The third week of the General Assembly saw a major agreement emerge on firearm violence issues, and action on several of my bills.
Bills Moving Through
Three of my bills passed the full Senate this week. My resolution ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) passed on a bipartisan 21-19 vote. ERA remains five states short of ratification. The Senate also passed my bill to give consumers a remedy when consumer finance companies fail to include language protecting consumers in their agreements, and prohibiting local governments from requiring homeowners or condo association approval before granting a permit or license.
As trains, buses, bicycles and walking become more popular, many states have enacted “vulnerable user” laws – making it easier to convict vehicle drivers of a serious traffic offense when collisions occur with vulnerable users who are seriously injured. My legislation will be studied this summer.Â
My legislation to require the State Board of Education to redesign 11th Grade English examinations for English language learners passed subcommittee. This will result in a fairer tests for students. This will also result in a more accurate accreditation analysis for schools with large language learner populations such as many schools in the Route 1 Corridor.
Firearm Deal
On Friday, Governor McAuliffe announced an agreement with conservative legislators about firearms. Last month, Attorney General Mark Herring announced that he was revoking agreements to recognize out of state concealed weapon permits (CWP) in Virginia due to other state laws lacking the same protections we use in Virginia. The National Rifle Association reached out and offered to support prohibiting firearm possession by individuals subject to protective orders and requiring State Police presence at all gun shows to conduct voluntary background checks for firearms sellers without federal firearms licenses.Â
In return, the Governor agreed to sign legislation providing universal reciprocity for weapon permits between Virginia and other states. While the agreement provides that reciprocity will not apply to Virginians whose permits have been revoked in Virginia, it is still incomplete. If enacted, a Virginians who cannot obtain a permit in Virginia after a conviction for stalking, drunk driving, or inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment will be able to obtain a Utah permit and legally carry a concealed gun, switchblade, machete, nun chuck, or throwing stars it in Virginia.
While I would like to see reciprocity for Virginia permit holders, our Virginians’ firearms safety rules should be up to the Virginia legislature and not delegated to the legislatures of states like Utah, Idaho or Alaska. The agreement is not acceptable to me and I will not support the compromise without tighter firearm violence protections.Â
This week will be busy – I have over a dozen bills up this week. Please complete my constituent survey at www.scottsurovell.org and email me at [email protected] if you have any feedback.
It is an honor to serve as your state senator. Â
In order to commemorate the grand opening of Bach to Rock Music School in Bristow, we have scheduled a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 1.
The ribbon cutting will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Bach to Rock Bristow located on 9070 Devlin Road, Suite 100, in Bristow.
Representatives of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to assist with the ribbon cutting.
After the official cutting of the ribbon, there will be a social time with refreshments.
Bach to Rock Bristow is America’s Music School- offering private lessons, studio recording, camps, and birthdays.
Last week, the 2016 General Assembly gaveled into action and I became your State Senator for Virginia’s 36thDistrict.
New Committees
The Rules Committee assigned me to three committees. (1) The Local Government Committee considers legislation addressing land use, zoning and local government. (2) The Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee has jurisdiction over the safety net programs, prisons, alcoholic beverage regulation and childcare. (3) The General Laws and Technology Committee examines bills affecting homeowners associations, gambling, professional occupation regulation, procurement and the Freedom of Information Act. Each of these has jurisdiction over issues  critical to the quality of life in our area.
Blue Line Extension and Multimodal Transportation
Interstate 95 is one of the most congested commuter corridors in the United States. In light of the congestion and the need for more high-quality development and employment, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors endorsed the concept of studying the extension of Metro’s Blue Line from Springfield through Lorton, Woodbridge and Potomac Mills to Quantico. I have introduced legislation to direct the Department of Rail and Public Transit to conduct a multimodal study for this and U.S. 1 south of the Occoquan so we can plan for the next 25 years.Â
As our highways become more clogged and as bike lanes and pedestrian facilities are incorporated into our infrastructure, it is important to encourage drivers to respect other users. Many states have enacted “vulnerable rider” laws to create heightened penalties for drivers who seriously injure pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and others while distracted. I have introduced a bill to create a Class 1 misdemeanor for injuring a vulnerable user while distracted.Â
Homeowners’ Rights
Over the last two years, I have helped to push back on the growing power of homeowners’ and condominium owners’ associations (HOA’s). Some Northern Virginia localities improperly require property owners to show HOA approval before they issue a building permits. I have introduced legislation to make clear this is prohibited.Â
Helping Our Hispanic Community
In August, 2014, I hosted a Hispanic Town Hall in Hybla Valley. The number one issue raised was difficulty in obtaining a driver’s license or government identification. Therefore, I have introduced legislation to allow people to obtain a temporary license if they can establish that they have been living in Virginia for one year and have either filed a Virginia tax return or been claimed as a dependent on another Virginian’s tax return. Fifteen other states, including Maryland and the District of Columbia, have passed similar legislation.Â
At the request of Prince William County Public Schools, I have introduced a bill to require Virginia schools to use a recognized English language proficiency assessment exam for children with limited English proficiency, as an alternative to the 11th grade Standards of Learning English reading exam. This is a fairer way to measure student achievement and will ensure that test scores in high schools with large ESOL populations are not affected by recently-arrived students.Â
Firearm Violence Prevention
During my discussions with the State Police about concealed weapon permit (CWP) proposals, we became aware that CWP’s are automatically revoked for felony convictions, protective orders and other criminal offenses. However, for people who have received inpatient mental health and/or inpatient drug treatment after their CWP was issued, permits are not automatically revoked. I have introduced a bill to require automatic revocation.
Second, I have put in a bill to prohibit mentally ill people who are prohibited from possessing a firearm from also possessing ammunition. Today, mentally ill people can have as many bullets as they want – just no guns.
Third, I have re-introduced my 2014 legislation prohibiting individuals on the Terrorist Watch List from obtaining a CWP or purchasing a firearm. In 2014, the House of Delegates leadership would not give the bill a hearing.
On January 13, 2016, I take my oath of office as your state senator. I am planning on introducing approximately 40 bills and about a dozen budget amendments in our 60-day session.Â
Predatory Lending
Predatory lending is a major problem in the U.S. 1 Corridor. Car title lenders have been abusing this loophole by charging rates over 200% by recharacterizing car title loans as separately regulated car title loans.  To reign in car title lender bait and switch tactics, I am proposing to limit interest rates on consumer finance loans at 36%. I have also introduced legislation to prohibit car title lenders from using subsidiaries from using the open end credit loophole to also evade consumer protections.
Transportation
High occupancy toll lanes or “HOT Lanes” have brought some much needed relief and predictability to commuters on I-495, I-95 and I-395 – but at a price. However, the collection of unpaid tolls through the courts has highlighted problems in the current system. I have introduced legislation to confirm a one-year statute of limitations on unpaid toll collections and to only allow a toll collector to collect stepped up fines after an actual conviction of a prior offense. This will prevent HOT lanes operators from suing commuters for over $2,000 for four offenses involving less than $20 of unpaid tolls, and provides some notice and fairness to the collection process.
I have also introduced legislation directing the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to study restructuring Virginia’s tolls to give some credit to in-state residents for the existing taxpayer investment in road projects. Other states, including Maryland, provide in-state residents discounts on toll roads. We should do the same.
I have also re-introduced a bill to restructure voting on the Board that decides how transportation money is spent based on current population instead of 1930’s congressional district boundaries.Â
Sunshine
I am carry several bills to increase government transparency. The first, reverses the Supreme Court of Virginia’s opinion in my case versus Department of Corrections interpreting the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  The Court held that if one sentence in a government record is exempt from FOIA, the government can withhold an entire document. I called that the “poison pill” rule and my bill requires the government to redact information instead of withholding entire documents.Â
The Court also held that a Court reviewing FOIA response is required to give “great deference” to the government’s decision that information should not be disclosed. That decision runs completely against the purpose of FOIA which is to allow citizens to ensure their government is being run transparently.
I am also introducing legislation that would prohibit law enforcement from withholding police reports from families involving deaths or suicides as is the present practice. I have also introduced legislation prohibiting local governments from using executive session to discuss salary raises for elected officials as occurred last year here in Northern Virginia.
Consumer Protection
Thanks to Congressman Beyer’s amendment to federal transportation legislation, I have introduced legislation confirming that Virginia’s localities have the authority regulate predatory towing.  Also, I am carrying a bill to create a cause of action against corporations that fail to include mandatory language in consumer contracts and limit consumer’s remedies.
Environmental Protection
Plastic bags are the second largest pollutant in our area creeks. I will introduce legislation that would authorize localities in Northern Virginia to charge a $0.05 per bag tax on plastic bags.
Finally, I will introduce legislation requiring investor owned utilities to remove and store coal ash in modern landfills. There is a seventy-year old leaking coal ash dump less than 1,000 yards from the Potomac River in Dumfries, Virginia. Similar legislation was passed in North Carolina’s Republican legislature last year.
Constituent Survey
You should be receiving my 2016 Constituent Survey in the mail this week.  If you would like to save a stamp, you can fill it out online atwww.scottsurovell.org/survey. Â
It will be a very busy year and I will write about a few more of my bills next week. Please continue to send me your input [email protected]. It is an honor to serve as your State Senator.
Monza of Historic Manassas collected more than 100 gently used coats to donate to SERVE in exchange for a $10 Monza or Carmello’s gift card and free hot chocolate and coffee during the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade.
“We appreciate all the support to help SERVE provide coats to those in need,” said Alice Pires, owner of Monza and Carmello’s in Historic Manassas, Va.
Northern Virginia Family Services offers a continuum of housing assistance programs, from homelessness to rental assistance to homeownership.
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The Greater Manassas Baseball League (GMBL) has opened its registration for this year’s baseball and softball spring season
GMBL is a Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken sanctioned baseball league and a Babe Ruth sanctioned fastpitch league. We offer baseball and softball to boys/girls ages 4-18 years of age. The Cal Ripken Divisions include Blastball (4 yr olds), T-Ball (5-6 yr olds), Rookies (7-8 yr olds pitching machine), Minor A (9 yr old kid pitch), Minor AA (10 yr old kid pitch), and Majors (11-12 yr old kid pitch). The Babe Ruth Divisions include Babe Ruth (13-15 yr old) and Senior Babe Ruth (16-18 yr olds).
The Babe Ruth Division for Softball include 8u (Machine Pitch), 10u, 12u and 14u and 18u. GMBL serves the communities of Bristow, Manassas, Manassas Park and most of Prince William County. Since 1957, GMBL has been a place for families to come together, enjoy our nation’s pastime and provide a safe, fun and healthy setting for boys and girls to play baseball and softball. It provides a unique opportunity for our area children to learn the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and dedication while being a part of one of the world’s largest youth sports organizations.
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On today, the final day of my term in the Virginia House of Delegates for the 2nd House District, I wish to say, thank you.
My family and I are grateful to have been trusted to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia in this capacity. When I began working in the community, I never intended to run for political office, I was just a young guy who wanted to help improve my community. Our community.
It has been a blessing to work with so many of you. It has been inspiring to see so many of the accomplishments, and it has been humbling to be given the opportunity to be your voice when the time was needed in the General Assembly. Thank you.
Thank you to all of the Stafford and Prince William delegation for your advice and guidance no matter where we stood philosophically. Thank you to Delegate Luke Torian for all he has done to help guide my political career and for always being someone I could depend on.
Thank you to Harry Wiggins and Bill Card, the chairs of the Prince William Democratic and Republican committees, for pushing me and giving me the thoughts of those that represent.
Thank you to Bishop Lyle and Deborah Dukes and the Harvest Life Changers Church family for praying with us and keeping us encouraged. My Christian walk and work I strive to accomplish in this community is a direct reflection of you.
To my beautiful wife and wonderful children, thank you for allowing me to share the one thing that I cannot get back: my time. You made sacrifices that no one will see, but you did it because you knew the task was great. I love you with all that I am.
And to the people of House District 2: While I am grateful for all we have done together, I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the future. Thank you for trusting me with your voice. I love you all. If you’re ever around, come visit me at Harvest Life Changers Church some Sunday, I would love to have you as a guest!
Together we fought for veteran and military families, not just by adopting our Veteran and Military Family Bill of Rights, but by adding action to policy and working to create Veteran Resource Fairs to help vets do everything from find employment to mental health screenings.
I was blessed to work with organizations like Women’s Veterans Interactive, community activist Tami Lambert and Councilman Derrick Wood to start this initiative and adding on Delegate Rich Anderson has only helped grow out our vision for those that have sacrificed so much more than we will ever imagine. This program will continue to help be a resource to our service men and women. Please add the group on Facebook if you would like to assist our upcoming events.
Together we stood hand and hand with our schools and educators. On the day I announced, I said, “as a former teacher, I realize it doesn’t matter what issue you come up with, it all traces back to education” and that is why as an elected official I spent so much time with our children in the schools.
I enjoyed reading to over 1,500 students and visiting all of our schools. I was excited to drive home every Friday during session and work the concession stands for our local high school athletic games. Rather fighting for better funding for our school systems to raise teacher pay or Dmeeting with parents and educators to discuss their thoughts on SOL reform, I have always done it with our kids best interest in mind.
While my legislation to create Regional Innovation Business Councils that would bring together business owners, educators, and community activists to discuss the jobs and skills of the future may not have passed, I am encouraged to see some of the things we attempted to do being done in the Prince William Chamber of Commerce with our schools. As my father always told me, “once a teacher, always a teacher!”
I love our schools, and will continue working to improve the lives of our young people, rather through my nonprofit Make The Future, or through my latest duty, coaching the 9th grade boys basketball team at Gar-Field High School (come check us out this season!)
Together we fought for the well being of the voiceless.
We took on the Medicaid Expansion fight, not because it was the popular thing to do, but because it was the right thing to do. Many of you know that I lost my mother two weeks before the Senate Primary. She died of cancer.
When I went with her to her final meeting with her Oncologist, I asked how did we get to this point, and the doctor said that they found her cancer so late, but did the best they could. When I asked my mother why they found it so late, she said it was because she could not afford health insurance and was unable to get the routine checks that would have normally caught it.
Well before I ever found out about my mother’s cancer, I used to say in speeches to those opposing Medicaid Expansion that the longer we wait, the more people that would die. I knew it to be fact, but I never imagined that I would see first-hand the impact of a state refusing to expand Medicaid. Though I may not be taking a vote on legislation, I have reached out to my counterparts on both sides of the aisle to discuss what can be done to save lives.
I don’t care what they call it, I don’t care who get the credit, but what I do care is that no other child has to look a dying parent in the eyes and hear those same words that echo to me every time I see my mother’s picture.
Together we confronted the topic of social justice with the Community Policing bill, which brought a sensible approach to tracking complaints and created ways to utilize body cameras to protect both citizens and law enforcement. While this did not become law, Prince William did agree to bring in body cameras, and I have been told by our Attorney General’s office that a lot of the frame work from our approach to the bill was taken for their plan on body cameras.
Together we hosted a special screening of the Oscar nominated civil rights motion picture Selma before it was in theaters. The panel discussion discussing the recent issues of police brutality was nothing short of powerful. I made sure that this event was free of charge because I wanted everyone to join the conversation. I am grateful that Paramount Pictures saw my vision for this discussion to happen in our community, and I am thankful that you were a part of it all.
Together we fought for relief from being prisoners in our own homes due to traffic gridlock. From creating a program that would connect Stafford and Prince William’s bus systems to working to fund our transportation projects; I wanted to make sure that you were able to spend more time at home with your families.
It was no secret that I wanted to bring the metro to Woodbridge, and all I ever heard was “we can’t afford it,” so I created a way that we could! I put in legislation that would create a State Infrastructure fund. The fund would allow private investors or other states to invest in medium to low risk infrastructure projects.
This has potential to bring in billions of dollars to the Commonwealth that could be used on any number of projects. I will continue to work with the Governor’s office to help bring in these and other dollars that can improve our economy.
Together we worked to make a difference. I am thankful for each and every one of you. Everyone who walked into our office got the same speech “before you walked through that door, you had a pretty good idea on where we agreed and disagreed.
You are well within your rights to yell at me and tell me why I am completely wrong, but the only thing I ask is that before you walk out, we identify 2-3 things that we can agree to work together on, because it is impossible to disagree on everything.” This has always been my motto. This is why I sent my staff to both Democrat and Republican monthly meetings some time, because I was elected to represent EVERYONE.
We may not agree on 95% of things, but we can work together on that 5%. As we move forward, let’s strive to work on the things we can come together on instead of what separates us. This is not goodbye, more like see you later! I’ll catch up with all of you on the other side of the Delegate title! Be blessed.
On Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, the Virginia State Police graduated 74 new Troopers and one Special Agent Accountant at its Academy in North Chesterfield County. Upon receiving their diplomas, members of the 123rd Basic Session finish a rigorous 28-week training session. The new troopers have received instruction in more than 100 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours. Academy training includes such areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self defense, cultural diversity and firearms.
All six graduates from Northern Virginia are returning home for their final phase of training, which begins Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, when they report to their respective duty assignments. Each will spend the next six weeks with a field training officer learning his or her new patrol area and day-to-day duties.
Trooper Charles M. Vancampen, 23, of Manassas, pursued a career in law enforcement “to make a difference in the community.” He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Longwood University. Vancampen’s first patrol assignment is in Prince William County.
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A pedestrian was struck this morning in front of a Walgreens pharmacy on at Smoketown and Old Bridge roads in Lake Ridge.Â
Here's more in a police press release:Â
Accident Investigation | Eastern PWC: Officers are currently investigating an accident involving a single vehicle and a pedestrian in the 12600 block of Smoketown Rd in front of the Walgreens. One lane of NB Smoketown Rd toward Old Bridge Rd is currently closed at Beaver Pond Rd. The pedestrian was flown to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Please use an alternate route and follow police direction. Old Bridge Rd is not affected.
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A man has been charged with reckless handling of a firearm after firing shots toward the victim when their argument escalated.Â
According to police, no injuries were reported.Â
Here is more in a press release:Â
