The Half Sheet

Investing in preventing and treating substance use disorders and mental illness is pragmatic and cost-effective. Virginia lawmakers know this is true because they are using state dollars to increase access to these services for some people. Now it is time for them to close the coverage gap to make sure that all Virginians can obtain the quality, affordable care they need to be healthy and productive.

Virginia’s felony theft threshold – the value of stolen money or goods above which misdemeanor theft becomes a felony – hasn’t increased since 1980 when it was set at $200. But prices go up, which means a crime that was a misdemeanor even a few years ago could now be a felony just because of inflation.