Dear ,

Virginia’s election season is in full swing, with the June primaries now just two months away. Budget negotiators are now saying that legislators will not be asked to vote on budget amendments until after the June 20th primaries. Because we are in the middle of a biennial budget, delaying budget changes will not cause a government shutdown, as it would in an even numbered year. Although legislators may decide not to approve a new budget and simply stick to the “skinny” budget approved earlier (just a few modest changes to the two-year budget already approved), my sense is that most legislators believe that passing an amended budget is part of their jobs and thus will want to do their duty. The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis has a simple explanation of the budget process HERE. 

Now is a great time to ask all legislators and candidates about their budget priorities. Getting asked pointed questions about the budget priorities could influence the outcome of the current budget debate but will also help all candidates understand our concern about using the budget to address and reduce poverty in Virginia. 

Although we recognize that the budget is a complicated document with lots of moving pieces, our priorities are clear. Here are our top two budget values and the questions you could ask legislators and candidates to reflect those values.  

1) Tax changes should help low-income families. VICPP opposes the Governor’s proposals to cut the corporate tax rate and reduce the income tax rate for those with the highest incomes. VICPP supports strengthening the state Earned Income Tax Credit and other changes that would make the tax system more progressive – asking those who are most able to pay to pay more -- “to whom much is given, much is expected.”  

Question: Who should benefit most from tax cuts and what are your priorities for tax reform? 

2) Budget expenditures should help reduce poverty. There are many concrete investments we could support that would reduce poverty. Two critical areas for families with low and moderate incomes are housing and childcare. It is disingenuous for politicians to express concern about Virginia’s housing crisis or childcare crisis and then refuse to make either one a priority in the budget.  

Question: Will you support increases in the budget to address affordable housing and childcare assistance? 

If your elected leader is hosting a townhall meeting, ask these questions. If a candidate knocks on your door, ask these questions. If you attend an event to meet a candidate, ask these questions. 

You are going to hear a lot more from me about how to be engaged in the electoral process, but for now, let us ask questions about the budget.  

Sincerely, 

Kim Bobo 
Executive Director

Join the James River and the Hampton Roads chapters of VICPP to push back against the dominant story of gun violence in our culture. Chapter leaders have invited bestselling author and renowned activist Shane Claiborne of RAWtools, Inc. from Philadelphia to Newport News. Together, we will decommission a gun and, using a blacksmith shop, forge it into a garden tool. The event will take place at St. John’s Church of God in Christ in Newport News, Virginia.

Shane is a self-described “champion for grace” who values helping unhoused people, protesting against wars, advocating for the end of the death penalty, and supporting methods to end gun violence. He has worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia, and heads up Red Letter Christians. Together with RAWtools founder Mike Martin, Shane wrote Beating Guns.

Click the button below to register. Click HERE to watch a promotional video about the event. 

Join us and our co-sponsors at 7 p.m. on May 4 at the Richmond Public Library (or online). Matt Desmond is the award winning author of the new book Poverty, by America. He challenges Americans to look at themselves and their commitment to really ending poverty. His contention is that we could end poverty if we want to, but that many of us benefit from the choices made by policies that do not invest in ending poverty. 

Mr. Desmond will talk about his book, answer some questions and then be available to sign books. We expect this event to be full, so please register in advance for a seat in-person.

Please join us for this exciting session from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 31, 2023. This training and planning session is very important as we prepare for the 2023 legislative elections. We will focus on the value of faith-based organizing, how we can establish shared trajectories, and building a great regional team for voter engagement and candidate forums. Lunch will be provided.

Will you roll up your sleeves?

Upcoming events are posted to the web regularly. Please click the button below to check out the VICPP Events webpage.