Dear ,

We have about ten more days in the 2021 General Assembly. Some of our work is pretty much finished, some is almost done, and much of our agenda is still in play. Here's the update:

STILL BEING DEBATED:

Water as a Human Right Resolution (HJ 538) Passed the House. Should be heard in Senate Rules Committee on Friday.

Equitable Public Transportation study (HJ 542) Passed the House. This study got “rolled into” a broader transportation study in the Senate Finance Committee and is still being debated.

Environmental Justice Act (HB 2074 and SB 1318). These bills passed their respective houses and are now being debated in the opposite chambers.

Minimum wage for farmworkers. (HB 1786) Passed the House and will likely be on the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee agenda next Monday, February 22.
 
Paid Sick Days for Essential Workers (HB 2137) Passed the House and will likely be on the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee agenda next Monday, February 22.

LOOKING GOOD:

Abolition of the Death Penalty (HB 2263 and SB 1165).  We anticipate one or perhaps both bills passing their second chamber this week. Fingers crossed and prayers lifted up.

SHOULD BE GOOD:

Prenatal care for immigrants. Both the House and Senate budgets included the budget amendments for providing prenatal care to immigrant women.  Yeah! 

Again, I regret asking you to contact your Senator so many times last week, but many bills are still in play in the Senate. We try to schedule out the email action alerts, but as you can see, it is a busy time for our priority issues. Hang in there and thank you for your advocacy. We will be done soon!

For all the latest legislative news, see updates on our website here.

Thank you again for your patience and your faithful response to alerts.

Sincerely,

Kim Bobo
Executive Director

This Black History Month, Chesapeake Climate Action Network is proud to partner with Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, Right Array LLC, and representatives from the University of Richmond Geography department to support Bridging the Gap Virginia’s (BTGVA) celebration and fundraiser.

You’ll get to listen to local jazz and gospel musicians, enjoy local art, hear from featured speakers, and learn the history of environmental Justice fights (and wins) in a freedmen-founded community. We’ll be uplifting the history and accomplishments of Black communities and businesses throughout the Commonwealth. We also invite you to bid on items and experiences at our silent auction. The proceeds from the celebration will go towards BTGVA's work to address environmental justice, green workforce development, and an employment training center.

FUNDRAISER LINK 

Join VICPP for our first racial equity roundtable to help congregational clergy, lay leaders, and members learn how to foster space to acknowledge, examine and redress their faith tradition's role in sustaining white supremacy.

Leaders from the Central Church of the Brethren will share how and what they explored after completing their congregational book study of "The Color of Compromise: The Truth About The American Church's Complicity in Racism" which presents the concept of ecclesiastic reparations. Leaders from the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond will also share the work and impact of congregations who have completed its program, Living The Pledge (to end racism).

 (Link to register for Zoom call)