Over the past several weeks, I have received hundreds of emails and phone calls in support of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). As you may have heard, General Assembly democrats have attempted to fundamentally alter not only the Commonwealth’s relationship with VMI, but the foundation of VMI itself. As originally introduced, HB 1377 would have set up a task force to study stripping VMI of its status as a state-sponsored institution of higher education. Additionally, as a separate Democrat-sponsored bill, HB 1374 would have taken away VMI’s prerogative to govern itself with its own board of visitors and instead placing it under the direct supervision of Virginia State University (VSU) – an institution that otherwise does not have a connection with VMI.
After much public outcry, House Democrats were forced to amend these bills in an attempt to water them down. In the case of HB 1377, the task force is allegedly less punitive in nature and removes language that threatened VMI’s state funding. HB 1374 as amended removes language that put VMI under the supervision of VSU; however, the bill reduces the number of VMI graduates that can serve on its Board of Visitors from 12 to 8. I remain steadfastly opposed to both bills as the intent by democrats all along has been to punish VMI, and it is entirely possible that democrats in the Senate of Virginia may continue to amend the bill to be more punitive in nature.
I have heard from countless VMI graduates and parents of cadets that they view these bills as an outright attack on the institution that has shaped them and their family members. VMI is unique in many regards: it commissions cadets into every branch of service, including the newly created Space Force and the U.S. Coast Guard. Its officers have a higher retention rate than all Senior Military Colleges combined, including West Point. VMI was ranked #4 Top Public Schools by U.S. News and World Report, and it has a distinguished record of 11 Rhodes Scholars, Gates Cambridge Scholars (two), Fullbright Fellows (four), Fullbright Scholars (two) and Marshall Scholars (one), among others. Proponents of HB 1377 and HB 1374 claim that VMI needs to change, but with a diverse corps of cadets that is comparable to many other Virginia four-year public institutions in the percentage of minority earning degrees, I struggle to understand what needs to change. VMI is an asset to our Commonwealth, and I oppose any effort to fundamentally erode the institution. I proudly support VMI and encourage you to as well.
In other news, last week was “crossover,” the point in the General Assembly legislative session where all House Bills had to be voted on by the House and moved over to the Senate (and vice versa). On Monday, that meant that there were 337 live items for the House to act on, and it was a long day on the floor. I am proud to report that I had seven pieces of legislation pass from the House, and now the hard work to get these bills passed through the Senate is renewed. I look forward to updating you on that progress in future updates!
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
