The Half Sheet

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

While the U.S. has a long, yet often divisive, history of welcoming immigrants to join our democracy, the country has never quite developed a formal system to help integrate newcomers into the economy and our communities

The cost of health care coverage is a growing concern, especially for individuals and families who access health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual marketplace. A recent report by Altarum Healthcare Value Hub found that 79% of Virginia adults who purchase health insurance on the private market are concerned they will not be able to afford health coverage. 

The 2020 General Assembly session offers an opportunity for state lawmakers to substantially boost investments into critical areas while also making Virginia’s tax system more fair.

An economy that works for everyone means prosperity is shared widely: our communities can thrive, families are able to provide for themselves and their children, and opportunities are available to each person.

When it comes to investing in our state and communities, our state lawmakers have often turned to regressive taxes and fees as their preferred funding source.

Recent media coverage and debate among state lawmakers shows that Virginia has interest in legalizing casinos. And on Monday, two bills were prefiled for the 2020 legislative session that would do just that.

At the federal level, policy discussions increasingly revolve around wealth taxation as a potential funding source for ambitious proposals.