YOUR TURN
Firearms, elections and coronavirus updates
Gov. Ralph Northam has signed several bills in the past 72 hours, including legislation on voting, energy, firearms and more. The Virginia General Assembly plans ...
Matt Fariss, Author at Farmville - Page 3 of 4
YOUR TURN
Speaker plans to reconvene House outdoors April 22
Virginia continues to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak as best we can. Gov. Ralph Northam has closed beaches, entertainment venues, and many other non-essential places ...
by Matt Fariss, Friday, April 10, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
Details of CARES Act explained
Virginia continues to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak as best we can. But the toll is impossible to ignore. Hundreds are ill, and more than ...
by Matt Fariss, Friday, April 3, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
Red Flag law passed by General Assembly
The 2020 Session has completed its seventh week in Richmond, and I’d like to take a moment to update you on the latest from the ...
by Matt Fariss, Wednesday, March 4, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
New state budget being hammered out
With just over two weeks left in the 2020 legislative session, I’d like to take a moment to update you on the latest news from ...
by Matt Fariss, Thursday, February 27, 2020 6:30 am
YOUR TURN
Potential new state laws coming soon
The Virginia General Assembly reached the halfway point of the 2020 Session on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Known as Crossover, this is the point at which ...
by Matt Fariss, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 6:30 am
YOUR TURN
I will continue to protect our Second Amendment rights
We’ve completed the fourth week of the 2020 Session, and I’d like to take a moment to share with you the latest news from Richmond. ...
by Matt Fariss, Sunday, February 9, 2020 4:32 pm
YOUR TURN
Fariss gives update on bills
The third week of the 2020 Session wrapped up last week, and I wanted to take a moment to update you on the latest news ...
by Matt Fariss, Friday, January 31, 2020 10:00 am
YOUR TURN
Changes in the new year
The Virginia General Assembly convened for the 2020 regular session on Wednesday, Jan. 8. It is an even number year, so the legislature will meet ...
by Matt Fariss, Friday, January 10, 2020 12:58 pm
YOUR TURN
Sanctuaries and budget
The Second Amendment Sanctuary movement continues to pick up speed. Across Virginia, residents are already sending a strong message to Richmond that they are deeply ...
by Matt Fariss, Friday, January 3, 2020 10:35 am
YOUR TURN
Medicaid work requirement
Gov. Northam announced that his administration has suspended negotiations with the federal government on the Medicaid work requirement, citing that “it is unlikely Virginia will ...
by Matt Fariss, Friday, December 13, 2019 11:30 am
YOUR TURN
Second Amendment rights
In counties across Virginia, residents are already sending a strong message to Richmond that they will not simply accept Democratic efforts to infringe on their ...
by Matt Fariss, Tuesday, December 10, 2019 7:00 am
YOUR TURN
On gun laws
After months of studying the causes of gun violence, the Virginia State Crime Commission issued a report with no recommendations on how to curb the ...
by Matt Fariss, Monday, November 25, 2019 5:49 am
YOUR TURN
Challenges facing rural communities
Although we have had a few days recently of rain, a statewide drought advisory was issued on Oct. 11. This was issued with hopes to ...
by Matt Fariss, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 9:16 am
YOUR TURN
Improved mental health support needed
The Roanoke Times published a story and an editorial noting that of all the recommendations of the Virginia Tech Review Panel, the one item of ...
by Matt Fariss, Tuesday, October 15, 2019 10:38 am
YOUR TURN
Time to get out and vote
If you have not yet registered to vote in the 2019 general election, please do so as soon as possible. The registration deadline is Oct. ...
by Matt Fariss, Sunday, October 13, 2019 7:00 pm
YOUR TURN
Public education in Virginia
Since the Great Recession, the General Assembly has increased funding for public education by nearly $4 billion. We provided funding for a 5 percent teacher ...
by Matt Fariss, Friday, October 4, 2019 8:00 pm
YOUR TURN
Pro-business legislation
At a meeting over the weekend, the leadership of the Democratic Party of Virginia voted unanimously to endorse the Virginia Green New Deal (VA GND), ...
by Matt Fariss, Monday, September 30, 2019 6:51 pm
YOUR TURN
First Responders Day
Virginia House Joint Resolution 646 was introduced during the 2019 General Assembly session, naming Sept. 11 as First Responders Day in Virginia. Public safety agencies, ...
by Matt Fariss, Monday, September 16, 2019 12:06 pm
YOUR TURN
Rebate checks are coming
The Commonwealth of Virginia ended the fiscal year with a $797.7 million revenue surplus, according to final figures provided at the Aug. 20 joint meeting ...
by Matt Fariss, Sunday, September 1, 2019 1:00 pm
YOUR TURN
Reducing gun violence
The Virginia Crime Commission meets for two days this week to discuss the numerous bills presented during the July Special Session. Day One of the ...
by Matt Fariss, Tuesday, August 27, 2019 10:18 am
Columns
The Republican way
Republicans and Democrats share the same goal — to end violence in our communities. Every life lost is a tragedy. Where we differ is on ...
by Matt Fariss, Thursday, August 1, 2019 9:44 am
YOUR TURN
Gun control
On Tuesday, July 9, legislators met in Richmond under Governor Northam’s call for a Special Session on gun control. The Speaker and Senate Majority Leader ...
by Matt Fariss, Thursday, July 18, 2019 4:37 pm
Columns
New laws taking effect
We spent much of the 2019 session focused on taxes and the state budget, but we also passed some significant legislation that will impact the ...
by Matt Fariss, Wednesday, July 3, 2019 9:28 am
Columns
Taxpayer Relief Fund
During the 2019 General Assembly session I was proud to support legislation that will result in a $1.2 billion tax cut for Virginia families. As ...
by Matt Fariss, Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:09 am
YOUR TURN
Grants providing needed services
It was announced last week that 87 grants totaling more than $3.47 million have been awarded to 53 localities throughout Virginia. This funding will enable ...
by Matt Fariss, Thursday, June 20, 2019 1:59 pm
Columns
Special session
Governor Northam has set the date of the Special Session for Tuesday, July 9. We know now is a time of grieving and a time ...