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RICHMOND, Va. -- The Rev. Mark Jefferson looked out into the auditorium. Students gathered around almost every table, stacks of fact sheets and folders of notes spread out before them. Their time together was nearly at an end. Jefferson spoke with a calm determination.
"I'm here as your fellow brother on the way," Jefferson said. "I'm here to remind you that because you live, and because you gather in this place, the world has the potential to be better."
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy hosted its first in-person Student Day of Action on the first Friday of February, to help students learn to engage with legislators. VICPP is an advocacy organization focused on social and economic policy. The group works with multi denominational congregations throughout the state.
An estimated 150 people attended the event, said organizer Terri Erwin. Attendees came from 18 different schools: 13 four-year institutions, two seminaries and three community colleges.
"There's nothing that can replace the experience of ... seeing a bunch of young people, and realizing how human a process lawmaking really is," Erwin said. "It's people. And any person who chooses to can be a part of it."
Ethan Hemmings, a Shenandoah University Conservatory student, felt empowered to meet with lawmakers.
"At the end of the day, these senators and delegates are just people, just like you and I," he said.
Hemmings spoke to lawmakers about measures to end solitary confinement and cap some prison fees.
"I feel that using my voice in a positive and constructive manner not only changes my life, but it can also change the lives of others," he said.
Erwin said she witnessed a "transformative effect" after the meetings, and the students were "so pumped up."
Attendees participated in a total of 77 legislative visits, according to Erwin.
Students met at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond before and after holding their scheduled visits. The groups reflected on their experiences.
Gabriela Leija-Hernandez represented the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement. Her group met with Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham.
"He [Obenshain] kept on saying, 'it'll be a future thing,' and we just kept on pressing," she said. "The future could be right now, so let's do it."
Keisha Walker, VICPP administrative and finance director, said there were leaders in the group.
"They all exist, and we wanna bring them together so they will become familiar with one another and the issues that are important to everyone," Walker said.
Shenandoah University student Scott Goodrich wants to be a state senator. He came prepared with several pages of notes and a desire to be heard.
"There is definitely a place for emotions in politics, as it's a very emotional subject," he said. "Politics is in every part of our lives."
Goodrich is motivated by a quote from a blog post he once read: "The anger in your heart warms you now, but will leave you cold in your grave." This mindset could lead to more effective legislative work, he said.
The main thing Goodrich wants to see from leaders? "I want them to grow a backbone," he said.
King Salim Khalfani, VICPP's criminal justice reform organizer, told students this is only the beginning.
"In Virginia, you must be as consistent as the raindrops," Khalfani said.
Young people are fully capable, Erwin said.
"It's impossible not to feel hopeful after what we saw," Erwin said.
The event has a deeper meaning than just a singular day of action, Erwin told the group.
"The fact that we showed up, and put young Virginians on their radar screen — really, really matters," Erwin said.
All 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for election this November. Erwin said this "shuffling of the deck" provides an opportunity for young voters to participate in their legislature in a substantial way.
"What I found in all that travel, is not that young people don't care," Jefferson said to the group near the end of his keynote address. "What I found is that the stories people tell about you are often not true."
RICHMOND, Va. – Lawmakers crossed the midpoint of the General Assembly session earlier this week.
Almost 600 bills in the House and over 500 in the Senate advanced, and only one bill passed both chambers by Feb. 7.
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies, said there will be a delay in the passage of controversial measures.
"Even things that passed in one house that are contentious will face problems in the other house, given divided government," Farnsworth said.
"Hot-button issues" are unlikely to reach the governor's desk, Farnsworth said, due to the Democratic-majority Senate and Republican-majority House.
"The Senate won't accept abortion restrictions and the House won't accept gun control," Farnsworth said. "Key issues are going to be delayed until one party ends up controlling both chambers and the governor's office."
The Senate passed a higher percentage of bills than the House. Almost 52% of proposed House bills advanced, and the Senate had an almost 66% success rate. The statistics don't reflect resolutions, or bills carried over from last session.
Gianni Snidle, communications director for the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus, said he thinks a lot less legislation will advance this session.
"If they're [House of Delegates] sending bills over that's ripping freedoms away from LGBTQ people, from women, from Virginians, we're going to kill those bills here," Snidle said.
Lawmakers are debating key issues such as reproductive freedoms, gun control, rate regulation and more, Snidle said.
"It's just a flurry of common sense gun control legislation that has gotten out of the Senate and other bills helping Virginia families be able to craft and achieve their American Dream," Snidle said.
Jeff Ryer, press secretary for the Senate Republican Caucus, said top issues in the second half of the session include crime—courts and penalties—as well as consolidation of workforce development programs. A high profile crime bill addresses organized retail theft, with versions in the House and Senate, Ryer said.
"There's been a lot of agency bills that have passed out of both chambers, meaning things that that individual government agencies have requested to have passed," Ryer said.
Lawmakers amend the state budget in odd numbered years. The budget is a top priority, including tax cuts and spending initiatives, according to Ryer.
The two chambers will have more time to work on the budget now, as there are fewer bills to pick up after crossover day, Farnsworth said.
"That may involve tax cuts, it may involve additional resources devoted to schools," Farnsworth said. "We'll have to see where there's going to be areas of agreement."
General Assembly 2023 stats
The legislative scorecard of bills passed is not the only measure of a lawmaker's effectiveness, according to Farnsworth.
"The contents of the legislation usually matter more than the won-loss ranking," he stated. "A bill that has a tangible, direct benefit to the district or is strongly desired by a key segment of the electorate in the district is the gold standard of legislative effectiveness."
In the House, 31 legislators introduced 15 bills—the most allowed.
Del. Robert Bloxom Jr., R-Accomack, advanced the most bills in the House—with 14 of his 15 bills moving to the Senate.
Del. Les Adams, R-Pittsylvania, had all of his 13 measures move to the other chamber.
Nine delegates were unable to advance any measures, including Dels. Marie March, R-Floyd, and Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, who each introduced 15 bills and saw none advance.
Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, introduced 32 bills, with an 84% pass rate. Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, had the most bills pass out of the Senate; he advanced 28 of his 30 bills.
The newly-elected Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, was the only senator with a 100% passage rate. He advanced all six bills to the House. Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, passed 18 of her 19 bills.
Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, was the only senator who advanced no bills. She introduced 17 bills.
The session is slated to adjourn on Feb. 25 and reconvene for unfinished business on April 12. After that, election season begins in earnest. All 140 General Assembly seats will be up for grabs in November.
Initiative will feature Presidential Cabinet members highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration's whole-of-government commitment to advancing Latino prosperity
WASHINGTON – Following President Biden's State of Union address on Tuesday, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman traveled to Tucson, Arizona today to announce plans for the upcoming Biden-Harris Administration Latino Prosperity Tour. This tour will spotlight the whole-of-government approach the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to support, uplift, and invest in the Latino community, as well as underscore the Administration's ongoing commitment to expanding pathways to prosperity in Latino communities across the nation. While Latinos generate nearly $2.8 trillion in economic activity, studies show that a significant opportunity gap persists due to underinvestment. The multi-city tour will feature resources from across the federal government that support education, housing, entrepreneurship, and more as avenues to generate economic wealth and address the racial wealth gap.
"President Biden is investing in America, and this tour connects the Latino community to those federal investments – meeting people everywhere they are to turn their possibilities into reality," said Administrator Guzman. "For the Latino community, entrepreneurship is a pathway to prosperity, to successful community outcomes, and generational wealth building. As the daughter of a small business owner, and as an entrepreneur myself, I have seen first-hand the difference that access to resources and support can have. That is why I am thrilled to lead this effort on behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration, and look forward to hitting the road with my fellow Cabinet members and senior leadership over these next few months."
"The Biden-Harris Administration is leading the way to ensure Latino families across the nation can live with dignity, respect, and achieve success," said White House Senior Advisor to the President Julie Rodriguez. "Latinos are hardworking, starting small businesses at historic rates, and committed to making their lives and communities better. With the Latino Prosperity Tour, the Biden-Harris Administration is able to shine a spotlight on local Latino leaders and small business owners who are a powerful testament to this Administration's efforts to increase economic opportunity for Latino communities so that they can use their full potential and build generational wealth."
"As the first Latina Mayor of Tucson, I am proud to welcome Administrator Guzman to our great city and host the announcement of the Biden-Harris Administration's Latino Prosperity Tour," said Mayor Regina Romero. "At the city level, we know how crucial it is to meet constituents where they are, and I am thrilled to see the Biden-Harris Administration take steps to further their efforts to engage and invest in Latinos across the country, as we will here in Tucson."
The lingering issues exacerbated by COVID-19 have created growing economic challenges for communities of color, especially in Latino communities. The Biden-Harris Administration has addressed disparities in Latino communities by helping more entrepreneurs achieve the dream of business ownership, expanding access to health care, and providing student debt relief. The Latino Prosperity Tour will directly engage underserved Latino populations in conversation, gather feedback, provide connection, and discuss ways the Biden-Harris Administration can address the unique access barriers they are experiencing.
Through historic investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, the Biden-Harris Administration continues its commitment to deliver on the promise of increasing opportunity for all, including every Latino family and community.
About the Latino Prosperity Tour
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the highest-ranking Latino official on the economy in President Biden's Cabinet, will be touring the country with fellow Cabinet members to highlight the historic investments the Biden-Harris Administration has made in Latino communities, in addition to featuring resources available across the federal government. Administrator Guzman and other members of the Cabinet will hear first-hand from diverse Latino communities across the nation about their needs. Details of the tour will be shared as it progresses, including stops in rural, diaspora, and growing Latino communities. More information about tour steps, participants, etc., will be announced in the near future.
