Tag Archives: VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Week Two 2020 Virginia General Assembly

There is a lot going on this week with the start of the General Assembly, Richmond flirting with developers over a coliseum, Confederate statues on the march, Pipeline companies desperate to sell “natural gas” overseas, energy companies avoiding solar while keeping their coal interests profitable and leaving us with the ash, and old governors keeping their old deals in place.

In Virginia the whole scene reminds us of the roots of the Old Dominion. But unlike the old days when power came with the whip and beatings, the new Domination comes from paying public officials with campaign cash, jobs and favors.

You fund a governor’s campaign: he’s your man, or mayor, school-board member, supervisor, etc. It’s an influence auction and our taxes are the prize. Yes Our taxes.

No matter which side of the aisle the power is on, the money will seep in and corrupt the democratic process. That means that all citizens will have to keep an eye on their “public servants” to help them avoid temptation.

Here are some sources to help you get up to speed and keep you in the loop.

Some sources:

Follow the Money: click here

VirginiaPublicAccessProject-Citizen’s Guide: click here

Richmond Sunlight: click here

Virginia Lobbyist in a box: click here

Sierra Club in Richmond, Lobby training day:Click here

Virginia Interfaith Center Legislative Priorities: Click here

Virginia Interfaith Center Lobby Day: Click here

League of Women Voters Legislative Priorities: Click Here

Virginia Citizen’s Defense League lobby day: Click Here

Women’s Equality Legislative Summit (1/6): Click Here

Some Newsy insight from the news rooms:

Fight over energy policy fuels Virginia election spending from the AP : Article

Political watchdogs:

Public Integrity

Campaign Finance Reports

Open Secrets

Clean Virginia