In the last two years, Virginia has seen an increase in weapons charges, gun violence and homicides. Although it is nothing compared to the rates of those crimes in the 1980s and early 1990s, this disturbing trend needs solutions — now.

https://richmond.com/opinion/columnists/column-a-simple-solution-to-gun-violence/article_d27a672a-95e2-11ed-8688-3bd163e3d586.html

Charging up

Electric vehicle infrastructure buildout gathers power

PUBLISHED AUGUST 29, 2022

BY MASON ADAMS

Sullivan and Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax, co-sponsored legislation this year to establish a transportation decarbonization program to disburse up to $20 million annually in grants for private developers to install EV charging stations, covering 50% of nonutility costs in most localities and 70% in economically disadvantaged communities.

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/charging-up/

Rethinking Juvenile Justice

Alexandria detention facility may be consolidated as part of statewide effort.

"This is good news," said state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37), a former director of the Department of Juvenile Justice who is leading the reorganization effort. "The fact that we have this few kids locked up in our corrections and detention systems has created this problem, and it is a problem and it is difficult. You're talking about people's jobs and about beloved local programming, and it's difficult to do this. But it is our obligation to spend public dollars in a more efficient and effective way."

http://www.alexandriagazette.com/news/2022/aug/24/rethinking-juvenile-justice/

Legislation results from collaboration between senator, state trucking association

Nick Austin

·Monday, February 28, 2022

Democratic Sen. Dave Marsden, the main architect of the bill, introduced it in late January, and it passed in the state Senate less than a month later by a vote of 26-13. It could become law as early as July 1 if it passes in the House of Delegates and the governor signs it.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/keep-right-virginia-bill-outlines-winter-storm-lane-restriction-for-truckers

Beagles Find Heroes in General Assembly

By Susan Laume

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Seven bills were submitted in the Senate by Sen. Dave Marsden, (D-37), chairman of the Senate companion animals subcommittee; Sen. Bill Stanley, (R-20), a frequent sponsor of companion animal bills; and Sen. Jennifer Boysko, (D-33).

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2022/feb/23/beagles-find-heroes-general-assembly/

I recently had lunch with esteemed political reporter, Charlie Cook, author of The Cook Political Report (http://cookpolitical.com/). I discussed with him my theory of what truly divides Americans, a Republican/rural/liberty vs. Democratic/urban/justice divide. In his most recent newsletter he discusses that theory. I think he is spot on in his commentary, especially the part about me being one of the smartest state legislators around! All jokes aside, he makes good points about needing to better understand each other and work together for the betterment of our country. I hope legislators on both sides of the aisle pay attention. 

Delegate Kaye Kory and I are holding a town hall meeting to discuss the conclusion of the 2017 General Assembly Session and our successful Veto Session. We will give a brief update and take questions from the audience. Details below, I hope you will join us. 

Virginia’s Troubled History of Voter Disenfranchisement

Virginia has a troubling history of disenfranchising voters based on criminal convictions and failing to restore those rights when disenfranchised citizens have completed their sentences. In the recently completed 2017 session of the General Assembly, Republican Sen. Tommy Norment introduced a constitutional amendment (SJ 223) that would have allowed for the restoration of voting rights for violent felons (which includes burglary and certain drug offenses) after release from prison, a five-year waiting period, and the payment of all fines, fees, and restitution. Democratic opposition argued that these unpaid monies constituted a modern version of the poll tax. Though poll tax laws are no longer on the books, Virginia has one of the nation's most extreme policies restricting the voting rights of criminal offenders and one of the most racially disproportionate, with more than one in five black adults barred from voting due to a criminal conviction.

The 2017 General Assembly Session has officially adjourned Sine Die, concluding our legislative session. Over the next few weeks Governor McAuliffe and his staff will review the legislation passed and approve, veto, or amend the bills. Included this year are eight bills that I passed. 

The most significant bill I had passed this year was SB1027, legislation to allow for the growing, processing, and dispensing of Medical Marijuana Oils. Three years ago, I met with Fairfax County residents who had members of their family who suffered from intractable epilepsy. Intractable epilepsy is a neurological disorder that produces serious, debilitating, and many times life threatening seizures. Many people, especially children, can suffer from hundreds of seizures a day. The severity of this ailment can’t be downplayed. These families have spent countless hours in emergency rooms trying to stabilize their loved ones and many hours seeking better treatment. The FDA approved drugs come with some of the worst imaginable side effects.