When I was growing up, my grandmother always said, “If you have it, you have to give it.” Those words stuck with me when I was at the Virginia Military Institute; they were the reason I served as a foster parent and a public defender. Now they are the guiding principle I live by as your Delegate.

Giving back has been, and must continue to be, the foundation of Virginia. That is why I’ve made it my life’s work.

When I was at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), I knew I had to defy the odds and graduate in order to have the opportunity to give back. I enrolled in the third class of female cadets to attend the historically all-male college. On my first day, they shaved my head and said, “Welcome to VMI.” My best friend, a male cadet, bet me a dollar that I wouldn’t last a year. Well, I won that bet.

I know the deck seems stacked against us. Sometimes it seems like politicians prefer gridlock over results. But every time I look at my kids in the eyes, or walk into work as an attorney, I know we have to fight toward a fairer, stronger, and more just Virginia. Having spent four years in a military academy, I learned to address problems head-on and never back down from a fight.

As your Delegate, I have delivered the following results:

• We passed a state budget that expanded Medicaid to 400,000 Virginians to ensure access to affordable healthcare for veterans, women, and working families.

• We passed a budget that includes 3% salary increases for teachers and 2% salary increases for law enforcement officers.

• I proposed and passed legislation preparing our students for the 21st Century economy by making it easier for them to take coding classes and get Career and Technical Education certifications.

• I proposed and passed legislation that made it easier for foster parents to adopt their foster children.

• I led the charge to include funding for the full development of Widewater State Park in Stafford in Virginia's budget.

• I co-patroned a bill to increase the grand larceny threshold from $200 to $500.

But, we still have work to do. As your Delegate, I am fighting to:

• Improve transportation by extending the Metro Blue Rail to Prince William County and changing the state formula to ensure Stafford county has sufficient funds for road construction and maintenance.

• Protect the water we drink from coal ash contamination, by removing ash or recycling it to make materials like concrete.

• Ensure that veterans have the resources they need to get an education, start a businesses, and fully participate in Virginia’s economy after returning from service.

Together, we can achieve great things. If you have any questions, please email my office at DelJCarrollFoy@house.virginia.gov.

Thank you,

Jennifer Carroll Foy