Guest Columns
Latest Guest Columns
COLUMN — Special session laws will bring changes to law enforcement
Last Friday’s budget action should be the final votes this chamber must cast on the budget until the reconvened session. Yet Democrats have still found ... Read more
4 days ago by Matt Fariss.
Column – ‘I will always strive to put people over party’
I am honored to be serving as your representative in Congress, and I am proud to share some of the progress we have made this ... Read more
1 week ago by Denver Riggleman.
COLUMN — Transparency is needed from the parole board
As Sen. Mark Obenshain said last week during the Senate session, something is foul at the Virginia Parole Board, even beyond the situation surrounding Vincent ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Matt Fariss.
Fair Care Act would protect those with preexisting conditions
Recently, I co-sponsored I cosponsored H.R. 8527, the Fair Care Act of 2020, which will lower the cost of health care while increasing consumer choice ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Denver Riggleman.
Success at SVCC is transferable
Every October, the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students celebrates National Transfer Student Week. This year Southside Virginia Community College will participate with ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Quentin Johnson.
COLUMN — Democrats reject moderate police reforms
The 2020 Special Session to date has largely focused on police and criminal justice reform even though the General Assembly’s primary charge was to address ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Tommy Wright.
COLUMN — Prayers to all those affected by COVID-19
Our prayers go out to our president, governor, their wives, and to all who have been infected with COVID-19. We wish them fast recoveries. Likewise, ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Frank Ruff.
House votes to condemn QAnon
I was glad to be back in Washington this week voting on the issues that matter most to the 5th District. First, I want to ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Denver Riggleman.
COLUMN — House begins budget work
Last Friday, Sept. 25, the budget bill was passed out of the House Appropriations Committee. Democrats have spent $251 million over and above the governor’s request ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Matt Fariss.
Amendment would keep court at nine
Thursday, Sept. 24, I introduced a Constitutional Amendment with Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MD). The Keep Nine Amendment would permanently set the number of U.S. Supreme ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Denver Riggleman.
Legislature protects renters, hurts landlords
Compassion is a good thing when you are using your resources in assisting others in a time of their need. It is far different when ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Frank Ruff.
Vote ‘yes’ on the redistricting amendment
The 2021 General Assembly Special Session continues to move slowly, as the House did not meet at all last week. We were called back to ... Read more
1 month ago by Tommy Wright.
Law enforcement changes happening quickly
All over America, there are efforts to change law enforcement. In some cities, there has been an open effort to defund the police. In other ... Read more
1 month ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Support redistricting amendment
Last week, I wrote about the several laws that were changed during the 2020 regular and the on-going special session. My focus was on how ... Read more
1 month ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Special session focuses on police reform bills
Early in-person voting begins this Friday, Sept. 18. The 59th District is composed of five counties and all information for your registrar’s office is listed ... Read more
1 month ago by Matt Fariss.
Impact study highlights SVCC’s contributions
A recent economic impact study undertaken by Dr. Vincent Magnini, a researcher at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business in Blacksburg, examined the impact Southside ... Read more
1 month ago by Quentin Johnson.
COLUMN — Congress goes purple for addiction awareness
September is National Recovery Month, when we bring awareness to the addiction epidemic and elevate the voices of those it affects. I became a founding ... Read more
2 months ago by Denver Riggleman.
COLUMN — Loss of Family Medicine would have far-reaching effects
Our little rural community was rocked late last week when we learned of Sentra’s plans to close Buckingham Family Medicine at the end of October. ... Read more
2 months ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — Democrats ban chokeholds, no-knock warrants
The 2021 General Assembly Special Session continues to move slowly, only meeting on Thursday and Friday last week, with no guidance on when it will ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
Is your vote safer today than it was last year?
Free and fair voting is the basic premise of any democracy. Remember the stories that came out of Iraq after the fall of the Saddam ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Is your vote safer today than it was last election?
Free and fair voting is the basic premise of any democracy. Remember the stories that came out of Iraq after the fall of the Shah? ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Bipartisan resolution condemns QAnon
Although Congress is not in session this week, I have been working hard to craft legislation for the 5th District. This past week I was ... Read more
2 months ago by Denver Riggleman.
Redistricting amendment is fair
For three quarters of the last century, Virginia was effectively a one-party state. That political party could enact anything they wanted. Because they controlled the ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
Democrats’ agenda weakens law enforcement efforts
The House of Delegates adjourned last Friday and is subject to the call of the speaker with 48 hours notice. As of this writing, that ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
COLUMN — OnStar to connect vets in crisis
These unprecedented times have left many Americans feeling vulnerable and insecure. In Congress, I have continued to work to address these concerns. Recently, I sponsored ... Read more
2 months ago by Denver Riggleman.
COLUMN — Hard work, determination can take us far
The last two months we have seen many demonstrations regarding equality for all. It is right and fair to have orderly conversations and demonstrations about ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
SVCC to reopen with options
Southside Virginia Community College will reopen its doors Monday, Aug. 24, with a full schedule of offerings and a range of attendance options that incorporate ... Read more