tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83190551329967183092024-03-05T14:11:35.417-05:00Virginia Progressive CaucusThe Official Blog of the Virginia Progressive Caucus.Scott A. Surovellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14899160531211393625noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-59858152512862144452013-02-18T11:36:00.001-05:002013-02-18T11:36:26.955-05:00VA Progressive Caucus Protests Voting Barriers<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; 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mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<span style> </span><a name="_GoBack"><span style> </span></a><span style> </span><span style> </span></span></b><span style>Contact: Lisa Guthrie; (804) 240-1976<b></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>February 18, 2013<span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span></span></b><a href="file:///C:/Users/Intern/Downloads/vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com"><span style>vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</span></a><span style></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style>VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS Objects to Voting Barriers</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style>Richmond</span></b><span style> – Today, members of the Virginia General Assembly Progressive Caucus spoke out against bills which erect more roadblocks to exercise the right to vote. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Voting is a fundamental American freedom</b>. Senator Obenshain's SB1256 will make it harder for hundreds of thousands of Virginians to vote by mandating voters show a specific kind of ID at the polls, a kind of ID these politicians know many voters don't have. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">SB1256 will disproportionately affect seniors, students, low-income, and minority voters. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Our elections should be free, fair, and accessible</b>. We're all concerned about election integrity but the real threat is politicians who are trying to change the rules to rig the outcome.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Senator Donald McEachin</b> expressed outrage stating, "Just six months ago, we spent $2 million to educate voters about changes to the voting laws. Now we want to change the laws again, and for what? To make it harder for more people to vote? <b style>These frequent rule changes don't make our elections safer. They confuse and discourage voters</b>, who can longer have confidence that they have the right ID to be able to vote."</p> <p class="MsoNormal">"Virginia has an ugly history of suppressing the vote and these bills will deny Virginians the right to vote.<span style> </span>Even if the ID from the registrar is free, there are hidden costs to the voter to get the documents necessary to prove their identity.<span style> </span>That is in essence a poll tax," stated <b style>Delegate Jennifer McClellan</b>. <b style></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On another one of Senator Obenshain's bills, SB 1077, <b style>Delegate Bob Brink</b> objected to yet more restrictions to voting.<span style> </span>"Using the SAVE database to verify the citizenship of registered voters wrongfully targets naturalized citizens whose SAVE records can be years out of date. Forcing individuals, who have properly navigated our complex immigration system and become US citizens, to prove their fundamental right to vote is outrageous."</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We've never solved anything in this country with less democracy and we shouldn't start now. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Voting is the one thing that brings us all together and makes us equal as Americans. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">###</p> <br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Lisa M. Guthrie, Executive Director, Virginia Progressive Caucus <div><a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a>, 804-240-1976, Twitter: @VaProgCaucus</div> <div><a href="http://vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com</a> Facebook: Virginia-Progressive-Caucus</div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-14968802773099450652013-02-07T17:09:00.001-05:002013-02-07T17:09:42.324-05:00VA Progressive Caucus on Medicaid<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073741899 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p.c11, li.c11, div.c11 {mso-style-name:c11; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.c0 {mso-style-name:c0; mso-style-unhide:no;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <div style> <table vspace="0" align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" hspace="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding:0in 9pt" valign="top" align="left"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">For Immediate Release:<span style> </span>Contact:<span style> </span>Lisa Guthrie; (804) 240-1976</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Thursday, February 7, 2013<span style> </span><a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Richmond</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> – Virginia families deserve the same health security offered to every other state under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. <span style> </span>But some in Richmond are going in the opposite direction by putting political interests <span style> </span>first.<span style> </span>The House of Delegates today rejected amendment language that would have accelerated Medicaid expansion and reform and instead adopted budget language that requires additional conditions and a delayed implementation that would prohibit expansion before July, 2015. <span style> </span>However, the Senate followed the solutions advanced by the Republican Senate Finance Chairman, Walter Stosch (SD 12) and adopted budget language that allows implementation flexibility as early as 2014. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Each day of delay means Virginia loses about $5 million of federal funding.<span style> </span>This funding is OUR federal tax dollars which would support health insurance and our hospitals, create 30,000 jobs, and boost Virginia's economy.</span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Medicaid expansion will save money, improve health, and even cut death rates right here in Virginia.<span style> </span>Expanding health coverage to more children and adults means saving money, saving lives, and a stronger and healthier Commonwealth.</span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr style> <td style="padding:0in"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr style> <td style="padding:0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Virginia Progressive <b>Caucus Co-Chairman Delegate Patrick Hope</b> (HD 47) spoke out on the limitations in the budget. <span style> </span>"The House-passed budget is fundamentally flawed because it contains language to delay Medicaid expansion until July 2015. Denying over 300,000 poor families and children and costing Virginians over $3 billion is not only mean, it is fiscally irresponsible.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">While the Virginia Progressive Caucus strongly supports reforming and expanding Virginia's Medicaid program, we can and should do these things simultaneously. <span style> </span>My budget amendment to the House budget on Medicaid expansion would have done just that. It makes no sense to reform the program with half of the poor in and the other half out."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><b>Senator Donald McEachin</b> (SD 9), a member of the Virginia Progressive Caucus, emphasized the $2 billion in economic benefits from Medicaid expansion and called for legislators to "put aside our narrow partisan differences in favor of the Commonwealth's interests.<span style> </span>We applaud Senate Finance Chairman Walter Stosch for his leadership in advancing an amendment today that seized an historic opportunity to expand health care coverage for thousands while also providing a competitive advantage for our businesses."</span></p> <p class="c11"><span class="c0"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">The Medicaid solution is paid for with federal tax dollars for the first three years, so if Virginia chooses not to fully implement the program, people in California and Massachusetts will be receiving the benefits that we paid for. After the first three years, the federal government will pay for up to 90% of the costs, with the state chipping in for the rest. Even after that, the cost of the program will be offset by the additional dollars that will be spent in the state in the health care industry.</span></span></p> <p class="c11"><span class="c0"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">The Virginia Progressive Caucus calls for budget conferees to enact a bipartisan budget that begins implementation of the expansion in 2014.<span style> </span><span style> </span></span></span></p> <p class="c11" style="margin-left:2.5in;text-indent:0.5in"><span class="c0"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">###</span></span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Cambria","serif""> </span></p><br> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-24021420577323058752013-02-01T12:13:00.000-05:002013-02-01T12:13:43.906-05:00VA Progressive Caucus Concerns on Transportation Proposals<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">For Immediate Release<span style> </span>Contact:<span style> </span>Lisa Guthrie; Executive Director</p><p class="MsoNormal">January 30, 2013<span style> </span>(804) 240-1976; <a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br />
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style>Virginia Progressive Caucus Outlines Concerns on Transportation Funding Proposals</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">Today leaders in the legislative Virginia Progressive Caucus spoke out on transportation funding proposals on a number of concerns that stem from the source of the new revenue and the missing pieces on spending priorities.<span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">Caucus Co-chairman, Delegate Patrick Hope (D-HD 47), raised several points.<span style> </span>"While much has been said about the amount of revenue that HB 2213/SB 1355 would generate, there has been little attention paid to requiring better accountability on how the funds improve mobility.<span style> </span>New funding needs to be accompanied by fundamental reform of VDOT and its project planning processes in order to solve the Commonwealth's transportation crisis."</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">HB 2213/SB 1355 does advance several positive steps for transit and rail – most notably the establishment of a small dedicated, sustainable funding source for passenger rail that is required to sustain federal funding for intercity service.<span style> </span>However, since 2010, the General Assembly has accelerated appropriations of nearly $4 billion in funds – including $3 billion in bonded funds – to finance major transportation projects that often fail to address the core congestion problems of the state.<span style> </span>Northern Virginia alone needs at least $1 billion a year to address its dire transportation needs.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">Most prominent among misdirected priorities is Route 460 between Suffolk and Petersburg which would cost over $1.1 billion in taxpayer funds plus tolls.<span style> </span>The current Route 460 carries just 11,000 trips per day. <span style> </span>"The new US 460 Bypass is estimated to support<span style> </span>5500 trips per day.<span style> </span>"Traffic studies for a new Costco on Rt. 1 in Fairfax County show that the store would create as many trips as this 1.5 billion dollar road" said Delegate Scott Surovell.<span style> </span>Without assurances that substantial funding will go to local transportation projects, our communities' needs will go unmet.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">Despite the major injection in revenue, little progress has been made to resolve long-term problems.<span style> </span>The General Assembly should review the return on investments in transportation to date.<span style> </span>Improved project selection, with greater transparency and General Assembly oversight, will avoid funds being wasted on projects that do little to alleviate congestion in Virginia's most troubled transportation districts.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">Caucus member Delegate Scott Surovell (D-HD 44), cautions that HB 2313's grab of existing General Fund resources could underfund current General Fund programs by $49 million in FY 2014 and as much as $283 million in FY 2018.<span style> </span>A better alternative, in addition to adjusting or indexing the gas tax to inflation, would include the elimination of reliance on funding from General Fund programs. <span style> </span>Delegate Surovell states, "Eliminating the statewide tax on gasoline is bad economics and bad transportation policy.<span style> </span>It cuts the sensible tie between transportation use and funding, forcing Virginians who drive less to subsidize those who drive more, hurting seniors and low-income individuals, carpoolers, transit users, and those who live closer to their jobs."</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style> </span>Senator Adam Ebbin, Caucus co-chair, adds, "We should retain and even increase the gas tax so we can share the costs of transportation improvements with vehicles passing through Virginia from out of state.<span style> </span>To force Virginians, even those who don't drive, to cover the costs alone is shortsighted.<span style> </span>There is evidence from other states that taxpayers will likely only see a partial reduction in gas prices." Estimates show that 30% of cars on interstates are from out of state and traveling through Virginia on our highways.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">"The Governor's plan only funds about 10-15% of our present long-term transportation funding shortfall," said Delegate Scott Surovell.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in">The Virginia Progressive Caucus emphasizes that reforms <i style>and</i> revenue are both needed to address Virginia's serious transportation crisis.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;text-indent:0.5in" align="center"><b style>###</b></p><br clear="all"><br />
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Lisa M. Guthrie, Executive Director, Virginia Progressive Caucus <div><a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a>, 804-240-1976, Twitter: @VaProgCaucus</div><div><a href="http://vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com</a> Facebook: Virginia-Progressive-Caucus</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-62693503372945394842013-01-23T19:33:00.003-05:002013-01-23T19:33:39.869-05:00Video of VA Progressive Caucus press conference; 1-23-13<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CbTXM2RQnDo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Lisa M. Guthrie, Executive Director, Virginia Progressive Caucus <br />
<div><a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a>, 804-240-1976, Twitter: @VaProgCaucus</div><div><a href="http://vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com</a> Facebook: Virginia-Progressive-Caucus</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-79299280536215811212013-01-23T19:32:00.000-05:002013-01-23T19:34:00.801-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Releases 2013 Agenda<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CIntern%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; 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mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:.25in; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<span style> </span><a name="_GoBack"><span style> </span></a><span style> </span></span></b><span style>Contact: Lisa Guthrie; (804) 240-1976<b></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>January 23, 2013<span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span></span></b><a href="file:///C:/Users/Intern/Downloads/vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com"><span style>vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</span></a><span style></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style>VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS RELEASES 2013 AGENDA</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style>Announced Goals Include Voting Rights, Medicaid Expansion, Immigration</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style>Richmond</span></b><span style> – Today, members of the Virginia General Assembly Progressive Caucus announced their agenda for 2013.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>The Progressive Caucus released policy goals in areas including gun safety, electoral reform, education, health care, and immigration. In the words of co-Chairman of the Progressive Caucus Delegate Patrick Hope, "The legislative agenda of the Virginia Progressive Caucus will focus on policies that continue to promote Virginia's economic growth and protect civil liberties and freedoms. We will aggressively fight back attempts to undermine Virginia's ability to compete in the 21st century economy and take away hard fought gains in human and civil rights." Senator Adam Ebbin, also a co-Chairman of the Progressive Caucus, echoed Delegate Hope's sentiments and noted that "It is quite appropriate that the Progressive Caucus take even deeper root in Virginia's General Assembly."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>The Caucus will take positions on individual bills on an ongoing basis. These positions will be posted online at </span><a href="http://vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com/"><span style>vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com</span></a><span style> as they are announced.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>The policy goals of the Progressive Caucus include the following subjects on which Caucus members released statements:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Protecting Access to Education</span></b><span style>. Education is the cornerstone of any successful society. To ensure the continued success of our Commonwealth in the 21st century, we must have a topnotch public education system, from pre-k through higher education and vocational training. We cannot achieve these necessary goals by taking resources from public education and giving it, as a band-aid, to transportation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Promoting Healthy Families</span></b><span style>. <span class="c0">By expanding Medicaid eligibility, we can ensure that 420,000 more Virginians will be able to live without the fear that getting sick will break the bank. The Affordable Care Act and our federal tax dollars already pay for it. When people without health insurance end up in the emergency room, not only are they there with expensive medical emergencies that might have been preventable, but that cost is built in to the premiums of people who do have insurance. By implementing a Medicaid solution and getting more people insurance, we all pay less.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style>Protecting Women's Health and Reproductive Rights. </span></b><span style>Legislation that restricts a woman's right to choose will not help Virginia businesses, make college more affordable for young adults or make our streets safer. It is unnecessary and amounts to an attack on personal freedom which could have many unintended consequences.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Welcoming New Americans into our Community</span></b><span style>. Immigration is an essential part of the American dream—the dream for a better life, higher education, and an opportunity to succeed. While working to achieve this dream, immigrants contribute to our economy and the Progressive Caucus will put their concerns ahead of politics. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Expanding Access to Democracy</span></b><span style>. Bills designed to suppress voting rights have a disproportionate impact on minority communities, the elderly, and the poor. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose history is scarred by the legacy of Jim Crow, we have a special responsibility to oppose any efforts to restrict one of our most fundamental rights. We owe it to those who fought, and indeed died, to ensure the right of all citizens to vote.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Protecting and Preserving Our Natural Resources</span></b><span style>. Our commitment to a healthy environment is a measure of our investment in Virginia's economic future. We must protect the natural resources we need for a healthy and prosperous future, chief among them our air and our water. Water source reliability and quality is key to maintaining the businesses we have worked so hard to attract. Furthermore, we must not subject our citizens' health and safety to short-term corporate interests.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Fair Civil & Criminal Justice System</span></b><span style>. Virginia is the birthplace of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which laid the groundwork for the Bill of Rights. Our heritage demands that a civil and criminal justice system that is fair to all. We support the automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons who have served their time.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style>Investing in Infrastructure. </span></b><span style>Virginia's businesses need adequate infrastructure to get goods to market and workers to their jobs.<span style> </span>Home front investments in infrastructure are needed but<b style> </b>the Governor's transportation proposal diverts resources from core public investments and places more of a financial burden disproportionately on our most vulnerable. If this kind of policy had been in place in recent years, lawmakers would have had to cut even more from education, public safety, health care, and other services funded through the General Fund.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style>The Virginia Progressive Caucus was formed in February 2011 to fight for the interests of the average citizen and to educate the public on progressive issues.<b></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style>Members of the Virginia Progressive Caucus:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington-47th District), co-Chairman of Progressive Caucus </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria-30th District), co-Chairman of Progressive Caucus</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Mamye E. BaCote (D-Newport News-95th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Robert H. Brink (D-Arlington-48th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Betsy B. Carr (D-Richmond-69th District) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington-31st District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Matthew James (D-Portsmouth-80th District) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Mark L. Keam (D-Vienna-35th District) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church-38th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Rob Krupicka (D-Alexandria-45th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Senator Mamie Locke (D-Hampton-2<sup>nd</sup> District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Alfonso H. Lopez (D-Arlington-47th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan (D-Richmond-71st District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico-9th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Delores L. McQuinn (D-Richmond-70th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Joseph D. Morrissey (D-Henrico-74th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Kenneth R. Plum (D-Reston-36th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate James M. Scott (D-Merrifield-53rd District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Scott A. Surovell (D-Mount Vernon-44th District) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Roslyn C. Tyler (D-Jarratt-75th District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style>Delegate Jeion A. Ward (D-Hampton-92nd District)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"><br />
2013 Agenda</span></b><span style></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Education</span></b><span style></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Virginia must prepare the next generation of American innovators by investing in 21st century schools</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Fully fund our constitutional obligation to provide a quality K-12 public education</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Oppose vouchers and other programs that divert public dollars away from public schools</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Ensure just and competitive compensation for Virginia's educators</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support measures to curb bullying in our schools<span style> </span>(support SB 951-Favola)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Environment</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Virginia must protect the health and safety of our communities and secure our bountiful natural resources and landscapes that support Virginia's economy and contribute to our unique character and way of life</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Keep the ban on uranium mining (Oppose SB 919, SB 1353-Watkins; Oppose HB 1804, HB 2330-Miller)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support and incentivize renewable energy (Support SB 1269-McEachin; Support HB 1946-Lopez; Oppose SB 1339-Saslaw; Oppose HB 2261 – Kilgore)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Protect water quality</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Continue land preservation tax credits (Oppose HB 2253-Albo)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Gun Safety</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style>Virginia should act now to make it harder for dangerous people to buy guns and easier for police and prosecutors to stop them.<span style> </span>Background checks are the only systematic way to stop felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people from buying guns.</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support adding "firearms show vendor" requirements at gun shows (Support SB 1001-Marsh)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"></span></b><span style> <br />
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Good Government<br />
</span></b><b><span style>Voting restrictions and gerrymandering threaten Virginia's democracy. The Commonwealth must ensure all Virginians have a voice at the ballot box. </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support nonpartisan or bipartisan redistricting (Support SB 724-Miller; SJ 303-Deeds; HJ 663-Carr)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Expand voting access for eligible citizens (Support SB 967; HB 1471)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Oppose suppression of voting rights (Oppose SB 719-Black; SB 1256-Obenshain; HB 1787-Bell)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons who have completed their sentences (Support SB 266-Lucas; HB 1905 – Carr)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Health Care</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Everyone needs health care at some point and Virginians shouldn't go bankrupt trying to get it. We must expand access to affordable health care options through consumer-friendly implementation of health care reform and protect access to Medicare and Medicaid.</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support Medicaid expansion to cover 420,000 more Virginians under the Affordable Care Act </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Protect home and community-based services</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Immigration</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>When it comes to immigration, we need workable solutions that uphold our nation's values and moves us forward together. We need a system that is fair and effective for everyone. Proposed anti-immigrant laws are impractical, violate our values, and divide our communities. We need real solutions so that people can contribute and participate fully in American economy and society.</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support expansion of in-state tuition eligibility to students who have</span> <span style>provided an affidavit to the public institution of higher education for which he has registered stating that he has been approved for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Support SB 1233-Ebbin; SB 1090 – McEachin; HB 1490-Kory; HB 2159-Lopez)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Reproductive Health Care</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Women's access to critical health services and information shouldn't be obstructed by ideologically driven legislator-activists. The choice to terminate a pregnancy is a difficult personal decision – not a government decisions – that should be left to a woman, her family, her health care providers, and her faith. </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support optional ultrasounds (Support SB 1332-Northam)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support the "grandfathering" of abortion facilities constructed before July 2013 (Support HB 2163-Sickles)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support the definition of "birth control" as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Support HB 1644-Watts)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style><span style> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Transportation</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Virginia needs comprehensive transportation funding that provides for adequate maintenance, transit and rail, and new construction in corridors that will significantly reduce vehicle miles traveled.</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Oppose diversion of General Fund dollars necessary to fund public safety, education, and other core public services </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Oppose increasing the sales tax because it disproportionately impacts Virginia's most vulnerable citizens</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Oppose tolling of existing highways without General Assembly approval (Support SB 977 – Lucas; HB 2258- James; HB 1460-Tyler)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Workers' Rights</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style>Our future depends on working families, and we have a responsibility to ensure that all Virginians can lead safe, secure, and rewarding lives. Economic security starts with good jobs, and Virginia's workers are ready to go back to work. Our lawmakers must ensure that Virginia is worker-friendly, not just business-friendly. </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Oppose "secret ballot" constitutional amendment (Oppose HB 1385-Comstock; HJ 611-O'Bannon)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Fully fund and protect the Virginia Retirement System</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Oppose an unnecessary "right to work" constitutional amendment <span style> </span>(Oppose SJ 293-Black; HJ 536-Bell)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support protection of an employee's existing private right of action for unpaid wages (Support SB 816- McEachin; HB 1729-Toscano)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style>Support nondiscrimination in state employment (Support SB 701-McEachin)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">###</p><br clear="all"><br />
-- <br />
Lisa M. Guthrie, Executive Director, Virginia Progressive Caucus <div><a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a>, 804-240-1976, Twitter: @VaProgCaucus</div><div><a href="http://vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus.blogspot.com</a> Facebook: Virginia-Progressive-Caucus</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-91892630904827396032013-01-22T11:56:00.001-05:002013-01-22T11:59:04.943-05:00VA Progressive Caucus Media Advisory; 1-22-13For Immediate Release<br />
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January 22, 2013</div>
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<b>MEDIA ADVISORY – PRESS CONFERENCE</b></div>
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<b>WHAT: </b> The Virginia Progressive Caucus will outline caucus legislative priorities for the 2013 </div>
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General Assembly session.</div>
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<b>WHEN:</b><b> </b> Wednesday, January 23, 2013; 10:30 a.m.</div>
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<b>WHERE:</b> House Briefing Room; General Assembly Building</div>
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<b>CONTACT:</b></div>
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Lisa M. Guthrie; Executive Director</div>
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Virginia Progressive Caucus</div>
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(804) 240-1976; <a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-25159046102035794142013-01-17T08:30:00.000-05:002013-01-17T08:30:00.617-05:00Democratic Delegates and Senators to Hold Public Safety Press Conference<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Democratic Delegates and Senators to Hold Public Safety Press Conference</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>RICHMOND, VA — </strong>As Congress and state legislatures around the country consider new safety measures in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary school tragedy, <strong>Democratic members of the House and Senate will hold a press conference about steps to enhance public safety on Thursday, January 17th at 11:00 AM in the House Briefing Room.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Senators Donald McEachin, Mark Herring, </strong>and<strong> Ralph Northam </strong>and<strong> Delegates David Toscano, Delores McQuinn, </strong>and<strong> Alfonso Lopez</strong> will present legislation to improve mental health services, prohibit military-grade weapons, institute universal background checks, and provide local school districts the flexibility needed to implement sound school security policies. Lori Haas, the mother of a survivor of the Virginia Tech massacre, will speak from her perspective as a family member of someone who survived gun violence.<br /><br /><strong>WHO</strong>: Democratic Members of the Virginia Senate and House<br /><strong>WHAT</strong>: Public Safety Press Conference<br /><strong>WHERE</strong>: House Briefing Room<br /><strong>WHEN</strong>: TODAY, Thursday, January 17th at 11:00 AM</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-76347879644274057012013-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-17T07:00:06.045-05:00McEachin and Ebbin to Introduce Bill Protecting LGBT State Employees<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">McEachin and Ebbin to Introduce Bill Protecting LGBT State Employees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><em>State senators joined by over 45 co-patrons and community leaders supporting </em></span><em style="font-size: 14px;">SB 701</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>RICHMOND, VA — </strong>Today, Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and Senator Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) will join co-patrons from the House and Senate to announce support for Senate Bill 701. Equality Virginia and community leaders in support of protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender state employees from discrimination will also be available for comment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>WHO</strong>: Senator Donald McEachin, Senator Adam Ebbin, and members of Equality Virginia.<br /><strong>WHAT</strong>: SB 701 Press Conference<br /><strong>WHERE</strong>: House Briefing Room<br /><strong>WHEN</strong>: TODAY, Thursday, January 17th at 9:30 AM</span></div>
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<strong style="font-size: 12px;">Background</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><strong>There are currently no employment protections for LGBT state employees in Virginia. </strong>Currently there are no workplace protections at the state or federal level for sexual orientation or </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">gender identity and expression. Consistent polling shows that 90% of Virginians believe that LGBT </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">people should have the right to work for the government without discrimination.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><strong>Most businesses already extend these protections to their employees, leaving the state government at a competitive disadvantage. </strong>In Virginia, most top private employers already extend these protections leaving state government </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">at a competitive disadvantage. Eighty percent of Virginia’s top 25 largest private employers have </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">policies including at least sexual orientation which helps in recruiting and retaining top talent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><strong>Bill Description</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">“<em>Nondiscrimination in state employment. </em>Prohibits discrimination in state employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a special disabled veteran or other veteran covered by the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended. The bill defines “sexual orientation” as a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.”</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-79403411458779604632013-01-16T22:00:00.000-05:002013-01-16T22:00:02.806-05:00Delegate Hope: "Expand Medicaid Eligibility for Virginians"<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Delegate Patrick Hope Introduces Legislation to Expand<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Medicaid Eligibility to More Virginians<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Nearly 400,000 Virginians will gain access to health insurance through Expansion<u></u><u></u></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Richmond, VA</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> - Yesterday, Delegate Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) introduced HR 129, to expand Medicaid coverage to several hundred thousand of Virginia’s poorest citizens as envisioned under the Affordable Care Act. The resolution seeks broad state flexibility to reform Virginia’s Medicaid program, making it sustainable and redesigning the system to make it more efficient, improve quality, and lower costs. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In a House floor speech asking for support of the resolution Delegate Hope said, “Extending Medicaid without adequate safeguards and sustainable reforms would be a huge mistake. And reforming Medicaid without extending it would be a costly error. We must do both.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Delegate Hope also said, “And if you're worried about the costs of extension, nothing compares to the costs of doing nothing. But let’s do this in a responsible manner. Let's not squander this opportunity to do what we all want to do: cover more Virginians, make needed reforms to ensure the sustainability of the program, improve our economy, and lower costs.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Delegate Hope pressed House Republican Leadership to bring the resolution to the floor for a vote saying, “What better message can we send to the Obama Administration to ask for broad state flexibility to take more control over our Medicaid program. Please give every member of this body the chance vote overwhelmingly to send this bipartisan message to Washington.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Patrick A. Hope is a Member of the Virginia General Assembly as the Delegate from the 47th District representing part of Arlington County. He serves on the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee and House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-68941435226539171122013-01-16T21:50:00.000-05:002013-01-16T21:51:45.064-05:00Help us Protect Women's Health and Privacy<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Tomorrow at 8:30am the Senate Education and Health Committee meets to vote on two bills introduced by Democratic Senators that would overturn Virginia's forced ultrasound bill. Virginia Republicans last year passed a bill mandating an abdominal ultrasound before an abortion even if the woman did not want one or her doctor did not think it was medically necessary. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Now is your chance to let the Republicans know what you think and help us protect women's health and privacy.</strong> Call the offices of the Republicans on the Education and Health committee or come to the open committee hearing tomorrow morning at the General Assembly Building (right next to the state capitol in Richmond).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><strong style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://images.myngp.com/SmartTracker.aspx?crypt=IVi0ax2%2b6UBSinc%2fCPYaKSZsf%2fOQ%2bLc6Gr6nhIEHqNw0Vq7aCX3pZK2Eh8ChYxwRzrTp%2bk0DsOYcpbu8NJJ8KMhZur8UCWtGMPrhnpvw3WcjE16nQJ%2b%2fpwL9VpKau7LeTpV0G0cdjYzPsxTdLzMfj9fmh%2b%2bVv9m%2f" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Click here to go to varepublicanoverreach.com for more information on how to act now.</a></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Senate Democrats also have bills overturning Gov. McDonnell's abortion clinic regs that could force some clinics to close. A bill to protect Virginia women's right to contraception will also be heard.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Last year Virginia Republicans went too far. This year let's show 'em they need to stop moving Virginia backwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Donald McEachin</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">VA Senate Democratic Caucus Chair</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-8170181090449148302013-01-16T21:25:00.005-05:002013-01-16T21:25:53.545-05:00Virginia Lawmakers propose gun safety legislation<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SRuJh8RLTSw" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><i>Virginia Senator Adam Ebbin and Delegate Patrick Hope purchased handgun and 30-round magazine without undergoing background check</i><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">RICHMOND, VA—Virginia State Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and Delegate Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington) have introduced a package of gun safety legislation to require universal background checks on prospective firearms purchasers (SB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+SB1232" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1232</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> / HB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+HB2025" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2025</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">), close the gun show loophole<a href="" name="13c43cd00187adf0__GoBack" style="color: #1155cc;"></a>, and tighten restrictions on the sale of weapons to the mentally ill (SB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+SB1109" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1109</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> / HB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+HB2221" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2221</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">).<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">SB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+SB1109" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1109</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and HB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+HB2221" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2221</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> would make it a Class 6 felony to sell firearms to persons found mentally incapacitated or who have been involuntarily admitted. <b> </b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />Ebbin also introduced legislation to require the reporting of lost or stolen firearms (SB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+SB965" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">965</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">) and to outlaw firearms in legislative buildings (SB</span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+SB1012" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1012</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">).<br /><br />"We easily purchased a handgun at a Virginia gun show, without undergoing a background check. Sadly, nearly 40% of all gun sales are conducted without a background check. In the interest of community safety, it's not too much to ask for responsible gun purchasers to undergo a background check to screen for criminal history or history of serious mental illness," the two wrote in a joint statement.<br /><br />The lawmakers discussed their visit to a gun show in a January 15<sup>th</sup>news conference at the Virginia Capitol. Hope showed the High Standard Sentinel Revolver he bought for $175; because he purchased the gun from a private dealer, he did not have to undergo a background check to screen for a criminal record. "Today, a felon with a violent past can walk into a gun show or go on the Internet and buy any gun with no questions asked,” Hope said. “A law we could pass today, requiring universal background checks for all gun sales, would have an almost immediate impact on gun safety. No responsible gun owner is afraid of a background check."<br /><br />Displaying a 30-round ammunition magazine he purchased for $20, Ebbin said, "Buying a 30-round magazine should not be as easy as buying a candy bar.” He noted that a 30-round magazine was used in the recent Newtown, Connecticut tragedy that left 26 dead.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Citing the need to pass SB </span><a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+SB965" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">965</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, Ebbin said, “When a gun is stolen, a deadly weapon is in criminal hands—a combination we all want to avoid. Reporting lost or stolen guns can help police avert a tragedy.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />Hope and Ebbin called on Virginians to contact their legislators in support of the gun safety legislation.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-10518961569965458322012-08-03T11:49:00.000-04:002012-08-03T11:49:33.472-04:00Media Advisory: Call on Governor McDonnell and the General Assembly to Compensate Sterilization Victims<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3Ng86-e94ritXlNBYJMHLK25MluHb2uI5-D-aNCaXE29sYyZnTB7Qx14-CfQoCzZqnQZHsPqEUAiYsHWC1oOC1b5c14-fCwXerRDDxtULRZd7DFuJ2Afk_aetuE2qXyWIWvuwPjGf74/s1600/James_H_Bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3Ng86-e94ritXlNBYJMHLK25MluHb2uI5-D-aNCaXE29sYyZnTB7Qx14-CfQoCzZqnQZHsPqEUAiYsHWC1oOC1b5c14-fCwXerRDDxtULRZd7DFuJ2Afk_aetuE2qXyWIWvuwPjGf74/s400/James_H_Bell.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Dr. James H. Bell was the superintendent at the Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Media Advisory</b><br />
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WHO: Delegate Patrick Hope<br />
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WHAT: Call on Governor McDonnell and the General Assembly to Compensate Sterilization Victims<br />
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WHEN: Monday, August 6, 2012, 2PM<br />
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WHERE: House Briefing Room - General Assembly Building - Richmond, VA <br />
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RICHMOND- This year marks the 85th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_v._Bell">Buck v. Bell</a> decision, which upheld Virginia’s 1924 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics">eugenics</a> sterilization law, a model law used by many other states to sterilize their people. Under this law, Virginia forcibly sterilized 7,500 of its citizens they considered "undesirable," in the name of building a better society. Ten years ago, Governor Mark R. Warner issued a formal apology for the state's decision to sterilize thousands of Virginians. Today we call on Governor Bob McDonnell and the Virginia General Assembly to build upon this apology by providing a symbolic payment to the victims who are still alive.<br />
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It is both emblematic and responsible for Virginia to take the lead again on the issue of eugenics sterilization, but this time in becoming the first state to provide relief to the victims. It is appropriate for Virginia to set this example. We call on Gov. Bob McDonnell and the Virginia General Assembly to provide a symbolic payment to those victims of sterilization who are still alive. Compensating these individuals is the just and right thing to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsn47pcpW3UjuoiUDRsSt4DOJg7iROgdTUasf3OnR7KUZGxNfhY4sMi20qqHst4QXCvBsZTsdJRlcF8ThcUMnMM1Rie2dclk8Z7PirnGQ06WIgbt2gGc04-oeFzN8mtEnNBEhY3XpA3s/s1600/Carrie_Buck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsn47pcpW3UjuoiUDRsSt4DOJg7iROgdTUasf3OnR7KUZGxNfhY4sMi20qqHst4QXCvBsZTsdJRlcF8ThcUMnMM1Rie2dclk8Z7PirnGQ06WIgbt2gGc04-oeFzN8mtEnNBEhY3XpA3s/s400/Carrie_Buck.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Carrie Buck was a patient who was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_sterilization" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Compulsory sterilization">compulsorily sterilized</a>.</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-80239562172868000162012-07-10T07:06:00.000-04:002012-07-10T12:02:32.218-04:00Purchasing Democracy: The Role of ALEC in Writing Our Laws<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpuPZZzhH0rhAXBcsOKjtiWnAUWpk4_HGar2MG-Kt8v3drSOurWibIb3ufrTh_KzPqSlsJF8C_tbSTYD3HFOPkBp-KUEG4NfK5miodKTYbcormNal_HwYgo0JNY_6CXF4p1mTP4nQyeQ/s1600/Del+Patrick+Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpuPZZzhH0rhAXBcsOKjtiWnAUWpk4_HGar2MG-Kt8v3drSOurWibIb3ufrTh_KzPqSlsJF8C_tbSTYD3HFOPkBp-KUEG4NfK5miodKTYbcormNal_HwYgo0JNY_6CXF4p1mTP4nQyeQ/s400/Del+Patrick+Hope.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delegate Patrick Hope<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">July 12 Forum on “Purchasing Democracy:<u></u><u></u></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Role of ALEC in Writing Our Laws”<u></u><u></u></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Thursday, July 12, 2012, 7:00 to 9:00 PM</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">FAIRFAX, Virginia, June 28, 2012 ------ A coalition of groups, including the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, will host a forum on July 12 about the role of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in writing state laws. Virginia General Assembly Delegate Patrick Hope will moderate a panel discussion about ALEC’s mission and tactics, which put corporate profit ahead of public interest. The forum will be held in Arlington, VA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">July 12 Forum – “Purchasing Democracy: The Role of ALEC in Writing Our Laws”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><u>WHO</u></b>:<u><u></u><u></u></u></span></div>
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<span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Delegate Patrick A. Hope, Virginia General Assembly</span></div>
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<span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Kim Anderson, Director, Center for Advocacy , National Education Association</span></div>
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<span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> Diallo K. Brooks, Director, Field Mobilization, People for the American Way</span></div>
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<span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Doug Clopp, Deputy Program Director, Common Cause</span></div>
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<span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Tom Perriello, Former Congressman (VA-5)</span></div>
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<span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Anna Scholl, Executive Director, ProgressVA</span></div>
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<span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Naomi Walker, Director, State Government Relations, AFL-CIO</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><u>WHERE</u></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203<br />Map: <a href="http://mapq.st/KqMXxi" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://mapq.st/KqMXxi</a><span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><u>WHEN</u></b>:<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Thursday, July 12, 2012, 7:00 to 9:00 PM</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><u>CONNECT</u></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Facebook at <a href="http://goo.gl/UlJrQ" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">goo.gl/UlJrQ</a><span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Live Webcast at <a href="http://www.insidescoopproductions.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.insidescoopproductions.com</a><wbr></wbr>; Send questions live to <a href="mailto:insidescoop@nova.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">insidescoop@nova.org</a>;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/NoALEC_Virginia" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/#!/NoALEC_<wbr></wbr>Virginia</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><u>RSVP</u></b>:<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Sandra J. Klassen, Chair, Fairfax County Democratic Committee National Affairs Committee: <a href="http://bit.ly/NCTZ38" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/NCTZ38</a><b><u></u><u></u></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Background<u></u><u></u></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">More than 50 bills drawn from ALEC sources have been introduced in the Virginia General Assembly.<span> </span>ALEC is driving the recent surge in state voter ID laws, which erect new barriers to voting and disproportionately hinder minority and elderly voters. ALEC promoted as one of its models the infamous “Stand Your Ground” laws, which confer civil immunity on perpetrators who avoid arrest and prosecution under this law.<span> </span>ALEC’s Civil Justice Task Force is devoted to preventing injured people from holding wrongdoers accountable in court.<span> </span>On top of this, ALEC does not operate in a transparent manner.<span> </span>Its model laws are adopted in closed meetings and require approval by a majority vote of its corporate members to be adopted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The event is sponsored by: the Fairfax County Democratic Committee National Affairs Committee, AFL-CIO Virginia; NOVA Labor; ProgressVA; People for the American Way, National Education Association, Progressive Democrats of America—Virginia; NOVA Council of MoveOn; Primary Matters Coalition; NAACP Alexandria, Arlington and Prince William Branches; Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church City, Manassas, and Manassas Park Democratic Committees; and the 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee.<span> </span></span></div>
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______________________________<wbr></wbr>_<br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Default Sans Serif', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Mary P. Dooley</span></strong>Legislative Assistant<br />Delegate Patrick A. Hope<br />Virginia 47th District</span><a href="mailto:delphope@house.virginia.gov" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Default Sans Serif', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">delphope@house.virginia.gov</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Default Sans Serif', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="tel:703-486-1010" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+17034861010">703-486-1010</a> Phone</span></div>
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-63598620122084866732012-06-29T00:48:00.000-04:002012-06-29T00:48:45.498-04:00McEachin: Republicans need to stop dragging their feet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpeClVZevsI-LgN2q2Ru4hDjrVRS0YldVzNXdlGwnr_6ArVeYnTnWiTu0NtLNySQawQ-LAoeGONUvAaKB1DzAczf3FyzLGtNk3a3pjMPEWtbPes_Guj47k3stGGXIdFGujzISw9Z8gX8/s1600/mceachin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpeClVZevsI-LgN2q2Ru4hDjrVRS0YldVzNXdlGwnr_6ArVeYnTnWiTu0NtLNySQawQ-LAoeGONUvAaKB1DzAczf3FyzLGtNk3a3pjMPEWtbPes_Guj47k3stGGXIdFGujzISw9Z8gX8/s400/mceachin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia State Senator Donald McEachin</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Senator McEachin's Statement on Affordable Healthcare Act decision</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span> </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Senator A. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Donald McEachin</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (D-Henrico) today released this statement on the Supreme Court Affordable Healthcare Act decision. “Today, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Healthcare Act, thereby ensuring Americans’ deserved access to quality healthcare. This law means that Americans cannot be turned away when they are sick or injured because of income or a prior existing condition. In our perilous economy, this Act helps young people get access to health care by allowing them to stay on their parents’ insurance plans to age 26. Insurance companies no longer can arbitrarily cancel coverage or raise premiums. Importantly, for Americans’ health and well-being, preventive care, like mammograms will be free.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Contrary to the bombastic pronouncements of Attorney General Cuccinelli, the Affordable Healthcare Act is constitutional, deemed so in a decision written by a Republican Bush appointee. Now, I can only hope that the Attorney General and Governor McDonnell and their Republican colleagues in the General Assembly will stop dragging their feet, and get to work helping Virginians by creating the health exchange to assist uninsured Virginians in receiving access to quality, affordable healthcare. That’s what the law requires and they need to stop their partisan diatribes, follow the law and serve the Commonwealth.”</span></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-5871135906911793002012-06-28T12:22:00.002-04:002012-06-28T12:28:31.377-04:00Delegate Hope: "Supreme Court Decision is Historic Day"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpuPZZzhH0rhAXBcsOKjtiWnAUWpk4_HGar2MG-Kt8v3drSOurWibIb3ufrTh_KzPqSlsJF8C_tbSTYD3HFOPkBp-KUEG4NfK5miodKTYbcormNal_HwYgo0JNY_6CXF4p1mTP4nQyeQ/s1600/Del+Patrick+Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpuPZZzhH0rhAXBcsOKjtiWnAUWpk4_HGar2MG-Kt8v3drSOurWibIb3ufrTh_KzPqSlsJF8C_tbSTYD3HFOPkBp-KUEG4NfK5miodKTYbcormNal_HwYgo0JNY_6CXF4p1mTP4nQyeQ/s400/Del+Patrick+Hope.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delegate Patrick Hope<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>From Delegate Patrick Hope (D - 47th District, Arlington County):<br />
<blockquote>Supreme Court Decision is Historic Day for Over 30 Million Uninsured Americans Arlington – The United States Supreme Court today issued a historic decision sending shockwaves throughout our country that will affect every American. The decision involves a challenge by opponents of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which seeks to expand access, coverage, and improve the quality of care to nearly every American. </blockquote><blockquote>Delegate Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington) reacted, “This is a historic day for over 30 million uninsured Americans. Never again will the sickest and neediest consumers have to put up with lifetime caps on coverage, or will women have to pay more for health insurance than men, or will insurance companies be allowed to discriminate against anyone with a pre-existing condition.” Delegate Hope continued, “Thanks to Obamacare, the new norm will be allowing young people to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26, free preventive benefits for seniors, and the opportunity for over 30 million uninsured Americans to access high quality, affordable health insurance.” </blockquote><blockquote>Since the law went into effect, Virginians have felt the benefits of the Affordable Care Act: </blockquote><blockquote>--1,498 Virginians have gained coverage through the pre-existing condition insurance plan; </blockquote><blockquote>--66,000 young adults in Virginia have gained health insurance through their parent's plan; </blockquote><blockquote>--2,974,000 Virginians no longer have a lifetime limit on their health insurance plan; </blockquote><blockquote>--1,519,000 Virginians' private insurance has added coverage of preventive services without cost sharing; </blockquote><blockquote>--837,645 Virginians with Medicare have received free preventive services; and </blockquote><blockquote>--84,977 Virginians with Medicare saved money on prescription drugs. </blockquote><blockquote>Delegate Patrick Hope concluded, “Now that the courts have finally ruled, it’s time Virginia got to work to fully implement the law. I call on Governor Bob McDonnell to bring the General Assembly back into session this year to make the provisions contained in the Affordable Care Act law in Virginia. Specifically, priority number one is to enact legislation giving Virginia the legal authority to implement health insurance exchanges so that small businesses and individual consumers can access high-quality, affordable health insurance. I can think of nothing better we can do to help prop up our economy than to make health insurance affordable for all Virginians.” </blockquote>Patrick A. Hope is a Member of the Virginia General Assembly as the Delegate from the 47th District representing part of Arlington County. He serves on the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee and House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-13033563296553824992012-03-05T20:10:00.000-05:002012-03-05T20:10:22.282-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Speaks Out On Capitol Square Arrests<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, <a href="tel:804-381-6647" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+18043816647">804-381-6647</a><b></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">March 5, 2012 <wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus@<wbr></wbr>gmail.com</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS SPEAKS OUT ON CAPITOL SQUARE ARRESTS</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Statement By Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Del. Patrick Hope and Sen. Adam Ebbin</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Richmond – The Virginia Progressive Caucus is deeply disturbed that the rights of citizens to assemble and petition their government were interrupted and denied on Saturday, March 3.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Such an excessive display of force—police in full riot gear with glass shields, automatic weapons, and dogs—harkens back to darker days. We find this overreaction deeply disturbing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Women who are speaking out in favor of their right to choose do not deserve to be intimidated and hauled away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Virginians deserve to know under what circumstances peaceful demonstrators are to be faced with such frightening actions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We call on Governor McDonnell and his administration to fully review the policies that led to Saturday's events and ensure that they never happen again.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">February 28, 2012 </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON VIRGINIA'S BUDGET PRIORITIES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Richmond – Today, members of the Virginia
Progressive Caucus spoke at a press conference regarding the state budget. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">$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:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />* 3,818 police officers, <br /><br />* 4,113 firefighters, <br /><br />* 4,579 teachers, <br /><br />* 10,272 home health workers, <br /><br />* 51,099 students in pre-kindergarten, or<br /><br />* 181,439 children in the FAMIS program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Progressive Caucus members noted
specific areas where the budgeted funds fail to meet Virginia's needs:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />* The budget funds yesterday's education system, not tomorrow's.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />* The budget eliminates long-term healthcare coverage for many seniors.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />* The budget fails to address our transportation crisis.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"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."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">###<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-50367804303958546132012-02-27T13:24:00.000-05:002012-02-27T13:24:04.572-05:00Media Advisory: Progressive Caucus Press Conference 10am Tuesday, February 28, 2012<br />
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<b>For Immediate Release</b></div>
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<b>February 27, 2012</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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MEDIA ADVISORY</div>
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<br /></div>
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WHAT:</div>
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<b>Members of the Virginia Progressive Caucus will hold a press conference discussing Budget Priorities.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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WHEN:</div>
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012</div>
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10:00 AM.</div>
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<br /></div>
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WHERE:</div>
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House Briefing Room</div>
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General Assembly Building</div>
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<br /></div>
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CONTACT:</div>
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Nicholas Kessler, Executive Director</div>
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<a href="tel:804-381-6647" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+18043816647">804-381-6647</a></div>
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<span lang="DE"><a href="mailto:vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</a></span></div>
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<span lang="DE"> </span></div>
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<span lang="DE">###</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-51157302517517228422012-02-16T11:44:00.000-05:002012-02-16T11:44:21.283-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Releases 2012 General Assembly Report Card<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">February 16, 2012 </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS RELEASES 2012 GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT CARD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">General
Assembly Has Failed On The Issues Affecting Virginians<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">2012 REPORT CARD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Name: Virginia General Assembly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Period: Crossover<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Subject: Grade:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Job Creation</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…...........</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">F</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Education</span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…..........</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">F</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Health Care</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Environment</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Voting Rights</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Transportation</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Workers' Rights</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Immigrants' Rights</span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…..........</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">F</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">LGBT Rights</span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">….............</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">F</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Women's Right To Choose</span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">…..........</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">F</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">###<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-75797682433658134492012-02-15T11:52:00.001-05:002012-02-15T11:52:18.703-05:00Media Advisory: Virginia Progressive Caucus Press Conference 10am Thursday, February 16, 2012<br />
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<b>For
Immediate Release <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>February 15,
2012 <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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MEDIA
ADVISORY </div>
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<br /></div>
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WHAT: </div>
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<b>Members of
the Virginia Progressive Caucus will hold a press conference discussing the
2012 General Assembly session at Crossover.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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WHEN: </div>
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Thursday, February
16, 2012 </div>
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10:00 AM. </div>
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</div>
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WHERE: </div>
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House
Briefing Room </div>
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General
Assembly Building </div>
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</div>
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CONTACT: </div>
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Nicholas
Kessler, Executive Director</div>
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804-381-6647
</div>
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<span lang="DE">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="DE">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="DE">###<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-54340392268197469022012-02-03T12:03:00.001-05:002012-02-03T12:03:47.390-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On HB 62<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">February 3, 2012 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON HB 62 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bill
Would End State Abortion Coverage In Cases Of Incapacitating Physical Deformity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The patrons of HB 62 are Del. Mark
Cole (R-Stafford) and Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">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."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">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."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">###</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-64994889396499663572012-02-03T10:26:00.000-05:002012-02-28T09:19:40.860-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On HB 189<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">February 3, 2012 </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON HB 189 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bill
Would Permit Discrimination Against Adoptive LGBT Parents<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The patrons of HB 189 are Del.
Todd Gilbert (R-Page) and Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"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"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2012 Agenda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Protect
LGBT Virginians from Discrimination<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">All Virginians are entitled to
equal treatment under the law, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Prohibit discrimination against LGBT state and
private sector employees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">End discrimination in schools and bullying of LGBT students<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Prohibit discrimination in adoption by LGBT parents<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Allow religious institutions to perform holy
matrimony ceremonies for same-sex couples<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oppose any ban on service by LGBT members in the
Virginia National Guard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">###<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-26040347615117901082012-01-30T14:25:00.000-05:002012-02-28T09:20:19.432-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On Project Labor Agreement Bill<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">January 30, 2012 </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT BILL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">PLAs
Are "Cost-Efficient" And "An Important Tool To Protect The
Interests Of Taxpayers"<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Richmond - Today, the Virginia House
of Delegates voted to give approval on second reading to HB 33. This bill is
intended to prohibit Virginia and recipients of state funding from using project
labor agreements (PLAs).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">HB 33 has a total of 66 patrons,
all of whom caucus with the Republican party. The chief patrons are Del. Barbara
Comstock (R-Fairfax), Del. Timothy Hugo (R-Fairfax), and Del. David Ramadan (R-Loudoun).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Progressive Caucus released
its 2012 agenda this month, including the policy goal of opposing "bills
attacking Project Labor Agreements, which lower costs and improve quality and
performance." The Progressive Caucus strongly opposes HB 33.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"This legislation will tie
Virginia's hands and prevent us from ever using an important tool to protect
the interests of taxpayers," said Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria). "The
HOT Lanes project has been proceeding with a Project Labor Agreement in place,
and it's on time, on budget, with no cost overruns, and no fatalities or major injuries.
The Mixing Bowl project had no Project Labor Agreement, and it was delayed, met
very few project deadlines, was 100 percent over budget, had $350 million in
cost overruns, three fatalities, and several major injuries. Anyone who cares
about protecting the interests of taxpayers and ensuring major projects proceed
safely and efficiently should oppose this bill to deny Virginia the ability to
use this important tool."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">###</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-47266803574043790232012-01-27T13:24:00.000-05:002012-01-27T13:24:15.579-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On HPV Vaccine Bill<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">January 27, 2012 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON HPV VACCINE BILL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Repeal
Of Vaccination Mandate Is "A Terrible Idea" And
"Indefensible"<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Richmond - This morning, the Virginia
House of Delegates voted to give final approval to HB 1112, a bill that would
repeal Virginia's requirement that girls receive the human papillomavirus (HPV)
vaccine. HB 1112 is patroned by </span><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX;">Del. Kathy Byron
(R-Campbell), Del. Timothy Hugo (R-Fairfax), Del. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mark Cole (R-Stafford), Del. Anne
Crockett-Stark (R-Wythe), Del. Gordon Helsel (R-Poquoson), Del. Keith Hodges
(R-Gloucester), Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William), and Del. Richard Morris
(R-Isle of Wight).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Progressive Caucus strongly
opposes this bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Delegate Jeion Ward (D-Hampton)
said, "This is a bad bill for many reasons. If requirements are repealed,
there will be hundreds of poor little girls denied the ability or the funds to
receive the vaccine, thus further exasperating health care disparities. As one
of the original co-patrons of the HPV notification law, its potential repeal is
a terrible idea."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Delegate Joe Morrissey (D-Henrico)
said, "HPV infects over 10,800 women each year. Additionally, over 4,000
women die of cervical cancer each year. The HPV vaccination is supported
overwhelmingly by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of
Family Physicians, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
It is indefensible that the Republican Party would put the lives and health of
many women at risk by voting for the elimination of this law."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8319055132996718309.post-49619292971893982012-01-24T12:13:00.000-05:002012-01-24T12:13:59.732-05:00Virginia Progressive Caucus Statement On Drug Testing Bills<br />
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <wbr></wbr> </span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Contact: Nicholas Kessler, <a href="tel:804-381-6647">804-381-6647</a></span></div>
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">January 24, 2012 </span><wbr></wbr><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><wbr></wbr><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;">vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON DRUG TESTING BILLS</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Testing Welfare Recipients For Drug Use Is "Unconscionable"</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Richmond - This morning, the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) voted to report out of committee a series of Republican-sponsored bills that would mandate testing welfare recipients for drug use. The bills are HB 955, sponsored by Del. Robert Bell (R-Albemarle); HB 598, sponsored by Del. Anne Crockett-Stark (R-Wythe) and Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Page); HB 249, sponsored by Del. Ben Cline (R-Lexington) and Del. James Edmunds (R-Halifax); and HB 221, sponsored by Del. Christopher Head (R-Roanoke); and all were incorporated into HB 73, sponsored by Del. Richard Bell (R-Staunton), which passed HWI on a partisan vote. All Democrats on the committee voted in opposition and the Progressive Caucus strongly opposes these bills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Delegate Patrick Hope (D-Arlington), co-Chairman of the Progressive Caucus, said, "Republicans continue to overreach and impose their social agenda on Virginians. We are targeting people just because they are poor and for no other reason."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria), co-founder of the Progressive Caucus, said, "Americans do not give up their Constitutional rights merely because they are poor, yet these bills would allow the government to perform the most invasive search possible with no probable cause. This flies in the face of the Constitution."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Delegate Joe Morrissey (D-Henrico) said, "It is unconscionable that the majority party would introduce legislation to test all poor people seeking benefits without the slightest evidence that a poor citizen is using drugs. Studies show that 98 percent of recipients are drug free. It is more than ironic that the Republican Party which argues for less government intrusion into our lives would endorse a bill that allows the government to draw your blood without any indicia of drug use or other illegal activity."</span></div>
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