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Wednesday, Jan. 10 was the opening day of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly Session, and we’re going to hear from both Governor Youngkin and House Democrats what they hope to accomplish during the upcoming session. What are Republicans going to do? Exactly what we said we’d do.

We know Democrats are going to overreach. Their far-left base won’t let them do anything else. Republicans are different. We heard the voters who were asking for better schools, safer communities, and a lower cost of living. While Democrats are busy appeasing the extremes of their base by making energy more expensive and driving inflation higher with more regulations, Republicans remain focused on making life more affordable for every Virginian.

Democrats continue to fight parental influence in schools. Republicans will continue to ensure that parents have the prime seat at the table for their children’s education.

While Democrats have introduced bill after bill to make life easier for criminals and harder for police, Republicans are working to ensure that dangerous criminals remain behind bars for their full sentences.

And while they continue to push unaffordable and unworkable EV mandates, Republicans are working to let Virginians buy the vehicles they want.

When all is said and done this session, it will be clear that House Republicans are the ones listening to everyday Virginians.

STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH

In his State of the Commonwealth speech Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Youngkin challenged the General Assembly to work across the aisle to get things done for all Virginians. It’s a challenge Republicans are ready to meet.

What we heard from Democrats at their press event was disheartening.”Dead on Arrival” is a terrible place to begin, especially after the new Democratic Speaker made such a commitment to bipartisanship.

Gov. Youngkin, on the other hand, called for us to work together in a spirit of cooperation, and Republicans are ready to answer that call. We won’t discard ideas just because they came from the other party. Instead, we’ll have reasoned debate that hopefully provides more light than heat.

New Democratic Speaker Don Scott sounded a note of bipartisan cooperation in his speech Wednesday. It’s a positive development, but as the old Russian proverb goes, “Trust, but Verify”; In the meantime, we look forward to working with the Governor to put Virginians back in charge of our transportation policy by ending the pie-in-the-sky EV mandate put in place by Democrats.

We’re working to take a stand against antisemitism by blocking the Commonwealth from doing business with any firm that boycotts the State of Israel.

Virginians shouldn’t settle for mediocrity. It’s time for all of us, Republicans and Democrats, to come together to unleash the limitless potential of our Commonwealth.

2024 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

I am excited to share that I will be returning to the committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Chesapeake Bay. Being that I serve the heart of Southside, continuing to serve on Agriculture will ensure our Southside Farmers have a voice in the General Assembly.

I did receive a new appointment to the Communication, Innovation, and Technology Committee which will be great for Southside because I can fight for more broadband in House District 50. I am excited to serve the people of House District 50.

THIS WEEK IN RICHMOND

Thursday was Bankers Day in Richmond. It was great to see so many bankers from HD-50 share the concerns most important to them. I enjoyed meeting with Blake Shaw; Nicole Martin of Benchmark Community Bank, Cetric Gayles and Taylor Quicke of First Citizens Bank and Trust, Thomas L. Rasey Jr. of The Farmers Bank of Appomattox. I also appreciate Pastor Shane Bost of Mecklenburg County Baptist Church for coming into my office and praying with me for a safe 2024 session. God Bless.

Del. Tommy Wright can be reached via email at DelTWright@House.Virginia.gov or (804) 698-1061.