Welcome to the online version of LegisLink. This weekly newsletter, e-mailed to everyone and mailed to members of the Center, should be an excellent way for you to stay updated on the General Assembly. Do not hesitate to call the office for more information.

Director on Record

The stock market is down again. I know this, of course, because I have been watching the wild swings of the industrial averages lately. My broker has been giving me the “any day now” signal that prices will shoot up, but that has been for the last six years! It makes me wonder if I am prioritizing my money correctly.

Investing is a powerful thing. For those with enough to save, investing provides hope that we will benefit from putting our money to work. My oldest brother, a broker, will tell you that investing is about balancing risk and reward. The stock market is risky, but putting your money where it is best used will often assure a tremendous reward.

I grew up in a business family. Dad runs the family funeral home (now in its 5th generation), mom started a sportswear and apparel company, and my brothers are all in business. That is where I learned about investing in potential.

During the 2006 General Assembly, we are asking legislators to invest in the potential of others through Indigent Defense. All people deserve a fair trial regardless of their bank account, or shrinking stock portfolio for that matter! If someone is unable to afford a defense, one must be provided for them. This keeps our judicial system fair, lady justice blind, and the infamous scales in balance.

With so little being provided to court-appointed lawyers, there is almost no incentive to spend the time or resources needed to assemble a quality defense for the poor. This is why we are asking the General Assembly to invest in Indigent Defense - to prioritize their money. We should all agree and understand that really the only way to make sure that defendents get their day in court is to invest additional resources in justice so that our tax money is working for those least able to afford a quality defense. -Doug

Where things are in the legislative process

We’re going into Week 3! Action is hot and heavy in committees and subcommittees with some beginning as early as 7 am and others lasting late in the evening. Of the over 2000 bills filed, some are outright killed, while others are “carried over” for committee action following the session or passed on to the floor for votes.

Transportation conversations are picking up but with so many other bills it will be a challenge for the General Assembly to take significant action on roads needs. A special session may be in our future.

Revenue balances will be crucial to the budgeting process as committees establish respective budgets. With the growing division between the two chambers (and their respective Republican leadership) over spending, the two finance committees will become the focus of many advocacy groups and special interets.

Those committees (House Appropriations and Senate Finance) are using the Governor’s budget as a base but now will begin to mold their own to balance the needs of competing interests.

Some people believe that Virginia has a HUGE budget surplus but the reality is that much of the additional monies are already earmarked for structural priorities. For this reason, the Center is working with partner groups on a limited number of budget priorities such as Indigent Defense, Meals on Wheels, and Prenatal Care.

Bill Tracking

This weekly source of information is designed to help you find the bills in which you are interested quickly and efficiently.

We will be posting information about any relevant bills, including which legislator(s) sponsoring a bill, a summary of the bill, and where the bill is in the legislative process. Bills in black are those that the Center opposes. Some bills had not yet been assigned numbers at the time of publication. Additionally, we will be expanding the online list of bills as needed.

NOW IS THE TIME TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS BY LETTER/PHONE/FAX/VISIT! Send email and fax messages to your legislators via our user friendly communications system on our website at www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org.

Day of All People of Faith at the Virginia General Assembly

Join us for the Day of All People of Faith on February 1, 2006 at the Virginia General Assembly. This is the scheduled Advocacy Day for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a time to LEARN, PRAY and ACT.

Registration begins at 8:00 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church across from the Capitol in Richmond. The day-long event affirms the work of the faith community to fulfill its mission to unite people of faith to build a more just and sustainable Commonwealth.

Cost: $15.00 includes lunch, materials, and speakers

Payment will be accepted online by credit card, by check via mail, or by check at the door. Make checks payable to Virginia Interfaith Center, P.O. Box 12516, Richmond, VA 23241.

For more information, please contact Margaret Reuthinger:
Phone: 804-643-2474
E-mail: Margaret@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

Your donation helps the Interfaith Center advocate for a more compassionate Commonwealth. Your gifts support trainings, advocacy, community programs, and briefing development. Get involved and begin to Learn Pray and Act with us. Together we can!