July updates from Delegate Chris Collins

Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”

The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting, for certain purposes, driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. Federal law requires state identification to be compliant with REAL ID in order to enter federal facilities (June 22) or board airline flights (January 22, 2018).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted Virginia an extension concerning REAL ID enforcement until October 10, 2017. At this point, that is the latest date DHS is willing to grant extensions however, DHS has indicated that they will consider further extensions closer to the October 2017 deadline.

I have posted additional information about REAL ID on my website, and I encourage you to visit delegatecollins.com to learn more.

Virginia State Budget Surplus

You may have heard last week that Virginia ended the 2017 fiscal year with a $132 million surplus.  During the 2017 General Assembly session, House Republicans presented a series of budget amendments to close a $1.5 billion revenue shortfall.  As a result of the House of Delegate’s responsible conservative leadership and budgeting, the Commonwealth now has a surplus that will likely be invested in the state’s reserve fund.

The House of Delegates is consistently working to chart a responsible fiscal course for the Commonwealth by budgeting conservatively.  The House will continue to make wise decisions with annual budgets in the upcoming fiscal year.

Upcoming Events

This month, we are switching things up!  Rather than a Saturday morning “Coffee with Chris” event, I”m hosting a “Happy Hour with Chris” on Thursday evening July 20 from 5:30-7 pm at Village Square Restaurant in Old Town Winchester.  Please join us for complimentary light refreshments and a great discussion about veterans and the military.

Town of Front Royal Police Department

The Front Royal Police Department will be holding their annual National Night Out (NNO) event on Tuesday evening August 1, 2017 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Gazebo Lawn off E. Main Street. Contact our Community Resource Officer, Sergeant Robbie Seal for more information. 540-635-2111

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office will be holding their annual National Night Out event on Tuesday evening, August 1, 2017 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Rutherford Crossing Target on Route 11 North.

City of Winchester Police Department

The Winchester Police Department would like to invite all citizens and the community to join us for National Night Out on Tuesday evening, August 1, 2017 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Old Courthouse Museum in Old Town Winchester. National Night Out is an annual event that is a neighborhood program designed to bring back a sense of community to the neighborhood. It also helps neighbors get to know each other and look out for each other in an effort to deter crime.

Frederick County Fair
The Frederick County Fair will run from July 31st to August 5th and will be located at 155 Fairgrounds Road, Clearbrook, VA 22624.  You can reach the Frederick County Fair Association at (540)-667-8739.

Warren County Fair
The Warren County Fair will run from August 7th through the 12th and will be located at 16 Fairground Road Front Royal, VA 22630.  You can reach the Warren County Fair Association at (540)-635-5827.