It is critical that we work together to maximize impact on the upcoming ’22, ’23 and ’24 elections. Knowing what strengths we have in each district – both individuals and organizations – is essential. The time is NOW to get organized.
This edition of “Tuesday Tidbits” invites you to put your mark on our Power Map of Virginia activists and includes a jam-packed schedule of both in-person and Zoom events.
Let’s get it done,
Stair
Please put yourself on the Power Map this week. It does takes a little time to look up your new district numbers, write them down with the incumbent and announced candidates. yet it must be done as widely as possible now, as we fight for our democracy.
Use this handy form to map yourself here: https://tinyurl.com/2022VAdems, and please use as many of the social share options as possible. Groups/Orgs, please map yourselves here: https://tinyurl.com/2hm6jbyx For those who use ‘WHO IS MY LEGISLATOR please be aware they have not updated their database with the new boundaries.
The Virginia Grassroots Coalition is restarting their Twitter efforts! Please follow at: @VGC4change. They will be posting Calls to Action this week, please help by retweeting. Also, please Tweet out this image to support the Democratic Budget and one of the following messages and #4publiceducation #4healthcare, #4families, #4workers
- Support the Democratic Budget which invests in our communities, making Virginia stronger for the future.
- Virginians deserve the progress embraced by the Democratic Budget, not regression by the Republican budget!
- Make up your own.
CALL TO ACTION ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE – ASAP
One Click Action to Ask Senate Democrats and especially conferees of HB86-an excellent campaign finance bill, to appropriate funding in their budget.
After passing the House 99-1 and getting through the Senate, with a P&E committee vote of 15-0, there is a risk that the Senate will not appropriate the $147,200 which is needed to put in place a system of public disclosure of campaign finance records . This system would be managed by the Dept of Election and allow access to campaign finance records which are publicly accessible, searchable and sortable. The funding is in the House budget but Senate Democrats are resisting its inclusion in their budget. The conferees of the bills on the Senate side are: Senators Boysko (D), Mason (D), Reeves(R) and the House side: Delegates Anderson (R), Ransone (R), and Glass (D). We are targeting the Democrats.
Any questions, contact nancyruthmorgan@gmail.com
CALL TO ACTION: FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS – ASAP
One Click Action to Contact bill conferees:
This bill will help establish principal and teacher mentor programs, based on the 2021 estimate of the condition and Public School needs in Virginia. It will also improve education in schools with high concentrations of poverty by making these changes: improving student to teacher ratios, providing flexibility in compensation adjustment to teachers, equitable distribution of experienced and effective personnel, supporting at-risk students, hiring of specialist teachers, counselors, and support positions. This is how we need to spend any budget “surplus.”
Questions, contact Marianne Burke, Marianne.VAGrassrootsCoalition@gmail.com
Saving our Planet, Starting in Our Community
Thursday, April 14 at 7pm via Zoom
In recognition of Earth Day 2022, please join Charlottesville NOW and the Piedmont Group of the Virginia Chapter of Sierra Club to showcase local efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Panelists representing local governments and the University of Virginia will share their climate action plans, progress and future goals. Plus, the Charlottesville Tree Commission Chair will reveal efforts to stop and reverse loss of tree canopy, which contributes to rising heat in urban areas, poorer health, higher utility bills, increased crime, and much more. Loss of trees is a social justice issue.
Panelists:
- Albemarle County, Gabe Dayley, Climate Protection Program Manager
- City of Charlottesville, Susan Elliott, Climate Protection Program Manager
- University of Virginia, Andrea Ruedy Trimble, Director of Sustainability
- Charlottesville Tree Commission, Peggy Van Yahres, Chair
Has Critical Race Theory Impacted PWC Public Schools?
Apr 21, 2022 07:00 PM
Listen to panelists have a “civil conversation” about this contentious topic. Two panelists will present what the influence of CRT has been, if any, and whether new initiatives since 2020 have positively affected the education provided by PWCPS. Two panelists will present how these initiatives were influenced by CRT and whether they have negatively affected education in PWCPS. Join:
- Martha Cutsinger, Haymarket business owner
- Dr. Arvinder Johri, teaches English at PWCPS Independence Nontraditional School
- Paul Lott, founder of National Society for the Advancement of Black Americans
- Loree Williams, Woodbridge School Board member and representative on the County’s Racial & Social Justice Commission
The discussion will be moderated by Kate Masters, Reporter for The Virginia Mercury, an online newspaper.
Discussing Getting Elected Officials to Act on Getting Money Out of Politics – Hosted by American Promise.
Discussion with Congressman Jamie Raskin
Take the American Promise Pledge and encourage your legislators and candidates to do the same!
April Breakfast – Public Education Challenges
Monday, April 18, 2022 7:30 AM:network/8:00 AM:breakfast and speaker
Amphora Diner
1151 Elden St., Herndon
Join to hear a breakfast panel focused on education issues with: Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Fairfax County School Board; Atoosa Reaser, Loudoun County School Board; Pat Hynes, Stand and Deliver; and Holly Hazard, 4 Public Education.
Webinar- Fighting the Rage – The battle against dark forces working to weaken public education
April 21, 2022, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Join to learn about the dark forces fighting against public education, their long-term strategy and what to do to combat them and win! Bring your questions and get ready to engage. Free, presented by 4PublicEducation.org local leaders.
Looking Forward and Federal: Women’s Rights from Congress to Grassroots
During a time when the safety and health of women across the country are under threat, the conversation about what actions need to be taken to protect women’s rights is more important than ever.
Join women’s rights champion and leader, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney for a discussion on what Congress is doing to protect women in the United States. We will also be joined by Human Rights Lawyer and author Kate Kelly for a discussion on her new book, Ordinary Equality and by the Co-founder of VoteEqualityUS and the great, great granddaughter of Maggie Walker, Liza Mickens.
Congressional District 8 Democratic Forum
April 24, 3pm-5pm – Lake Barcroft
Please join Rep. Don Beyer and Victoria Virasingh, running for the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District of Virginia in a forum co-sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America-Virginia, Virginia Grassroots Coalition, Network NOVA, Our Revolution Falls Church, Our Revolution Alexandria, and Our Revolution Arlington. Rep. Beyer and Ms Virasingh will answer questions from the moderators as well as the audience.
Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Join the monthly meeting and hear the latest efforts to get it done in Virginia.
Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls
This march will be a generationally transformative and disruptive gathering of poor and low-wealth people, state leaders, faith communities, moral allies, unions and partnering organizations.
It is NOT just a day of action. It is a declaration of an ongoing, committed moral movement to 1) Shift the moral narrative; 2) Build power; and 3) Make real policies to fully address poverty and low wealth from the bottom up
We are gathering from across the nation to demand this nation do MORE to live up to its possibilities
