Delegate Matt Fariss

Americans should be more worried than ever about Medicaid, which provides health insurance for America’s most vulnerable. A government report released last week has found that the cost of Medicaid expansion to millions of low income citizens is increasing faster than expected. The cost of the $500 billion program is expected to rise to $890 billion by 2024. Yet more spending doesn’t necessarily mean better care for beneficiaries.  The expansion of Medicaid is one of the most misguided parts of ObamaCare—shamefully expanding second-class health care for the poor.

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Monday, August 8^th, marks the deadline to cancel voting rights of felons who had registered under Governor McAuliffe’s restoration of rights executive order, which was overturned a week ago by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

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This weekend, August 5-7, 2016, is Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday weekend. Legislation enacted by the 2015 General Assembly, Senate Bill 1319,  combined Virginia’s three sales tax holidays into one three-day holiday beginning the first Friday in August at 12:01 a.m. and ending the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

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On Friday, the Supreme Court of Virginia overturned Governor Terry McAuliffe’s executive order restoring the political rights of 206,000 convicted felons. The Supreme Court found the governor’s executive order to be unconstitutional and ordered local registrars and the Department of Elections to cancel the 11,000 in valid voter registrations and re-add the 206,000 convicted felons to the list of prohibited voters.

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This Tuesday, July 19^th, the Virginia Supreme Court will hear spoken arguments in a legal challenge to Governor McAuliffe’s executive order declaring to restore political rights to 206,000 convicted felons. The court will hold a special session for the first time since 1993, a sign that the judicial branch recognizes the urgency of this case.

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My heart is still heavy of the events last week that resulted in the death of five law enforcement officers. Innocent men were blindsided and lost their lives as they were protecting and serving their community. Violence against law enforcement, those sworn to protect the citizens, is no way to mourn the tragic loss of life in Louisiana and Minnesota. Targeting public servants serves in no way to advance the discussion our nation requires. America is exceptional because of its capability to resolve differences through political and judicial institutions instead of turning to violence.

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Starting off last week in the 59^th District, I was very happy to see that justice was served for Bob McDonnell. I always thought this ordeal was an overreach of the federal government. We never could see how he did anything to help Johnny Williams with state funds, through state employees, or with anything through his elected position. I am continually praying for Bob McDonnell and his family and glad again to see that justice prevailed.

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Virginia Girls State, in its 70^th year, was held last week at Longwood University in Farmville. This was my 5^th year participating in the event. I was joined in the Q & A discussion session with Delegate Chris Collins with about 100 of the participants. This was a great way to interact with our youth and stress to them how important our local government is and what role I play as state delegate. I also was able to sit with the young ladies at lunch and address and answer their questions and comments. There were over 600 young ladies in this year’s event.

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Last week there was a ceremonial signing of the Food Crop Donation Tax Credit legislation, which establishes an individual and corporate income tax credit beginning in 2016 for food crops grown and donated by farmers to nonprofit food banks. The bill defines food crops as grains, fruits, nuts or vegetables and its objective is to increase the donation of fresh, wholesome produce to food banks by reducing the costs to farmers for harvesting and transporting leftover fruits and vegetables in their fields. Read more

I recently had the opportunity to visit and tour the Region 2000 Service Authority Landfill in Campbell County. It was a good visit, very interesting and informative. I am also pleased with the steps being taken to control the odors and I have a better understanding of why this is not an overnight fix and such a work in progress.

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