As I write, we are in the last days of the legislative session and I am involved with negotiations with the Senate on the final versions of bills on school construction, STEM education and Human Trafficking Prevention, before final passage.
This past week we held our final Career and Technical Education Caucus of the 2022 General Assembly Session. We had a large number of Delegates, from both sides of the aisle, join us to hear presentations from Tom Cosgrove with Newport News Shipbuilding and Dr. Aaron Smith with the Denbigh Aviation Academy. Mr. Cosgrove expressed the need for students to have access to STEM education in high school and community colleges, to help them build a skilled applicant pool for their workforce. Denbigh Aviation Academy strives to give students the best STEM education at the high school level. Dr. Smith, the program administrator, spoke about their mission to train students for the evolving modern workforce. The Academy focuses on piloting, aircraft maintenance, and engineering. I have put in a budget amendment for funding in the upcoming budget to help them implement a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drone program.
In addition to the completion of General Assembly legislative business this week, we are also preparing to move out of our current offices in the Pocahontas Building. We are looking forward to the completion of the new General Assembly Office Building (GAB) located at the corner of 9th and Broad Streets. The 400,000-square-foot building includes space for school groups, advocates, press and other public meeting rooms on the four lower levels. We are excited to welcome the public to our new office building for the 2023 General Assembly Session.
Our office is open year round to be of service to you. We want to hear your concerns, proposals and how we can help you. If you would like to schedule a meeting or need assistance please reach out to my staff by email at contact@simondsfordelegate.com or phone at 804-698-1094.
Sincerely,
Delegate Simonds
Photos from the Week
On Friday my human trafficking bill passed 96Y – 0N in the House and 36Y – 4N in the Senate
This week I was presented with my Climate Champion Award from Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Celebrating Women’s History Month with Delegate Jackie Glass and Councilwoman Andria McClellan
Here I am receiving my Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education Policymaker of the Year award from members, Brenda Long and David Bailey
Great discussion during our Career and Technical Education Caucus
With high school students from CASA Virginia at the Capitol Building