Report on LWV-VA Pre-Session for the 2022 General Assembly The Pre-Session was held virtually on December 1, 2021. A recording of the session can be found at https://youtu.be/OBEtaY9MW1E, and the agenda is available at https://bit.ly/LWVVA-3opROM6. Denise Harrington, LWV-VA Advocacy Director presented the League’s Legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
1. Automatic Restoration of Returning Citizens’ Voting Access.
2. The permanent removal of the Witness Signature Requirement on Mail-In Ballots.
3. Opposition to Vouchers and Tuition Tax Credits to Private Schools or any “Portability of Funds diverted from Public Schools to Private Schools”.
4. Campaign Finance Reform – Dark Money / Honest Ads, Full Disclosure.
5. Floods – Full disclosure of the Flood Zones to potential buyers or renters.
As bills are introduced in the legislature concerning these issues, League members will receive talking points when LWV-VA sends Calls to Action to members. When contacting our Representatives, we are speaking as active citizens, not as Leaguers. Remember: we are all constituent advocates!
Our other avenues of Advocacy are:
• State League Issue groups, which follow bills in the legislature and support our priorities there. For a list of the groups and information on joining them https:/lwv-VA.org/issue-groups/.
• Women’s Legislative Round Tables – hybrid (in-person and virtual) meeting every Wednesday from January 20 to March 9.
• League Day at the Capital on January 26, which will be hybrid event. The Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections reported that over 50% of eligible voters participated in our recent election – 30% by mail – a high turnout for a state election. The Secretary of Finance confirmed that we have a large state surplus in budget due to the increases in the stock and housing markets, Federal stimulus grants, and the currently strong economy. The newly elected Governor and legislature will be making decisions on allocating these funds.
Representatives from almost 20 organizations who partner with the League on advocacy priorities gave brief reports on their activities, which are available on the LWV-VA Drive. All thanked the League for coordinating many of the joint efforts of these groups by our advocacy training and outreach.
A few examples:
• NAACP and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence are supporting bills for comprehensive background checks for gun sales, safe storage for firearms, and defending the 15 firearms safety bills passed last year against repeal or cutbacks.
• Reflect US wants to increase numbers of women in elective and appointed offices, which currently is only 26% cross the country.
• VA Housing Alliance is advocating for Affordable Housing and Rental Assistance. On any day there are 6000 homeless people in Richmond.
--- Natalie Testa