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AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRGINIA INTERFAITH CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY

Who determines the position the Virginia Interfaith Center will take on legislative issues?

In the Spring, the general membership and faith community leaders are polled to determine priorities. The poll is tabulated and reported to the Board, which in turn establishes the legislative agenda and legislative concerns.

The core issues on which the Center will focus during the upcoming General Assembly Session include poverty and the working poor, health care, at-risk children and youth, criminal justice, housing and homelessness, and the environment.

How does the Virginia Interfaith Center promote its legislative agenda?

When the priorities have been determined (usually by mid August), statistics and ”talking points” are developed and a brochure is produced. The agenda is mailed to all of the Center’s membership and widely distributed to the faith community for work with legislators.

The legislative agenda is also mailed directly to each legislator, and press releases to the religious and secular press promote the agenda.

In Richmond, the Interfaith Center staff spends time before, during and after the General Assembly session working with legislators, legislative staff, committees, and commissions. During the session, the LegisLink newsletter is published weekly with the most current legislative updates. Also, the Center uses e-mail alerts to keep the grassroots alerted.

How does the Virginia Interfaith Center develop specific legislation to be introduced at the legislature?

Interfaith Center staff, in consultation and collaboration with religious and advocacy partners, assists in the selection of specific issues for which legislation is written, introduced and promoted. We do not merely react to legislation; we help initiate, craft, and pass legislation.


Are there public policy issues that the Virginia Interfaith Center does not address?

Differences and divisions exist in and among religious bodies on particular public policy issues. The Virginia Interfaith Center directs its efforts to the public policy issues on which a general consensus exists – helping families in poverty, assisting the homeless, and ensuring children are safe and secure.

Whenever co-operation on public policy is possible, practicality suggests the religious community work together. Membership in the Virginia Interfaith Center does not deny any faith community the right to pursue its own agenda on matters where consensus does not exist.

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)

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