How does SALT work?

SALT influences public policy by:

SALT is a faith-based legislative advocacy network seeking to positively influence public social policy and legislation on behalf of low-income Virginia families, especially at the State and local levels.
researching legislative issues and selecting priority issues for action
advocating for legislative issues by telephoning, writing and testifying
building relationships and rapport with legislators
educating and raising awareness within parishes
training others to participate

In the past, SALT has advocated successfully for many issues, including:
Successfully lobbied Congress to remove the State's sales tax from the federal food stamp program in 18 States and Virginia. This action resulted in an increase in food aid of $9,5 million annually (since 1987) in Virginia with a comparable increase in each of the other 18 States.
Planned, organized and conducted the "Home for the Holidays" campaign that generated more than 2,200 letters to the governor and to Northern Virginia legislators and was successful in getting passed in the 1994 General Assembly $800,000 for the Homeless Intervention Program--HIP prevents homelessness before it begins.
SALT was successful in getting an additional $3 million from the General Assembly in 1996 for the statewide expansion of the HIP program.
Conducted an EITC Hand Up Campaign in 15 parishes and was instrumental in persuading the Virginia General assembly to pass the Virginia EITC which boosts the income of 190,000 low-income workers. The VA-EITC assures that no family living below the poverty level will pay Virginia income taxes.
Conducted another "Home for the Holidays" campaign that resulted in $11 million funding for from the 2000 General Assembly for the Continuum of Support Services for the Homeless and a 10% increase in TANF benefits.
Initiated and worked with the General Assembly in 2002 to successfully make Virginia the first State in the nation to pass-through and disregard 100 percent of the State and federal share of the child support received from the non-custodial parents directly to the custodial parent for the needs of the children.