RICHMOND, VA— At the midpoint of the General Assembly Session—also known as “Crossover”—the Virginia House and Senate passed hundreds of historic and long overdue changes out of both chambers. Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) are leading the way on a number of bills that will improve the economic, educational, political, and social conditions of African Americans and underrepresented groups in Virginia.

“We are delivering on our mission and promise to advocate for a Virginia where everyone’s rights are protected and access to these rights are expanded,” said VLBC Chairman Delegate Lamont Bagby (D-74th, Henrico). “And we’re continuing to work to achieve more equitable and restorative change.”

Our members are carrying and supporting measures to ensure civil rights and democracy for all, expand access to the constitutional right to vote, protect borrowers and end predatory lending, eliminate remaining segregationist and racially discriminatory laws, prohibit discrimination, enshrine women in the U.S. Constitution, advance criminal justice reform, increase access to economic opportunity and security, expand workers’ rights and protections, eliminate barriers and increase access to housing, promote tenants’ rights and protections, provide access to affordable and quality healthcare, increase food access, remove barriers to reproductive health, increase access to quality education, end the school-to-prison pipeline, achieve environmental justice, protect Virginians from senseless violence, reduce disparities, and honor, protect, and preserve Black History.

“This Session the VLBC has provided necessary and invaluable leadership and support on significant issues,” said VLBC Secretary Delegate Marcia Price (D-95th, Newport News). “We recognize that some of these bills are just the first steps, but they are important steps towards greater equity, justice, and opportunity for all.”

“For the remainder of this Session and for the next 400 years, the VLBC will continue to push for measures that improve the lives of ALL Virginians,” said Vice Chair Senator Jennifer McClellan (D-9th, Richmond). “The VLBC will continue to advocate for and track the progress of legislation that impacts our communities in order to achieve the goals of the VLBC 2020 Legislative Agenda. We look forward to working with our colleagues in both chambers to ensure equitable change and reform.”