The 164th Virginia General Assembly will convene next Wednesday, and lawmakers from across the state, including our local representatives, will roll up their sleeves and get to the task of making the laws and allocating state finances. They have a small window of time to get things done as the session is scheduled to adjourn on March 16. Both the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia are held by the Democratic Party, with the House making major gains in the November election, including one new local representative. And Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will be sworn in on Jan. 17, completing the Democratic Party’s trifecta. Many of the residents of Gloucester and Mathews are represented by the same two legislators—Del. M. Keith Hodges (68th District) and State Sen. Ryan McDougle (26th District). Residents of the Gloucester Point/Hayes area have the only new local representation this year, with Republican Chad Green unseated by Democrat Mark Downey for the 69th District seat. The 69...