Delegate Matt Fariss

The Supreme Court of Virginia will hold a special session July 19 to take up the Republican challenge to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s order that restored voting rights for more than 200,000 felons. Republican leaders in the General Assembly had sought to have the case heard as early as next month. The matter should be decided by Aug. 25 at the latest to avoid “casting doubt on the legitimacy” of the November elections.

As far as the Virginia House of Delegates is concerned, Governor McAuliffe’s veto last week of budget language on Medicaid expansion never happened. Clerk of the House of Delegates, G. Paul Nardo, informed McAuliffe on Thursday he is “duty-bound not to publish” the governor’s veto of language in the budget that prevents him from accepting federal money under the Affordable Care Act to expand Virginia’s Medicaid program without General Assembly approval.

There is an ongoing political debate and ongoing litigation over which bathrooms transgender students should use at public schools.  The question is whether requiring a student to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex violate federal law, which prohibits discrimination “on the basis of sex.”

I attended the 5^th Congressional District Republican Convention in Nelson County this weekend as a delegate. It was really good to see a lot of my friends and meet more of my constituents. I was pleased with the process and very much look forward to the Republican Party having a good couple of years in the upcoming elections.

In the last two weeks I have spent a good amount of time travelling the district, meeting with constituents and businesses in the area. I had the pleasure to attend the grand opening for Vahseer Meadworks in Altavista on April 28th.  I was joined by Mrs. Sandra Adams, Commissioner of Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in welcoming such a unique business to the area. I commend the Town of Altavista and Altavista on Track for all their hard work in helping Mr. Jerome Snyder along the way.

On Friday, April 22^nd Governor McAuliffe signed an executive order restoring the civil rights of 206,000 convicted felons, including violent offenders. The executive action taken by the office of the Governor is unconscionable. Not only are nonviolent and violent felons now going to be able to vote, but they are going to be allowed the opportunity to sit on juries. The Governor’s policy applies to violent criminals who have committed even the most heinous violent crimes including murder, rape, child rape, and kidnapping.  By applying no discretion or judiciousness to this process, the Governor is undermining the strength of the criminal justice system and the sanctity of our civil rights.

The Virginia General Assembly convened Wednesday for the “reconvened” or “veto” session to consider Governor Terry McAuliffe’s amendments and vetoes.

On Wednesday, lawmakers across the state return to Richmond to consider Governor Terry McAuliffe’s amendments and vetoes of legislation passed during the General Assembly session that concluded in March. We will consider McAuliffe’s vetoes of 32 bills, the most by a governor since Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore rejected 37 bills advanced by a Democrat-controlled General Assembly in 1998.  In two years, the Governor has vetoed more legislation than Governors McDonnell, Kaine, and Warner vetoed in each of their four year terms.

It was a busy and productive time back in the 59^th District last week. On Tuesday, my office was able to attend the Campbell County Board of Supervisors meeting and hear school and county budget talks. On Wednesday, I was able to attend a luncheon held by Congressman Robert Hurt for the elected officials in the 5^th Congressional District. I always enjoy my time spent with Congressman Hurt as he is truly a man of the people. We are most definitely going to miss him when he retires in January. On Thursday, I attended the Buckingham County Farm Bureau Spring Meeting were I was able to give an update on the happenings at the General Assembly to my constituents in that area.

April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month, created to help raise awareness about preventing sexual assault. It is important for Virginians to know about the bipartisan efforts underway on their behalf, by their elected leaders, to combat sexual assault and violence in the two places it is most prevalent: at home and on college campuses. Safe families, neighborhoods, communities and college campuses are very important to the health of our commonwealth.