News

Contact: Lauren Keiser | (757) 741-8866

RICHMOND, VA – Delegate Amanda Batten (R⎯James City County) successfully carried ten bills through the House of Delegates prior to the passage deadline for bills that originated in their respective chambers. The legislation focused on pragmatic policies to help victims of human trafficking and to address concerns surrounding learning loss, mental health care, election integrity, and school bus driver shortages.

“Last fall, I campaigned to get students back in the classroom, bolster mental health care, restore confidence in our elections, and allow taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass these legislative priorities into law so we can ensure a bright future for our Commonwealth,” stated Delegate Batten.

Legislation 

HB526 allows non-Virginia students who are in the Commonwealth as a result of being a victim of human trafficking to be eligible for in-state tuition at Virginia public colleges and universities.

HB528 requires any individual or organization that sends an unrequested absentee ballot application to a registered voter to include instructions on how to complete and submit the application. Additionally, it will require a statement that the application is not sent by any state or local government official or agency and disallow information pre-population on the application.

HB530 addresses the bus driver shortage by authorizing governmental entities such as community colleges certified as third party testers to test and train drivers employed by another governmental entity or enrolled in a commercial driver training course.

HB537 expands telemedicine by allowing specific health care workers who hold an active, unrestricted license in another state to provide continuity of care for Virginia patients, provided that there is an existing practitioner-patient relationship.

HB539 requires Virginia public colleges and universities to include a disclosure to applicants that certain criminal offenses may disqualify applicants from pursuing a specific course of study or residing in on-campus housing.

HB542 reclassifies assistant registrars as deputy registrars.

HB544 allows voters to opt-in to a photo ID requirement individually.

HB936 removes the sunset clause for the sales tax exemption on gold, silver, and platinum bullion and legal tender coins and ends the restriction that only purchases over $1,000 are tax exempt.

HB1093 gives local school boards the option to require a cultural competency evaluation and training for teachers after holding a public hearing before electing to make that requirement. Currently, the law requires cultural competence training and does not include reference to public hearings on this matter.

HB1272 requires each school board to offer in-person instruction to public school students and makes masks optional for students based on the decisions of their respective parents or guardians.

Delegate Amanda Batten represents the 96th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. The 96th District includes portions of James City and York Counties. Batten is currently serving her second term in the Virginia House of Delegates and is a member of the following House Committees: Education, Commerce & Energy, Public Safety, and Rules.

Contact: J. Garren Shipley | (540) 333-0436

Richmond, VA – The House of Delegates today passed House Bill 544, allowing voters to secure their own ballots with opt-in photo ID. Under this legislation, voters will be able to tell registrars that their ballot is to be given only to someone who shows photo ID.

“Requiring a photo ID to vote is not only common sense, it’s popular. Some 80 percent of Americans support it,” said House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah. Making photo ID opt-in gives Virginians who want it an extra layer of security for their ballots. House Bill 544 will help us ensure trust in our elections.”

“While universal photo ID would be preferable, allowing Virginians to opt-in to photo ID will give concerned voters another reassurance that their ballot is secure, and that they and only they will be the ones who cast their vote,” said Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City County, the bill’s patron. “It’s a common-sense, no-cost way to build trust.”

Contact: Lauren Keiser | (757) 741-8866

Richmond, VA – Delegate Amanda Batten was unanimously elected by House Republicans to serve as Chair of the House Republican Caucus. Additionally, she received committee assignments for the 2022 regular session of the General Assembly. Batten will serve on the following House committees: Commerce & Energy, Education, Public Safety, and Rules.

Considering the robust, tourism-centric economy in Batten’s Historic Triangle-based district, she will bring an important perspective to legislation that passes through the Commerce and Energy Committee. As a member of the Education Committee, Batten will review all legislation pertaining to higher, K-12, and early childhood education. Batten’s service on the Public Safety Committee will allow her to prioritize the security of all Virginians. Given Batten’s decade of working in the General Assembly, as an aide and now a member, she will work in the Rules Committee to establish procedure as well as review proposed studies and constitutional amendments.

“As a second-term legislator, I am grateful for the trust that my House Republican colleagues placed in me by electing me to chair our caucus. In 2021, Virginians made clear that they prefer a message of hope and positivity – one that expands options for our kids’ education, keeps businesses open and thriving, and maintains victims’ rights and the public’s well-being. House Republicans share these concerns and are keen to affect changes to alleviate those concerns.”

“I am honored to serve on these committees, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to provide input on legislation that will affect the residents of our community. Service on these committees enables me to offer direct input about issues that are important to the citizens of York and James City Counties. The economy, education, and public safety are top priorities of my constituents, and I look forward to representing their interests in Richmond,” Batten said.

Daily Press

By Peter Dujardin

Del. Amanda Batten won re-election Tuesday, defeating Dr. Mark Downey, a local pediatrician, in the 96th District.

Batten, a Republican, was winning 55.8% to 44% with 25 of 27 precincts reporting, according to partial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. She had 25,383 votes to Downey’s 20,039 as of Wednesday morning.

Read the full article here.

Virginian Pilot

By Peter Dujardin

It’s a rematch in the 96th District, where Democrat Mark Downey, a pediatrician, challenges Republican Del. Amanda Batten, who took office two years ago.

The district, which includes most of James City County and about half of York County, has been in Republican hands since 1992. But it was close in 2019 — with Batten winning 52.5% to 46.4%.

Read the full article here.

Virginia Gazette

By Laura Cornish

Like me, and many in our community, Del. Amanda Batten first moved to our area as a military spouse. Having made numerous military moves in the United States and overseas, Amanda knows how difficult it is to develop a “portable” career; procure housing, find good schools and make connections with new health care providers.

Just as importantly, Amanda understands the difficulties in transitioning out of the military. Amanda comprehends that our veterans and spouses have a wealth of experience, skill and knowledge and will be valued assets in the private sector once their public service is completed. Amanda wants to continue to find ways to connect employers with these talented military families.

Amanda is the only candidate I trust to fight for common-sense policies that address the unique challenges faced by active duty military members and retired veterans. She will work to keep cost of living low so that veterans can remain in Virginia, and she is actively supporting policies to cut taxes on military retiree pay.

I urge you to join me in voting for Amanda Batten for delegate this fall.

Washington Examiner

By Delegate Amanda Batten and Senator Holly Schepisi (NJ—39th SD)

With an economy that is still reopening, President Joe Biden should be benefiting from a natural return to the workforce. The April jobs report released this month, however, was our worst in 23 years compared to expectations. It even showed unemployment back on the rise for the first time since the height of the pandemic. Despite all his campaign rhetoric about building our economy back better, the president’s reckless spending is crushing job creators who cannot seem to compete with the federal government’s steadfast commitment to paying people not to work.

Digging deeper, the data released earlier in April also highlights how Biden’s policies are disproportionately harming women. Nearly 165,000 women left the workforce in April, and 800,000 more women than men are out of work across the country. A recent McKinsey study showed that one in four women is considering leaving the workforce altogether — a vast shift from their views on working prior to the pandemic.

As Republican legislators in Democratic-led states New Jersey and Virginia, we think the reason for the disparity is obvious. Biden and his state Democratic allies are still refusing to stand up to the teachers unions and open schools five days a week, forcing women to absorb the consequences of having to stay home with their children who are being kept out of their classrooms.

Since the onset of the pandemic and the school closures that came with it, 400,000 more women than men have left the workforce. Another recent report on mothers and the workplace shows that nearly 33% of them have chosen to downshift their careers or leave their jobs completely due to increasing responsibilities, such as tending to their children’s virtual schooling. A Washington Post-ABC News poll further confirmed that women are being hot the hardest by the pandemic, with mothers stating that they had to leave their jobs because of child care responsibilities.

The remedy to this problem isn’t complicated. Research shows states where schools have fully reopened have higher labor force participation rates for prime working-age mothers than states that are keeping schools closed. The only reason mothers in blue states such as New Jersey and Virginia are suffering is because liberal politicians would rather prioritize the teachers unions that fund their campaigns than getting children back in the classroom.

Gabrielle Mueller and Karen Hampton co-own the Edgewood Outfitters store at 5709 Richmond Road in the Williamsburg Premium Outlets. The two friends and business partners have been anxious about sales in the months ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But on Monday, Mueller and Hampton got some good news.

About a month ago, they applied for a $3,000 forgivable loan through the Greater Williamsburg Small Business Relief Fund, which was established in April by the Virginia 30 Day Fund, the Williamsburg Community Foundation and the Greater Williamsburg Partnership, which represents the economic development authorities for Williamsburg, James City and York counties.

Read the full article here.

Virginia Gazette

By Alex Perry

Gabrielle Mueller and Karen Hampton co-own the Edgewood Outfitters store at 5709 Richmond Road in the Williamsburg Premium Outlets. The two friends and business partners have been anxious about sales in the months ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But on Monday, Mueller and Hampton got some good news.

About a month ago, they applied for a $3,000 forgivable loan through the Greater Williamsburg Small Business Relief Fund, which was established in April by the Virginia 30 Day Fund, the Williamsburg Community Foundation and the Greater Williamsburg Partnership, which represents the economic development authorities for Williamsburg, James City and York counties.

Read the full story here.

By Joe Kildea

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Club for Growth today announced Defender of Economic Freedom awards for Virginia legislators — 3 House members and zero Senators — whose voting records distinguished them as champions of economic liberty for their high score on the new Club for Growth Foundation 2020 Virginia State Legislative Scorecard.

Elected officials who, on the Foundation’s scorecard, score 90% or better in a given calendar year and maintain lifetime scores of 90% or better are recognized by the Club for Growth as Defenders of Economic Freedom. In Virginia, for 2020, State House legislators Amanda Batten, Mark Cole, and Nicholas Freitas, received this award.

Read the full article here.