Volume 17
Number 7
February 24, 2005

Director on Record

Where We Are

Bills Tracking

Chapters

The Director on Record
The Real Priority

Among the flood of almost 3000 bills before the 2005 Virginia General Assembly have been a heavenly host of “faith-bills,” many dealing with church/state issues.

Bills have included allowing religious symbols on apartment buildings that violate fair housing standards, multiple church property bills, bills that define “clergy” and “minister,” bills that deal with church incorporation, a 60 page bill that changed every part of the Virginia state code that referenced churches, and even a constitutional amendment that sought to allow organized prayer in schools. To say that all of these bills have had us scurrying like mice in a cheese shop is an understatement.

The Center prefers to deal with our stated legislative priorities, particularly children, health care, and poverty. But we have had to reorganize and refocus on many of these faith-issues because of their vital importance to the faith communities we represent and at the request of legislators who want to hear our voice on some of the bills. We have attempted to be faithful to the Abrahamic traditions in our coalition.

Perhaps what is most disconcerting about the 2005 General Assembly, even though in many senses it has been the most “successful” Assembly Session the faith community has had in years with regard to our priorities, is that much of our work has gone unnoticed. Many of our stands and statements have been overlooked because of the media and legislature’s obsession with debating morality and churches. The work that Mary Dunne Stewart has done on prenatal care and the protection of children has been excellent. Our attempts to enhance opportunities for reentering felons who have served their time, and our defense of immigrants under fire by a volley of bigoted bills seems to have been virtually unseen.

There may be a lesson in this session for the Center and Advocates alike. The lesson may be that the faith community can have its greatest impact in ways that are not known and almost never recognized by the mainstream world. And that is OK. We are not in it for the attention; we advocate in order to be faithful by working for the vulnerable and the marginalized. Even when other important issues distract us, we should never forget our real priority. -Doug

The General Assembly is scheduled to complete its work Saturday, February 26th. While a few bills remain in each chamber, the work of the budget conferees is the focus during the last few days.

Then, the focus turns to the Governor. Governor Warner has 30 days upon which to act on all legislation that has passed both chambers. He can sign, amend, or veto. If the Governor signs legislation, it becomes law. If the Governor amends legislation, the amended version is put back to both chambers for approval. If the legislature does not accept the Governor’s amendments, the bill can become law without the Governor’s signature. When legislation is vetoed, a 2/3rds majority is needed to override the Governor’s veto. On the budget, the Governor can exercise a line item veto, which the legislature would need to act upon.

The General Assembly reconvenes on Wednesday, April 6th to respond to the Governor’s actions.

Bill Tracking

Bills in black are those that the Virginia Interfaith Center opposes. Grey indicates the bill is dead.

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

Key - HB= House Bill; SB=Senate Bill; BA=Budget Amendment; PBI=passed by indefinitely (dead); Tabled=probable death; Left in Committee=probable death

Feedback Requested

Do you have any comments or suggestions for your Interfaith Center staff? Please email any feedback or questions regarding LegisLink and the Interfaith Center’s work to Matt Winters at matt@Virginia Interfaith Center.org. If you do not have access to email, you can call Matt at 804-643-2474. Thank you!

Get Involved! Regional Chapters

Did you know that the Virginia Interfaith Center has 9 chapters across the Commonwealth? The Center’s regional chapters host various events throughout the year including Candidates’ Forums, Social Justice U Advocacy Training, and Session Wrap-Ups with Legislators. We have chapters in the following localities:

If you are interested in participating in local events, please contact our office at office@Virginia Interfaith Center.org or 804-643-2474 or your local regional coordinator.