Dear ,
We continue to wait for Governor Glenn Youngkin to take action on the bills and budget that have been sent back to his desk following the reconvened session of the General Assembly. The clock is ticking as the governor has 30 days to take action by either vetoing or signing the bills. If he takes no action after 30 days, the bills will automatically become law.
We are still waiting for the final decision regarding three of our priority bills – HB2153 (Faith in Housing), HB2158 (Higher Education in Prison), and HB1649/ SB740 (Implicit Bias Reduction in Health Care). We also continue to pay close attention to the governor’s actions regarding the budget. The legislature rejected 164 of the governor’s amendments to the previously submitted $188 billion budget. Differences in opinion regarding tax policy and spending have set the stage for a possible special session.
I am excited that for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, both major parties have nominated women for the Virginia governor’s race in November. This coming Election Day, either former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger or Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears will join the ranks of 54 women who have served as governors in our country. Earle-Sears made history once before as the first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. This historic moment in the Commonwealth comes at a pivotal time for our communities.
It is important that whoever wins the election prioritizes the issues for which we have fought diligently, including raising the minimum wage, paid sick days, and improving maternal health outcomes. We are working to coordinate a gubernatorial candidate forum in the fall, which will give voters an opportunity to hear each candidate’s position on priority issues.
This week, we are heading to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Fair Share American D.C. Lobby Day. We will join over 300 people from 31 states to fight for tax fairness and protect funding for Medicaid and SNAP. SAVE THE DATE – on April 22 we are planning another action to save Medicaid at the Virginia Beach Office of U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans. More details to come!
As always, thank you for your support as we continue to fight for justice for all Virginians!
Yours in Solidarity,
Keisha
Executive Director | 
