Delegate Katrina Callsen

Great time at the groundbreaking of the Botanical Garden. Did you know one of the early barriers they faced was the massive removal of invasive plants (kudzu!). Glad to have passed HB388 this year to give localities more tools to combat invasive plants. 🌸🌺🌼

Spent two days in Richmond this week. Including work on the cannabis commission (or the JCTOTTOTCIACRM 👀)….

Also this has never happened before with eelgrass seed collection before, but I can now officially say I’ve swam with sharks (and rays!)…

The grass can be greener🌱 Healthy coastal ecosystems protect our shorelines, wildlife, and economy. These efforts, plus those of committed groups like the Nature Conservancy in Virginia show that we can create a greener future. 🌎

Congratulations to the Honorable Tanishka V. Cruz as she took the oath to become a judge in the J&DR Court for the 16th Judicial Circuit. She brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to the bench and will serve our community well for years to come.

Congratulations to all the graduates of CHS. A special 👏🏽 to Zuhal Daqiq who gave the best student graduation speech I’ve heard: the Class of 2026 has a voice, a choice, and with that, a responsibility to sow kindness in the world. Can’t wait to see all the good that they do!! 🌅🎓

Great day at the signing of a number of solar related bills - including plug-in 🔌 balcony solar! (HB395). Yes, you can buy a solar unit online, plug it in, on 1/1/27 ⏳ generate up to 1200W of power to lower your electricity bill. The units are portable and can move with you if you are a renter!

Starting to feel like ☀️. Great talking with the Leadership Project on Grounds at UVA with @creighdeeds.bsky.social , showing support at Labor In the Park as we ask the Governor to sign bills on her desk, and enjoying good food and music at Soup, Songs, and Solidarity in support of Sin Barreras.

Resharing this video because the newest update is that this bill has been so heavily amended by the administration that it is nonfunctional. It’s a right without a remedy; a messaging bill that won’t actually help folks who need it. And so I plan on rejecting the amendments. More on that later.

Not political ..but I’ve had a few folks visit recently and I made sure they all got a Pretzel Croissant (with everything seasoning) from Marie Bette. The name gives it away but…they are the baby of a 🥨and a 🥐 and they are delicious! Try one if you get a chance! Do you have a favorite local treat?

Today Governor Spanberger came to Cville to unveil her Strategic Plan for Tourism. Our Commonwealth truly has is all…history, mountains 🌄, ocean 🌊, rural 🚵‍♀️🌾 & urban destinations 🌃, 🍷, food, 🎶, and so much more. Glad our Governor is being proactive to keep our tourism industry vibrant and growing.

Yesterday was a great day to get the word out about the election on April 21st.…and so is today, and tomorrow and the next. This is a chance for people to speak directly, themselves, about how to respond to Trump…they just need to vote! 🗳️✅ Please tell a friend! 🗣️🗣️

Vote Yes and Tell a Friend! This referendum is gonna require us all to show up! Early vote runs through next Saturday and election day is April 21st!

Happy to join CSG South for a discussion on some of Virginia’s child welfare reforms. Listen here: csgsouth.org/podcasts/

@vademocrats.bsky.social delivered great results for Virginia and I’m here for it 🪩💃🏽🎤. I sent 20 bills to Gov. @abigailspanberger.com and I know my colleagues did even more - we work for you and we work hard.

Vote to regulate data centers (SB94 @pwcdanica.bsky.social ) causes voting system to glitch…👀

Random Trivia but Valentines Day is a pretty big deal around these parts. Virginia is for Lovers after all! Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day!

Always happy to see UVA students in Richmond! @servatuva.bsky.social

Discussing HB650- requiring judicial warrants for ICE enforcement in protected spaces.

One step closer to getting more defendants assigned a lawyer at first appearance.

No one is above the law. That includes ICE. They hurt our Commonwealth and jeopardize the rule of law when they use our court spaces to terrorize and intimidate.

Another day another bill….This time the ability to offer group health insurance for non profits. Brought to me by the Charlottesville based Center for Non Profit Excellence.

Talking to folks engaged in our democratic process is a highlight of my job. Especially seeing familiar faces from home! I can also introduce groups…like the People’s Coalition, a group dedicated to community led criminal justice reform. If you are visiting Richmond send me an email and let me know!

Proud to introduce my team. They bring a wealth of expertise and always amaze me with their dedication to creating a better Virginia through policy and constituent services!

HB301 is up in subcommittee tomorrow. My first bill of the session!

State of the Commonwealth (yep we still have Youngkin.) 👋

Session begins and we are straight to work….voting on 4 constitutional amendments: Reproductive Rights, Voting Restoration, Marriage Equality, and Redistricting. These will all be coming directly to voters to decide on! (Expect copious amounts of GAB updates and images for the next 60 days!)

The Board ignored our staff, faculty, students, and alumni ….everyone whose day-to-day life makes the University what it is. They also ignored the Governor-Elect and the General Assembly.

Wonderful (and busy) time with some wonderful people.

Idk why….but I get unreasonably scared walking through it

The Republican Party at the moment…..red hats and all…

And lastly…The commission has concluded, but written comment can still be submitted before the bill moves to session. Share your ideas at: hodspeak.house.virginia.gov/submit_testi...

Quick break from UVA stuff to remind people…the Rt. 29 pedestrian bridge is open! This bridge paves the way towards safer, more walkable, and connected communities (literally it connects Albemarle and Charlottesville)!

Virginia is the first state to launch a mobile ID! You can now have a secure digital copy of your license on your phone. It will be accepted at DMVs, by law enforcement, for voting, at 250+ airports, and at select ABC stores. Find out more at www.dmv.virginia.gov/mobileID

Also had time for this…..😆🧹🧙 (and we put away Halloween decor)

30 minutes left. Go vote now. Vote for the future you want! (Not a trip to the past)