Summary

Twitter

About

Source: Campaign page

Jennifer Boysko is the current Delegate for the 86th district (Herndon, Oak Hill, Chantilly, and Sterling Park) of the Virginia General Assembly. She currently serves as a member of the Cities, Counties, and Town Committee, the Education Committee and The Privileges & Election Committee in the House. She is also a member of the Broadband Advisory Committee. As Delegate, she has worked to improve our schools and the economy here in Northern Virginia. She has fought to expand Medicaid to thousands of Virginians and will continue to work to improve access and quality for everyone. In the House of Delegates, she has sponsored a number of bills from working to improve access to reproductive rights for women’s health to improving the traffic situation on I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road. Delegate Boysko seeks to find common ground and work with both Republicans and Democrats to get things done. However, finding common ground does not mean we abandon our priorities and values. She will always stand up and speak out for the issues most passionately held where there are stark differences that cannot be negotiated.

Her priorities as a Delegate are working to continue to build the New Virginia economy here in Virginia that supports both working families and small businesses in her district. She has actively sought to restore funding to our public schools and has worked on legislation that would make sure everyone has access to affordable healthcare.

She previously served as an aide to Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. She staffed the Supervisor on all matters related to Economic Advisory Committee and Audit Committee and for all Virginia Department of Transportation Maintenance and Housing issues. She served as liaison to help solve district challenges, address constituent issues, and to find solutions to problems. Working with various homeowners associations and local organizations she provided connections between constituents, groups, and organizations to County agencies and officials. She joined the Supervisor’s staff in 2008 when he was elected, and for the first five years of his term served as his Herndon Aide, Education, Human Services, Utilities and Consumer Affairs Aide. She served as Supervisor Foust’s representative on all issues relating to the Herndon area regarding land use and transportation, Metro area planning, liaison with Town government and constituent services.

Governor McAuliffe appointed her as a Citizen Member of the Virginia Real Estate Board. The Real Estate Board licenses salespersons, brokers, and firms representing others in property transactions. The Board also enforces Fair Housing Law in cases involving real estate licensees and their employees.

Jennifer also serves as a board member for NARAL Pro Choice Virginia, working to educate Virginians and policymakers about the broad range of issues encompassing reproductive choice and lobby our legislature to pass pro-choice policies and defeat anti-choice laws.

Jennifer was part of Emerge Virginia’s inaugural class of 2014. Emerge Virginia is changing the face of Virginia politics by identifying, training and encouraging women to run for office, get elected and to seek higher office. The intensive, cohort-based six-month training program is unique.

Jennifer’s first job was in the US Senate office of Richard Shelby from her home state of Alabama when he was a Democrat. She also covered federal legislative and regulatory issues for Bayless, Boland, Madigan, and Barrett as the legislative assistant in the early 1990’s in Washington, DC. Policy issues: NAFTA, telecommunications deregulation, aviation, financial derivatives, Superfund, and alternative fuels.

A veteran campaigner, Jennifer has given her time and talent on every Democratic campaign in the Herndon area since 2003, several statewide races in the Commonwealth of Virginia and at the national level, including serving as the State Director for Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign.

Jennifer is married to Glenn Boysko a software engineer and they have raised their two daughters in Historic Downtown Herndon, where they have lived since 1996. A leader in her community, she has volunteered in a number of capacities including the Herndon High School PTSA Board and Sports Boosters, the Herndon Fortnightly Club, the Herndon Optimists, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Reston Interfaith, the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia and is a founder of the Dulles Area Democrats. Jennifer has been a grassroots activist her entire life, supporting efforts to make her community a better place for all. She is a graduate of Hollins University in Roanoke, VA and was raised in Alabama and Arkansas. She was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates on November 3, 2015.

Experience

Work Experience

• Legislative assistant
  Bayless, Boland, Madigan, and Barrett
  2019 to 1989
• Legislative assistant
  US Senate office of Richard Shelby
  2019 to present

Education

• BA
  Hollins University
  2019 to present

Personal

Birth Year: 1966
Place of Birth: Pine Bluff, AR
Gender: Female
Race(s): Caucasian
Religion: Episcopalian
Spouse: Glenn James Boysko
Children: Hannah and Sophie Claire
Membership & Affiliation:

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (former delegate, Region V, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia)
Herndon Fortnightly Club (2nd vice president)
Northern Virginia Democratic Business Council
Democratic Party of Virginia, State Central Committee, 11th District
Rotary of Herndon

Contact

Legislative Assistant: Karen Harrison
Administrative Assistant During Session: Marty Moore

Email:

• Government – DelJBoysko@house.virginia.gov

Offices

Capitol Office
Pocahontas Building
900 E. Main St,
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 698-1086

District Office
730 Elden Street
Herndon, VA 20170

Phone: (703) 437-0086

Web

Government Page, Campaign Site, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Politics

Source: Wikipedia

Boysko grew up in Alabama and Arkansas. She is a graduate of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. Since 1996 she has been a resident of downtown Herndon, Virginia, where she and her husband Glenn have raised two daughters, Hannah and Sophie Claire. She has been a grassroots organizer and leader in her community, volunteering her time for the Herndon High School, the Herndon Fortnightly Club, the Herndon Optimists, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Reston Interfaith, and other political and charitable causes.

House of Delegates

In 2013, Boysko was narrowly defeated for the House of Delegates 86th district seat, losing to the incumbent Republican Tom Rust, 50.08 percent to 49.92 percent, a difference of 32 votes.

The 2015 election, held November 3, featured an open seat after Rust announced his retirement on February 25, 2015. For the primary election, held June 9, Boysko ran unopposed. For the general, Boysko received 54 percent of the vote; Republican Danny Vargas—who ran unopposed in his primary—received 42 percent; and Independent Paul Brubaker received 5 percent.According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Vargas outspent Boysko, $654,725 to $476,322. Brubaker spent $9,100.

State Senate

Following Jennifer Wexton’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 elections, Boysko announced her candidacy for the special election to succeed her in the Virginia Senate.^[8] She won the Democratic Party’s nomination on November 17, and will face Republican Joe T. May in the election on January 8, 2019.

Recent Elections

2019

2017

2017

2015

2013

Finances

BOYSKO, JENNIFER BARTON has run in 4 races for public office, winning 3 of them. The candidate has raised a total of $1,506,135.

Source: Follow the Money

Committees

Committees

General Laws and Technology
Rehabilitation and Social Services
Transportation

Voting Record

See: Vote Smart

New Legislation

• Chief Patron
• Chief Co-Patron
• Co-Patron

Source: Virginia Legislative Information System

Issues

Source: Campaign page

After years working with our neighbors who are facing all of these challenges, I understand the difficulties we confront on a daily basis. That’s why I have committed my life to serving our community. I will continue to advocate on our behalf. Education, health care and human services are all connected in so many ways. I will continue to work to make strides in these areas, but also to make sure they are operated in a fiscally responsible manner. I will strive to streamline these services in order to create the most efficient and effective solution. I will also continue to work toward creating long-term transportation and infrastructure solutions, two vital components to the quality of life and economic health of our region. Government should work for us, not for a political party, not for a personal agenda.

Civil Rights

Equality

• Social justice is a way of life. My father is a retired Episcopal priest and my mother worked as a nurse and I grew up in the Deep South. My parents raised me with a strong sense of social justice. I worked my whole life as a grassroots activist to stand up for those who face discrimination. From the time I was in the 6th grade, working to make our crossing guard patrol coed at my school to the past ten years helping create the group HEART (Herndon Embraces All with Respect and Tolerance), I’ve consistently been a voice for fairness and inclusion. My husband and I placed a priority on raising our girls to be open-minded and to stand up for others as well.
• In every race I have run in the past, I have been endorsed by Equality VA, and other pro equality groups.
• In every race in the past I have been endorsed by New Virginia Majority.
• I have dedicated my adult life to standing up for others because I believe that diversity and inclusivity are hallmarks of a healthy community. A diverse community has the capacity to make us all richer as we learn from one another.
• I embrace and welcome all people in my community – racial, socioeconomic, LGBTQIA+, cultural, and faith differences are part of who we are. Every person should have the fundamental right to make decisions for themselves about their most personal and private family issues. I am proud of the legislation that I’ve carried and look forward to the very near future when the General Assembly in Virginia passes legislation that protects diversity and outlaws discrimination and hateful actions.
• I will fight and vote for Virginia to ratify the ERA!
• My equal pay legislation protects an expanded class of Virginians: “Protected class” means a group of persons distinguished by race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, or age.”

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON EQUALITY FOR ALL

• HB 2, copatron, ERA – ratification of the federal constitutional amendment/2019 Major Priority with bipartisan support
• HB 497, chief patron, allow change of sex on birth certificate without requiring a medical procedure
• HB 75, copatron, Repeals the unconstitutional statutory prohibitions on same-sex marriages and civil unions or other arrangements between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges and obligations of marriage.
• HB 266, copatron, Adds gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation to categories considered hate crimes when targeted; also copatroned HB 718
• HB 1267, copatron, State health plans to include gender transition care
• 2017 Session, HJ 538, copatron, constitutional amendment to repeal 2006 amendment, now unconstitutional, defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman

Woman’s Rights

• I support Roe vs. Wade and the right to a safe, legal abortion and access to contraception. I believe this should be a settled issue. Contraception should be available to all who need it. I also spoke out on the floor in favor of funding for the LARC program which passed last May.
• Serve on the Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council which is providing leadership nationwide to protect and advance reproductive rights, health and justice.
• I have and will continue to sponsor of the Whole Woman’s Health Act to remove abortion from Virginia’s criminal code and to remove medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion.
• I have worked closely at the grassroots level with NARAL and Planned Parenthood since I was a college student at Hollins University in the mid 1980’s and this collaboration continues in the General Assembly.
• Menstrual Equity – women need menstrual supplies to leave home during menstruation, a natural process over which we have no control. My bill to eliminate the sales tax is The Dignity Act. There is not justification for taxing something that only women need. We now have several menstrual equity bills.
  • HB 24 , chief patron, exemption from sales tax for menstrual supplies
  • HB 25, chief patron, adds menstrual supplies to 3 day tax free weekend (good fit with school supplies and clothing, and with emergency storm supplies)
  • HB 83, copatron, passed, free menstrual supplies in jails and prisons
  • HB 1384 menstrual supplies free in schools

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS 

• HB 24, chief patron, exemption from sales tax for menstrual supplies
• HB 25, chief patron, adds menstrual supplies to 3 day tax free weekend (good fit with school supplies and clothing, and with emergency storm supplies)
• HB 83, copatron, passed, free menstrual supplies in jails and prisons
• HB 1384 menstrual supplies free in schools

Democracy

Voting and Redistricting

• Favor redistricting by  an independent, nonpartisan redistricting commission. Serving on the House Privileges and Elections Committee, I’ve had a front row seat as the Republicans refused to put an end to gerrymandering.
• Support  legislation that makes it easier to vote in Virginia, including
  • Cosponsored no excuse absentee/early voting
  • Sponsored legislation to allow registrars to call or email when voter registration applications are rejected for minor errors. GMU students requested the legislation because many students do not have street addresses and do not regularly check their campus mailboxes.
  • Will support same day voter registration/would have voted for 2018 bills but they were killed in committee.
  • Cosponsored legislation to remove the disqualification of felons for voting
• Support campaign finance reform
  • Cosponsored legislation to online media ads to disclose who place and/or promoted the ad.
  • Cosponsored bill to prohibit the personal use of campaign funds, which despite bipartisan support, failed in Senate
  • Limit PAC spending and donations

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON VOTING & ELECTIONS

• HB 272, chief patron, allow registrar to call or email when registration denied for minor, nonsubstantive error; GMU students requested the legislation because many students do not have street addresses and do not regularly check their campus mailboxes
• HB 76, copatron, Subjects any political campaign advertisements that is placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform to the same disclosure requirements to which print media, television, and radio advertisements are subject
• HB 122, copatron, Prohibit Personal Use of Campaign funds, bipartisan, failed in Senate
• HB 1072, copatron, Absentee Voting, no excuse
• 2017 Session, HJ 540, copatron, remove the disqualification of felons for voting
• 2017 Session, HJ 749, copatron, constitutional amendment for an independent redistricting commission

Economy

• The 33rd DIstrict  is moving from government contractor centered economy to a new Virginia economy. For many years, the economic health of this region has been driven largely by the Federal government and government contractors. Since the Sequestration and Federal government shutdown and continued threats of shutdown, numerous local businesses and residents have been disproportionately and adversely affected. In response, we have worked hard to diversify the region’s economic base and have seen these efforts succeed. I am proud of my work bringing people together to grow their businesses. We are fortunate to live and work amongst many highly educated, creative, and dedicated entrepreneurs.
• Support economic development targeting scientific research, health care, renewable energy, energy storage, and energy efficiency companies and work to recruit them to this region.
• Encourage new startup businesses to locate in the Dulles Corridor. Small businesses are the principal source of new jobs in Northern Virginia in the coming decades and are vital to our economy.
• Work closely with our excellent colleges and universities make sure that our graduates are ready to take the high quality jobs available and are prepared for employment.
• Our community college system provides an affordable, high quality education and opportunities to transfer and graduate from four year schools.
• I will continue to work with the business community on policies designed to attract and retain a talented workforce in Northern Virginia.
• As we strengthen and diversify our economy in Northern Virginia,  I have not forgotten the many people in our community who work hard for low pay, often working two and even three jobs.
• All jobs must be paid fairly.
  • Chief patron, Equal Pay Act – updates the 1974 equal pay act which isn’t working – the wage gap for women, minorities and other protected classes is evidence of the need for specific direction to employers; also copatroned other legislators bills that included a piece of the comprehensive bill.
  • Chief patron, comprehensive equal pay act for state employee.
  • Chief patron, strengthening of the laws protecting employees from classification as independent contractors and associated loss of wages and benefits and workplace protections
  • Chief copatron of bill eliminating racist Jim Crow law and tipped employee exemptions
  • Copatron of minimum wage bill, $15 by 2022 plus annual Consumer Price Index increase thereafter
  • Copatron, require payment of prevailing wage for public works contracts
  • Copatron of minimum wage bill, $10 by 2019 with biennial CPI increases
• Our education and workforce development programs meet the needs of all Virginians.
• I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with my union brothers and sisters fighting for worker protections  and supporting labor unions.
  • The fight for fair wages (Fight for $15) and working conditions will continue to be a major priority.
  • From attending union meetings, meeting with workers, press conferences and rallies with union members and leaders to sponsoring legislation to increase the minimum wage, get rid of racist Jim Crow exceptions to the minimum wage, and updating the 1974 Equal Pay Act law to get rid of the gender wage gap, I have a history of fighting for equal opportunity and fair treatment for all workers.
• Broadband internet must be available for all Virginians, including those in rural areas of Virginia. I’ve met with  businesses in Fairfax County and Loudoun County that will benefit when healthcare and education and telework are available to all Virginians via the internet. These are equity issues. I recently spoke at the NCSL’s 2018 Broadband & Cable Policy Summit about our efforts to streamline permitting for broadband in Virginia. Local governments will now consider broadband infrastructure in comprehensive planning and work continues on a Dig Once program thanks to my 2018 legislation.

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON JOBS & ECONOMY

• HB 640, Chief patron, passed, Broadband infrastructure to be included in local government comprehensive plans
• HB 1089, Chief patron, Equal Pay Act – updates the 1974 equal pay act which isn’t working – the wage gap for women, minorities and other protected classes is evidence of the need for specific direction to employers; also copatroned other legislators bills that included a piece of the comprehensive bill.
• HB 1090, Chief patron, comprehensive equal pay act for state employees
• HB 1106, Chief patron, strengthening of the laws protecting employees from classification as independent contractors and associated loss of wages and benefits and workplace protections
• HJ 77, Chief patron, study for Dig Once Policy – to streamline broadband deployment
• HB 1259, chief copatron of bill eliminating racist Jim Crow law and tipped employee exemptions
• HB 518, copatron of minimum wage bill, $15 by 2022 plus annual Consumer Price Index increase thereafter
• HB 667, copatron, require payment of prevailing wage for public works contracts
• HB 715, copatron of minimum wage bill, $10 by 2019 with biennial CPI increases
• HB 999, copatron, Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance; Broadband Advisory Council; expiration. Extends the expiration of the Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance and the Broadband Advisory Council from July 1, 2018, to July 1, 2019.
• HB 1376 Breaks for breastfeeding moms (Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exempt employees)

Education

Grassroots Education Activist

Environment

• I am proud of my 100% voting record with the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. I am fortunate to have the support of many experts in energy and environmental science, law and policy during the legislative session and throughout the year. I am a part of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and have a strong commitment to improving our environment as we face climate change.
• Clean water and clean air should not be partisan issues. We need to work across the aisle to ensure that we are protecting nature’s most valuable resources. I am committed to cleaning up our rivers, lakes, and streams, continuing with, and improving our clean water  and our air. No one should worry whether their drinking water is safe. No one should struggle with asthma made worse by air pollution. As we work on transportation and energy issues, clean water and clean air must be a priority.
• Virginia must  transition rapidly to renewable sources of energy, including wind and solar power.
  • Investing in new forms of energy throughout our state will not only be better for the environment, but also will create more jobs and help boost the economy.
  • As we increase our reliance on solar and wind energy, we must also work to improve energy storage and energy efficiency.
  • I will continue to work with the experts who are running renewable energy companies, energy storage businesses, and energy efficiency businesses, the experts who work in our universities and at nonprofits to ensure that Virginia is identifying and overcoming challenges in the transition to full reliance on renewable energy.
  • I will continue to sponsor and support bills supporting this transition and to bring these businesses to Virginia.
• Further, I will work to bring the benefits of renewable energy, energy storage, and energy efficiency to all Virginians, including those with limited financial resources.  The modernization of our electric grid is a massive endeavor and we must work together to address the reality of climate change and the impact of fossil fuels on human health and our environment.
• I did significant work on  environmental issues in my community work for Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. I was part of an inter-jurisdictional transportation team where we identified small, reasonable future road connections in the Dulles region rather than advocating for large new highways working with VDOT, WMATA, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Town of Herndon staff. I helped craft the language for the Comprehensive Plans for the Dranesville District (APR) Area Plan Review process, with a strong emphasis on environmental standards and considerations, assuring that language was included that stipulated the need for LEED certified buildings and to make assurances for adequate storm water management in any new land use.
• Animal welfare legislation fits well with my social justice philosophy – animals need us to speak up for them for they are at our mercy.
  • Chief Patron, bill passed, requires alternative to animal testing where available, does not apply to medical research or FDA regulated products other than cosmetics
  • Chief Patron, allow localities to limit sales/transfer of cats and dogs in pet stores to rescues
  • Copatron, limits on outdoor tethering of animals, provision of shelter

On the ACP and MPV I have really struggled with them but after all of the study that I’ve done and the benefit of hearing from so many people, I’m very concerned about them, and I’m very concerned for the environmental degradation for our land. I’m very concerned about that slope that the pipelines are going in in the mountainous regions. I’m concerned for the personal property of folks like Red Terry, and I am concerned about the long-term reliability of natural gas, when we need to be focusing on renewables. I did a whole big meeting where I got everybody together to talk about how we can get to the next level so that we can to get to a zero carbon renewable energy economy and that’s really where I’d like to be focusing our energy.

On a personal level, I am a vegetarian and drive a hybrid car because we all know that air quality is impacted by  the methane created by farm animals and vehicle emissions are the top contributors of greenhouse gas.

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON ENVIRONMENT

• HB 182, copatroned, would have required removal and closure of coal ash ponds; supported an alternate version that requires further legislation in the 2019 session.
• HB 922, copatron, passed, Authorizes any locality or public institution of higher education, or the Department of Conservation and Recreation, to locate and operate a retail fee-based electric vehicle charging station on property such entity owns or leases.

Health Care

Heathcare and Human Services

• Last session we passed Medicaid expansion, arguably one of the most important  pieces of legislation I will ever have the honor of helping to pass.  With that we are opening up the opportunity for up to 400,000 more Virginians to receive health care in Virginia.
• We must support increased funding for human services. When we take care of our most vulnerable residents it shows we have a commitment to our entire community. We can do better.
  • Provide early intervention therapeutic services for infants and toddlers, the Commonwealth of Virginia has long contracted with the Community Services Boards statewide.
  • Provide services for the growing numbers of adults aging out of the school system with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Fund additional medicaid waivers.
    • While we increased medicaid waiver slots last year, we still have a significant waiting list for families. I work with parents in our community who are facing these issues and who are desperately seeking these services for their children, but are unable to, due to lack of funding.
    • The Medicaid waiver should provide critical home and community based services for qualified individuals.
    • Virginia ranks seventh in per capita income and yet is 47th in Medicaid spending for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities. States nationwide set their own income and asset eligibility criteria within federal guidelines.

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON HEALTHCARE

• HB 1231, Chief patron, Whole Woman’s Health Act, remove abortion from the criminal code and remove medically unnecessary regulations
• HB 1088, Chief patron, passed, requires de-escalation training in emergency rooms to aid people experiencing a mental health crisis
• HB 842 chief copatron, passed, allows distribution of the less expensive naloxone packaged with needles by trained REVIVE leaders
• HB 1267, copatron, State health plans to include gender transition care
• HB 1369 health insurance, mandated coverage for autism spectrum disorder
• HB 5002 Budget bill, including Medicaid expansion and the LARC pilot program

Immigration

• Long time grassroots activist for immigrants.
  • English as a second language volunteer
  • Health clinic volunteer
  • Have connected many immigrants to legal services, health care, and our federal elected officials.
  • I’ve spoken up over the past decade to show my support, even when it was not politically advantageous. I have been a consistent and long-time advocate on immigration issues because to me it has always been a question of doing the right thing. It’s not just a political position.
• Sponsored legislation to ensure that DREAMERs, young people who have lived here for years and were brought here as children, should be eligible for in-state tuition at Virginia’s colleges and universities.
• Sponsored legislation to allow all people in Virginia to carry a driver’s license or privilege card regardless of their immigration status.
  • We need safe, insured drivers on our roads.
  • Immigration status should not make it more difficult to work, go to school or care for family members

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON IMMIGRATION 

• HB 343, patron, in-state tuition for students who grow up in Virginia and intend to apply for citizenship when eligible
• HB 719, copatron, Adds immigration status to the categories considered hate crimes when targeted
• HB 1318, chief patron, drivers privilege cards for all

Infrastructure

Transportation

• Experienced with transportation planning
  • Before serving in the House of Delegates, I spent five years at the table with elected officials, community representatives and senior staff from the region, identifying and planning the best land use and transportation solutions surrounding our Herndon and Innovation Center Metro stations.
  • Innovation Station Task Force – this year, I served on Supervisor Foust’s planning efforts once again to reassess the comprehensive plan around the Innovation Station.
  • Creating new Transit Oriented Development regions, with multi-modal access will help get cars off the road and allow residents to live, work and play closer to home. In my capacity as aide to Supervisor Foust I worked to ensure that surrounding business leaders and residents have also been a part of the conversation.
• Metro funding is critical to the strength of our transportation sector and I am proud to support funding for it in the General Assembly.
• I was in strong support as we passed a bill to put a “floor” on the gas tax so that when gas prices drop the Commonwealth does not lose a substantial revenue source.
• I copatroned legislation to return HOV hours on I-66  to pretolling times and was quick to speak out on behalf of my constituents who are unable to join carpools and cannot afford the I-66 tolls. I will continue to work with VDOT and my colleagues to make sure that there are affordable and efficient transportation options for everyone in our community.

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON TRANSPORTATION

• HB 1417, copatron, return HOV hours to pre-tolling time
• HB 1539, Metro Funding, significant legislation

Safety

Gun Violence Prevention

I share the concerns of the many constituents who write to me afraid for their families and angry that gun violence continues to take so many lives. We cannot let gun violence, active shooter drills in schools, and vigils for lost lives be our normal.

• Polling shows that more than 90% of Virginians support universal background checks, including the majority of gun owners.
• Passionate, educated, experienced advocates have been working to pass gun violence prevention legislation for years. In Richmond, the Educational Fund & Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Everytown Against Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and Giffords have worked tirelessly. The March for Our Lives Students have told their stories and those of allies so well that we all know that we need change now.
• I am a member of the Joint Caucus to Prevent Gun Violence and have been active with the House Safe Virginia Initiative, listening to residents of our communities around the Commonwealth to hear their priorities.

So why haven’t we solved this problem? In the 2018 legislative session, I introduced legislation to incentivize background checks.  My bill, HB 273 allowed for liability to be imposed on a firearms seller or transfer  if it was used to commit a crime and no background check was completed. I was also the co-patron of many other bills regarding gun safety.

• HB 41 would have prohibited bump stocks
• HB 43 would have required gun owners to report to police if their gun had been lost or stolen
• HB 68 would have allowed localities to adopt ordinances to prohibit guns in libraries
• HB 717 would have closed the “gun show loophole” and required background checks at gun shows
• HB 720 would have prohibited anyone who was convicted of a hate crime from obtaining a firearm in the five years after their conviction. We have research to show that this legislation would save lives.

All of these bills and many others were killed on a 4-2 party-line vote despite passionate testimony from those affected by gun violence, including a survivor of  the Las Vegas shooting. Four delegates decided the fate of these bills. So how can we make sure that these bills pass and we save lives in Virginia? The political party with the majority of legislators in the House and the Senate is the party that determines committee leadership and membership and determines whether bills are heard and voted on. Change is coming. Universal background checks and gun violence risk orders will be two of the first bills passed.

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON GUN SENSE

• HB 273, Chief patron, establishes civil liability for injury, death, and property damage inflicted by a gun sold or transferred without a background check.
• HB 41, copatron, Ban Bumpstocks
• HB 43, copatron, report lost or stolen firearms
• HB 68, copatron, would allow localities to ban guns in libraries
• HB 261, copatron, would allow localities to ban guns in government buildings
• HB 281, copatron, minors are allowed to possess guns in their homes, this bill would have required parent grandparent, or guardian permission.
• HB 720, copatron, simple assault hate crime conviction added to prohibition on gun purchase and transport for five years
• HB 721, copatron, universal background checks
• HB 1373, copatron, universal background checks