Delegate Helmer, I write to you today to first thank you for supporting and being the Chief Patron for both of the priority bills supporting the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild this year. It is of particular pride that you’re supporting a business like Starr Hill Brewery that are members of your constituency in Fairfax County (our restaurant and biergarten are located at the Capital One campus). Specifically on the bills, we are very passionate about HB1655 for Tied-House Reform. I have been personally working with Brett Vassey and the VCBG for several years pushing this legislation, as it will make a great impact to the hospitality industry for our craft brewers in Virginia. This bill opens doors for bartenders, servers, stockers, brewhouse workers, and part-time employees to access employment without unnecessary restrictions—empowering them to earn more, gain experience, and build their careers. The food and beverage industry is facing a historic labor shortage and this bill would allowing cross-employment to create a more flexible, skilled workforce to keep Virginia’s breweries and restaurants thriving. Thank you again for your support and leadership. We look forward to seeing success with this bill!

Alcohol…it may get more people to the dance floor but it also ruins families like mine. It must be regulated!

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS – HB1742 My name is Sandra Robinson, and I serve as the Town Attorney for Dumfries. The Town of Dumfries supports HB 1742, which, if enacted, will enable the Town to retain a larger portion of the tax revenue generated by the gaming facilities located solely within the borders of the Town of Dumfries: The Rose and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium. Currently, the tax revenue generated by the Rose and Rosie’s must be shared with New Kent County. This mandated sharing was a condition of the approval that was required to allow these facilities to operate in Dumfries, but the arrangement only leaves the Town with 25% of the gaming tax revenue generated within its borders. The primary reason the Town seeks the reapportionment of these percentages is so that it can retain more revenue to invest more: in the development of the Town’s public infrastructure, and to enhance public services for its residents and local businesses. By improving public services and infrastructure, the Town of Dumfries’s operations will be strengthened, and its residents and businesses will thrive better. The Town also seeks to retain more of the gaming taxes generated within its borders because the current revenue-sharing percentage is, plain and simple, a transfer of wealth. Ironically, the wealth is being taken from a small diverse town and given to a large, less diverse, county: which also happens to be richer. According to Data USA, the median income for New Kent County in 2022 was $113,102. For the same period, Dumfries’s median income was reported as $75,629. The public policy once supporting the current allocation of gaming tax revenue is no longer compelling. It does not serve our notion of fairness; and it is not in the best interests of the Town of Dumfries residents. On behalf of the Town of Dumfries, please vote to approve HB1742. Thank you.

January of 2020 I won 1 million as a result of playing powerball online. At that time my name was Mary Evans. Because of the current Virginia law my winning was public record, also aired on 3 local TV channels for 3 days. I was also videotaped by the VA Lottery hence anyone visiting the lottery website saw my picture (video) also my name and location of residence (Mechanicsville VA). Unfortunately scammers got my information and proceeded to open multiple instagrams impersonating me saying I had won and was giving money away. I wasn’t aware until a lady from Oregon contacted me via cell call letting me know that she was offered 30k. She knew it was a scam and the scammers were requesting her to give them gift cards to pay the freight cost for the 30k. I also had someone on my property at my front door at 2am wearing a disguise over their head. I had scammers on my Facebook page showing pictures of money given to them claiming it was me. These are highlights of the risks and unsafe conditions due to making public the lucky winners of the Virginia Lottery. A lottery representative advised me this was a marketing tool which to me should not be a priority over our safety. All citizens are aware of the Virginia Lottery in my opinion. I ask that winners in the future have the option to be anonymous to keep our citizens safe. This is a time that should be filled with enjoyment of winning and not in fear. Thank you for your consideration. Mary Fardoulis former Mary Evans

January of 2020 I won 1 Million dollars as a result of playing Powerball online via the Virginia Lottery. When I arrived for my appointment with the lottery I asked if I could remain anonymous. I was advised that it was public record and Virginia law. A short time after wards I was all over social media from a video taken at the VA Lottery. Shortly after winning someone around 2am one morning appeared at my house wearing a disguise ringing my doorbell. This person was on foot and clearly was acting suspicious. I also was texted by a lady in Oregon advising me that scammers pretending to be me contacted her. While impersonating me saying I was giving her 30k and she had to pay for the freight via gift cards. I also received numerous calls that were scammers wanting me to give them money. My name at the time was Mary Evans which was revealed on the lottery website and gave my location as Mechanicsville Virginia. Given this information all anyone had to do was goggle my name which displayed name address and phone number. Scammers had pictures on Instagram of them being given money and my picture that was in the video taken at the Virginia lottery. The accounts on instagram were in my name which I did not set up. I am asking for consideration for anyone winning the lottery to have the option to be anonymous. I feel the above briefly describes the risk and danger making this public record. As it was explained to me by the lottery representative this is used for marketing. All citizens are aware of the lottery and I feel the safety of our citizens far exceeds the marketing tool. I sincerely appreciate consideration of this bill. Best regards, Mary Fardoulis former name Mary Evans