October 4, 2023
The Half Sheet
State Funding Proposals Include Regressive Tax Increases – Many without Offsets
Last week, the 2020 General Assembly session reached the point of the legislative calendar known as “crossover.” From crossover until the end of session, the House of Delegates only considers legislation that has passed the Senate, and the Senate only considers legislation that has passed the House (the lone exception is the budget bill).
Virginia Missed an Opportunity to Be at the Forefront of Equity in Policy
This legislative session, proposals have been put forward that would begin to reverse decades of policies that have hurt low-income people of color in Virginia, from ensuring our education system works for more students to strengthening the state’s safety net.
A Regional Minimum Wage Would Accelerate Inequality In Virginia
Imagine three people who are paid minimum wage: one is based in northern Virginia, another in the City of Richmond, and the last in Hampton Roads. All three share the same employer, hold the same job title and responsibilities, and have identical education and experience.
What’s Holding Virginia Back from Solving Its “Math Problem” and Funding Our Schools – Virginia’s Tax System
This Sunday, House Appropriations and Senate Finance will release their proposed amendments to the governor’s 2020-2022 budget. Educators and advocates are hopeful to see critical investments in Virginia’s public schools that build upon the introduced budget, especially with continued economic growth bringing in additional revenues to the state budget.
Health Care Proposals To Look For On Budget Sunday
The 2020 legislative session is now at the halfway mark and some crucial health care related bills, detailed in an earlier post, aimed at increasing affordability and access to comprehensive health care coverage for those on the individual marketplace continue to move forward. In addition, several exciting proposals to strengthen Virginia’s Medicaid program and reduce premiums on the individual marketplace have been included in Gov. Northam’s introduced budget or in budget amendment requests from legislators.
High-Quality Education in Virginia Can’t Exist Without Adequate English Learner Teachers
Central to creating a high-quality education under which students can thrive is having a team of support and instructional staff that can meet a diverse set of needs at every school.
Sufficiently Staffed Counselors Are Key for Safe and Healthy Schools
Every student deserves a safe and healthy school environment where they are supported academically, socially and emotionally, and school counselors and support staff play a critical role in meeting these needs.
Details Matter When It Comes to Raising the Minimum Wage
Everyone in Virginia working a full-time job should be paid enough to provide for their family. However, for many this is not the case. Legislators have the opportunity to strengthen Virginia’s working families by raising the minimum wage to $15 and removing several existing exclusions from the law, many of which have origins in Jim Crow-era restrictions.
It’s Time to Break Down Economic Barriers for Women in Virginia
Virginia has been in the national spotlight this legislative session on a number of issues, yet few have garnered the amount of attention that the Equal Rights Amendment has and its potential impact for women in the state and across the country. While the ultimate fate of the ERA is unknown, and may not be known for years to come, Virginia doesn’t have to wait for that verdict to make strong policy decisions that improve the lives of women in the commonwealth. State lawmakers can choose this session to enact policy that supports and uplifts women while breaking down barriers to economic opportunity.
Proposed TANF Improvements Will Help Rebuild the State’s Safety Net and Advance Racial Equity
An economy that works for everyone is one where all families are able to make ends meet and put food on the table, yet not every family in Virginia has benefited from the growing economy.
Virginia is Ready for a Paid Family & Medical Leave Program
A statewide paid family and medical leave program would allow more working people in Virginia the opportunity to take time off to care – time to care for themselves, a loved one, or a new addition to the family.
Stop Excluding Domestic Workers From Minimum Wage Protections
Everyone in Virginia deserves the same basic protections against wage theft, unsafe conditions, and sub-poverty wages whether they work in a private home or a large corporation.