Comments Document

Dear Honorable General Assembly Member, My name is Preston Brown and I host a weekly radio show on 101.3fm/990am and a weekly TV show on CW Richmond 65. On the behalf of my 1000's of tv viewer's and 1000's of radio listeners , we have concerns about the way false information was put out by VOTE NO RVA CASINO about the Richmond Casino. Richmond voters should have an opportunity to cast a vote based on the truth and not trickery and lies. If what VOTE NO RVA put out about Richmond Casino should be the same for all Virginia Casino. Why haven't anyone mentioned the same concerns for Petersburg, Norfolk, Danville, Bristol or Portsmouth? Could it be because this is the only casino in Virginia being developed by a Woman? Could it be because this is the only casino in Virginia being developed by a Black own company? Because of trickery, lies and racism Richmond Casino should have a Referendum in 2023. Thank You Preston Brown (804) 803-4463

Comments Document

Because of trickery, lies and racism Richmond Casino should have a referendum in 2020. Vote No Rva spent $231,225 putting out false information and misleading information about One Casino & resort. Leading Richmond voter to believe the casino would exploit Black, Brown & Poor white communities. Richmond voters should have an opportunity to cast a vote based on the truth and not trickery and lies. Why haven't anyone mentioned the same concerns in Petersburg, Norfolk, Danville, Bristol or Portsmouth?

Comments Document

Because of trickery, lies and racism Richmond Casino should have a referendum in 2020. Vote No Rva spent $231,225 putting out false information and misleading information about One Casino & resort. Leading Richmond voter to believe the casino would exploit Black, Brown & Poor white communities. Richmond voters should have an opportunity to cast a vote based on the truth and not trickery and lies. Why haven't anyone mentioned the same concerns in Petersburg, Norfolk, Danville, Bristol or Portsmouth?

HB 1635, HB 2045, HB 2082 and HB2153--I support all of these bills. They all move Virginia in the right direction in terms of tenant/landlord relationships and equity for people with disabilities. Please support these bills. Thank you for your time.

As a PTA board member at my children's elementary school, I am inundated with fundraising offers. Our laws have not kept up with modern tactics for fundraising, which now frequently happen over the Internet and email. This bill would expand the definition of solicitation to meet modern standards. Additionally, this bill would require for-profit entities that work with charitable organizations and groups to disclose the percentage of a donation that will go to the organization. I support this bill and appreciate Delegate Willett for sponsoring it.

Aa a retired military officer and lifelong resident of Virginia (with numerous tours of duty in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East) I strongly support this bill. Virginia has been way behind in encouraging veterans to remain in Virginia. Many of my counterparts who are Virginians by birth now reside in states they believe to be friendlier to veterans, e.g., Florida and Texas. The workgroup should include representatives from all branches - officer, enlisted and spouses. Thanks for your consideration.

Dear General Laws Subcommittee #4 members- on behalf of the City of Falls Church Council, I submit the following comments to OPPOSE HB1957 as currently proposed. The City is committed to and in full support of the VPPA benefits for transparent and open competitive procurement but it also must be balanced with the benefit to the taxpayers funding for cost-effective and risk- mitigation projects. Specific successful City examples are noted below. Design Build and Construction Management at Risk are very valuable contracting instruments for a locality’s construction-procurement toolbox. Current law allows for their use for projects over $26 million and for complex projects below that amount. We strongly request that these thresholds are left as currently specified or that local governments be exempted. The decision of which construction method provides the best project outcome and benefit should be based on the individual project per the locality. If this legislation is not amended, as suggested above, then we recommend that it be referred to the Procurement Study Group for full balanced analysis of the issues, to prevent unintended negative consequences to taxpayers of the Commonwealth and/or achieve a middle ground alternative (i.e. time limit of 10-years then contract award is rebid). The City has recently used the construction management At Risk (CM) contract for two projects, the City Hall and Public Library Renovation and Expansion. Both were complex and under $15M so within existing financial thresholds. Also, as a small locality we have qualified construction project management staff but also limited quantity of staff. So, CM has proven to be a time efficient method to have an upfront competitive process for a consolidated construction management contract, inclusive of all subs, while also be cost effective for the citizens to maximize the scope affordability. We have also used design-build projects in the past. Since time is money, we believe these two construction procurement tools benefit both the private and public stakeholders and no state code change is warranted. If we can be of further assistance and/or clarify any of these comments please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your service to the Commonwealth. Cindy Cindy L. Mester, ICMA-CM Deputy City Manager Pension Plan Administrator/ Risk Manager 300 Park Avenue, Suite 203E Falls Church, VA 22046 phone: 703-248-5042 (TTY 711) cell: 571-641-5586 fax: 703-248-5146 email: cmester@fallschurchva.gov

The City of Roanoke is opposed the HB 1957 as it limits our ability to make the decision as to which construction method is best suited to an individual project.

Please OPPOSE!! The City of Portsmouth strongly opposes this bill. Based on past experience, it would have minimal impact on the City with respect to the design-build process and therefore, the construction services aspect in general. However, if this applies to all construction services, even those not associated with design-build projects, it would present a problem. Those services are typically provided by our on-call annual services consultants who have previously been procured through using an RFQ to perform a number of A/E services to include construction services as spelled out in the RFQ.”

HB 2011 - I supported Del. Roems' bill last year and I do again this year. This allows African Americans to be able to visit graves of their relatives. HB 2059 - This is the legal definition of a foreign born person who has not been naturalized to become a US citizen under federal law & the Constitution. HB 2056 - I do not support any one who may be here illegally to start a business. They are already violating our laws: what would be the purpose in starting a legitimate corporation where you are expected to follow the law when you're not even willing to follow it to be here in the first place?

HB 1635, HB 2045, HB 2082 and HB2153--I support all of these bills. They all move Virginia in the right direction in terms of tenant/landlord relationships and equity for people with disabilities. Please support these bills. Thank you for your time.

HB 2011 - I supported Del. Roems' bill last year and I do again this year. This allows African Americans to be able to visit graves of their relatives. HB 2059 - This is the legal definition of a foreign born person who has not been naturalized to become a US citizen under federal law & the Constitution. HB 2056 - I do not support any one who may be here illegally to start a business. They are already violating our laws: what would be the purpose in starting a legitimate corporation where you are expected to follow the law when you're not even willing to follow it to be here in the first place?

HB 1635, HB 2045, HB 2082 and HB2153--I support all of these bills. They all move Virginia in the right direction in terms of tenant/landlord relationships and equity for people with disabilities. Please support these bills. Thank you for your time.

HB 1635, HB 2045, HB 2082 and HB2153--I support all of these bills. They all move Virginia in the right direction in terms of tenant/landlord relationships and equity for people with disabilities. Please support these bills. Thank you for your time.

The disAbility Law Center of Virginia strongly supports HB 2153 and all efforts to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

I support an amendment to remove the first provision of this bill, which says the alternative application process should be open to all state positions. My reasoning for this is that opening this process up to all positions could cause issues considering that it was initially only intended for non-competitive jobs. Doing so could create an unfair and unnecessary application and interview process.

I write in support of Del. Guzman's HB 2153 . This bill enables Virginia civil servants like me who are also individuals living with disabilities (IWD) to avail ourselves of the existing Alternative Hiring Process (AHP). To do so, one must obtain a Certificate of Disability from DARS. This process usually takes a few days, but took over a month for me as DHRM, DARS and my own University HR department provided conflicting information regarding my eligibility. If this bill had been in place, I would have received fair treatment under AHP prior to the recruiting committee deciding. on its finalists. Instead I was interviewed after that fact.

With the decline of many volunteer agencies, local governments are increasingly absorbing responsibility for the provision of vital emergency services. The cost of this new governmental activity is high. For example, this coming July, Mecklenburg County will run EMS service in the area formerly staffed by volunteer rescue squads in the western portions of the County. This will necessitate the on-boarding of 28 new employees; a nearly 15% increase in our workforce in one fiscal year. Purely on salary and benefits alone, the cost to the County is in the neighborhood of $1.75 million annually, and that does not include equipment and other such expenses. At the same time, the model for assistance from the Commonwealth has been static. Assistance for nonprofit Emergency Medical Service squads is funded through a vehicle registration fee that was last adjusted by the budget bill enacted by the 2010 Session of the General Assembly, whereas, the Financial Assistance for Fire Services Programs is based on a percentage of insurance premiums written in the Commonwealth, a funding model first created in the 1980s and last amended in percent in 1995. Circumstances have changed considerably in the intervening time. Thus, the need for a reevaluation of financial assistance is very pertinent. Accordingly, the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors has voted to support an examination of these funding programs. As this bill is the only one introduced this session that will accomplish this expressed intent of the Board, Mecklenburg County supports the bill and requests your vote to favorably report HB 2175.

I'm writing in support of HB2175. Rural communities are suffering due to a lack of funding for volunteer fire departments. The rising costs of goods, supply chain problems, inflation, interest rates - all of the issues that you and your families are facing, but multiplied when managing a rural fire department. Some receive assistance with operational or capital funding from their locality, but some don’t and I’ve met with so many that are operating on as little as $40,000 annually and selling chickens or stew to stay afloat. HB2175 would direct the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to establish a work group to study existing fire service needs, analyze the sustainability of current funding, and review alternative funding models from other states. Perhaps they’ll report that rural fire departments should work together to make large purchases as a conglomerate; or that additional 100%, 80/20, and 50/50 grants are necessary; provide assistance with grant writing; or discover that there are resources already in place that are not making their way to rural areas. Sitting down with all the stakeholders in the commonwealth, who are by their very nature problem solvers, to work with their counterparts to provide analysis and recommendations is necessary and non-partisan. A one-time funding of $125k is minimal when you consider the number of lives that are at stake, especially in our rural communities. -Jennie Wood

My name is Larry Gwaltney and I am the Executive Director of the Virginia State Firefighters Association. We appreciate Delegate Sickles and the other patrons for recognizing that the needs of the fire service in Virginia far exceed the available resources. Inflation and supply chain issues are making it difficult for career and volunteer fire departments obtain the equipment needed to delivery quality service to our communities. The cost of delivering services is increasing due to inflation, the rising cost of equipment, declining recruitment and retention of employees, and additional life safety requirements across the Commonwealth. Rural communities are especially struggling to maintain sufficient fuel levels, pay for insurance, and fund other essential needs at their stations. Current funding is not sufficient to keep pace with additional responsibilities given to Fire and EMS departments. In an effort to meet the rising demand for services, while balancing the increasing cost for delivery and a nationwide decline in fire and EMS personnel, the Commonwealth needs to find a sustainable model for investing in fire and EMS departments into the future. We fully support this legislation to establish a work group to study existing funding, analyze sustainability of current funding and to review alternative funding models. We respectfully ask that you vote to report this bill out of committee.

Dear Delegates, As I sit here thinking of all the genetic illness’s I suffer with. I can not help to wonder why you would not make this medicine available to people who suffer. My background was in the medical field, now disabled due to Ehlers Danlos syndrome (genetic disorder never goes away) and almost all of its comorbidities! Look it up it’s living with extreme flu symptoms everyday on top of the rest and your collagen being like faulty bubble gum. You wake up with bruises just because it’s part of the disease migraines and nausea .Which I am now limited to treatment options as well as pain management and am allergic to most meds I have adverse reactions due to my genetic illnesses. As well I have seizures, tremors, CPTSD from severe trauma and all forms of abuse. Cervical spondylosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Dysautonomia, Postural Orthostatic tachycardia and bradycardia when my body decides to throw a fit. Also sleeping with all these conditions is almost impossible and I wish it in no one. But I do wish we could find the good in this! Revenue for Va, roads and school systems , small businesses, People not suffering more than necessary “ let’s be humane”, how about our Emergency response crews who deal with trauma everyday and need to sleep/ mental break, let’s end prohibition on cannabis. It’s not fair alcohol is the one that makes people violent, abusive and kill. I grew up in that legal drinking home of abuse. As a person of 46 years of age this is the only option for relief. Why should we be penalized by doctors or jobs? They don’t alcohol test first if they did, most wouldn’t be treated like cannabis users. My daughter was having major surgeries in Colorado this year for our genetic illness. A surgeon walked out and came to talk to the family beside me. His advice to the family was get him some Strongest medicinal marijuana and yes he emphasized it. Best Regards, Linda Ludin

Any bill that supports the retail market through the medical cannabis providers will further weaken the current quality and quantity of the medical cannabis offerings. Patients wait as much as 12 weeks for the medical cannabis product that was discussed with their practitioner and has provided the benefit that they need. The focus of the medical cannabis producers has pivoted from medical patient care to that of recreational, which is evidence by the accompanying lines of products they carry. The key comment I have heard from patients is that they are uncomfortable in the dispensaries as they carry lighters, other smoking devices and it seems less medical and more recreational. The medical dispensaries need to do a much better job focusing on what they were licensed to do. Have a continual supply of products that benefit and work for the patients and cease catering to the recreational user who received their medical certificate through a 1-800 number or a Groupon for $69.00. People are hurting because the medical processors want to be in the recreational field, and treat the medical process and the patients with disregard.

Comments Document

The Commonwealth of Virginia has a rich and storied history in the cultivation and use of cannabis and hemp. As early as the 1700s, Virginia farmers were growing hemp for textile production, making it a vital component of the state's economy. In 1979, Virginia became the first state in the union to recognize the medical potential of cannabis, a discovery that would change the course of history for patients and healthcare providers alike. As we move forward, it is imperative that we build on this legacy and create a cannabis industry that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. This legislation is a commitment to the people of Virginia to create a cannabis industry that benefits all, and to make Virginia a leader in the national conversation on cannabis legalization and regulation.

I'm glad that we've come this far as a state but do not dwindle it away by giving a monopoly to cresco and col-care. What happened to creating jobs for Virginians? Not these multi-state multi billion dollar companies who only care for quantity at the expense of quality leaving people at risk for consuming pesticide. Cresco already has allegations in other states with poor quality control with no oversight. What happened to both parties caring about the individual? The working class? Instead Virginians have no voice in Virginia only those with deep pockets... Let Virginia be about Virginians.

In 2021, the Commonwealth of Virginia legalized marijuana. Since then the commonwealth has been in grey area wrt marijuana. The delaying the sale for adult use does not stop the use. Allowing legal sales quickly so the product sold is safe and only sold to adults is the priority of the commonwealth. Today Cresco operates a majority of the medical storefronts the the proposed bills will only increase Cresco's gripe on the market. The spirit of legalization was to help people of color run legal adult use establishments, not create a monopoly for Cresco under the direction of Virginia's NORML chapter. Please allow non multi-state to open establishments to receive licenses and open before Cresco and others multi-state companies to open more (they run all the medical dispensaries) establishments.