Delegate Eric Zehr for Virginia: Big Issues, Little Victories

Session 2024 is drawing to a close, and it's clear that when it comes to Dem. vs. Rep. agenda conflict, the Session being ended doesn't mean party differences are nearer to being resolved. On the contrary, as the left strays further from reality and morality, pulling the Democrat Party with them, the inevitability is partisan politics. Going along to get along, making nice, is an increasingly dangerous game, where the losers usually aren't the ones playing. And voters know it. An article, published by the VCU Capitol News Service, and republished by the Smith Mountain Lake Eagle, in the March 27 issue, drew attention to the fact that folks may say they want their lawmakers to legislate in a bipartisan manner, but their votes tell a different story. This isn't dishonesty in voters, but a sign of the times. Ideally bipartisan politics, practically, these days, not so much. Ideally, our vote, so to speak, is in favor of the two parties working together, but when it gets down to the brass tacks, it is less and less tenable. The article quotes a Randolph-Macon professor who specializes in political science saying, "bipartisanship is overrated" and that "people don't vote that way." We all know that in political chambers and halls, there is much pageantry, pretense. Candor does not abound. But in smaller rooms, namely the voting booths, the heart of the issue is easier to see and take a stand for. Right must unapologetically confront wrong. That's what my office strives to do everyday representing the 51st district. My consideration, whether I'm voting in the House Chamber, or at the polls is the same: does this honor God and my neighbor?  The State budget is center stage in the conflict of ideas in Virginia and from where the Democrats sit, fiscal responsibility is laughable. Or at least not to be taken seriously. In a March 25th Associated Press article Democrat Sen. Mamie Locke was incredulous that the Governor didn't implicitly trust the budgetary work of the Democrat led General Assembly and "simply sign the budget."  This budget, including many other fiscal blunders proposed by the left, has the particularly onerous 2.6 Billion dollar tax hike that they claim, benefits the tax payer. Remarkably, in our inflation driven economy, billion is still a big number! There is, however, some good sense to be found in government. Last week, Republican Governor Glen Youngkin vetoed the Democrat-led gun ban laws. The Richmond Times-Dispatch quotes the Governor Younkin: "The Constitution precludes the Commonwealth from prohibiting a broad category of firearms widely embraced for lawful purposes, such as self-defense. Despite this, certain members of the General Assembly have pursued legislation banning most contemporary semi automatic firearms and specific ammunition-feeding devices." Second Amendment rights is an area, where again, the opposition tries to distract from the point. Here the tactic is less obfuscation and more good old fashioned lying. They ask, hath the Bill of Rights really said?  The Second Amendment is about an armed citizenry. Sufficiently armed. And not for shooting wild game or skeet but for the "security of a free state." The Democrats would say otherwise. For the quick take on Democrat philosophy on state security, see the Southern border.  The Bill of Rights is about rights that inherently belong to us by the grace of God. With that comes the responsibility of sound stewardship. Caution, moderation, temperance, yes, but also part of that stewardship is not getting talked out of our rights by tyrants. As your representative I understand well that when tyrants ask us to give up our freedoms it's not in so many words.  There are many issues of tremendous weight and importance right now. The inflation rate, tax increases, energy costs, second amendment rights, border security. I work to uncompromisingly protect your right to life and liberty in my legislative and advocating work that addresses all these issues--with my vote in the House of Delegates, the bills I patron, and the conversations I have with my colleagues and neighbors.