NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
Neighbors,
Happy Valentine's Day and thank you to everyone who attended my Town Hall on Saturday! It was great to see you and share updates from the legislative session.
Last Friday, the House of Delegates passed an updated biennial budget. Our proposal keeps moving Virginia forward by lifting up working families, protecting public health, helping schools re-open as quickly and safely as possible, and more. I’m proud to have three requests included in the budget! More details on the House budget, including my proposals, are below.
Updates in this newsletter include:
COVID-19 updates
Highlights of the proposed updated biennial budget approved by the House of Delegates
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need assistance. You can reach me by email at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov or call my office at 804-698-1042.
Best, Kathy
Delegate, 42nd District
COVID-19 UPDATES
Virginia Vaccine Updates
Virginia is making progress in our administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Wednesday this past week, Virginia ranks 7th among all states for percent of the population that has received at least one dose, and 11th among all states for percent of available doses administered.
The Virginia Department of Health will be launching a new statewide registration system on Tuesday.
Updated guidance from my previous newsletter: Fairfax County will not be participating in the state system at this time, and the County asks residents to continue to register on the Fairfax County site.
Fairfax County Vaccine Updates
The Fairfax County Health Department just launched two new tools to improve transparency. The Vaccine and Registration Data Dashboard provides data on how our local health district is doing in getting residents COVID-19 vaccines.
The Registration Status Checker will allow anyone who has registered through Fairfax County for the vaccine to confirm their registration and get a sense of where they are in the queue.
If you are experiencing issues with the Vaccine Registration Status Checker, please call the Fairfax Vaccine Call Center at 703.324.7404 between 9:30am-5pm.
CVS Retail Store Vaccine Updates
The new federal partnership with retail pharmacies has started, and 36 CVS locations in Virginia are providing a total of 26,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (This is in addition to Virginia’s current allocation provided by the federal government and on top of the CVS/Walgreens federal contract to provide vaccines at long-term care facilities.)
While Virginia’s goal was to have CVS use local health districts’ waiting lists instead of implementing a new registration system, CVS was unable to find a way to make it work. As such, you have to register through CVS at www.cvs.com.
While slots have filled up in Virginia, you can keep checking in case appointments open up. The federal government plans to increase the number of doses provided to retail pharmacies.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Updates to the Biennial Budget
On Friday, the House of Delegates passed an updated biennial budget. Next, the House and Senate will negotiate a final budget proposal.
Three of my requests are included in the House proposal:
$1.5 million to connect Mason Neck State Park to public water. I appreciate working with Friends of Mason Neck State Park to support this treasure in the 42nd District.
A workgroup led by the Chief Workforce Development Advisor to increase the labor force participation of refugees in Virginia. I worked with refugee resettlement organizations across Virginia on this proposal.
A workgroup led by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to develop recommendations for a language access policy for our state government. I appreciate the support of a broad coalition of immigrant and refugee advocacy groups.
Below are highlights of the House budget proposal
Protecting Public Health and Expanding Access to Healthcare
We are improving our infrastructure to protect public health during this pandemic and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare.
$107 million in state and federal funding for mass vaccination efforts.
$46.5 million in federal funding for COVID-19 disease surveillance, testing, contact tracing, and personal protective equipment.
$2 million in state and federal funding to cover COVID-19 vaccine costs for adults on Medicaid.
$74.8 million in state and federal funds to increase Medicaid personal, respite, and companion care rates.
Strengthening Supportive Services
Due to COVID-19, an increasing number of families across the 42nd District have sought supportive services. We are strengthening our ability to help some of the most vulnerable in our community.
$200,000 from Virginia’s TANF Block Grant for the Lorton Community Action Center, which serves many in the 42nd District.
$275,000 for the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention Fund.
$100 million in additional funding for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.
$6.6 million to continue the Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program.
$10 million to maintain increased levels of customer service support for the unemployment insurance program.
An additional $2 million for the Food Access Investment Fund
Supporting Our Workforce
We are supporting workers across the state who have gone above and beyond to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep our state and economy running.
$8.2 million to fund paid sick leave for essential workers in Virginia.
$3.5 million salary raise for state employees, adjunct faculty, and state supported local employees.
$2.1 million to increase salary of certain social workers and eligibility determination specialists.
A one-time $1,000 bonus for correctional officers.
$2 million to allow healthcare workers and first responders to include COVID-19 as a presumption when filing for worker’s compensation benefits.
Protecting Our Environment
We are safeguarding our natural resources while fighting climate change.
$5 million to establish an Electric Vehicle Rebate Program.
$69.4 million for the Water Quality Improvement Fund.
Supporting Small Businesses and Nonprofits
We are supporting small businesses and nonprofits that have been amongst the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
$20 million from skilled games revenue to the Rebuild Virginia program, which brings up total support for small businesses and nonprofits through this fund to $140 million.
Funding Our Schools and Returning Students to In-Person Learning
We are ensuring we can return students to in-person learning as quickly and safely as possible.
$51.1 million to support local school efforts to address COVID-19 learning loss, which would be used for extending the school year, summer school, tutoring, remediation and recovery, and counseling services.
$123.9 in additional federal funding for statewide initiatives to address the impact of COVID-19.
5% pay increase for teachers and support staff.
$26 million to lower the student to counselor ratio.
$34 million to implement the G3 Community College initiative, which will guarantee debt-free college education for low-income students pursuing degrees in high demand fields.
$30 million for need-based financial aid for in-state undergraduate students.