In the first major test of this legislative session, Democratic members of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee voted to protect our progress and rejected SB173, a bill sponsored by Senator Mark Peake that would cap the minimum wage at $11 an hour and prevent it from rising to the $15 an hour promised by previously passed legislation.
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Members of Senate Judiciary Committee Protect Progress and Expand Ban on Mandatory Minimums
At their meeting this morning, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB104, sponsored by Senator Joe Morrissey, which will eliminate mandatory minimums for nearly all crimes. The bill was passed and referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where we hope it will also pass.
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Student Loan Borrowers in Virginia See Light at the End of a Long Tunnel of Debt
Navient has taken advantage of too many hard working people in our community who are now saddled with unaffordable student loan debt. Forgiving student loan debt is good for families, small businesses, and the economy as a whole. This is a good step in the right direction, but we must continue to push for student loan forgiveness for everyone.
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Fed Up With What the GOP is Serving
I hope y’all are hungry because Virginia’s GOP is serving up a buffet of ridiculousness. We knew this session would be different – and difficult – without a trusted Democratic trifecta to lead the Commonwealth. So when it comes to the nonsense some GOP legislators are trying to push through the General Assembly, you can color us shocked, but NOT surprised.
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No Mask or Vaccination Requirement for the General Assembly will Make It Difficult for Some Virginian’s to Make Their Voice Heard.
Richmond, Virginia—In a recently released outline issued by the House of Delegates and Speaker Designee Todd Gilbert to address COVID-19 policies and procedures during the 2022 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assembly, masks and vaccines are not mandatory. In the 7 page framework that lists various ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, such […]
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ICYMI: Youngkin Once Again Prioritizes Wealthy Corporations Over People’s Needs with Selection of Andrew Wheeler as Secretary of Natural Resources
With his selection of Andrew Wheeler as Secretary of Natural Resources, Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin has proven once again that he will line the pockets of corporate polluters instead of supporting the needs of our community.
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Youngkin’s Tax Plan Will Undermine Support For Our Communities
Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin announced tax cuts that would decimate critical programs our families count on. Essential lifelines like schools, safety net programs, and health care access will be massively under-resourced under Youngkin’s tax plan.
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Communities Eager to Comment on Proposed Redistricting Maps
It is important, now more than ever before, for people to be able to define their own communities and those be reflected in the maps. We must ensure that every person, regardless of skin color, income level, or zip code, has an equal opportunity to select the representatives of their choice.
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ICYMI: Glenn Youngkin Will Pull Out of RGGI, Ignoring Impact of Climate Change on the Commonwealth
Glenn Youngkin formally announced that he will ignore the impact climate change is having on the Commonwealth, and instead will use executive action to end Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
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ICYMI: Will Glenn Youngkin Work for Virginians or Work To Grow His Stock Portfolio As Governor?
Did Glenn Youngkin invest $20 million of his own money so that he could recoup that investment and then some as Governor? His refusal to put all of his assets into a blind trust has called his integrity into question.