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Heading Into Coal Country         

BIG STONE GAP/MOUNTAIN EMPIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

When someone asks "what did you do on your summer vacation?," Janet Howell will have a ready answer: She went to Southside and Southwest Virginia.

Visiting Southwest Virginia #1

Several days ago I wrote about my planned ten day trip to two of the "extremes" of Virginia:  Southside and Southwest.  Augie Wallmayer had written a book about the regions and the extreme challenges they face after the loss of the manufacturing and coal industries.

My husband Hunt and I have started our eleven-day car trip through Southside and Southwest Virginia.  This is not your typical vacation.  Let me explain. Earlier this year I realized I don't know parts of Virginia as well as I would like.

One of the most vexing problems facing Virginia families is understanding student loan options.  The whole process is confusing and often opaque.  Navigating the system is difficult. And there are sharks in the water.

By the time her current term ends late in 2019, state Sen. Janet Howell will have served 28 years in Richmond.

And she says she’s ready to spend at least four more there.

Each year it takes me a couple weeks to process what happened during the legislative session.  This year is no exception.

Please join me at one of two upcoming Post Legislative Session Town Hall meetings for a report on the 2017 General Assembly session:

Monday, April 17, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

With Delegate Ken Plum at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne

The 2017 General Assembly session is officially over!  In January and February we passed 1,773  bills and resolutions, including the budget.  Governor McAuliffe reviewed them all and sent us 83 amendments to bills, 27 amendments to the budget, and 40 vetoes.  Unlike Congress, the Virginia General Assembly works efficiently!

 Our Governor stuck with his -- and my -- principles on both the budget and laws.