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I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas filled with love and cherished moments with family and friends. I understand how challenging the holidays can be when you’re missing loved ones you wish you could celebrate with once more. The season can also be difficult if past traumas or hardships bring back painful memories during a time meant for joy. For all of you, I pray that you always feel God’s love and know He is always with you, guiding and comforting you through both the good and difficult times. May 2025 bring you abundant happiness, good health, and countless blessings.

I appreciate your patience as I took a few weeks away from the weekly newsletter to focus on family during the holidays and to put the final touches on my 2025 legislative agenda for the General Assembly session starting this week.

Last year, since I won a special election just one day before the 2024 session began and wasn’t sworn in until a week later, I was not allowed to introduce any of my own legislation. I was only allowed to carry legislation that Senator Ruff had started before his resignation or legislation transferred to me from the Governor or the Attorney General. This year has been quite a learning experience for me. The biggest lesson learned is there is no room for procrastination! You have to get started early or play catch-up during Christmas and New Year’s to meet all the deadlines. 

Looking ahead to the Assembly session

I am very excited about the direction Governor Youngkin has set forth to take our state this year, including eliminating the much-hated car tax. In addition, not paying state income tax on tips, huge investments in education, ending funding to sanctuary cities, boosting maternal health outcomes, improving mental health crisis response, and creating a permanent disaster relief fund. I look forward to working with the Governor to advance his initiatives.

I am even more excited to introduce my own legislative package, which I believe will greatly enhance the lives of those I represent and positively impact communities across the Commonwealth. One piece of legislation I am still working out the details on would hopefully help get vapes out of the hands of our young people. As I have spoken to the school superintendents in our district, it is one of the number one, if not the top, issues they have to battle daily. Our children are becoming addicted to the nicotine in some of these products, and there have even been overdoses and trips to the ER during the school day because of what is inside some of these vape products.

I am also working on legislation that will give merchants a credit on sales tax payments paid on time to help offset the costs of credit card fees. There was once a time when most customers paid with cash, so credit card fees were minimal. Now, with up to 90% of sales being paid by credit cards, those fees have become quite astronomical for small businesses. Hopefully, this bill will pass and help take some of the financial burden off our small business owners.

Just a glimpse

This is just a glimpse of what I’m working on. I look forward to keeping you informed about my bills and other important developments here in Richmond that may impact you and your family.

My team and I are always here to assist with any questions or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at our Richmond number, 804.698.7509, or via email at senatormulchi@senate.virginia.gov.