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Feb8
Supporters Ask General Assembly to Legalize Marriage Equality
February 8, 2021News Clip“Names matter. Names like mom and wife make all the difference in the world,” supporters testify.
RICHMOND – Two identical resolutions to legalize marriage equality in Virginia have made it to the House and Senate floors.
House Joint Resolution 582 and Senate Joint Resolution 270 both propose constitutional amendments which would give all Virginians the fundamental right to marriage.
Read moreJan19
BILL TO EXPAND VIRGINIA VALUES ACT TO INCLUDE DISABILITY HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR
January 19, 2021Press ReleaseRICHMOND, VA. —This afternoon, HB 1848, a bill that extends discrimination protections for disabled individuals, emerged from the General Laws Committee on a 22-0 vote. The bill now heads to the full House on the uncontested calendar. HB 1848 extends new protections to Virginians with disabilities under the Virginia Human Rights Act, specifically in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Read moreJan19
House lawmakers reject governor’s proposal on spending remaining CARES Act funding
January 19, 2021News Clip
How Virginia spends its remaining federal CARES Act funding was a point of contention between Gov. Ralph Northam and General Assembly lawmakers throughout an extensive special session focused on criminal justice reform and amending the state’s two-year budget.
Read moreJan17
Extension of passenger rail to New River Valley advances
January 17, 2021News ClipROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Governor Ralph Northam has proposed a $50 million budget amendment that would help extend passenger rail service to the New River Valley.
On Friday, Virginia Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine said negotiations with Norfolk Southern are very close to producing an agreement.
Valentine briefed members of the House Appropriations Committee during a virtual meeting.
Read moreJan15
BILL TO END EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON ABILITY IN VIRGINIA PASSES OUT OF SUBCOMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY
January 15, 2021Press ReleaseRICHMOND, VA. —Today, HB 1848, a bill that extends discrimination protection to disabled Virginians under the Virginia Human Rights Act, passed out of the Profession/Occupations and Administrative Process Subcommittee with a vote of 8-0.
“I am thrilled the bill has unanimous, bi-partisan support coming out of subcommittee and I look forward to gaining more support as the bill works through the General Assembly process,” says Delegate Mark D. Sickles, Chair of the Health, Welfare, and Institutions committee.
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