General Assembly Newsletter – First Week of Session

Senator Deeds

January 11, 2008

Dear Friends:

This Wednesday marked not only the first day of the 2008 legislative session, but a very special transformation in Virginia government: This year there will be seven women chairing committees in the Senate-three of those women are African Americans and we have another African American, Senator Henry Marsh, chairing the Courts of Justice committee. I'm happy to report that I will be serving on the Courts of Justice committee this year under Senator Marsh. While I enjoyed my service on the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, the Courts committee has the heaviest workload in the legislature, hears the most bills, and with my background as a lawyer and prosecutor, I believe I bring an important perspective to the policy we will be making there this year.

The first week of a new legislative session doesn't offer much news, but I'm pleased to report that the Virginia Conference of the American Association of University Professors presented me with the Colonel Michael S. Harris award on Thursday for my support of higher education. Past recipients include former Governor Mark Warner and former Senator John Chichester.

Next week committees will begin hearing some of the legislation I've put forward this year. I will update you throughout the next two months on the issues I'm focused on and where my bills stand. Once again I have introduced an amendment to our state constitution to create a bi-partisan redistricting system that will make our elections more competitive and end some of the bickering and divisiveness that is all too common here in Richmond. I'm also working hard on legislation to reform the sub-prime mortgage industry and to provide protections for homeowners who are caught in the middle of this recent housing downturn. And, because I believe that keeping our children safe is one of the most important responsibilities of state government, I'm finalizing the details on legislation that would expand funding for anti-child-exploitation law enforcement and create two new regional Internet Crimes Against Children task forces.

Very Truly Yours,

Senator Deeds