the Coalition reiterated the importance of addressing gun violence, supporting public education, protecting health care, and expanding opportunities for women and girls.
Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: SenatorHashmi@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here.
— Ghazala
