INTRODUCTION
With just one week remaining in the 2023 General Assembly session, the House and Senate are now busy considering legislation submitted by their colleagues in the opposite chamber. Senators are splitting their time between listening to delegates in Senate committees extol the virtues of legislation that passed the House and appearing before delegates in House committees to explain the benefits of legislation that passed the Senate. Lawmakers who keep track of their steps during session can rack up a lot in a single day during this part of session.
IS ANYTHING GETTING DONE?
As this session has progressed, many of the media accounts have shifted from detailing bills on hot-button issues to discussing the demise of those bills. By now, most have read, heard, or seen news accounts that the Republican-majority House is passing bills that are subsequently being defeated by the Democrat-majority Senate – and vice-versa.
On a limited number of issues, this account of legislative progress is accurate. However, most issues being considered by the General Assembly are not the subject of philosophical or partisan divisions. But, the ones most likely to be covered in news accounts are.
There is no question that partisanship remains a factor, and for the last two sessions it has been dishearteningly on display in the appointment confirmation process. Late last week, Senate Democrats lined up to remove three of Governor Youngkin's appointees. As was made clear from the floor debate, these individuals were not removed because they weren't qualified for their appointments or weren't doing their jobs. To the contrary, they were all extremely well qualified and doing outstanding jobs. In large part, they were removed because Governor Youngkin appointed them.
You might not expect The Wall Street Journal to follow a session of the Virginia General Assembly. They did take notice of Senate Democrats' actions removing Governor Youngkin's appointees, though. In an editorial detailing the removal of one of the appointees from the State Board of Education, "A Shameful Vote in Virginia," the Journal editorial board wrote "Virginia Democrats have hit a new low…".
Having been on the Senate Floor for the votes removing that qualified appointee and the two others who were summarily dispatched by Senate Democrats, I concur with the Journal's assessment: Virginia Democrats did hit a new low.
Despite these setbacks, a lot of legislation is getting approved and is headed to the Governor's desk for his consideration. These final few days will determine the number of bills that will survive and how they will benefit the people of Virginia.
LEGISLATION
I was one of those senators rushing from Senate committees, where I reviewed legislation, to House committees, where I presented my bills.
As of Friday, 2/17, I have 9 bills that will be headed to Governor Youngkin for his reviewal. Senate Bills: 961, 964, 973, 975, 976, 986, 989, 1054, and 1132. I am still waiting on 4 of my other bills to go through House readings; I have submitted 26 bills this session.
Since only 9 of my bills have made it through the House thus far, much work still needs to be done. Next week is the last week of session, where in my final newsletter of session updates, you can expect a recap of my 26 bills and budget amendments. If you would like to track the progress of my 26 submitted bills from this session, click here.
CLOSING
The final week of this year's session promises to be eventful. Long sessions, conference committees, and – with any luck – an agreement on amendments to the 2022-2024 biennial budget are all part of the final week. I'll be back next week with what will hopefully be a wrap-up. Until then, have a great weekend!
Senator Mark Peake Contact Information
Email: district22@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 698-7522
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