Week of 02/18/2024

Note: These emails are sent weekly and include timely information and links, which may expire over time. 

February 18, 2024

Wednesday, February 21 – 5:00pm
Voter Readiness Working Group Meeting
Interested in ensuring Every Vote Counts? Join the Virginia Grassroots Coalition’s Voter Readiness working group. We will be focusing on recruiting and volunteering Poll Observers and Poll Workers; Registering Voters and Early Voting. Questions? Please contact: Kathleen Murray; [email protected] Zoom Link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/98422844279 

Thursday, February 22nd, 3:00pm
Help the Michigan Dems and Help Dems Hold the White House, the U.S. Senate, and Win Control of the U.S. House!
Michigan is a must win for Democrats this year! But support is eroding in some quarters. What to do? The Michigan Democratic Party leadership is highly effective, and will help all of the Dem Candidates. Join us for a special session with Michigan Party Chair Barnes and Executive Director Christy Jensen to learn what’s happening and how you can make a difference.
RSVP here If you can’t attend, please click HERE to contribute to this important cause.

Thursday, February 22nd, 5:00-7:00pm
Empowering Equality: Expert Voices on the Equal Rights Amendment
The Hub Center, George Mason University, 10423 Rivanna River Way, Fairfax
Join a thought-provoking panel discussion on the Equal Rights Amendment hosted by Women and Gender Studies (WGST) and the Gender and Policy (GAP) Center. This event aims to foster an insightful conversation on the significance and implications of the ERA in the contexts of gender equality, physical autonomy, and LGBTQ+ rights with:
• Moderator, Bonnie Stabile, Director of Gender and Policy (GAP) Center and Associate Professor
• Eileen Davis, ERA Activist and Advocate
• Ella Duncan-High, Generation Ratify, National Organizing Director
• Amy Hinojosa, President and CEO, MANA, A National Latina Organization
• Zakiya Thomas, President & CEO, ERA Coalition and ERA Coalition Forward

Friday, February 23 – 12:00pm
Power Lunch
Friday Power Lunch: We Did it Again! – Democrats Keep Winning

Friday, February 23  5:00pm – 7:00
Wofa Vote Early & Happy Hour – Courthaus Social 2300 Clarendon Blvd
Yes Virginia we have a primary and your vote does matter! Vote Early at 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Ste 320  Arlington, VA – then join WofA & Friends at Courthaus Social to discuss the current Virginia Assembly session and more! Early Voting Hours & Locations

Sunday, February 25 7:00pm
Learn More on Communicating with Voters
Please join Focus for Democracy‘s zoom meeting to learn about this grassroots team that includes experienced voter-development strategists who have raised tens of millions of dollars to promote and protect democracy. They do this by rigorously evaluating voter-generating activist groups and recommending the most cost-effective strategies that aren’t getting funded. Per WofA’s Amy Bergner – “prepare to be blown away by their super-analytical, focused approach.” Current efforts are aimed at raising funds for Working America and Accelerating Change and a to-be-announced organization that’s on the cutting edge of communication to women voters.  Click here to register or at this link: http://tinyurl.com/F4D25Feb 

Monday, February 26 – 6:30, Social 7:00pm, Meeting Commences
1618 N Adams St, Arlington, VA
WofA Membership Meeting
Updates on the current Virginia General Assembly session, with special guest: Luisa Boyarski of the Virginia Grassroots Coalition. Bring a friend and something to share! Metro: Courthouse, Parking at Innovation Elementary

Thursday, February 29 – 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Capital Pride Reveal
https://facebook.com/events/s/capital-pride-reveal/356506567296424

TAKE ACTION!

Applications Close on Monday, February 26!!
Join Team ENOUGH’s Youth Advocacy Training Program
The Team ENOUGH Youth Advocacy Training Program is currently accepting applications for its programs in Washington, D.C., and Michigan. More Info HERE.

Check or Update Your Voter Registration here: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/

CURRENT CALLS TO ACTION
(thanks to our Friends at NetworkNoVA for this!)

Gun Violence Prevention

Education

Climate and Clean Energy

OPPOSE Charging Customers for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) before they are even built, with no cost-overrun protections.  CTA – Vote NO on SB454 House Labor & Commerce Committee

SUPPORT Solar-Ready Gov’t Roofs. Urge a key House committee to pass the Senate-passed SB79 to ensure that making roofs solar-ready becomes part of the planning process for new public buildings and those undergoing major renovation, including K-12 schools. CTA – Vote YES on SB79 House GenRules Committee

SUPPORT Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Budget Amendments. SB30 (Item 4-5.12 #1s Surovell) and HB30 (Item 366 #1h Herring) that require Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the effective 11-state carbon trading program that reduces harmful emissions and generates funding for local flood prevention and energy efficiency programs. CTA – Vote YES RGGI Budget Amendment

SUPPORT Energy Efficiency Across the Commonwealth. Urge lawmakers to support the Savings Achieved Via Efficiency Act (SAVE) bills HB746 (Webert) and SB565 (Deeds) to increase the energy efficiency requirements that must be met by electric utilities and ties their profits to meeting targets. CTA – Vote YES on HB756/SB565 Savings Via Efficiency Act

SUPPORT Reducing Home Energy Costs. SB737 (Surovell/Sullivan). Wide scale adoption of heat pumps is a key climate solution and an energy-saving, money-saving and health-saving upgrade for homeowners who heat their homes with oil, propane or kerosene.  CTA – Vote YES on SB737

Good Governance

HB 265: End misuse of the Removal Process – Please send email by noon Tues Feb 20 so that Senate P&E Committee members hear from you before they meet that afternoon! CTA – https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hb265-senate-p-and-e