Thank you for your ongoing support of New Virginia Majority. Here are some updates from our organization this month.
Right to Vote March In Richmond
On Monday, February 21st, organizers and community members marched toward the Richmond Capitol to honor Black History Month by demanding automatic voter restoration for returning citizens. Currently, 70,000 Virginians and 1 in 5 Black Virginians cannot vote due to felony disenfranchisement. A bill from Delegate Herring never got a hearing in the full House Privileges and Elections Committee after a subcommittee rejected it on a 6-4 vote. However, this constitutional amendment still has the opportunity to be passed and have a ballot referendum in the November 2022 election. Join us in supporting a constitutional amendment in Virginia to automatically guarantee former felons have the right to vote after serving their time.
Loudoun March for Housing
On Saturday, February 26th, Loudoun organizers and local community members marched to the Loudoun County Government Center where the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the County budget. Loudoun County will be voting whether or not to approve the ½ penny for affordable housing as part of this year’s county budget.
Most of the county's housing initiatives have been for families making 60% of the area median income, or over $70,000/year. We are calling on the county to invest the majority of its housing funds in solutions for families earning below 40% of the area median income. The ½ penny for affordable housing will help working class families, seniors, and low-income neighbors who are most at risk of being pushed out of their homes. Read the full story on our housing justice action in the Loudoun Times-Mirror.
Holding the Line on Legislative Progress
This month the Democratic Senate majority helped block GOP bills that were trying to weaken or roll back:
- minimum wage increases
- public employee collective bargaining
- absentee and early voting expansion
- same day voter registration
- the biggest clean energy bill in Virginia’s history
- criminal justice reform
- gun violence prevention measures
- the ban on the death penalty
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Together, we can lead the way toward a progressive Virginia for all of us.
In solidarity,
The Development Team
New Virginia Majority