Prep for New VA Session

The Virginia General Assembly’s 2016 legislative session began January 13th and we have some important work to do! 

Our policy agenda this year includes:

Access to Healthy Foods – Secure public funding to increase the availability of healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, lean protein, and water in Virginia by increasing the number of healthy food retail outlets in underserved communities. We are thankful to Governor McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe for including funding for the Virginia Grocery Investment Fund in the budget.

Put your two cents in now to alert legislators we must make sure all Virginians have access to healthy foods!

Access to Care – Support closing the coverage gap in Virginia to assure access to health care for adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level.

Tobacco Free Living - Support an increase in Virginia's cigarette excise tax by $1.50 per pack and support an excise tax increase on other tobacco (non-cigarette) products to a tax rate equivalent with that of cigarettes. Secure state funding for tobacco use prevention and cessation programs that meet or exceed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

Quality Stroke Care - Support statewide standards for the formal recognition of stroke facility designations and the development and implementation of transport protocol plans for acute stroke patients in accordance with American Heart Association (AHA) criteria.

Local Healthy Eating - Promote the adoption of citywide food and beverage and/or service standards consistent with AHA guidelines in City of Richmond, to assure inclusion of healthy choices on city properties.

Local Tobacco Free Living - Support $1.00 increase in locality based tobacco excise tax on cigarettes and equivalent tax rates for other tobacco products.

Thanks for being active in our network!  We couldn’t do this without you.  If our voice is strong enough this session, we can impact the lives of many Virginians for many years to come! 

Click here to send your customizable letter to support healthy food financing.

Mark your calendar for our State Lobby Day Monday Feb 15, 9:30-11:30am, and RSVP here.   Please plan also to join us for our Feb 12 training call to prepare for lobby day (noon to 1pm).