RICHMOND, VA – Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) tout their advocacy, legislative actions during the 2019 Legislative Session and the interim prior to Reconvened Session. After the racially charged revelations in February, a new light was shone on the need for racial equality in the Commonwealth. In the aftermath, the Governor acknowledged, “There are still some very deep wounds in Virginia, and especially in the area of equity,” and he committed his remaining time in office to addressing existing injustices.

The VLBC communicated a list of requests for Reconvened Session that allows the Governor to begin to show his seriousness to the commitment and help move toward a more just and more equitable Virginia. Members of the VLBC then met with the Governor and his staff to further discuss these actions and additional gubernatorial actions that needed to be taken. The list is not fully comprehensive to the needs of the Commonwealth, but is seen as a start for progress being made on racial, economic, and gender equity.

Del. Lamont Bagby, Chair of the VLBC, stated, “As we have done during the legislative session, in our communication with the Governor since session ended, and for decades past, members of the VLBC are fighting for our communities and residents of the entire Commonwealth on issues important to them. We made some significant promises and our work shows that we intend to deliver on them.”

“We are focused on what we have been elected to do. Legislation, especially the budget, is our main priority in helping positively impact the lives of all Virginians, especially those that have been disproportionately impacted by inequitable policies,” said Vice-Chair Jennifer McClellan.

The General Assembly meets at noon on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 to address actions taken by the Governor. The VLBC looks forward to supporting the actions taken that will directly impact communities of color, communities experiencing poverty, and all Virginians.

Requested Actions:

• Veto HB 2615 Capitol Murder Mandatory Minimum
• Veto SB 1038 Voter Registration Exact Match
• Veto SB 1782 Lifetime Ban fro Ea-offenders to become Notaries
• Veto HB 2528 Drug Offenses Mandatory Minimum
• Veto/Amend HB 2142 Establishing School Protection Officers
• Amend SB 1579 Redistricting Criteria
• Veto HB 2270 Anti Imignnion ICE notices
• Veto 1156 Anti-Immigration Sanctuary policies ban
• Amendments to HB 1700 Budget Bill
  • Restore 51.5M for Census Outreach
  • Additional Funding for the Housing Trust Fund in direct aid to residents
  • Amend to fully fund the reduction of student to counselor ratio for the first year
  • Amend to restore $10.7M for At Risk Add On Funding to up to 16% for the first year in
  • Veto language banning die purchase of body cameras.
  • Veto language preventing equitable wee. to reproductive healthcare.
  • Funding for the needs of Central State Hospital
  • Improving the History curriculum for public school education
  • Inclusion of VLBC amendments to Hands Free Driving legislation
  • More equitable solutions to taxpayer relief
  • Funding for the new African American Advisory Board
  • Funding for the Advisory Council on Environmental Justice