Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On Virginia's Budget Priorities


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
February 28, 2012                                               vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com

VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON VIRGINIA'S BUDGET PRIORITIES

Richmond – Today, members of the Virginia Progressive Caucus spoke at a press conference regarding the state budget.

Delegate Patrick Hope (D-Arlington), Progressive Caucus Co-Chairman, said, "The Republican-passed budget does not reflect the priorities of average Virginians. Hundreds of millions in corporate giveaways and loopholes are coming at the expense of hiring more teachers and increased class size. Their priorities put our children's education and our economy at risk, leaving us less prepared to compete in a 21st century global economy."

The House Republican budget diverts general funds toward transportation, and also places its focus on corporate tax loopholes, tax exemptions for items like yachts and gold, subsidies for a handful of wealthy special interests such as Amazon, film studios and producers of gas and coal. For the biennium, these represent approximately $479 million in funds that could be used for Virginia's pressing needs.

$479 million is a figure that reflects missed opportunities in funding. During the biennium, $479 million could be used to fund any of these priorities:

* 3,818 police officers,

* 4,113 firefighters,

* 4,579 teachers,

* 10,272 home health workers,

* 51,099 students in pre-kindergarten, or

* 181,439 children in the FAMIS program.

Progressive Caucus members noted specific areas where the budgeted funds fail to meet Virginia's needs:

* The budget funds yesterday's education system, not tomorrow's.
"Rather than spend millions of dollars on private school tax credits, we should be repairing the damage done to public schools since 2009. We are educating more students with fewer teachers and less money. It's time to invest in education rather than shortchange our children," said Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria), Progressive Caucus Co-Chair.

* The budget eliminates long-term healthcare coverage for many seniors.
Delegate Hope said, "Seniors are one of the hardest hit groups in this budget, eliminating long term care funding for nearly 4,500 frail and elderly Virginians receiving nursing home care. Kicking our parents and grandparents to the streets is another example of the wrong priorities for Virginia."

* The budget fails to address our transportation crisis.
"Just like last year, the Governor's latest transportation proposal is just another gimmick that represents a drop in a bucket," said Delegate Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax County). "Last year, we accelerated $3 billion of borrowing to cover a $150 billion project shortage. This year the Governor is proposing $50 million per year to cover a multi-billion dollar annual shortfall, and stealing it from starved schools, substandard healthcare, hurting colleges, and a failing safety net to boot."

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Monday, February 27, 2012

Media Advisory: Progressive Caucus Press Conference 10am Tuesday, February 28, 2012


For Immediate Release
February 27, 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:
Members of the Virginia Progressive Caucus will hold a press conference discussing Budget Priorities.

WHEN:
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
10:00 AM.

WHERE:
House Briefing Room
General Assembly Building

CONTACT:
Nicholas Kessler, Executive Director
    
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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Virginia Progressive Caucus Releases 2012 General Assembly Report Card



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
February 16, 2012                                                 vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com

VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS RELEASES 2012 GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT CARD
General Assembly Has Failed On The Issues Affecting Virginians

Richmond - Today, following "Crossover" at the Virginia General Assembly, members of the Progressive Caucus released a "2012 Report Card" showing that the legislature has earned failing grades on all of the subjects that affect the lives of Virginians.

The General Assembly's leaders have made this a divisive session: from their refusal to produce meaningful jobs legislation, to their decision to ignore common-sense measures to protect our natural resources, to their long list of destructive bills designed to take away Virginians' rights. They have missed the opportunity to make progress on the important issues affecting the daily lives of Virginians.

Delegate Patrick Hope (D-Arlington), co-Chairman of the Progressive Caucus, said, “Conservatives campaigned on a pledge to address real issues to help Virginia families, but instead their radical right-wing agenda has been the focus and has only made problems worse. We believe it’s time to put partisanship and ideology aside to work toward real solutions that grow our economy, repair Virginia’s crumbling infrastructure, and invest in a world-class education for our children so they can compete in a global economy.”

Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), co-Chairman of the Progressive Caucus, said, “It’s time to invest in a Virginia that works for everyone. We should be supporting working middle-class Virginians, not taking away their rights. Virginians across the Commonwealth are concerned about creating jobs and getting our economy on track. It’s time for Virginia’s leaders to put Virginia families first. We need to move the state forward, not drag it backward.”


2012 REPORT CARD

Name:              Virginia General Assembly
Period:             Crossover

Subject:                                                                                           Grade:

Job Creation…...........F

Education  …..........F

Health Care  …..........F

Environment  …............F

Voting Rights  …...........F

Transportation  …..........F

Workers' Rights  …...........F

Immigrants' Rights  …..........F

LGBT Rights  ….............F

Women's Right To Choose  …..........F

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Media Advisory: Virginia Progressive Caucus Press Conference 10am Thursday, February 16, 2012


For Immediate Release
February 15, 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY       

WHAT:       
Members of the Virginia Progressive Caucus will hold a press conference discussing the 2012 General Assembly session at Crossover.

WHEN:       
Thursday, February 16, 2012
10:00 AM.
       
WHERE:       
House Briefing Room
General Assembly Building
                                                        
CONTACT:       
Nicholas Kessler, Executive Director
804-381-6647
vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com
    
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Friday, February 3, 2012

Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On HB 62



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
February 3, 2012                                                 vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com

VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON HB 62
Bill Would End State Abortion Coverage In Cases Of Incapacitating Physical Deformity

Richmond - Yesterday, the Virginia House of Delegates voted to give approval on second reading to HB 62. This bill would cut off state abortion funding in cases in which a physician certifies that the fetus would be born with a gross and totally incapacitating physical deformity or mental deficiency.

The patrons of HB 62 are Del. Mark Cole (R-Stafford) and Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William).

The Progressive Caucus released its 2012 agenda in January, including the policy goal of opposing "attacks on the fetal anomaly exception for Medicaid recipients." The Progressive Caucus strongly opposes HB 62.

Delegate Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) said, "If HB 62 is successful and signed by the Governor, Virginia will show itself as a state that lacks compassion for the poorest women among us. It is time to stop beating up on the poor and destroying our safety net."

Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) said, "This bill inserts government in the most painful decision a woman has to make—to terminate a wanted pregnancy that went horribly wrong—and says if you are poor, we are going to force you to give birth to a child that will likely not survive."

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Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On HB 189


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
February 3, 2012                                                  vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com

VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON HB 189
Bill Would Permit Discrimination Against Adoptive LGBT Parents

Richmond - Yesterday, the Virginia House of Delegates voted to give approval on second reading to HB 189. This so-called "conscience clause" bill would authorize licensed, state-funded adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate in making their services available to children and prospective parents. The main intent of the bill is to allow discrimination against prospective parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

The patrons of HB 189 are Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Page) and Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William).

Today the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services also voted to report an identical bill, SB 349. The patron of SB 349 is Sen. Jeffrey McWaters (R-Virginia Beach).

Today the Progressive Caucus has released its 2012 agenda regarding discrimination against LGBT Virginians, including the policy goal of opposing "discrimination in adoption by LGBT parents." The Progressive Caucus strongly opposes HB 189 and SB 349.

Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), co-Chairman of the Progressive Caucus, said, "The real issue is whether tax dollars should go to agencies that discriminate in adoption and foster care."

Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria) said, "This law has one purpose, which is to protect the ability of religious groups receiving millions of dollars of taxpayer money to deny adoption and foster care placements involving gay and lesbian parents. This isn't a 'conscience clause' -- it's a 'state-sponsored discrimination clause.' You will find no greater champion of religious freedom than I am, and if a religion endorses bigotry, that's unfortunate, but that's its right. But the government has a duty to protect and respect all of its citizens equally, so when a religious group is under contract to act as an agent of the government, different rules apply. If any group wants to discriminate, it should do so without help and support from taxpayers.

"To add insult to injury, this bill is so poorly worded that it will allow any group to discriminate in adoption and foster care placements for almost any reason, including in ways that risk the health and safety of children placed in their care.  For example, a group can have a policy requiring corporal punishment and child labor, and this law will cripple the ability of the Department of Social Services to intervene"

2012 Agenda

Protect LGBT Virginians from Discrimination
All Virginians are entitled to equal treatment under the law, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
·         Prohibit discrimination against LGBT state and private sector employees
·         End discrimination in schools and bullying of LGBT students
·         Prohibit discrimination in adoption by LGBT parents
·         Allow religious institutions to perform holy matrimony ceremonies for same-sex couples
·         Oppose any ban on service by LGBT members in the Virginia National Guard

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