Sheroes: Women Leadership in the House of Delegates and the State Senate On Wednesday, the 2020 General Assembly convened for its first day of session and was it a day for herstory! We had a day of firsts for the country’s oldest legislature where we had our first woman and first Jewish Speaker of the […]
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ICYMI: Higher Minimum Wage Responsible for Faster Wage Growth
Washington, DC—According to new analysis, it is state level increases to the minimum wage, not the Trump tax bill or the tight labor market, that is responsible for unprecedented wage growth, especially for low wage workers. Many states have raised the minimum wage over the last few years, and the data shows that it pays […]
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Demystifying the Virginia State Crime Commission
On July 9, I spent more time getting ready for work and finding parking than Republicans spent working during that day’s special session on gun violence prevention. After 90 minutes, Senator Tommy Norment and (now former) Speaker of the House Kirk Cox adjourned the special session without voting on any bills that were introduced to […]
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Completing the General Assembly Puzzle: A Beginner’s Guide to the House and Senate Committees
The Virginia General Assembly is crazy complicated. As a newbie to Virginia politics, I had a sneaking suspicion that there were other Virginians who wouldn’t mind me explaining the puzzle that is the committee system. Some of the committees are identical in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. Some are not! Just like […]
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ICYMI: Workers At Dulles And National Airports Win $15 Minimum Wage
Dulles, Virginia—After years of organizing and advocating for increasing the minimum wage to $15, workers at Dulles and National Airport have finally won. 8,000 workers across the two airports will make $15 an hour by 2023. “We’re thrilled that the airport workers have won this victory and will start making $15 an hour in the […]
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3 Progressive Bills To Watch As We Gear Up for General Assembly
I don’t know about you, but I feel like since the November election we are living in a whole different world. The bills that are being filed for the General Assembly session that begins January 8 are giving me life right now! Not only are some legislators getting ready to work on passing some awesome […]
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Why We Need “No-Excuse” Absentee Voting in Virginia
Election Day is arguably one of the most important days of the year in Virginia. It’s the day that decides the course of our nation, our state, and our localities for years to come. It’s critical that everyone has the opportunity and the time to vote in the election. But why is it only one […]
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Increasing Teacher Pay and Fully Funding Schools Should Be Top Priority for Virginia Education Summit
Fairfax, Virginia—As the Virginia Education Summit kicks off today, we hope that legislators are discussing how to ensure that we increase teacher pay and fully fund our schools. Hardworking students and families deserve a world-class education, but they can’t get ahead because while the state legislature has been controlled by Republicans, the state has been […]