Virginia Organizing’s State Governing Board sent a letter to the members of the General Assembly who have been chosen to negotiate a budget compromise between the Senate and the House of Delegates. These “conferees,” as they’re called, have to decide on how much funding to give the legislative priorities we care about in Virginia.

The basic message we want to send is that the Senate budget is much better than the House version, which significantly reduces necessary spending in every area: education, housing, and mental health.

Specifically, we support:
– $268 million for the At-Risk Add-On to help students and schools in high-poverty areas

– $190 million for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund

– Increased funding for mental health services

– New funding for Coalfield Community Development Program Managers to support just transition work in Southwest Virginia.

Please contact these legislators, especially if any of them represent your district, and urge them to keep the budget close to the Senate version.