Let me first say that I hope you and yours are well since I missed holding our customary meetings in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. On the positive side, the social isolation may have caused us all to focus on our families, friends, and general well-being.

This short session of General Assembly will soon end, and it has been one for the history books. Our House of Delegates is the only legislative body in the country that has met 100% virtually, and that has had a major impact on the ability to work across the aisle and resolve differences—since interaction is the key to being able to communicate. Under the present circumstances, the public could only observe what the majority party leaders chose to show on the screen. By contrast our state Senate demonstrated that with appropriate precautions, legislators could meet in person and the process be truly transparent to the public.

As a result, many Republican initiatives were never heard but were sum-marily killed without explanation. One of my bills–intended to encourage volunteer service to our communities–met this fate, despite several groups speaking in support of it. My two other bills have passed both the House and Senate and are on their way to the governor: one seeks a more reliable funding source for our wonderful state Parks System, and the other better ensures the health and safety of our youth in congregate living settings.

You may have heard reports of other bills passed this session: public funding of abortions and birth control, parole for many previously ineligible violent offen-ders, removing any state assistance to some religious organizations doing adoption and foster placements, a policy that continues the current mostly virtual school status, and further eroding accountability in our voting process, to name a few.

The most difficult vote I personally faced this session was on repealing the death penalty. Given the recent release of several convicted murderers who had received life sentences, and the further liberalization of the parole process, it is obvious that a “life in prison” sentence is no longer true. I think we all can agree that there are some individuals who should never again be allowed to prey on society. Therefore, while I would like to see the death penalty eliminated, it is really the only sentence currently available that will protect us from true predators, so I voted against the measure, but it did pass.

The 2021 session has been the most partisan that I’ve ever experienced. When I was first elected, the Republicans held a smaller minority in the House, with Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic governor, but our minority views were considered and often integrated into policy. I can only hope that the current Democratic-led autocratic process will soon return to the representative democracy that we all swore to uphold.

Session is scheduled to conclude next week, but we still must finalize the state budget (and there are significant differences between the House and Senate versions to reconcile) and some other matters yet unresolved. Then we convene again in early April to consider any of the governor’s amendments or vetoes to passed bills. I will provide a final update to you after that.

As always, I thank you for the honor of being your representative. And I am happy to assist you with any state matters of concern to you. My local office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-12, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-5. Do not hesitate to call or email; that is why we’re here.