The 2007 General Assembly of Virginia began on Wednesday, January 10 in Richmond and is scheduled to end on Saturday, February 24. During these 46 days your Virginia Organizing Project will have a much stronger presence.

Ben Greenberg, the organization’s new Legislative Director, will be key to this renewed VOP effort. Ben joined VOP on October 1, 2006 to help us make an even greater commitment to advocating for fair and equitable public policies for all Virginians. Ben joins VOP with more than 25 years of experience lobbying the Virginia General Assembly on behalf of public and non-profit human services agencies and many years of work in the human services arena.

Welcoming Ben Greenberg to the organization and introducing him at a media conference in the Capitol on January 4, VOP Chairperson Jay Johnson said, “Ben will be able to use his knowledge and experience with the legislative process and the members of the General Assembly to help VOP play a more active and successful role during the 2007 session. We are very excited by the new opportunities we will have to make a difference at the Capitol with Ben on board.”

The Virginia Organizing Project plans to take advantage of Ben’s constant presence at the General Assembly to strengthen its participation by Board members and volunteers. We are planning to increase the opportunities for VOP supporters to contact legislators in person and via other means to advocate for its positions. Anyone who wishes to join in VOP’s efforts should send an e-mail to VOP Executive Director Joe Szakos at szakos@ntelos.net or call the main office at (434) 984-4655 x222.

VOP’s expanded role during the 2007 General Assembly will focus on four priority legislative issues that reflect VOP’s principles as they relate to concerns that are critically important right now in Virginia.

The Virginia Organizing Project will be advocating for the following four major positions:

• Raise Virginia’s minimum wage.
• Fund training for law-enforcement personnel to prevent biased policing.
• Make the state tax system fair for low- and middle-income Virginians.
• Cap the payday lending rate at 36 percent or less.

“Each of these issues has been receiving a great deal of public, media and legislative attention in recent years,” said Sandra Cook, vice-chairperson of VOP. “As a result, they are likely to be controversial and subject to much debate. We expect our positions to be opposed by many powerful forces.”

“The positions that VOP has taken are the result of years of hard work and collaboration with countless organizations and individuals around the state,” Cook said. “We are optimistic about receiving our most positive response yet by Virginia’s leaders during the 2007 session.”

VOP will also be closely monitoring the 2007 General Assembly for other public policy issues related to the VOP Statement of Beliefs.

“We look forward to supporting legislation on issues such as ensuring voters have a paper trail, establishing alternatives to the death penalty, protecting human rights, keeping utility costs down, and protecting the environment and the citizens who stand up for it,” Cook said.

“In 2007, VOP will give a renewed sense of focus and attention to legislation to improve the quality of life for all citizens in the state by achieving social justice and financial equity. VOP has great hopes of making significant progress on behalf of all Virginians,” said VOP Treasurer Jason Guard.