Richmond, Virginia—In a massive victory for working families in our community, the House of Delegates has passed a historic bill to extend eight weeks of paid family and medical leave to private sector employees across the Commonwealth. SB 373, sponsored by Senator Jennifer Boysko, passed the House on a vote of 50-46 and will now […]
Press Releases
Press Release
$15 Minimum Wage Clears First Hurdle To Becoming Law
Richmond, Virginia—Activists and working families are celebrating today as SB1, sponsored by Senator Louise Lucas, passed today in a Senate Committee. The bill would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour starting in 2026. The next step is for SB1 to go Senate Finance Committee for a vote before being voted on by the […]
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Historic Minimum Wage Increase Passes General Assembly, Moves to the Governor’s Desk
Richmond, Virginia—In a victory for working families, SB1, sponsored by Senator Louise Lucas, passed the House of Delegates today The bill increases the minimum wage to $13.50 this year, and $15 an hour starting in 2026. SB1 will now move to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk for a signature. Youngkin, who travels between the Governor’s Mansion […]
Press Release
Commonsense Gun Violention Prevention Bills Pass Senate
Richmond, Virginia—Several common-sense gun violence prevention bills passed the State Senate today. With gun violence being the top cause of death in people aged 1-17, this is welcome news. “We’re thrilled that Senators have voted to pass these common-sense gun violence prevention bills. These bills will save lives and make our communities safer,” LaTwyla Mathias, […]
Press Release
Commonsense Gun Safety Bills Pass the House
Richmond, Virginia—Several bills to prevent gun violence have passed the House of Delegates today and will now head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Gun violence fatalities have been on the rise in Virginia, and gun fatalities are now the leading cause of death in people aged 1-17. By passing these commonsense […]
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House and Senate Pass Assault Weapons Ban
Richmond, Virginia—Families who have lost loved ones to gun violence celebrated today as the House passed a historic ban on assault weapons. SB 2, sponsored by Senator Creigh Deeds, narrowly passed the House today on a vote of 51-49. The House cognate, HB 2, sponsored by Delegate Dan Helmer passed the Senate today by a […]
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Historic $15 Minimum Wage Increase Will Include Farmworkers For The First Time
Richmond, Virginia—Today, we moved closer to pay equity and racial justice when the Virginia Senate voted to remove the exemptions that excluded farmworkers from earning the minimum wage. HB157, sponsored by Delegate Adele McClure, narrowly passed the Senate by a vote of 20-19 and will move to the Governor’s desk for a signature. The exemption […]
Press Release
Crossover Day: Status of the Progressive Agenda
Richmond, Virginia—February 13 is Crossover Day in the General Assembly. Here’s a recap of the status of several crucial bills, broken down by issue area and current posture. “Our community has been very clear: we demand a safer, more progressive Commonwealth where everyone’s rights are protected, and working families have what they need to grow […]
Press Release
Right to Contraception Passes the House
Richmond, Virginia—Everybody deserves the right to decide if and when they would like to have children, and today, the House has passed a bill to help protect that right. The Right To Contraception Act (SB 273), sponsored by Senator Ghazala Hashmi, passed the House on a vote of 53-44 today. Several states, including Virginia, are […]
Press Release
Anti-Voter Bills Voted Down in Senate Committee
Richmond, Virginia—Voters should feel more secure today knowing that Republican attempts to restrict voting rights were voted down in the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. Several bills to do everything, from limiting the absentee voting period to requiring photo identification to vote and making it more difficult to register to vote on Election Day, were […]