Virginia’s General Assembly session provides opportunities to advocate, learn, lobby

This week the Virginia General Assembly convenes to discuss how to spend $4.3 billion in federal CARES Act funding. Read more about visiting to observe in person or through streaming services the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate in action.

Many issues are discussed and decided during the GA session that affect our lives including Virginia’s living wage, housing, education, health care and public transportation. Citizen involvement is a key part of the state government through lobbying, tracking legislation, testifying before committees, volunteering or interning with a legislator, or getting involved with advocacy groups. You can find out who are your legislators here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

Virginia State Capitol building

Below is a listing of advocacy groups that better the lives of Virginians as a way to get involved in in the political process.

Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. As the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, we are building bipartisan support to make sure every child has a strong start in life. In Virginia, this means advocating for high-quality and affordable child care for all families by 2030. SCAN needs volunteers to attend online and in-person candidate forums, write letters to the editor, and spread awareness at community events. Interested volunteers should sign up using this form.

⭐️ American Civil Liberties Union ACLU of Virginia

⭐️ The Fund Our Schools campaign is a statewide advocacy effort that envisions a Virginia where every student has the opportunity to attain a high-quality public education.

⭐️ New Virginia Majority – New Virginia Majority organizes & builds power in working-class communities of color throughout the commonwealth through large-scale political education, advocacy & strategic communication to build a just, sustainable, & progressive Virginia.

⭐️ Virginia PTA–The Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers, better known as the Virginia PTA, is a volunteer child advocacy association working for ALL children and youth in the Commonwealth of Virginia

⭐️ the Virginia Poverty Law Center protects the rights of low-income Virginians and ensure they have fair and equal access to civil courts and government policy makers.

If you know of an advocacy event to include in this list, email: news@rvaonthecheap.com

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