In addition to an unprecedented (sigh – remember the unprecedented times?) seven months of some form of a legislative session in Richmond, I have been very busy in Loudoun for meetings, community gatherings, and gearing up for the 2025 legislative session.
This July edition of the Reaser Report includes our upcoming office hours, updates on various Special Sessions, Commission hearings, filing of legislation, and recaps of recent events. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have a question or are looking to connect with my office!
HD-27 Office Hours
Attention HD-27 residents! Our rotating mobile office hours continue. Please register for your time slot on July 30th from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Sterling Library, where our office can help you address issues with state agencies, discuss legislation, or hear your community’s concerns and feedback! Looking forward to seeing you there!
The Summer of Special Sessions
On July 17th, we met in Richmond to vote on the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP). The House and Senate Majority Leadership reached an agreement to introduce identical legislation to address tuition waivers and VMSDEP. This legislation will fully repeal the changes made to the VMSDEP in May 2024 in order to provide an additional $90 million from the FY2024 surplus ($65 million each fiscal year) to help offset the costs of the waiver programs.
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) agreed to study VMSDEP and will provide a report by September 1, 2024. The repeal, additional funding, and JLARC study of the plan will provide immediate program security while discussions regarding future program changes continue to ensure long-term program stability.
I greatly appreciate all the constituents who reached out to my office to voice their concerns and stories regarding the changes. I am happy to have cast my vote to ensure that first responders and veterans have access to the benefits they were promised and to ensure the long-term viability of the program.
2025 Legislative Prefiling is HERE!
It’s time to prepare for the 2025 legislative session! Legislators can now submit drafts for new laws, during this time frame known as pre-filing. This is a crucial period for hearing from members of our community about the changes they want to see in the Commonwealth.
Do you have a problem that needs to be addressed through legislation? Perhaps an issue has arisen in your industry, community, or school, that you have contemplated. The most impactful ideas come directly from the people I represent. Over one-third of the bills I introduced in 2024 came from constituents!
You can simply use the button below to send us an email! We will carefully review it and follow up with you.
Around the District
Here is just a glimpse into what has been keeping me busy throughout July!
Dulles International Airport
Community Meeting
Joint Commission on Healthcare
Coordinated Office Opening
Special Session
House of Delegates Page Program
Are you or a student you know interested in serving in the Virginia House of Delegates? This longstanding program, which has been running since 1847, invites Virginia youth between the ages of 13 and 14 to participate each winter at the historic Virginia State Capitol and General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia.
The House Page Program is designed to equip students for active citizenship, with a focus on the lawmaking process. Participation in the program benefits students and democracy alike by strengthening leadership traits and developing workplace skills. A successful candidate should be driven, self-motivated, committed to working with others, and demonstrate a positive attitude in all activities.
The application will be available at noon on Thursday, August 1, 2024, on the Capitol Classroom section of the Virginia General Assembly website. Applications must be completed and submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, October 18, 2024.
ICYMI
With the best education system in the nation and policies that provide companies with the space to grow, Virginia is named America’s Top State for Business in 2024.
Have you missed a Reaser Report? You can find all past editions of my monthly newsletter on my website! Click this link to access them: https://atoosareaser.com/recent-news/.
How My Office Can Help You
Navigating state agencies can be confusing and difficult at times. As your delegate, I can help you communicate with state agencies such as the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), Departments of Taxation, Social Services, Transportation, and more! I can also submit inquiries with those agencies on your behalf and help you engage with the state agency you need. There are limits to what I can do, however. For example, I am unable to expedite cases or force state agencies to favor your inquiry, provide legal advice or recommend a specific attorney, intervene with judicial issues, overturn decisions, or be involved with matters involving private businesses.
Whether you want to bring an issue to my attention, need my office’s assistance, or want to invite me to a community event, please reach out! If there is any way I can assist you, please let me know here: https://atoosareaser.com/help/
As always, I am grateful for your ongoing support!
Yours in Service,
Atoosa Reaser (she/her)
Virginia House of Delegates
District 27 (Eastern Loudoun)
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