Each year, the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) designates a day for United Methodists across the Virginia Conference to gather in Richmond, meeting with their individual Senators and Delegates in the morning, followed by an afternoon of sharing, inspiration, and worship.
This year, on January 30, Pastor Meghan Roth Clayton, Zach Griggs, Linda Upshaw, Gayle Justice, and Susan Sallwasser represented WUMC at UM Day, advocating for legislative priorities that align with our call to care for the least, the last, and the lost. The group met with Senators McDougle’s and Digg’s aides, Delegate Batten’s aide, and Delegate Green in person.
Each year, VICPP lobbies for about 20 key policy priorities that impact faith communities across Virginia. At UM Day, four priorities were highlighted for advocacy:
Legislative Priorities at UM Day 2024
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Supporting Paid Sick Days for All Workers: 1.2 million workers in Virginia have no paid sick days, forcing low-wage employees to choose between losing income or going to work sick. The proposed bill would require employers to provide 5 paid sick days per year for all full-time employees. 83% of Virginia voters support a policy ensuring paid sick days.
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Giving Families Time to Pay Rent and Stay Housed: This bill would extend the grace period before eviction from 5 days to 14 days, giving renters more time to secure funds and stay in their homes.
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Faith and Housing Initiative: This bill would streamline the process for faith communities to develop affordable housing on their land. Virginia faces a shortage of more than 200,000 homes, with 900,000+ households struggling with housing costs.
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Community Health & Environmental Justice in Comprehensive Planning: This initiative prioritizes communities disproportionately affected by pollution and health risks in local planning decisions.
These priorities reflect the broader mission of faith communities in advocating for justice, equity, and compassion in public policy. For more information on these initiatives and VICPP’s work, visit www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org.