Last week, legislation was assigned to a Committee for Courts of Justice subcommittee that would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for many crimes in the Commonwealth, to include rape, assault and battery, involuntary manslaughter, malicious bodily injury to law enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel or EMS workers, and a host of other violent crimes. HB 863 is part of a disconcerting effort from House Democrats that appear intent on reducing penalties for criminals – making our communities less safe and disregarding the families of victims. Meanwhile, my legislation that would increase the penalty for voluntary manslaughter, HB 102, has not even yet received a committee hearing. Given current trends, it would not surprise me at all if House Democrats do not allow a hearing on this legislation, instead letting it die without any public debate or input.
House Democrats also pushed through legislation that would force Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional “cap and trade” program that forces utilities to buy and sell emissions credits. As you may recall, former Governor Glenn Youngkin rescinded Virginia’s membership in this program that essentially makes traditional energy production more expensive to subsidize energy efficiency and flooding mitigation projects throughout the state. Rather than focus on affordability, Democrats continue to stand behind legislation that do just the opposite. Whether it be your electric bill or the everyday goods and services that you consume, life is about to become more expensive should these ill-advised ideas be passed and signed into law by Governor Spanberger.
In other news, in multiple efforts to restrict your 2nd Amendment rights, Democrats are working to pass legislation to impose a new firearm and ammunition tax (HB 919), create an arbitrary five-day waiting period when purchasing firearms (HB 700), and ban so-called “assault weapons” (HB 217), among many others. I am often asked what can be done to stop this legislation, and in the House of Delegates, the answer is unfortunately “not much.” Democrats hold a 64-34 majority in this body, and they have the votes to push these bills through to the Senate. It will likely be upon the Senate of Virginia, and potentially Governor Spanberger, to stop these 2nd Amendment infringements. Elections have consequences, and we are witnessing the consequences of the 2025 general election in real time.
On a more positive note, I had the distinct pleasure to introduce several groups visiting Richmond from the House floor, to include bright young students from Radford University as part of their annual Advocacy Day, representatives from Prestar Packaging as part of the Virginia Manufacturing Association’s Lobby Day, and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. I will forever be thankful for the Corps’ efforts to clean up the 42nd House District in the wake of Hurricane Helene!
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.
