Dear Friend,
In just a few short days, our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of our independence from Great Britain. It is hard to not have pride for our great country on this special occasion, yet I find myself remembering and honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that our nation and her principles can endure. I hope that you and your family will remember these brave men and women as you celebrate our nation’s history this coming weekend.
In this end of June e-newsletter, I am providing you with an update on several important topics including the state budget and education standards. I hope that you continue to find these monthly updates informative and useful.
State Budget Update
Last week I shared with you a substantive update on Virginia’s budget. If you missed that update, you can click here to view it. I want to now share one final update on this matter.
On Monday, the General Assembly met to approve 14 amendments to the previously passed budget bill. The House of Delegates was in for around 40 minutes for this purpose, with all 14 amendments receiving an affirmative vote. The budget will now become law and thus we avoid a state government shutdown.
The budget included a number of clean-up proposals after Democrats realized legislation passed earlier this year would likely face significant legal challenges. That includes:
- An amendment expanding the list of law enforcement officers exempt from the ban on face coverings (HB1482, 2026 regular session). This comes after the US Department of Justice announced a lawsuit against the state claiming the bill was an unconstitutional attempt by a state to regulate the actions of the federal government.
- An amendment to delay by one year the implementation of a new law (HB1524, 2026 regular session) that would prohibit the carrying of so-called assault weapons in public. This delay is due, in part, to an ongoing legal challenge in state courts.
The full list of the amendments proposed by Governor Spanberger can be found here.
I would be remiss if I didn’t note that the government should not operate this way. The idea that Democrats waited until almost the very last minute to adopt a state budget is dangerous. Local governments and state agencies are now behind in planning for the upcoming year because they are only just learning what their state funding levels will be. Virginians deserve better from their government. This same delayed process cannot repeat itself next time a state budget is adopted.
Second Amendment Ruling
Earlier this year during our regular legislative session, the General Assembly adopted several new gun control measures. One of the more egregious new laws (HB217, 2026 regular session) would prohibit Virginians from purchasing certain firearms and high capacity magazines. During debate on this proposal, Republicans highlighted the fact that federal courts have previously ruled that these types of laws are unconstitutional. Nevertheless, Democrats passed the bill and it was signed by the Governor. I voted against HB217 along with other proposals that infringed upon the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens.
Just this week, a judge in Washington County issued a ruling blocking the state from enforcing this new law. In his ruling, the judge specifically cited the Heller and Bruen cases and noted that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail in their legal quest. Both our state and federal constitutions grant a right to bear arms, something that this ruling recognizes and respects.
This is an important case for everyone who values the Second Amendment. It is expected that the decision will be appealed, so stay tuned for additional information in the coming months.
Education Standards
I am pleased to share with you good news for Virginia’s students. This month, the Virginia Board of Education rejected a surprise proposal that would delay a planned increase in standards.
Presently, Virginia has some of the lowest “cut scores” in the nation. Cut scores are essentially the number of questions a student must get correct on his or her SOLs in order to pass. When standards were dropped just prior to COVID, it resulted in students being promoted to the next grade despite not being able to read at grade level. This was a real disservice to students.
Our children deserve the very best education possible. Over the past several years, the Board of Education has developed a plan to gradually raise cut scores to better align with national standards. Starting this fall, higher standards will be phased in with the new set of standards fully implemented by 2029. The phased approach, I believe, is a responsible approach.
You can read more about the new standards on the Department of Education website by clicking here.
Education policy must put students first in every decision. I am glad the Board of Education stayed the course and made a decision that will benefit Virginia’s students.
In Due Course
The Division of Legislative Services (DLS) has produced their annual “In Due Course” report detailing new laws that go into effect on July 1st. DLS is composed of nonpartisan staff attorneys hired by the General Assembly to assist legislators in the drafting of bills.
You can read a PDF version of this year’s edition of “In Due Course” by clicking here.
In the News
Here are a few news articles from the past month that you may find interesting:
- Courthouse News Service: Judge halts enforcement of Virginia’s assault weapon ban for certain localities
- WTVR CBS6: Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for new Chesterfield emergency room
- WRIC ABC8: Chesterfield appoints new county administrator
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: Va. Board of Ed rejects proposal to delay more rigorous SOLs
In addition to my monthly email updates, I try to share information about the work I am doing for our district on social media. I encourage you to follow me on Facebook, X, and Instagram to stay up to date.
It remains an honor to represent our community in the House of Delegates. If I can help you or your family with a state-related problem, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mike Cherry