As the bill itself states, this legislation would “provide a more generous paid sick leave policy” to many of Virginia’s most vulnerable workers, and that’s why state Democrats are advocating for it.
Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk’s price cuts are expected to benefit many Virginians who need insulin to survive. The companies first announced the moves last year, as a response to an American Rescue Plan provision that threatened to penalize them if they kept prices high.
According to Brian Koziol, executive director of the Virginia Housing Alliance, the long-term lack of new housing construction, inflation, and supply chain issues are the main reasons why Virginia is being hit particularly hard by the housing crisis.
More than 48,000 Virginians have had their student debt discharged or have been identified for debt relief due to the Biden administration's reforms of the student loan debt system.
The proposed rule would require utility companies to locate and dig up roughly 188,000 lead pipes statewide within 10 years to ensure clean drinking water for Virginians and to protect children’s health.
Not only is Virginia seriously underfunding its public schools, but the pipeline for K-12 teachers has proven to be inadequate.
In Virginia, $8.4 billion in funding has been announced with over 240 specific infrastructure projects identified for funding. Nearly $6 billion will go to transit upgrades,, and another $290 million for clean water and water infrastructure.
Last Hurrah LLC, a poultry farm in Accomack County, will use a $420,000 grant to purchase and install a 577.15 kilowatt roof photovoltaic system; the energy generated from the new system is projected to offset almost 100% of the electricity consumption for the houses in the area with a simple payback of approximately 17 years.
Democratic candidates for Virginia’s legislature say that voters need affordable housing, greater investment in education, more worker protections, and more.
In Sept. 2020, the median home sale price in Virginia was $354,400. As of Sept. 2023, that figure had risen to $412,800, a 16% increase, according to Redfin. Renters are also paying more in Virginia. At the end of 2020, the average cost of rent in the commonwealth was $1,660. As of Nov. 2023, that figure has risen to $1,946, a 17% increase.
