Session Update - Week 2

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The first full week of the 2016 General Assembly Session has come to an end. On Monday, I met with constituents and visitors from across the Commonwealth to discuss their legislative priorities. I especially appreciated the visit from Mark Buchholz and Nancy White (pictured above) who were here to support the Arlington Free Clinic.

In addition, I attended a rally with hundreds of Virginians demanding the General Assembly take action to enact common sense gun violence prevention measures. Every year the number of gun violence prevention supporters that visit us during the legislative session continues to grow.  

Monday afternoon was the first meeting of the session for the Virginia Environment and Renewable Energy Caucus, which I founded last year and currently serve as the Chair. We adopted an agenda of our 2016 Legislative Priorities, but will continue to look for additional environment and renewable energy related bills throughout the session that we can support. You can view our current agenda online at - http://www.alfonsolopez.org/media/press-releases/virginia-environment-and-renewable-energy-caucus-adopts-2016-legislative-agenda

During this first week, all of my bills are in the process of being assigned to subcommittees and working their way onto agendas for next week. I look forward to presenting these bills and working them through the legislative process. 

Finally, Thank you to the Wakefield High School students who generously allowed me to display their amazing photography outside my office in Richmond. Visitors to the General Assembly stop to admire their artwork on a regular basis and are always surprised that such phenomenal work was produced by high school students. 

With the impending snow storm, please make sure to stay safe this weekend. If you missed it, you can see my winter weather email with useful links and resources to help you weather the storm by clicking the link below  - http://www.alfonsolopez.org/news/winter-weather-warning-for-our-community

Sincerely,

Alfonso H. Lopez
Member, 49th District
Virginia House of Delegates

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPEECH 

This week Governor McAuliffe announced $6.9 million in grants and loans from the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing across the Commonwealth. 

On Wednesday, I gave a speech on the floor of the House of Delegates applauding Governor McAuliffe's efforts. He has shown tremendous leadership in working to end homelessness and address housing affordability in Virginia. Thanks to his efforts, we have been able to secure additional support for the Housing Trust Fund, but in order to continue this success, the Housing Trust Fund needs a dedicated source of revenue.

This year I’m working with Delegate Chris Peace (R-Mechanicsville) to pass legislation (HB972/683) creating a dedicated source of funding so the Housing Trust Fund can continue to grow, stimulate investment, strengthen our economy, and help Virginians for many years to come. Click here to view my speech.

UPCOMING TOWN HALL

Senator Adam Ebbin and I are holding a South Arlington town hall meeting on Saturday, February 6 at 10:00 AM to discuss the 2016 General Assembly Session with our constituents. 

The town hall will be held at the Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th St S, Arlington, VA 22204).

I hope to see you there!