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Progress Virginia Statement on State of the Commonwealth Address

Richmond, Virginia—Governor Ralph Northam delivered his State of the Commonwealth address this evening, laying out his legislative priorities at the start of the General Assembly session. Progress Virginia was thrilled to see his support for free community college and equitable marijuana legalization, as well as abolishing the death penalty in Virginia, and hopes that members […]

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Progress Virginia Praises Committee Passage of  Pro-Voting Legislation Richmond, Virginia—Progress Virginia today praised members of the House Privileges and Elections Committee for  advancing Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg’s HB1888 and HB1810 to expand voting rights and opportunities. HB1888 makes the temporary absentee voting access changes passed last year in response to the pandemic permanent and ensures that […]

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Ending Qualified Immunity in Virginia is Not Just a Matter of Right and Wrong: It’s a Matter of Life and Death

In response to the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor this past summer, there were almost nightly non-violent protests in Richmond. Richmond Police repeatedly retaliated against protestors and journalists. Thanks to the qualified immunity doctrine, those police officers could escape consequences for their violence and brutality towards Richmond residents.   We must end […]

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We Need to Take Care of the Folks Who Put Food on Our Tables

Did you know that in Virginia, farm wages can make our minimum wage seem downright generous?  I was shocked to learn that some employers take advantage of the fact that agricultural workers, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are exempt from Virginia’s new Minimum Wage Act. Even if our state minimum wage increases, […]