Hi Friends This message from VICPP is a progress report on the special session
of the General Assembly.
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Kim Bobo, Director, Virginia Interfaith Center"
<kim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: September 16, 2020 at 7:56:24 PM EDT
To: "Ms. Barbara Williams" <bbnanwill@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Some Progress, Some Setbacks
Dear Barbara,
Many of the legislative committees seem to be winding things up for the
Special Session. Some VICPP priorities have moved forward. Others have not.
The budget is the hardest part of the Special Session that is still in play.
Here’s a summary of where we are at:
PROGRESS
Protecting immigrants in detention: Senator Boysko’s bill (SB 5017)
clarifying that the Commonwealth can require immigrant detention facilities
in Virginia to meet Virginia’s health and safety standards passed the Senate
and will now crossover to the House.
Civilian Oversight: Bills creating Civilian Review Boards passed the Senate
and House, but in a different version. Delegate Herring’s bill (HB 5055)
requires the establishment of Civilian Review Boards. Senator Hashmi’s bill
(SB 5035) allows communities to establish them. The bill will likely end up
in a conference committee.
Marcus Alert System: Delegate Bourne’s bill (HB 5043), the Marcus Alert
System which establishes a mental health awareness response and community
understanding services, passed the House last week and has been referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
No Knock Search Warrants: Delegate Aird’s bill (HB 5099) to prohibit no
knock search warrants except in special situations passed the House and has
been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Credits toward early release: Senator Boysko’s bill (SB 5034) which
increases opportunities for incarcerated people to earn 'good time' credits
toward early release passed the Senate today and will head to the House.
SETBACKS
Paid Quarantine Leave: Even though Delegate Guzman’s bill (HB 5116) passed
the House last week, it was killed in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
this morning. We are committed to working with Senators to craft a strong
bill that they can support in the regular session. We will need your
continued help advocating with Senators about the importance for workers to
have paid sick days and why it is good for businesses. Our poll showed that
96 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of Republicans support Virginia having
a paid sick day standard. Time to implement one!
Eviction Protections: Two bills to limit evictions, Senator Hashmi’s bill (SB
5051), and Delegate Cole’s bill (HB 5111), passed out of their respective
General Laws committees last month and were referred to the money committees
(Finance and Appropriations), where they appear to be languishing. There
still may be possibilities of getting some of the eviction protection
language and additional funds to prevent evictions into the budget.
CLICK HERE for ongoing updated bill status on the VICPP website.
We anticipate that most of the Special Session work, except for the budget,
will be completed by the end of the month. Thank you again for your support
and advocacy.
Kim Bobo
Executive Director
Thurs., Sept. 10, 3 pm - Watch "Virginia Interfaith LIVE!"
Thursday at 3pm join us for a discussion about health and safety protections
for Virginia's workers during COVID-19.
GUESTS:
- Debbie Berkowitz, Worker Health & Safety Program Director, National
Employment Law Project
- Travis Parsons, Associate Director, Occupational Safety and Health,
Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America. Travis is also a member of
the Virginia safety and health codes board.
MODERATOR: Kim Bobo, Executive Director, Virginia Interfaith Center
"Calling All Faithful Citizens to Get Out the Vote!"
It’s time for action! Election Day will arrive sooner than you think.
Education efforts on new voter rights, procedures, and protections must
continue until the clock strikes 7pm when polls close on Tuesday, November
3rd, but we have begun our drive to increase voter registration and getting
out the vote in Virginia. Join us!
LINK TO READ BLOG: "Calling all Faithful Citizens to Get out the Vote"
GET RESOURCES
When We All Vote Partnership
We are proud to announce our partnership with When We All Vote, a non-profit,
non-partisan organization launched by Michelle Obama in 2018. It is on a
mission to change the culture around voting, increase participation in every
election, and help close the race and age voting gap. Through our
partnership, we hope to ensure that YOU are registered and ready to vote in
2020, and that you have the resources to help you register first time voters,
particularly young adults and seniors, in your congregation and community.
Take a moment to double check to make sure you're ready!
LINK to CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION
REGISTER TO VOTE
Faithful Citizens Action Week
We are kicking off our push to get out the vote for the November 3rd General
Election! We begin our Faithful Citizens Action Week with Faith & Democracy
Sunday on September 20th and culminate with Rides to the Registrar on
Saturday, September 26th. We have designed resources and guides for clergy
leaders to lead their congregational participation as a whole, in ministries
and groups, as well as for individuals to stay engaged throughout the week.
This is just the beginning!
READ OVERVIEW
LINK TO TOOLKIT
Election Protection Volunteers Needed
Did you know that the national Election Protection hotline patches all calls
from Virginia on Election Day to the Virginia Civic Engagement Table? Its
staff and volunteers help navigate voters through the problems and issues
they encounter while trying to cast their ballot.
Volunteers are needed in Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads,
Northern Virginia, Richmond Metro Area, and Roanoke. Learn how you can help
and sign up.
LEARN MORE
Eviction Crisis Info.
While we tackle the eviction crisis at the state level, VICPP wants to ensure
tenants stay informed about the national federal eviction moratorium.
Interested in your rights as a tenant? Use these resources from our partners
at the Legal Aid Justice Center to stay up to date.
EVICTION RESOURCES
Easy SNAP Eligibility Calculator
A new a user friendly, mobile-friendly calculator to help people find out if
they are eligible for the SNAP program is now available. The tool also
provides an estimated benefit amount that a person could receive. The
Virginia Poverty Law Center developed this new resource with input from legal
aid attorneys, elected officials, activists, and neighbors.
SNAP CALCULATOR
Climate in the Pulpits 2020
During the weekend of October 2-4, 2020, through a partnership between
Interfaith Power & Light (DC, MD, NoVA), and Faith Alliance for Climate
Solutions, faith communities across the region will be participating in
Climate in the Pulpits, on the Bimah, and in the Minbar. Sign up to commit
your community to raise up voting as a sacred responsibility of the Beloved
Community and vote for leaders who will fight for climate justice.
SIGN UP
"I take care of my employees so they can take care of our customers." -
business owner, Mark Smith
VICPP and the Virginians for Paid Sick Days Coalition appreciates the many
businesses around the state like Midas of Central Virginia that are already
doing the right thing and providing paid time off for employees to use when
they are sick.
Midas of Richmond owner, Mark Smith said "When my employees are happy, my
customers are happy. My employees build relationships with our customers and
they do a great job. Our customers trust them and know they are reliable and
so they keep coming back to us. I save a lot more money in the long-run by
retaining my employees [by offering benefits like Paid Time Off] than having
to constantly hire because of turnover. The average annual turnover in the
automotive repair business is 50-75% but at my locations the average tenure
is 8 to 9 years. That’s incredible! I treat my employees well and they stay
with me for a long time.”
Upcoming Events
Sat., Sept. 19, 10am: Black Lives Matter Vigil in Warrenton - VICPP event
"Vigil for Action: Black Lives Matter" will be held every Saturday until
Labor Day, 10-10:45 am at Courthouse Square Plaza, Old Town Warrenton.
Wearing a mask and keeping physical distance, come stand in solidarity with
your neighbors and advocate for understanding and political action to end
systemic racism. Homemade signs are encouraged. The vigil is sponsored by the
League of Women Voters, the NAACP- Fauquier County Branch and the Virginia
Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP). For more information, call
540.272.0483. LINK to blog about the vigils.
Oct. 7, 9am - 2pm - Symposium: Building the Beloved Community in a Wounded
World - VICPP event
Sign up for a virtual symposium sponsored by the James River Chapter of the
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. October 7, 2020, 9:00 am – 2:00
pm
The symposium will engage people of faith and goodwill to address the
challenges raised by the collision of COVID-19 with the rampant racism of our
day. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
SYMPOSIUM INFO.
Thurs., Sept. 17, 9am-5pm: Celebrating Gov. Wilder, 1st Black Governor
Elected in the U.S.
Join Virginia Union University and Virginia Commonwealth University as they
celebrate the 30th anniversary of the inauguration of L. Douglas Wilder, 66th
Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. A day-long virtual leadership
symposium to honor his continuing legacy. During the live webcast, Governor
Wilder will deliver a keynote address, and senior elected officials,
political experts, and students will offer their insights about the
importance of civic engagement and the 2020 elections. They will also take
audience questions.
REGISTER
Wed., Sept. 23, 7-8:30pm - Candidate Forums - House 8th District
VICPP proudly supports the League of Women Voters-Fairfax Chapter as a
co-sponsor of their Congressional candidate forums. These virtual events are
nonpartisan, free and open to the public. Please submit questions and
register in advance.
8th District, House of Representatives, Wednesday, September 23, 7pm - 8:30pm
Candidates: Donald Beyer (D), Jeff Jordan (R)
LINK TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS button
REGISTER
Read the latest stories! VICPP in the News
September 14, 2020, Transition Virginia: the Podcast, by Michael Pope
The Fight for Paid Leave, Podcast. Michael Pope interviews Audra Grassia,
executive director of Freedom Virginia, and Kim Bobo, executive director of
the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
September 10, 2020, The Alexandria Gazette, By, Michael Pope
The Fight for Paid Leave: After effort for paid sick days falters, lawmakers
move toward paid quarantine leave - Kim Bobo quoted
September 9, 2020, Virginia Mercury, By Kate Masters
‘Things we cannot support’: Advocates back away from quarantine leave bill
after major changes, Kim Bobo and Benjamin Hoyne quoted
RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE
News Stories
ICE confirms two COVID-positive cases in Caroline County's immigrant
detention center
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 14, 2020, By Sabrina Moreno
READ
Court Rules Government Can End Humanitarian Protections For Some 300,000
Immigrants
NPR, Sept. 14, 2020, by Rachel Treisman
READ
Death penalty has been used to enforce racial hierarchies since colonial
times, study concludes
Richmond Times Dispatch, Sept. 15, 2020, by Frank Green
READ
There could be just weeks left to fill out the census. Poor and Black
neighborhoods in Virginia are being undercounted so far
The Virginian Pilot, Sept. 9, 2020, by Marie Albiges
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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
education, prayer and action.
