Delegate Matt Fariss

On Friday, the Governor announced a package of budget proposals that will provide nearly $13 million in services for veterans, including education and workforce programs and improved access to health and financial supports. Virginia is home to nearly 800,000 veterans and their families, and I agree that the state has a responsibility to honor their service and empower them to lead successful civilian lives. I am looking forward to seeing this outline in the Governor’s two-year budget on December 17^th.

The House will evaluate the Governor’s tax proposal after his full budget is released on the 17th. It would be premature to comment without the context of the full budget. Everything within the budget is a puzzle piece, and until we have all the pieces there is not much to say. However, it would be unwise for the Governor to predicate new spending or initiatives based on so-called savings from Medicaid expansion. The House position on that issue is very clear. The Governor and the legislature have worked productively on the budget in the past when we have set Medicaid expansion aside, and it is my hope we can continue to do that.

This time of year my office is busy taking appointments and phone calls for constituents and lobbyists who want to take a meeting and discuss happenings of the 2016 General Assembly Session. I spent 2 days last week in meetings discussing upcoming bills and resolutions to carry in the 2016 session and have meetings scheduled this week to do the same.

Last but not least, I want to take a moment to congratulate the Appomattox County High School varsity football team on their State 2A Championship win on Saturday. That program made history by winning the school’s first state championship. I have thoroughly enjoyed following these young men and their coaches on this journey, and the “Power of One” initiative that was started resonated throughout the community, and touched fans all across the state. GO RAIDERS!

If you have any concerns, questions, comments or issues that I or my Aide, Jenna, can help you with, please contact us at (434)821-5929 or email at [email protected]

Thank You!