Delegate Matt Fariss

Today is the first day of the 2017 Virginia General Assembly session.  I wanted to send you a quick email about my legislative priorities for the year and how you can be involved.

This year is known as a short session, because we only spend 46 days in Richmond. Last year we spent 60 days in Richmond because we had to write an entirely new two-year budget. 

The House Republican Caucus will lay out a broad, bold agenda that offers real solutions to the challenges Virginians face every day like rising healthcare costs, educational opportunities and a still stagnant economy.  I remain committed to helping all Virginians get ahead by:

• strengthening Virginia’s economy,
• being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars,
• improving our schools so our children can succeed
• improving access to healthcare without expanding broken entitlement programs
• fighting back against federal government and Washington overreach

I have a number of bills being submitted this year and you can follow along with them as they move through the legislature by clicking this link: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+mbr+H235C.

One of our most important priorities this year is to amend the biennial state budget.  We face a significant budget shortfall.  Tough decisions will have to be made.  We must continue to adopt a strong, conservative budget that invest in the core functions of government while guarding taxpayer dollars.

Tonight, the Governor delivers the annual State of the Commonwealth Address to a joint session of the Virginia General Assembly.  I encourage you to watch the address on your local Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) or online.

Following the Governor’s address, Senator Siobhan Dunnanvat and Delegate Ron Villanueva will give the Republican response.  I encourage you to stay tuned and listen to them explain the priorities of the Republican Majority this year.

As we move through the legislative session, I hope you will stay connected with me.  I enjoy hearing my constituents as we consider legislative proposals for the year.  You can always email me at [email protected] or call my Capitol office at (804)698-1059.  Make sure you also follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DelegateMattFariss for regular updates.

Thanks,

 Matt