Issues

Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the top priorities for Senator Jen Kiggans. As a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Jen believes all Virginians deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare. Jen will draw on personal experience to bring a professional perspective to Richmond working for those with pre-existing conditions and those most vulnerable among us. Jen believes that we must look for innovative solutions to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. The top priority in the healthcare realm is mental health and accessibility. In her first legislative session, Jen introduced bills to screen for depression in emergency rooms as well as provide a continuum of care for individuals who have had an inpatient psychiatric stay. While there is still work to be done, Jen will continue to lead the fight for mental health care. Jen will continue to work to find solutions for patients and caregivers in long-term care as well as nursing facilities. She proposed legislation that will allow for a study to be conducted on nursing home staffing ratios and what steps can be taken to ensure the best care for our aging populations.

Economy

Senator Kiggans knows that hard work must be coupled with opportunity for upward mobility in order for every resident of the 7th District to have a shot at the American Dream. She’ll work to boost local job growth, support our small businesses, and cut burdensome regulations to continue making Norfolk and Virginia Beach an attractive place to start a business and raise a family. Jen also believes that it is essential to keep the tax burden low for our local businesses to allow them every opportunity to be successful. Hampton Roads is a prosperous region of the Commonwealth with a wide variety of economic drivers and Jen will promote legislation that will allow them to continue to thrive.

Veterans Issues

As a veteran herself, Senator Kiggans knows the challenges those who served our country face when they look to reenter society. Jen will expand job and career training opportunities for our veterans and their spouses. Those who have served our country deserve the best benefits possible as they rejoin the workforce. From healthcare to retirement to education, Jen will fight for the benefits veterans deserve. As both a veteran and a veteran’s spouse, Jen will be an advocate for employment, childcare, and deployment support for spouses of veterans.

Public Safety

Senator Kiggans believes every family should feel safe in their community whether it be at work, home, church, school, or recreational activities. She will always strive to uphold the Constitution which includes protecting citizens’ 2nd amendment rights. Jen will continue to advocate for mental health screening and treatment for our community members who are at risk to themselves or others. Jen will also fight for better pay for our law enforcement officials so that they get the compensation they deserve for their sacrifice to us. First responders and firefighters are local heroes. Jen supports expanded cancer protections for our firefighters and first responders so that we take care of those who protect our communities.

Environment

Senator Kiggans will be an advocate for better community ratings for the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System to allow Virginia Beach and Norfolk families to realize more savings on flood insurance each year. With the Norfolk Naval Base and Joint Base Langley-Eustis providing jobs and housing for tens of thousands of Virginians – not to mention protecting our coast and serving as operations for many active duty military members – we must ensure that these installations are protected from flooding and sea level rise. Jen will fight for these protections.

Virginia Beach is now home to two offshore wind power turbines. Jen is a supporter of sustainable and renewable energy such as wind and solar power and will promote the exploration of other common sense alternative power sources.

The Chesapeake Bay and Back Bay need protection for our blue crab population to grow and to continue our oyster restoration projects. Jen also supported the now passed legislation that sent control of our Menhaden population back to the professionals and out of the hands of the legislators in Richmond. To protect our environment from pollution and prevent adverse outcomes for our marine mammals, Jen introduced legislation that would have limited the number of balloons that a person can release to a ceremonial 1 instead of the current 49 in a one-hour period.

Education

Every child, regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status deserves a quality education. Jen will fight for the opportunity for every student to have the education he or she deserves in a safe and protected environment. Jen will advocate for improved pay and appropriate benefits for our teachers and support staff who have more and more responsibility placed on their shoulders each year. College must be more affordable and there should be more opportunities for the many young Virginians who are choosing to go to community college or trade schools instead of a four-year university. Jen will tirelessly advocate for more affordable college as well as increased opportunities for expanded community college and vocational training.

Families

Senator Kiggans will continue to work to provide options other than abortion for women who have unplanned pregnancies. She believes in affordable and quality women’s healthcare including mental healthcare for women. Jen respects life at all ages and is an advocate for not only the unborn, but also for her geriatric patient population and those people who live with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. She will support these individuals as well as their families and caregivers. Jen will continue to ensure Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and our Commonwealth as a whole is a place where families want to stay and raise their children. She will support our growing and thriving local festivals, events, road races, parks, beaches, and entertainment venues. Jen will continue to work to combat domestic violence, fight human trafficking, and crack down on repeat, chronic, and habitual domestic violence offenders while at the same time empowering women with the ability to protect themselves and their children during a crisis and beyond. Jen will advocate to ensure our constitutional right of equality for all while also protecting religious freedoms.