Eastern Shore Times

In a recent legislative update from Richmond, Virginia, House Delegate Mike Cherry shared insights on the progress made during the General Assembly session. Speaking on the legislative accomplishments, Cherry highlighted the passage of House Bill 633, emphasizing its significance in combating labor trafficking. Cherry stated, "This bill would empower local prosecutors to bring charges against individuals who traffick other humans for their labor."

However, not all proposed bills saw success, as Cherry expressed disappointment in the defeat of campaign finance reform bills, including his own HB 629. Despite efforts to push for transparency in campaign fund usage, these bills did not garner enough support for approval.

One of the notable bills that sparked public attention was HB 858, which aimed to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Virginia. Cherry shared that following strong opposition from constituents in the 74th district, the bill did not secure enough votes and was effectively defeated by the crossover deadline.

Reflecting on the week's activities, Cherry mentioned a visit from Brightpoint Community College students who advocated for a robust community college system to enhance access to higher education. The engagement of these students underscored the importance of affordable education opportunities within the community.

Looking ahead, Cherry informed recipients of the upcoming budget committee meetings to unveil the state budget proposal on February 18th. As the legislative session progresses, Cherry expressed his commitment to representing constituents diligently in the House of Delegates.

The week in Richmond also saw various developments, including the passage of the Local Government Travel Transparency Bill in the Senate and the progress of bills such as labor trafficking, city council salary caps, and employee retaliation in the General Assembly.

As the legislative session continues, Cherry assured constituents of his dedication to serving their interests and pledged to provide further updates on the state budget proposal in the next newsletter.