The 2019 General Assembly Session convenes Jan. 9 in Richmond. We had a very successful 2018 session and will look to build on that when the General Assembly convenes in January.

Republicans have already introduced legislation to make college more affordable and ensure the integrity of our elections.

Over the next few weeks, we will be rolling out legislation to provide tax relief to working families, lower health care costs and keep students safe in school.

Our tax relief plan will stand in sharp contrast to Governor Ralph Northam’s plan, which will mean higher state tax bills for middle class families while providing additional tax relief to Virginians who have no net tax burden.

We are also prioritizing two dozen recommendations from the House Select Committee on School Safety. House Republicans have led the effort this year to find innovative ways to keep our children safe.

We will also be working to amend the two-year state budget last year. Thanks to the Trump Tax Cuts, we will likely see additional revenue. We must ensure this money is directed to providing tax relief, building up our reserve funds, and one-time spending needs.

The Eastern District Court denied our request to stop the development of a remedial map last week, and the Special Master released a partisan proposal that appears to intentionally target senior Republicans.

There are dozens of potential combinations in the proposal released to the public. Some of the proposed districts fail to comply with basic principles of redistricting — like compactness and contiguity — and others intentionally target the Speaker of the House, the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and the most senior member of the Virginia Beach delegation.

It is not a coincidence that of the dozens of combinations, almost every one of them includes a partisan gerrymander that makes it harder for three senior Republicans to get elected.

The majority of judges hearing this case were appointed by President Obama, and they appear to be determined to draw a new legislative map favorable to Democrats. Even though the Supreme Court has agreed to take this case, the lower court is rushing to ram a new map in before the Supreme Court can hear oral arguments.

We are fortunate that the Supreme Court has agreed to take this case and are confident they will not let the judicial overreach of the lower court stand.

The Supreme Court will see that the current plan was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, including Northam and a majority of the African-American members of the House, and was approved by President Obama’s Department of Justice.

Regardless of the partisan actions by a federal court, Republicans are prepared to run and win in 2019. We have a proven track record of leading and governing for our constituents. We will run strong candidates and strong campaigns next year to hold the majority.

DEL. C. MATTHEW FARRIS represents Buckingham in the Virginia House of Delegates. His email address is DelMFariss@ house.virginia.gov.