Dear , 

Governor Northam had until this past Saturday night to sign bills into law, amend or veto bills and send them back to the legislators, or to allow bills to become law without his signature. Here’s the action the Governor took on legislation that VICPP supported. We hope the General Assembly will support most of his amendments. VICPP is quite pleased with the overall outcome of the session and most of the Governor’s amendments.

Governor Northam signed these bills into law as presented to him:

Wage Theft Reforms. The Governor signed the following bills championed by VICPP: to create a private cause of action for wage theft (HB123 and SB838), add protections against retaliation (HB337 and SB48), strengthen the ability of DOLI to investigate wage claims (HB336 and SB49), remove the piece work exemption from minimum wage (SB78).  VICPP also supported bills signed by the Governor: to create a private cause of action for misclassification (HB984 and SB894), establish prohibitions on noncompete agreements for low-wage workers (HB330 and SB480), remove the domestic worker exemption from minimum wage (SB804) and strengthen enforcement against misclassification (SB744, SB662, HB1407, HB1199).

In-State Tuition. The bills (HB1547 and SB935) allow all who meet the Virginia residency requirements to receive in-state tuition.

Office of New Americans. VICPP supported bills (HB1209 and SB991) to create an office to welcome and support newcomers.

Governor Northam amended these bills as outlined below. The amendments will be voted on by the House and Senate on April 22:

Minimum Wage Increase.  Governor Northam’s amendment will postpone the initial minimum wage increase as outlined in SB7 and HB395 from January 1, 2021 to May 1, 2021- a four-month delay. Although VICPP is disappointed that working families won’t see an increase on January 1, 2021, we understand that the Governor and his team are facing challenging budget concerns at this moment.  We also believe that the Governor missed an important opportunity to remove the farmworker exemption from the minimum wage. Farmworkers are essential workers and deserve the protection of the state’s minimum wage. VICPP will work to remove this exemption in the 2021 General Assembly. We are in conversation with coalition partners about the message to send to legislators about the amendment.

Driver’s Licenses for All.  The Governor amended the bills that give people of differing immigration status the ability to obtain a Driver's Privilege Card (HB1211 and SB34) and make the cards look more like other licenses so immigrants are less likely  to be subject to discrimination. VICPP supports this amendment. Advocates are still concerned about the lack of privacy protections in the bill.

Comprehensive Predatory Lending Reform. The Governor amended the predatory lending reform bills (HB789 and SB421) and moved the enactment day forward from July 1, 2021 to January 1, 2021. This is a great improvement that VICPP helped advocate and it will save Virginians approximately $50 million in fees. We just signed on to a statement by the Virginia Poverty Law Center to legislators urging them to support this amendment.

Environmental Justice. The Governor amended the Environmental Justice Council bills (SB883) to add “disability” to the definition of environmental justice alongside “race, color, faith, national origin, and income.” In the Virginia Environmental Justice Act (HB704 and SB406), he added clarifying language to the meaning of the bill. Virginia Interfaith Power & Light (VAIPL) and VICPP advocated the amendments to both bills.

Energy Burden. The Governor made some technical amendments to the bill to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and use some of the revenue to invest in energy efficiency (HB981 and SB1027). VICPP supports the amendments.

We are still trying to assess which of the amendments will need the most advocacy. Be prepared for a few more action alerts in the next week to get bills across the finish line.

Many Blessings,
 
Kim Bobo
Executive Director

Governor Ralph Northam signed historic legislation last week that allows students who are undocumented but meet the residency requirements, access to in-state tuition, regardless of their immigration status. The bills, SB 935 (Sen. Jennifer Boysko and Sen. Ghazala Hashmi) and HB 1547 (Del. Alfonzo Lopez and Del. Mark Keam) will go into effect July 1, 2020.

“This is a great victory for undocumented students in Virginia. We hope other states will follow Virginia’s lead in opening up the doors to educational opportunities for all," said Yanet Limon-Amado, an organizer at VICPP who worked on this for eight years.

VICPP is proud to have worked on this legislation with a broad and dedicated coalition of community members, legislators, and organizations including VIIA (Virginia Intercollegiate Immigrant Alliance), VACIR (Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights), NAKASEC (National Korean American Services and Education Consortium), LAJC (Legal Aid Justice Center) and the DREAM Project. VICPP is grateful to the faith leaders and the interfaith community from across Virginia who stood with undocumented students during this long fight.
(Photo: ABC-8, Yanet Amado advocating for “in-state tuition equity” with other undocumented students at the state Capitol in 2015).

Watch our broadcasts LIVE on Facebook and recorded on YouTube
You can participate by sending in questions for the guests during the show!

* Thursday, April 16, 11a.m.: "Workers Need Paid Sick Days"

GUESTS: Senator Barbara Favola (sponsored SB 935 requires employers to provide paid sick days), Kim Bobo (VICPP executive director), and Josh Briere (restaurant worker)

* Thursday, April 16, 5 p,m. in Spanish: “Todos Los Trabajadores Necesitan 'Dias de Enfermedad Pagados' - En Español (All Workers Need Paid Sick Days)

GUESTS: Delegate Elizabeth Guzman – sponsored HB 1547 - requires employers to provide paid sick days, Yanet Limon-Amado (VICPP organizer), Ben Hoyne (VICPP policy director)

“Virginia Interfaith LIVE!” is VICPP's weekly live broadcast addressing economic, racial, social, and environmental justice policy issues. Watch and ask questions of experts, faith leaders, legislators, policy partners, and community members. Viewers participate by writing questions on Facebook during the broadcast.

 A message from Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC): "Since the state of emergency was declared in Virginia, LAJC has received alarming reports of deteriorating conditions at detention centers: little to no testing, entire dormitories quarantined, withholding of hygiene products like soap and hand sanitizer, difficulty reaching detainees by phone, and a hunger strike at Farmville, to name a few examples. 

Send a clear message to Governor Northam: Virginia must exercise its authority to inspect and enforce health standards! You can take action now by calling the Governor and urging him to order an inspection!"  CALL GOVERNOR NORTHAM:  804-786-2211.

To ensure the health and safety of voters, the upcoming June 9th primary for Congressional seats has been moved back two weeks to June 23rd and the May 5th town elections may be moved to the November 3rd general election. New legislation passed by General Assembly to expand voting rights that were placed on the Governor's desk have now been signed. It just got easier to vote in Virginia! Read "Protecting our Elections is a Priority"

The CDC is recommending that we all wear masks, but workers on the frontlines especially want and need masks. Although most efforts are focused on getting healthcare workers PPE (personal protective equipment) and we support that, we are also concerned about grocery store workers, construction workers, farmworkers, bus drivers, shelter workers and other essential workers who need protection.

Yesterday, we got a call about workers in five Kroger stores in the Richmond area who urgently need masks. We are working on a broader campaign in the coming weeks, so stay tuned! CLICK HERE here for a list of places that need masks. Let us know if you can sew masks and how many by signing up HERE, and email Jase@virginiainterfaithcenter.org to let us know other locations that need and accept mask donations in your area. 

MORE SOCIAL ACTION OPPORTUNITIES: If you are social distancing at home and want to use this time to help your community CLICK ON THIS LIST OF IDEAS.

We created a one-page resource guide (in English and Spanish) with information on where to get help for the most vulnerable in your congregation and community.
 
COVID-19 Community Supports For Congregations  (PDF in English)
COVID-19 Community Supports For Congregations (PDF in Spanish)

NEW RESOURCES ON OUR COVID-19 PAGE

For immigrant workers: Immigrant Workers Rights

For Richmond residents: RVAstrong: Richmond Mayor Stoney's office launched a new website with resources to help with housing stability, food security, and loans and opportunities to volunteer. Richmond residents can apply for housing and income assistance through the RVAstrong website regardless of immigration status. Here's the link.

Resources for Faith & Community Leaders from the Governor's office

Our #Service During Social Distancing series features stories about how congregations are adapting during the pandemic with a focus on our mission:  #LEARN #PRAY #ACT.

Ramadan, which begins on Thursday, April 23, is a time when Muslim communities fast, reflect, sacrifice, and spend time in charitable work. You’re invited to join us — and friends from throughout the Commonwealth — in taking on a Ramadan Creation care practice with our 2020 Ramadan Creation Care Calendar from Virginia Interfaith Power & Light (a program of VICPP).