David Toscano

Commentary on Virginia and U.S. Politics & Culture

David Toscano
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Turning Thoughts and Prayers into Actions and Laws?
Gun Safety Special Session, plus Redistricting Update

June 19, 2019 by David Toscano

Governor Ralph Northam has shown leadership by calling the General Assembly into Special Session on July 9 to address gun violence in the aftermath of yet another mass shooting – this one in Virginia Beach, which took thirteen lives. The Governor and those of us who support gun safety measures realize the challenges ahead; Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the House and Senate and chair the committees, have been consistently reluctant to discuss measures supported by many Americans to cut down on gun violence and mass shootings.

Immediately after the Governor issued his call, Republican leaders leapt to brand it as “hasty;” in their view, it is never a good time to act against gun violence. Even as the statewide Special Committee on School Safety spent months last year working on many different aspects of safety for our children, the Speaker prohibited us from including gun safety measures in our discussions. In the last General Assembly session, nearly 35 measures were proposed to help combat gun violence and increase gun safety (two by me). The House bills, and the only one that made it through the Senate, were referred to a small House subcommittee controlled by rural conservative Republicans, where they all died. For years, gun safety bills have not been allowed to come to the House floor for a vote. After the Virginia Beach tragedy, many of us hoped that minds will change and that some of these measures can pass. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: General Assembly 2019 Tagged With: Domestic Violence, Gun Safety, Legislative Redistricting, Mental Health Policy, Special Session, Virginia General Assembly Process

Why I Am Running Again…

April 24, 2017 by David Toscano

Re-elect David ToscanoIt has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as your Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly for the past twelve years. Your support through these years has meant a lot to me, and I need it again. I have an opponent in the June 13 Democratic Primary, and I do not yet know if there will be a Republican opponent in the November General Election, if I win in June.

There are many reasons why I have chosen to seek reelection. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Campaign2017 Tagged With: 2017 Virginia election, Affordable Health Care, Anti-Discrimination, Climate Change, Domestic Violence, Education, Immigration, Job Creation, K-12 Education funding, Medicaid expansion, Reproductive Choice, Voting Access

The Veto Session

April 10, 2017 by David Toscano

The Marathon and Maelstrom of the Veto Session —
Democrats Sustain All Governor’s Vetoes

The legislative year ends with what’s called the “veto session.” This year’s was held Wednesday, April 5, 2017, the day when the legislature considers the Governor’s vetoes and his proposed amendments to various bills. It is typically one of the longest floor sessions of the year and, as the Democratic floor leader, one of the most intense, as every vote counts on almost every issue. This year, Governor McAuliffe vetoed an unprecedented number of House bills, 21 in total. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: General Assembly 2017 Tagged With: 2017 Virginia election, Affordable Health Care, Anti-Discrimination, Coal Tax Credits, Domestic Violence, Environmental Protection, Gun Safety, Immigration, Medicaid expansion, Reproductive Choice, Sexual Assault Policy, Voting Access

Governor Signs Toscano Legislation to Protect Assault Victims

April 6, 2017 by Jane Dittmar

Bill expanding protection for victims of sexual violence and human trafficking to become law July 1, 2017 [Read more…]

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Filed Under: News, Press Releases Tagged With: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Policy

Crossover and Budget

February 10, 2017 by David Toscano

We’ve hit the mid-point of session, marked by what we call “crossover,” the day that all bills from one body cross over to the other in order to be considered. Many of the most heavily-contested bills arrive on this day, leading to long hours and fierce debates.

My primary focus continues to be passing legislation to help build the New Virginia Economy. That means pushing bills that spur job creation and that provide Virginians a much-needed raise. It also means supporting investments in education at all levels. We have made progress in some areas, but not in others. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: General Assembly 2017 Tagged With: Adoption, Anti-Discrimination, DNA Database Expansion, Domestic Violence, Education, Environmental Protection, Gun Safety, Immigration, Job Creation, K-12 Education funding, Legislative Redistricting, Pre-K Education Funding, Renewable Energy, Reproductive Choice, State Employee Compensation, Virginia budget, Voting Access

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211 E. High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: 434-220-1660
Fax: 434-220-1677
david@davidtoscano.com

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Help me bring more common sense to the General Assembly by helping elect candidates that share our views in other districts across the Commonwealth. Make a contribution to my leadership PAC, Virginia First, where funds go directly to support candidates across the state. - David

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