The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
A small band of state lawmakers on Friday announced the formation of the General Assembly Progressive Caucus, pledging to push back against a "right-wing tide" in Virginia.
The announcement came a day after a big victory by social conservatives in the state Senate, which voted to subject abortion clinics to a higher level of state regulation.
The lawmakers said they stand for high-quality public education, universal access to health care, measures to combat global warming, and protections against anti-gay discrimination in public employment.
They said they will work to elect more progressives in this fall's election, when all 140 Assembly seats will be on the ballot. Republicans have a comfortable majority in the House, and Democrats hold a slim 22-18 edge in the Senate.
Nine lawmakers attended Friday's news conference - eight delegates and one senator, Donald McEachin of Richmond. They said about 20 legislators have joined the caucus so far.
All are Democrats, but Del. Adam Ebbin said Republicans who share their values are welcome. The group includes two Hampton Roads lawmakers, Dels. Mamye BaCote of Newport News and Jeion Ward of Hampton.
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it's about time!
I say it's about time. Virginia Democrats need to stop being so darn spineless. We've have right wing reactionary Republicans doing everything they can to take Virginia back to the 19th century and Democrats have done nothing but act like scared chickens. Virginia progressives are waiting for them to get off their knees and start taking some stands.
A money saving idea!
I have an idea that will save these Virginia progressives lots of money. The phone company has removed most all of their phone booths, since people now have cell phones. Our Virginia progressives could buy some of those used phone booths, to hold their meetings in!
Unfortunately for the Virginia progressives, American taxpayers have caught on to the FACT that politicians can no longer steal money from our unborn grandchildren to buy votes with. It's unsustainable.
Should read:
"Republicans have a comfortable majority in the House,", ought to read Republicans have a thoroughly dug in, intractable, good-old-boy majority in the House.
hmmm
can't we just get them to run away....I hear Illinois is really nice this time of year
Fantastic...
Take lessons from the heart and courage shown by the Wisconsin 14 to stand up for the middle class and stop the corporate funded right wing attack on the workers. The middle class and working poor are sacrificing through lower wages and less benefits while the wealthy reap ever more through government tax welfare.
It is time for the affluent who have benefitted most to be patriots and give back to the nation during these trying economic times.
The enormous inequality in wealth, resulting from corporate backed legislation that has left the nations wealth aggragated in the hands of the super wealthy dictates that they must now pull their weight and sacrifice like the rest of us. Step up to the plate rich patriots. Show us your character.
Wrong thinking prevails
Their agenda is exactly what was soundly defeated in Novermber all around the country. They will probably set up a phone tree to organize a group to run away in case of a loosing vote.