Constituents

The most important duty of any elected official is to act as a liaison between constituents and our state government. If you ever encounter a problem with or have a complaint about one of our state agencies, please contact me via email, in writing, or by telephone. I will do what I can to help resolve the issue.

Other frequently asked questions

How can I set up a meeting with you?

I am in my Charlottesville and Bath offices regularly, although I do not maintain specific office hours due to my court schedule. Please contact my office either in Bath or Charlottesville to arrange an appointment. Of course, you are welcome to visit either office at any time.

Can you provide a state flag for our organization?

The Department of General Services offers flags that have been flown over the State Capitol. To order a flag, please visit the DGS website.

How can I arrange a tour of the Capitol in Richmond?

The Capitol was renovated in 2007 and is worth the trip to Richmond. For more information about hours and tours, please visit the Capitol’s website.

How can I find out more information about my son or daughter serving as a page during the General Assembly session?

The page program is a wonderful way to allow our youth to watch the legislative process firsthand. For more information about eligibility and applying, click here.

Who can I call with questions or problems related to immigration, visas, and other ICE issues?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a federal agency that falls under the purview of the U. S. Congress. If you are having difficulties with any ICE issue, either your congressman or U. S. Senators Tim Kaine or Mark Warner will be best able to help you resolve the matter.

Major Accomplishments in Richmond This Week!

The General Assembly returned to Richmond on April 3 for our 2019 reconvened session to consider gubernatorial vetoes and amendments. The governor has 30 days from the adjournment of the regular session to sign, veto, or offer amendments to legislation. The authority of Virginia’s governor to amend legislation is atypical compared to the president and many other governors. This power provides an opportunity to impact policy in a significant way.

This year’s session was unique in many ways. The areas of controversy surrounding all three statewide office holders were huge concerns that put a chill over the session. For legislators, the political melee was painful and upsetting, but we had to focus on our work and avoid the frenzy. Governor Northam seemed to disappear into his work and avoid the public for the remaining weeks of session and some weeks thereafter. The end product of this focused work yielded a number of significant amendments for the General Assembly to consider this week.

Typically reconvened sessions are not devoid of controversy. Governors’ amendments or vetoes are often on contentious matters. However this year, Governor Northam sought to address policy concerns on which the General Assembly failed to act. For that reason, the 2019 reconvened session was one of the most, and perhaps the most, significant reconvened sessions that I have witnessed. There were at least three substantial achievements this week.

For years I have focused on reforming our mental health system and have traveled throughout the Commonwealth to visit local community services boards, our state psychiatric hospitals, and some nonprofit and private entities in the field. During this journey I have become fairly well acquainted with what Virginia offers to people in need of mental health services, and I know we must do a better job responding to people in need no matter where they live in the Commonwealth. [Read More…]

Summer Update

August 23, 2018 By Creigh Deeds

The 2019 legislative session is just around the corner, which is hard to believe since it feels like the 2018 Session just ended. In fact, the General Assembly has yet to adjourn the special session. A couple of issues remain unresolved.

The Governor initially called for a special session because the General Assembly did not reach a budget agreement. After months of wrangling, the legislature adopted a budget on May 30 that included Medicaid expansion. It was a huge bipartisan accomplishment. Nevertheless, the Senate and House of Delegates did not adjourn sine die because the party in the majority has not agreed on the selection of certain judges. Periodically I’ve heard rumors that the General Assembly will be called back to Richmond for a vote, but those rumors have thus far proven to be untrue. In the meantime, another critical issue has arisen. [Read More…]