SPECIAL ALERTS-STATE-2012

Governor's Budget Continues Troubling Cuts Only

SALT is working with the Better Choice for Virginia (BCV) Coalition in Richmond. We are very distressed by the constant drum beat for cuts to state services for low and moderate income Virginians, particularly coming on top of the cuts that have already been implemented over the last few years.

BCV is working on organizing a broad based coalition of Virginia organizations, trade groups, cities and towns, and businesses around the idea that we need, at the state level, a balanced approach to our economic crisis - one that includes new revenue to meet the growing need for state services and infrastructure brought on by this recession.

Trend Widening Loopholes and Cutting Critical Investments Rather than Investing in the Future

Governor McDonnell's budget continues a cuts only approach to dealing with Virginia's current challenges. Rather than reform costly loopholes baked into our tax code, the Governor proposes to widen them.

Loopholes like the long term care insurance tax credit, the domestic production deduction, the private school tax credit, the research and technology tax credit, and the small business tax credit merely continue down the same tired path of more cuts and loopholes.

A recent JLARC study estimated the costs of loopholes at $12.6 billion annually.

New loopholes and the failure to reform the scores of inefficient loopholes already on the books, combined with further cuts to education and healthcare represents the wrong choice for Virginia.

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PROTECT OUR VOTE

SALT enthusiastically joins and supports the Protect our Vote Coalition group that is being formed with the aim of defeating two bills--SB 1 and HB9.

WHY: To Defeat Virginia Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 9

Background: State governments across the country have suddenly enacted an array of new laws and policies that make it harder to vote. This wave of changes will affect the terrain for the 2012 elections. Already, it is clear that these new laws could make it significantly harder for more than five million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012.

Virginia has entered the fray. SB 1 and HB 9 have been introduced in the 2012 General Assembly session. SB 1 would eliminate voters from using their state issued voter registration card as an approved form of ID.

Both SB 1 and HB 9 would require voters to cast a provisional, not an official ballot if they did not bring an approved ID. Concerned groups across Virginia are joining forces to form the NON-PARTISAN Coalition to Protect Our Vote.

SB 1 passed on a 20-20 tie vote with Lt. Gov. Bowling casting the 21st tie-breaking vote

    FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Dr. Kim Allen, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 

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STATEWIDE EITC COALITON-TOP PRIORITY

During the 2012 General Assembly session, SALT has been participating in an EITC Coalition. On February 7, Governor McDonnell signed a tax conformity bill into law which will keep hardworking Virginia families from losing key pieces of their state credit when they file their state income taxes this year.

Because of your help, over 114,000 working families will benefit from the enhanced EIC this year since the new law rolls back the cuts that were made to the EIC in last year’s budget. Now, low-income working families will be able to receive their full credit that includes the expanded marriage penalty relief and additional tier of benefits for families with three or more children that were enacted under the federal Recovery Act in 2009.

Send a thank you note to Senator Walter Stosch, and Delegate Harry Purkey for carrying the tax conformity legislation and to Governor McDonnell for signing the bill into law.

 We are pleased to join the Coalition in making the EITC extension one of our top SALT priorities.

The best news we've heard about the budget since its release--The Governor's budget proposal released on Monday includes $7 million in FY2012 to maintain conformity with the federal enhancements to the EITC.

We Thank you for your continued support to successfully protect our state's Earned Income Tax Credit!

SALT Priority #6: Support of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - SALT is in support of the EITC, the extension of important targeted tax relief for working Virginia families in the FY 2013 budget. Key elements of our state’s EITC will expire without legislative action in the coming session.

Expirations would result in a substantial tax increase for over 114,000 working families throughout the state. Given the proven track record of the EITC to incentivize work and provide targeted relief to working families, we believe an extension of these provisions is critical for strengthening and supporting families; failure to support the EITC will most certainly undermine families in the Commonwealth.  

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PREVENT UNREASONABLE CHARGES IN INMATE TELEPHONE RATES

Restore authority of State Corporation Commission to promote competition and prevent unreasonable charges in inmate telephone service, and to establish rates, terms, and conditions without regard to the extent of revenues shared by the service provider with the Commonwealth. Va. Code 56-234. In today’s economy, these charges act as a substantial deterrent to continued communications and support provided to family members, particularly those incarcerated in remote facilities. (Nebraska, for example, has waived its right to receive commissions for inmate telephone calls. )

Militia, Police & Public Safety SubCommittee recommends continuing to 2013 by voice vote.

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SHARED WORK

Shared Work is an employer tool that helps save jobs and communities. See attached. Shared Work bills in VA were introduced, January 11. The Senate bill is SB 376, and the House bill is HB 835. As you know, Senator Barker is patroning SB376 with lead co-patron Senator Bill Stanley. Yes, it’s bi-partisan. Additionally, Delegate Hope is patroning an identical Work Sharing bill HB 835 in the House. We have been meeting with VEC Commissioner John Broadway and with the Commerce Under Secretary Carrie Cantrell and Doris Mays with the AFL and the NFIB as well. Shared work is a top priority for SALT. The Republican majority on the Commerce & Labor Committee Committee appear to want to take it up next year, and we have helped get the right package that business and labor supports. Please take a minute to thank our outstanding Patrons.

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TANF BAN OPT OUT

SENATE BILL NO. SB 552 & HOUSE BILL NO. 420____

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1, relating to TANF eligibility; drug-related felonies.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1 as follows:

§ 63.2-607.1. Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies.

A person who is otherwise eligible to receive TANF assistance shall be exempt from the application of § 115(a)(1) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and shall not be denied such assistance solely because he has been convicted of a felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in violation of § 18.2-250, provided such person complies with, or has already complied with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court and the Department; is actively engaged in or has completed a substance abuse treatment program; and participates in periodic drug screenings.

HB 420 by Vivian Watts passed Health Welfare & Institutoins (HWI) 22-Y 0-N; Assigned to Appropriations,SubCommittee on Health and Human Resources, recommends laying on the table by a voice vote

SB 552 by Sen. Barbra Favola passed Full Senate 31-Y 9 - N

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SALT Opposes

SB 83 - Drug Screening for Medicaid Recipients Requires that all citizens applying for Medicaid TANF(Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) monies be evaluated for suspected drug use before receiving their aid and submit to a drug test if there is cause to believe they are using illegal substances. Just like many of Virginia's employers require of their employees

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 SB 24 Welfare and Other Entitlement Fraud; Penalties bySenator Richard Stuart 

Summary as introduced: Welfare and other entitlement fraud; penalties. Requires a 180-day mandatory minimum sentence for misdemeanor entitlement fraud, a one year mandatory minimum sentence for felony entitlement fraud, a repayment of three times the benefits received, and a lifetime bar on receipt of entitlement. The entitlements covered by the bill are housing assistance programs, medical assistance, food stamps, energy assistance, and any other program designated under regulations of the State Board of Social Services, State Board of Health, or Board of Medical Assistance Services

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CONTINUE TO OPPOSE DRUG SCREENING OF RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SB 6 patroned by Sen. Stephen Martin passed (20-Y 20-N) the Senate Chair-Lt. Governor-voted “Yes”.

Urge your Delegate to oppose SB 6 when it crosses over to the House! By requiring substance abuse screening of all Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare Program applicants, the government is treating potential recipients of public assistance as criminals, invading their privacy, and denying benefits to those who may most need them.

And the good news is that the House bill HB 73 was continued to 2013 (defeated) by a voice vote in Appropriations. HB 73 VIEW; substance abuse screening and assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients. Richard P. Bell ----- Summary as introduced: Substance abuse screening and assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients. Any person who fails or refuses to participate in a screening or assessment without good cause or who tests positive for the use of illegal substances shall be ineligible to receive TANF payments for a period of one year, unless he enters into and complies with the requirements of a drug treatment program; however, an individual has one opportunity during the subsequent 12-month period to comply with the screening, assessment, or treatment requirements and be reinstated to eligibility for TANF benefits.

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SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA 

Great news! The Virginia Senate Rules Committee passed an amended version of SJ 93, a resolution that directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to conduct a study of solitary confinement in the state of Virginia. The Virginia Senate then agreed to SJ 93 by a voice vote be fore cross-over occurred. While the study itself will not be enough to end the inhuman use of prolonged solitary confinement, similar studies in other states have prompted state prison officials to re-evaluate the financial, moral, and public safety costs of prolonged solitary confinement, and dramatically reduce its use. We think a similar result could occur in Virginia if the state legislature passes this resolution ordering a study of the issue. Speaking for the voiceless in Virginia. Contacting your State Senator and Delegate will make a major difference in passing SJ 93.

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    Immigrants

Several bills would discriminate against immigrants (HB 958, Del Bell; HB 1001, Del. Ramadan; HB 1060, Anderson). They would deliberately subject Virginians of foreign descent to harassment based on ethnicity by empowering local and state police to investigate citizenship status when making arrests. The effect of these measures would be to make it difficult for certain minorities to live in Virginia, using state power to make them feel unwelcome because of their ethnicity. They will also have a chilling effect on the ability of police to investigate criminal activity in immigrant communities.

Together, we defeated some of the worst anti-immigrant laws in Virginia. But the Virginia DREAM Act didn't win this year either. It will be back in 2013, and so will we!

SPECIAL ALERTS-STATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor's Budget Continues Troubling Cuts Only Trend Widening Loopholes and Cutting Critical Investments Rather than Investing in the Future

RICHMOND - Governor McDonnell's budget continues a cuts only approach to dealing with Virginia's current challenges. Rather than reform costly loopholes baked into our tax code, the Governor proposes to widen them.

Loopholes like the long term care insurance tax credit, the domestic production deduction, the private school tax credit, the research and technology tax credit, and the small business tax credit merely continue down the same tired path of more cuts and loopholes.

A recent JLARC study estimated the costs of loopholes at $12.6 billion annually.

New loopholes and the failure to reform the scores of inefficient loopholes already on the books, combined with further cuts to education and healthcare represents the wrong choice for Virginia.