Richmond, VA—The members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) appreciate the positive aspects of the budget compromise but are disappointed in the cuts to necessary investments, the amount of legislating done in the budget, and the lack of transparency and public input in the 2022 budget process.

“I understand the legislative reality of reaching a compromise,” said VLBC Executive Committee Member Delegate Marcia Price (D-95^th, Newport News). “As a result of those efforts, the budget contains some critical investments, like finally providing tax relief to over 600,000 low-income families by making the Earned Income Tax Credit refundable. But compromise should be about good-faith efforts on both sides, and by that measure, this budget fails miserably. It cuts funding for gun violence prevention by 53% from what was initially proposed. If we can’t be serious about funding efforts to save lives when we have historic revenues and in the midst of yet another national tragedy, when will we? And another fail is underfunding student mental health services while dumping millions to put more cops in schools. This budget is the result of a process that lacked transparency and public input, and it shows.”

“This budget includes a historic investment for a housing opportunity tax credit to expand affordable housing but it continues to underfund the Housing Trust Fund at a time when housing is critical to public health,” said Delegate Jeff Bourne (D-71^st, Richmond). “The budget also includes long overdue teacher raises but continues to underfund our public schools to fund lab school pet projects. $100M was dedicated to lab schools when we should be investing those funds in our existing public schools and more mental health and other supports for students. There is also a significant reduction in At-Risk Add-on from the introduced budget. The VLBC will continue to fight for long overdue and critical investments. And we must do so alongside advocates and Virginians in a more transparent budget process with public input.”

The members of the VLBC are also vehemently opposed to the criminalization of marijuana in the budget. The VLBC has worked to champion legislation to legalize marijuana in an equitable way and will continue to push for necessary reform.

“This budget is the result of a compromise, and it includes critical investments in school construction, our K-12 public schools, housing and mental health programs,” said VLBC Vice Chair Senator Jennifer McClellan (D-9^th, Richmond). “However, I am deeply disappointed that the budget compromise takes steps backwards in the bipartisan effort to legalize marijuana in Virginia. Virginia passed bipartisan legislation last year to legalize marijuana possession. The creation of a new criminal penalty for possession of four ounces will set Virginia back on its progress to reforming antiquated marijuana laws that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities. I’m disappointed that the conversation about new criminal penalties happened behind closed doors, with no input from the public or from representatives of impacted communities. We must prioritize transparency and including all Virginians – especially impacted communities – to reform marijuana laws and redress the harm that has been done by misguided marijuana policy.”

“I have voted against the criminalization of marijuana before and I have objected to the language they put into the budget,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Louise Lucas (D-18^th, Portsmouth) who championed marijuana legalization legislation last session. “This new language criminalizing marijuana will reinstate targets on the backs of Black and Brown people who have historically been overcharged with these ‘crimes’ in the past. We do not need to reverse the progress we have made in Virginia but instead continue to strive for a Commonwealth that stands for justice reform!”

The members of the VLBC will continue to advocate for equity, reform, and critical investments in improving the lives of all Virginians.

##