The 2023 Legislative Session has officially begun and it’s time to get to work! These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of committee meetings, events, panels, interviews, and press conferences in the Capitol. We started out strong by submitting several key pieces of legislation and budget amendments to benefit hardworking Portsmouth families, and look forward to fighting to get them through both chambers.
General Assembly Session 2023
The 2023 Legislative Session Begins!
The 2023 Legislative Session was officially gaveled in on January 11th to kick off 6 weeks of intense debate, negotiation, and legislation.
State of the Commonwealth Address Rebuttal
To kick off the session, Governor Glenn Youngkin delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth Address. Alongside Senate Caucus Chair Mamie Locke, I delivered the Democratic Rebuttal to his address, and there certainly was a lot to cover.
In Governor Youngkin’s address, we heard the standard MAGA wish list. We heard Governor Youngkin practicing a presidential stump speech full of culture war highlights. For starters, the Governor took this speech as the opportune moment to announce that he would block Ford from bringing 2,500 jobs to Southside with an EV Battery Plant. Governor Youngkin also promised to rewrite what is being taught in our schools to appeal to his MAGA base. As a final reveal, he admitted that he intends to support an abortion ban in Virginia.
In this speech, Youngkin once again proved that he doesn’t really represent us as citizens of this Commonwealth. He represents himself, a 2024 presidential hopeful for the Republican primary.
I promise to fight this agenda. It’s time we took back the majority to send a clear message that this state isn’t just for stump speeches and culture wars, but for firefighters, teachers, unions, and nurses, for hard working Virginia families. I promise to always work for them.
Legislation
Vision for Virginia
As the Democratic Leader in the House, I am working with my Senate counterparts to shepherd through our party’s comprehensive Vision for Virginia platform. This means delivering on real issues: common sense gun reforms, a world class education, and an economy that works for more hardworking Virginians. Specifically, we are:
Creating an Economy for Hardworking Virginians by reducing costs.
Protecting Our Freedoms From Republican Extremism.
Delivering a World-Class Education by fully investing in our public schools.
Keeping Virginia Communities Safe and Healthy through gun reform, climate action, and investing in mental health.
Happenings in Richmond & Portsmouth
Speaking to the Virginia Chamber of Commerce
I was invited to address the Chamber of Commerce as part of their lobby day at the Capitol. As a small business owner myself, I understand how COVID has affected small businesses in Virginia. That’s why we’re investing in apprenticeships and trade programs so that our commonwealth is prepared with a skilled workforce, cutting housing costs so that it’s affordable for them to live here, and reducing taxes for small businesses so that owners can continue to deliver goods, services, and good paying jobs.
Speaking with the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters
I had the honor of addressing the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) to discuss the important bills they are supporting this session. Together, we’re building on progress made in 2020. We have protected the rights of local employees to organize and expanded diseases eligible for workers compensation to reflect the actual risks VA Fire Fighters face on their jobs. We plan to continute to work in a bi-partisan way to provide additional health care protections to our firefighters and to create an environment that ensures that firefighters can retire with dignity.
Meetings with SEIU
I was pleased to meet with SEIU 32BJ on their annual legislative day. I am proud to work with them to ensure that basic worker rights are protected.
Church and Community in Action Award
I was honored to be recognized from the Church and Communities in Action on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day for my work in politics. Over the last three years, I’ve been able to serve the constituents of the 80th district. I look forward to continuing to represent the residents of Portsmouth in the highest regard through my commitment to public service all over my community and the state of Virginia.
Supporting Stop the Violence 757
It was a pleasure to meet with representatives of Stop the Violence 757, a Portsmouth & Hampton Roads based organization that raises awareness and fosters community to combat gun violence in our city. This session, I submitted a budget amendment to support Stop the Violence and plan to continue advocating on their behalf for the great work that they do.
Kappa Day Martin Luther King Jr. Panel
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I spoke on a panel with the Eastern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity about our legislative priorities for our communities of color. We also discussed the criminal justice implications for legalizing marijuana in the Commonwealth, and I emphasized the importance of equity-based programs for commercial markets and automatic expungement of marijuana related offenses.
MLK Jr. Day Vigil at the Bell Tower
I was honored to speak at the Martin Luther King Jr. Vigil at the Capitol. The vigil honored victims of gun violence and advocated on behalf of common sense gun reform to combat endemic gun violence. Gun reform is long overdue in this Commonwealth and while we have several bills addressing gun violence for review this session, I am working hard to retake the majority so that any common sense measure is not immediately killed by our Republican colleagues.
Meeting with Congresswoman Spanberger
I had the pleasure of meeting with Congresswoman Spanberger at the Capitol. We’re proud to send her back to the Hill to continue to fight for Virginia in DC.
How to Get in Touch
Questions about Leader Scott’s priorities or timeline? Want to get involved with Leader Scott but not sure how? Want to stay in the know for all news relating to our fight for a better, stronger Virginia? Email us at [email protected].
Questions about the General Assembly or the legislative process? Email us at [email protected] or call us directly at 757-966-5086.
Stay Up To Date With Our Team Online
My office is happy to assist you in accessing resources from the Commonwealth of Virginia and answering questions related to the state Government of the Virginia General Assembly. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time.
[email protected] | 757-966-5086 | leaderdonscott.com
It is an honor to serve as your House Democratic Leader. Thank you to my constituents for trusting me to represent your interests in the General Assembly.
