Post by Emily Baker, JMU ’21 Political Science, Anna Connole, JMU ’21 Political Science and Communications, and Ryan Ritter, JMU ’23 History and International Affairs
Background:
The General Assembly, Virginia’s state legislature, convened for its regular session on January 13, 2021. Its two chambers, the House of Delegates (fully virtual) and State Senate (hybrid), met for a short 30 day session as set for odd-years with bill limits per member due to limitations to governing by COVID. Governor Ralph Northam then called the legislature into a special session on February 10 to match a more customary 46-day session. This legislative body is not full-time and what is produced in the short period they spend in session will be final until the next regular session, or if the Governor calls another special session.
With limitations on the number bills each member could file, the state legislature had much more concise priorities this year. Delegates usually are allowed to file 15 bills, but this year were limited to seven bills per Delegate. Historically, State Senators have been limited very few times, but this year had a 12-bill limit per Senator.
Updates from 2021 Session:
- Funding Impacts on Higher Education
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- $113 million flexible funding to colleges
- $38.5 million for the G3 program
- $30.3 million for financial aid assistance
- $8.5 million for TAG
- Tuition Assistance Grants
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- Passed GA, waiting on Governor’s signature:
This program provides financial assistance to certain low and middle income Virginia students who are enrolled in Virginia community college programs that lead to jobs in high-demand fields.
- VA SB1387 – Students; eligibility for in-state tuition.
- Students who meet the criteria for in-state tuition regardless of their citizenship or immigration status will be eligible for in-state financial assistance at Virginia public colleges.
- VA HB2120 – Higher educational institutions, public; governing boards, meetings, input, and disclosures.
- Requires greater transparency from governing boards of Virginia colleges.
- VA HB1820 – SNAP benefits program; eligibility for benefits, postsecondary education.
- Expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits to include college students.
- Criminal Justice Reform
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- Passed GA, waiting on Governor’s signature:
- Gay/Trans Panic Defense
- HB2132 – Abolished the gay/trans panic defense in all murder, assualt, and bodily woundings, which has historically been used where a member of the LGBTQ+ community has been attacked because of their actual or perceived identity
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- Broadband
- $15.3 million in budget
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- Expands access to broadband, especially for low-income students
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- Voting Reform
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- Passed GA, waiting on Governor’s signature:
- VA HB1888 – Reforms to absentee voting processes and procedures
- Makes absentee voting more accessible and available
- VA HB1888 – Reforms to absentee voting processes and procedures
- Passed GA, waiting on Governor’s signature:
Statewide Election Information
- Deadline to register to vote for the June primary: May 17, 2021
- May 8th, 2021: Republican Convention
- June 8, 2021: Democratic Primary
- Deadline to register to vote in the General Election: October 11, 2021
- November 2, 2021: Virginia General Election
- Governor
- Lt. Governor
- Attorney General
- House of Delegate (all 100 seats)
- Municipal Government
- Visit the Virginia Department of Elections website for more information about Virginia elections and how to register to vote or request an absentee ballot
Discussion Questions:
- What do you know about state politics?
- The Virginia GA, yay or nay?
- How well do you know the GA?
- Do you think that the new changes to education will help address inequities revealed because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Resources:
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