Hi Friends, Good news from Virginia
Interfaith Center. Babs
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Begin forwarded message:
From: "Kim Bobo, Director, Virginia Interfaith Center"
<kim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: April 15, 2020 at 5:38:56 PM EDT
To: "Ms. Barbara Williams" <bbnanwill@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Governor Signs & Amends Bills
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Dear Barbara,
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
Virginia Becomes First Southern State to Allow
Undocumented Students to Pay In-State Tuition
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).
Virginia Interfaith LIVE!
Two Shows on Thursday
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.
Take Action to #Inspect ICE
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.
SAMPLE SCRIPT TO CALL GOV.
Protecting our Elections is a Priority
New Election Dates & Voting Rights
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"
READ MORE
Sew Masks for Workers!
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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 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.
SIGN UP TO MAKE MASKS
COVID-19 Community Resources
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
LINK TO COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE
#Service During Social Distancing
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.
LEARN: The Ramp Church International, Lynchburg
The drive-in worship service has become a new way for congregations to gather
while following social distancing guidelines. But Bishop Shantae Younger took
it to another level---literally. Staff and members built a stage platform in
their parking lot for their Good Friday service. View local TV news story.
WATCH NBC-10 STORY
PRAY: New River Valley UU, Blacksburg
Its Soul Matters Circle Group has found a creative way to support the monthly
theme for study and reflection set by Rev. Pam Philips. They create a diverse
playlist of songs on Spotify to let music lead members into the theme. This
month it's liberation, and so far, members explored how love liberates us and
how to be liberated from expectations.
LISTEN TO MUSIC PLAYLIST
ACT: Temple Emanuel, Roanoke
This Passover was definitely different for the members who promoted, watched
and donated to a nationwide virtual Passover Seder to benefit the CDC
Foundation's fund for COVID-19 first responders. The story of Passover was
reinvented by a team of acclaimed Hollywood artists and comedians along with
religious leaders. The production raised $2.63 million (as of 4/14) and
counting.
WATCH THE VIRTUAL SEDER
Download Ramadan Creation Care Calendar
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).
DOWNLOAD CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thurs., April 16, 11AM: "Virginia Interfaith LIVE!" Broadcast with Sen.
Barbara Favola
Join us for a LIVE broadcast: “All Workers Need Paid Sick Days” - YOU can ask
questions of the guests live on VICPP's Facebook page
GUESTS:
* Senator Barbara Favola – sponsored the bill to require employers to provide
paid sick days
* Kim Bobo, VICPP Executive Director
MODERATOR: Roberta Oster, VICPP Communications Director
If you miss the show WATCH recorded programs here
WATCH SHOW LIVE 11AM
Thurs., April 16, 5 PM: "Virginia Interfaith en VIVO!" - Todos Los
Trabajadores Necisitan Dias de Fermedad Pagados
“Todos Los Trabajadores Necisitan “Dias de Fermedad Pagados” -En Espanol
(“All Workers Need Paid Sick Days”)
GUESTS:
* Delegate Elizabeth Guzman – sponsored the bill to require employers to
provide paid sick days
* Moderator: Ben Hoyne, VICPP policy director
WELCOME: Yanet Limon-Amado, VICPP organizer
WATCH SHOW LIVE 5PM
Thurs., April 16, 10 AM - FEMA Webinar for Houses of Worship
Register for this webinar about the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) grant program specifically for Houses of
Worship and Faith Based Organizations.
REGISTER TODAY
April 17-26, Faith Climate Action Week
Faith Climate Action Week is ten days in April during Earth Month when
congregations focus on how we can take action to protect our climate.
This year’s theme is "Love Made Visible: Engaging in Sacred Activism" to
protect the people we care about who are most affected by climate change.
Download a digital kit that includes everything needed to run a successful
climate activity with your faith community.
ORDER YOUR KIT HERE
Environmental Justice & COVID-19 Forums
LINK TO EARTH DAY EVENTS & RESOURCES:
There are 3 digital federal forums on environmental justice and COVID-19
coming up (Facebook Live Stream). Please mark your calendars and spread the
word:
April 17: COVID-19 and Indigenous Communities
April 23: COVID-19 and Environmental Justice Communities
April 29: COVID-19 and US Territories
The forums will be hosted on Facebook live. Information and links will be
published on the Committee’s website. For more timely information, sign up
for the Commitee newsletter.
Virus Is Twice as Deadly for Black and Latino People Than Whites in N.Y.C.
New York Times, April 8, 2020
READ STORY
Northam signs legislation allowing undocumented students to pay in-state
tuition
NBC-12, April 13, 202
READ STORY
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates, economic, racial,
social and environmental justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through
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