VCC Magazine Spring 2020

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S pring 2020 10 Two Democratic Constants in a Sea of Historic Change By Sarah Alderson Last November’s election brought a different look and feel to Jefferson’s Capitol, and many strongly felt that it was long overdue. While the focus was on all the shifts that were being made, there were important constants that remained. This brand new majority also included one long- time familiar face in each chamber. In fact, these men are currently the longest serving members of Virginia’s General Assembly. Senator Dick Saslaw and Delegate KennethPlumhave each been in the legislature for up to 44 years. That means they already knew what it was like to be a part of the majority, even though it had been awhile. They had long experienced being in the minority party. And they had both been steadfastly waiting and working for over 25 years to see their party regain unified control of the Commonwealth. In January, they finally got their chance. They were able to witness history and to help bring about many of the changes they had longed to see. They may be part of the “old guard,” but they had also helped pave the way for this new majority for decades. They had both been championing issues for years that would finally see the light of day—and be passed—this year. Dick Saslaw, who served in the House of Delegates from 1976 to 1980 and in the Senate since 1980, has been both Majority Leader and Minority Leader. He returned as Senate Majority Leader when the General Assembly convened in January. He’s the longest serving member of the General Assembly as a whole. And in February, he celebrated his 80th birthday on the Senate floor while several members wore buttons with an early photograph of him to celebrate. “The Democratic Trifecta last happened in 1993,” said Senator Saslaw. “Doug Wilder was the Governor. Hunter Andrews was the Majority Leader and Stanley Walker was President Pro Temp. Tom Moss was the Speaker, and Dick Cranwell was the Majority Leader.” Kenneth Plum, who first served in the House of Delegates in 1978, is the second longest serving member of the legislature and the longest serving member of the House of Delegates. Delegate Plum, a former state Democratic Chairman and Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, currently serves as the Caucus Chair Emeritus. When asked after the session how it went, Delegate Plum responded enthusiastically, “I would say that it was awesome! In years past, I would go into committees with bills that were popular with the electorate, and especially my constituents, but the bills would be sent to a subcommittee and never be seen again. I believe they were not being heard on their merits, but on the fact that I was a Democratic legislator. This year, I had some of the same bills not only receive a full hearing and a recorded vote, but also get passed.” Senator Saslaw expressed having similar frustration over the years citing “the inability to pass legislation that we knew would make the Commonwealth a better place to live.” But this year, he said he was very happy with the outcome. “Democrats were able to get a lot accomplished with their legislative agenda that had been stymied by Republican majorities for years.” Here are just a few examples of legislation these men have championed: both have long been proponents of ratifying the ERA; both sponsored bills to raise the minimum wage; and both have been committed to passing gun violence prevention and gun safety laws. Delegate Plum notes “I have been introducing bills to establish universal background checks for all firearm purchases for decades. And now it has become law.” The day that the background check law and other similar measures passed in the Senate, the Majority Leader made a statement saying, “This is a monumental day. Virginia will be safer thanks to universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and restoring a one-handgun-a-month policy. I am proud to have worked side by side with our governor to get this done.” But that’s not all. “I also introduced the original hate crimes bill in Virginia in about 1985,” says Delegate Plum. “At that time it was very controversial because it included protections for sexual orientation. This year the bill passed not only to include sexual orientation, but also gender identity.” Both Senator Saslaw and Delegate Plum spoke about many other issues that they felt received more needed attention this session, including the environment, education, housing, health care, voting rights, reproductive rights, clean energy, transportation and more. In fact, the General Assembly passed