It has been a turbulent week in Richmond, but the business of the General Assembly continues on a tight timeline for this part-time legislative body, and as such, our policy work continues.
On Monday Feb. 11, and Tuesday, 12, four of our wage theft bills will be heard in House & Senate Commerce and Labor committees.
HB 2473 and SB 1079 both remove racist, discriminatory exemptions to the Minimum Wage Act rooted in the Jim Crow era. If these bills were to pass, “Shoe-shine boys, Newsboys” and other historically African-American professions would be required to be paid the minimum wage.
HB 2664 and SB 1696 both would require that all employees get paystubs from their employers.
We’re hopeful these bills will pass out of committee this week and pass their second legislative chamber before heading to the Governor for his signature.
Legislation in Opposition – SB 1024, would allow anyone to bring guns and other dangerous weapons into houses of worship, sponsored by Sen. Black (R-Loudon and Prince William County)
This bill would repeal the current statutory prohibition on carrying a gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger, or other dangerous weapon, without good and sufficient reason, to a place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held at such place.
SB 1024 passed the Senate 21-19 after a lengthy debate, and is headed to the House where we will fight it. It has been referred to the Rules committee and is not yet scheduled for a hearing.
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy hosted a press conference on Thurs. Feb. 7, with speakers including Delegate Delores McQuinn, who is also a minister, and Methodist, Jewish, Baptist, Catholic, Muslim, and Episcopal faith leaders – who fiercely oppose SB 1024.
Faith Leaders Oppose Guns in Houses of Worship – aired Feb. 7, 2019
Stay tuned, we will keep you posted.