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SALT LEGISLATIVE UPDATES, HELPFUL ADVOCACY INFORMATION, and TWO CALLS TO ACTION

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UPDATES ON SALT'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES -- scroll down page to read after clicking on the link

 

  •  Increase in TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) -- currently awaiting the signature of Governor Youngkin -- Read more>>
  • Strengthening TANF as a "lifeline" by ending “Full Family Sanctions” was defeated -- Read more>>
  • Adjusting the “TANF Earned Income Disregard” was defeated -- Read more>>
  • Kinship as Foster Care Prevention Program was tabled -- Read more>>
  • Public utilities; delay of termination of service for certain residential customers  was tabled -- Read more>>
  • The Supplemental SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits For Seniors was defeated -- Read more>>
  • The legislation supporting free & reduced cost for school lunches passed both the Virginia House and Senate and signed by Governor Youngkin -- Read more>> 
  • Legislation to create an Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman was tabled. However, the budget amendment to fund the legislation remains in the budget to enable implementation of SB 994 without authorization when the budget is passed. The budget  has not yet passed -- Read more>>
  • The "Second Look" legislation would have allowed state prisoners to have their sentences reviewed after serving at least 15 years. This legislation passed the Virginia Senate but was passed by indefinitely by the House Committee for Courts of Justice -- read more>>

 

INFORMATION THAT CAN BE HELPFUL TO SALT ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE 

 

  • New Report On US Solitary Confinement: "In prisons and jails across America, between 41,000 and 48,000 people are currently being held in solitary confinement, or “isolation,” as it is called...Those numbers are too high, especially when the United Nations’ special rapporteur for torture has called the U.S. practice of using solitary confinement as a punishment a form of torture" -- Read more>>

  •  Do not miss this update regarding the Virginia General Assembly by Delegate Paul Krizek: "The General Assembly is set to reconvene on Wednesday, April 12th to consider Governor Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments to legislation passed during this year’s session. This is usually a long day on the House Floor as both chambers work together as a legislative body. So, what has to happen between now and then?" -- Read more>>
  •  You want to be an effective advocate for justice? Do not miss the SALT Webinar on Best Advocacy Practices to Follow and Pitfalls to Avoid When Advocating During the 2023 General Assembly Session -- facilitated by David Smith -- click here to view the recording. David Smith is the founder and principal of Inthrive:Advocacy Solutions. David has years of experience in criminal justice advocacy as well as staffing legislators in Richmond. Through this experience, Inthrive is able to provide advocacy support, planning, and training to individuals and organizations.
  • Ensuring Just and Reasonable Rates for Incarcerated People: The Commission considered a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order, which would begin the Commission’s implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on how the Commission should interpret that Act’s language to ensure just and reasonable rates and charges for incarcerated people’s audio and video communications services. The Order will delegate authority to the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of Economics and Analytics to update and restructure their most recent data collection as appropriate to fulfill the requirements of the new statute. 

 

URGENT CALLS TO ACTION

 

 

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