Although Bobby Lee was 60 years old when he cast his first votein 2016, his age didn’t keep him from feeling like a kid again. “The first time voting, I felt like I was 18,” he said about his visit to the polls. “Happy, joyous, and free.” “I think it’s very, very important to take […]
2021 General Assembly
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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 Don’t Just Need to Legalize Marijuana in Virginia. We Need To Do It Equitably.
It seems like everyone is talking about legalizing marijuana this year. I’m all for it! But I’m a little nervous about how the details will work themselves out. There’s a right way and a wrong way to do this, and we need to make sure we do it the right way. That means making sure […]
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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, […]
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Top Three Bills To Watch During the 2021 Legislative Session In Virginia
When the 2021 General Assembly legislative session starts in January, it will be a session like no other. COVID has changed everything. The House of Delegates will meet virtually and the state Senate will meet at the Science Museum of Virginia. With virtual floor meetings, no in-person lobbying, and zooming in to give public testimony, […]