RICHMOND, Virginia (WRIC) —Democrats in the Virginia Legislature will pass legislation during the next legislative session to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, close the “gun loophole” and increase law enforcement salaries. We want to pass.
Democratic state legislators are also looking to provide more funding to public schools. State minimum wage continues to rise Stop Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Administration from Pulling Virginia From a local greenhouse gas initiative.
These and other priorities are laid out in the policy framework for the 2023 General Assembly, which begins Jan. 11, released Thursday by Senate and House Democrats.
House Minority Leader Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) said in a statement that the House Democratic Caucus should focus on “what really matters” to Virginians, not “partisan turmoil and the MAGA culture wars.” He said he was planning to do so.
“Our vision for the Commonwealth is to solve real problems: common sense gun reform, world-class education, and building a more effective economy for hardworking Virginians,” said Del. says Scott.
The framework, which Democrats call “Vision of Virginia,” has four goals. To build an economy for hardworking Virginians, to “defend freedom from Republican extremism,” to provide world-class education, and to keep Virginia communities safe and healthy.
The Democratic platform seeks to stop Republicans from rescinding gun control laws, such as Virginia’s red flag laws, and close loopholes that prevent people who are prohibited from owning guns from buying them. I’m looking for
Virginia Democrats also advocate for behavioral health issues, such as funding community and education-based services, and salaries for health care workers that allow the federal government to compete with other states and limit staff shortages. We want to increase our investment in We also want to address the low Medicaid reimbursement rates.
“Democrats have come to the table with clear eyes and a focus on the day-to-day outcomes of Virginia,” Caucus Chair Chanyere L. Herring (D-Alexandria) said in a statement. “It means an economy that works for hard-working Virginians, a union that defends our hard-fought freedoms, and a future where every child receives a world-class education. Virginia.”
The specific proposal Democrats plan to put forward to address their economic concerns was not shared on the platform, but Democrats say they want to keep housing costs low and reduce medical and prescription costs. .
Virginia Democrats State Earned Income Tax Credit Full refunds are available for low-income households, according to the platform. 15% of federal credit currently available to eligible Virginians Refunded on state tax returns.
The 2023 platform also seeks to defend the minimum wage hike plan passed in 2020 under Democratic leadership. The plan calls for raising the hourly rate to $15 by 2026, but requires state legislative approval.
Funding for face-to-face tutoring to address COVID-19 learning loss, same-sex marriage ban abolished Ending the “culture wars” in education and preventing Republicans from rescinding LGBTQ+ protections is also a priority for Congressional Democrats in the Virginia Constitution.
