Dear Friends,
We are coming up to Crossover tomorrow, where the Senate bills that have passed the floor will be considered in the House and vice versa. Please take the last set of Calls To Action and get loud by sharing this email and using any social share tools at the end of the CTA. The grassroots graphics look great wherever you share. Enjoy your scroll.
ALL IN,
Stair
PS There is a lot of focus on Biden’s State of the Union this evening, here are a few resources:
2pm, today: White House “State of the Union” Briefing with Senior Adviser Anita Dunn
8:30pm, tonight: Blue Victory “State of the Union” Watch Party (Virtual & in DC)
CRITICAL CTA on SB1265 “Dominion Bill”: STOP Dominion Profiting At Expense of VA Electric Customers. Oppose SB1265 in FULL SENATE Keep the Pressure on. Send ASAP Tuesday if possible, by Noon, Weds at absolute latest! Goes to all Senators (Democrats and Republicans) ahead of a full Senate vote (OK to send even if you’ve previously sent a CTA on this issue to Senate Committee). Also, great if you can send to your individual Senator – just cut and paste the email text into your own email.
CRITICAL CTA on HB1770, the amended House version of the “Dominion Bill”. CLICK HERE – Send ASAP TUESDAY if possible, by Noon, Weds at the latest! Goes to ALL Delegates ahead of House Floor vote. Note, this email is slightly different from the CTA on SB1265. Advocates have sent nearly 2,940 emails
Reform the Recall Process: CALL TO ACTION – Take Action NOW for the Senate Floor Vote! (We still need to send 61 letters!)
Senator McClellan’s amended SB1328 passed committee with unanimous support! Please contact your Senator NOW and ask them to vote for SB1328. The bill enhances public confidence in the recall process and sets clear standards to establish cause for removal. Click Here to Take Action Questions: Contact Luisa Boyarski, luisaboyarski@gmail.com
Public Education CALLS TO ACTION – Take Action NOW for the Senate Floor Vote!
- These bills are out of committee and in the Senate, you can help improve mental health resources in schools by asking your senator to vote YES on SB818 and SJ228. Click Here to Take Action
- This bill is out of committee and in the Senate. You can support English Language Learners by asking your senator to vote YES on SB1118. Click Here to Take Action
- This bill is out of committee and in the Senate. You can improve student academic achievement by getting your senator to vote YES on SB1334. Click Here to Take Action
- This bill is out of committee and in the Senate. You can improve teacher learning and mentoring by getting your senator to vote YES on SB1325. Click Here to Take Action
- This bill is now out of committee and in the House. You can protect vulnerable students by asking your delegate to vote NO on HB1387. Click Here to Take Action
CTA: Tell Senators on the Commerce and Labor Committee to reject HB1430, allowing large manufacturer exemptions on their electric bills: Tell Senators on the Commerce and Labor Committee to reject HB1430, which has already passed the House. Large manufacturers are asking for special treatment to be exempt from paying costs that the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) requires all customers pay. More study is needed before creating this type of special carve-out. Click Here to Take Action
Email your lawmaker and tell them to prioritize #FamiliesOverCorporations. Prioritizing families and kids over corporations would mean protecting our resources to invest in public education, health care, and more and providing direct support to families through improved tax credits or benefit programs such as TANF and SNAP. Personalize your own email in The Commonwealth Institute’s portal.
– Keep Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), it’s the law! Enter a comment on this Regulatory Action. RGGI has been the law since 2020 and we oppose the Youngkin administration directing the Air Board to discontinue participation. This is unlawful, and the administration has no proposed plans to meet the reductions necessary to meet our 2050 goal. RGGI is an essential piece in the puzzle to help us meet the goal of 100% renewables by 2050 To date, RGGI: Has brought in almost 1/2 billion dollars in revenue from polluters, is an incentive for polluters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the source of funding for low-income energy efficiency projects, and the source of funding for flood preparedness for communities across the state.
– Join the Southern Environmental Law Center and tell the Air Pollution Control Board the proposed RGGI repeal is unlawful. Step up now!
Join the New Virginia Majority and let legislators know that you support more housing vouchers.
Join Red, Wine and Blue and tell DeSantis & the Florida Board of Education to Drop the Black History Ban
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30pm ESTPhone voters for Wisconsin Supreme Court ElectionSign up here for WI Supreme Court phone banking every Tuesday evening
Tuesday, February 7 (and weekly) at 6 pm
Review the status of bills, Identify ways to make noise….followed by a discussion of comms team today. Brainstorming on getting candidates running for office to make a commitment to getting big money out of politics
Wednesday, February 8, 7:00-8:00pm
How to Persuade + Mobilize Voters: Principles of Mobisuasion
This will be a force Multiplier Community Conversation with Anat Shenker-Osorio.
February 8 & Second Wednesdays each month–6:30 pm ET
Truth Brigade BIG TRUTHS: Campaign Launch w Special Guests
Learn how we can and must disrupt disinformation.
Thursday, February 9, 2023 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Be a Social Media Queen – How to Influence Online
Sharing information and inspiring people to action is how we bring change — want to widen your reach? Become a Social Media Queen — learn how to be an effective online influencer with your friends and beyond. You’ve got the power — let’s do it with Red, Wine and Blue.
Virtual Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Join 50+ grassroots groups as we plan for the remainder of the 2023 Virginia legislative session and special election on February 21st.
The Origins and Importance of Individual Rights
Individualism is the basis of human and civil rights. The individual is the primary social unit in Liberal thought. In this era of tribalism, recognizing individual rights may be exactly what we need. Author, Attorney, and Activist Rich Procida will overview the origins of Western Liberalism and the importance of defending the Constitution and Liberal democracy. Then join in what promises to be a lively and important discussion of what we must do.
Deep Dive: How Ranked Choice Voting works in multi-winner elections
Join Deb Otis, Director of Research at FairVote, for an overview of how ranked choice voting (RCV) works in elections with more than one winner and an in-depth look at how that would look in some Virginia localities. Can’t make it? You can still submit a question ahead of time. The event will be recorded and made available to the public
Money Fake Grassroots. Real Dark Money
Understand the impact of dark money on education, how it affects your schools, and what we can do to fight back.
Wednesday, February 15, 5:30pm
Virginia Redress Network’s Monthly Meeting
Learn what progress Virginians are making on restitution and the many issues relating to racial and social justice.
Wed, Feb 15, 7:00pm–8:30pm EST
Better Democratic Framing & Messaging
Zoom workshops aimed at the practice of framing better Democratic messages, hosted by the Fairfax Democratic Committee.
RepresentUS Meeting – US Supreme Court Case (Moore v. Harper)
Join RepresentUs New Jersey ro learn about the Supreme Court Case on the “Independent Legislature Theory”.
Truth Brigade Workshop and Orientation
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Sweep Salon: Breaking Through the Misinformation Around Sex Ed
When it comes to sex and relationships education, there’s so much misinformation out there that it’s hard to know what’s actually being taught. Join Jaclyn Friedman, founder and ED of EducateUS, to learn about the National Sex Education Standards, what’s taught in each grade and why, and how you can help fight back against lies and fear by sharing this simple information with people you know.
Thursday, March 2, 2023 06:30 PM
Post-Legislative Session Briefing
Join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia as they break down all the important updates on reproductive rights from the 2023 Legislative Session and discuss what’s up next for protecting abortion access in Virginia in 2023 and beyond!
Banned Book Club – The Bluest Eye
Join Red, Wine and Blue for the March Meeting of Banned Book Book Club- where we will be discussing Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye with Dr. Derek Adams, Professor of English Literature at Ithaca College.
Register Democrats Summit 2023
Join a movement-wide coalition focused on registering Democrats across the country. The summit brings together the best and brightest minds, from elected officials to tech leaders to grassroots organizers and so much more. Confirmed speakers include:
- Katie Porter (CA-47)
- Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)
- Brian Tyler Cohen, progressive superpodcaster
- Simon Rosenberg, Founder, New Democrat Network
- Santiago Mayer, Founder, Voters of Tomorrow
- Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party
- Joe Vogel, MD State Rep
- Lavanna Martinez NJ political consultant, formerly w/Run for Something
- Tonya James, VA Dem Party Exec Committee Member
- Mischa Smith, former CO State House candidate
The Virginia Grassroots Priority Legislation
Wednesday, February 8Justice Reform Lobby Day – Join Justice Forward Virginia, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to advocate for preserving evidence-informed criminal reforms that eliminated presumptions against bail, reformed our probation system, and limited pretextual policing, among other priorities. Virginia Young Democrats (VAYD) Lobby Day: February 20, 2023 – Sign up today!
Alexandria
Friday, February 10 · 7:30 – 10pm EST
YOU ME & POETRY, Featuring Tammarrah Addison
Come alone or with a date to enjoy Poetry in Candlelight complimented by the melodic sounds of the Saxophone. Refreshment will be available.
Annandale
Sunday, February 26, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Supervisor Walkinshaw’s 2023 Campaign Kickoff
The Home of Susan & Tom Johnson
Join Katherine White and Stair Calhoun for a lunchtime meet and greet in Annandale supporting Lily Franklin for Delegate (HD-41) in Southwest Virginia. Hear from Delegates Marcus Simon, Kathy Tran, Briana Sewell and others on the 2023 General Assembly. Don’t miss this warm & welcoming lunchtime event with great folks, food, & refreshments all to support Lily!
Congressman Gerry Connolly’s 29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Fête!
Arlington
Sunday, February 19, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story – Meet Nikole Hannah-Jones
McLean Community Center/The Alden
Clifton Forge
Monday, Feb 6, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
Cardinal News Speaker Series: Working Through The Opioid Epidemic
“Raising Lazarus” and “Dopesick” author Beth Macy will lead a panel discussion on the impact of opioids on a community’s economy.
Herndon
Monday, February 20, 7:30-9:00am
February 2023 Breakfast – Counties Rule
Amphora Diner in Herndon – 1151 Elden St.
Join Dulles Area Democrats for a look at some of the issues driving deliberations on local County Boards. Our guest speakers are Phyllis Randall, Chair of the Loudoun County of Supervisors, and James Walkinshaw, Fairfax County Supervisor for the Braddock District. They will address a range of issues, including equity initiatives, budgetary priorities, and County-State relations in our fraught political environment.
Fairfax
Saturday, February 25, noon – 2pm, Lake Barcroft
Meet Ben Litchfield for Senate – Securing the Senate for Working Families
Join us for lunch to support Ben Litchfield’s campaign for Senate District 27. Control of the Virginia Senate is on the line in 2023 and the majority runs through Fredericksburg. Let’s get together and help Flip It!
Reston
Saturday, February 18, 2PM-4PM
Walter Alcorn’s 2023 Campaign Launch for Reelection as Hunter Mill District Supervisor
YMCA – 12196 Sunset Hills, Reston
Please join Walter Alcorn and his special guest Congressman Gerry Connolly. The event is FREE but consider contributing to Walter’s re-election campaign.
Richmond
Friday, February 17, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
Virginia Museum of History and Culture,
428 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond
Join Equality US to celebrate Artists4ERA and the Equal Rights Amendment.
