Social Justice

University

About the Virginia Interfaith Center

• Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group, since 1982• Two programs, VCV and VACIR• A nonpartisan coalition of faith communities working to

affect public policy • Engaging people of all faiths, educating the public about

social issues, the legislative process, and the call to advocacy

• Advocates for policies that protect vulnerable communities

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Why do we care?

•The haunting question of Cain’s response to God in the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Scriptures is with us today:

•“ 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” 

Fereshteh Sarafrazon Charity

• Mankind is created to be responsible toward others. This kind of responsibility is not only in front of God, but also in front of human beings. According to God’s word, humans cannot be irresponsible and apathetic. Humans can gain integrity by getting help from God and doing his command. In Islam, a Muslim should care about other Muslims and non-Muslims. There is a famous saying from the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH):

• “If someone hears the cry of another person who needs help and does not pay attention to his request or does not reply to him, he or she is not a Muslim.”

Matthew 25Identifying with Christ

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

The Legislative & Budget Processes

November Election• All Members of House• All Members of Senate

2015 Virginia General AssemblySenate 21 (Republican) 19 (Democrat)House 66 (Republican) 34 (Democrat)R’s not veto proof in this single vote change!

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Review on three branches of government

• Legislative• General

Assembly• Congress• City Council

• Executive• Governor• President• Mayor • Judicial

•Courts•Commonwealth attorneys

The Virginia General Assembly

●Citizen legislature●House of Delegates

◦100 members◦2-year terms◦Elected every odd year

●Senate: ◦40 members◦Elected every four years in odd years

The Virginia General Assembly Calendar●Each even year

◦60-day session◦New members (every other year, HOD,

every four years, Senate)◦Budget adopted

●Each odd year◦45-day session◦No new members (unless special

election)◦Budget amended

Bills: From idea into reality

●Constituents express need for a change in law

●Need expressed to legislator or member of executive branch

●Need put into legislative language ●Bill assigned to committee●Committee acts on bill

◦Amendments

From idea into reality (continued)• House acts• Passed bill “crosses over” to other house• Process repeated• Bill passes• Same bill must pass in both houses• Passed bill on to the Governor• Governor signs into law effective (usually)

July 1st

• Bills may be carried over in the first year of the biennium (even year)

Idea Refer to committee

First reading Second reading Third reading

To house or senate

To opposite house

First reading

Second reading

Third reading

To Governor

Find patron and draft language

Virginia 2016 Budget Process

● Dec 17 (15): Governor presents his budget bill before the “money” committees◦ Stakeholder feeding frenzy ensues

● Approx. Jan 12: Regional Legislative Budget Hearings ◦ Citizen testimony presented on all matter of budgetary “asks”

● Approx. Jan 15: Legislator budget amendment deadline◦ No proposed changes accepted after this date

● Approx. Feb 7: “Money” committees release their committee-approved budget amendments

● Approx. Feb 12: Each house approves their own budget versions and disapproves the opposing house version and conference committee appointed

● Approx. March 8:Conference report delivered

Approx. March 12:Final approval and adjournment

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So what about the logistics of bills and the budget bill?

●The budget is a bill, but the process for passing doesn’t necessarily follow the same dates as all the other bills

●The budget is, well, very important. And there’s only one budget.

●Other bills◦About 3,000◦Range from trivial to very important

Advocacy“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.” ― William Faulkner

Successful advocacy entails

Collaborations and Coalitions● Many individuals and

groups saying the same message

● In every venue● From every

perspective● Using every event and

opportunity to deliver the message

●Without unduly annoying legislators!

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What legislative aides see as common pitfalls in meeting with

your legislator●Waiting until the last minute. . . .●“Dissing” the legislative aide and the

secretary. ●Knowing only one side of the story. . .

.●Trash talking the “other”●Talking too long●Unfocused in the “ask”●Not prepared with the bill number or

budget amendment

How is advocacy best achieved in a Frenetic fast-paced legislative session?

●Work done up front.●Develop the issue way ahead of time and

bring in stakeholders early to comment and suggest changes◦ Messy process but invaluable◦ Expect and appreciate divergence of

perspectives, especially from those with a lot of skin in the game

●Talk with possible patrons early◦ Majority party ◦ Interest in the topic◦ Know how they work their bills

It’s all a matter of timing. When to advocate

Next Steps• Sign up for our emails: join VICPP CONTACT LIST• Respond to Action Alerts• Help your congregants to know WHO is there

delegate or senator• Write a letter to the editor of your paper• Attend a town hall or candidate forum• Vote and encourage others to vote!• Church-based organizing• Call/Meet with your Delegate & Senator! (Role Play)• Attend an advocacy day during the General Assembly

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2016 Advocacy Days• Annual Meeting of VICPP - December 8,

2015• Day for All People of Faith January 20,

2016 at Virginia Union University• United Methodist Day – February 4,

2016• Jewish Advocacy Day – TBD• Catholic Advocacy Day – TBD

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Thank Y

ou!

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org

804 643 2474

WWW.TheCommonwealthInstitute.org

www.VPLC.ORG

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