VCC Magazine Winter 2020

V irginia C apitol C onnections , W inter 2020 23 In the aftermath of a state commission report that revealed 98 racist laws in Virginia Code, Michael Cassidy is suggesting that we move forward in eradicating not only those laws, but other, perhaps more subtle, means of discrimination. Cassidy is founder and President of The Commonwealth Institute, which met with legislative advocates in December to share ideas about policy actions to work for policy changes in the Commonwealth. Governor Ralph Northam appointed the Commission to Examine Racial Inequity in Virginia Law, and its final report revealed shocking conclusions. The Old Dominion, still cringing from its “massive resistance” reputation, has words still on the books that are an embarrassment to those who strive for racial justice. Cassidy gave a few examples. The cover of the commission’s report included the shocking language from a law passed as Chapter 59 in 1956 that provides that “no child shall be required to attend integrated schools.” Although that law has been overruled by later court decisions , the words still linger for all to see. The Commission uncovered an old bill, House Bill 311 from 1924, which is termed “a bill to preserve racial integrity.” It is signed by over a dozen delegates from years past. Other laws refer to the poll tax, housing segregation, separate restrooms, and discrimination in public transportation. It is expected that lawmakers will tackle these linguistic nightmares this Session. Cassidy’s take is thatVirginia can also remove barriers in current law that widen racial inequity in even larger ways. He identified opportunities for action in the 2020 legislative session in the minimum wage, health care, and school funding, all of which have consequences that can either advance equity or further cement inequality.. To briefly summarize: • Raising minimum wage would benefit high percentages of Black workers and Latinx workers, helping raise wages for the communities that face the most barriers to getting ahead. And eliminating the discriminatory exclusions from minimum wage protections for agricultural and domestic workers ought to be a part of boosting the wage. • AlthoughMedicaid expansion was “a huge victory,”Virginia still has a 10 year bar—double the federal five year one—for legally present noncitizens to access healthcare. That barrier plays a key role in why immigrants are less likely to have health coverage than U.S. born citizens or naturalized citizens. • Virginia’s school divisions with the most white students receive vastly more funding than school divisions with the most students of color. The state board of education recently rolled out recommendations to create an “equity fund” as part of the state’s school funding formula that would go a long way towards narrowing those gaps. Cassidy also offered an additional solution which would shed “sunlight” on bills that are up for consideration. Currently bills that have a fiscal impact are accompanied by a Fiscal Impact Statement, prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget. The dollar figures attached can make or break a bill under debate. What if, he asked, we also request a “Racial Impact Statement”? Other states and localities are adopting this practice. Such a report would be an analysis of how a bill might affect racial inequity, for better or worse. The facts presented would give advocates and legislators valuable data to add to their decision making. Said Cassidy: “Building racial equity impact analysis into the process for adopting legislation and budgets would help to inform legislators and aid Virginia in becoming a state where the legacy of discrimination and unearned advantages no longer shapes so much of our children’s life chances.” Michael J. Cassidy is the founder and President of The Commonwealth Institute. Under his leadership, TCI has become a leading independent voice on state fiscal and economic policy issues. Bonnie Atwood is editor of Virginia Capitol Connections Quarterly Magazine . Overhauling racial discrimination in the Code of Virginia By Bonnie Atwood Cassidy 888-729-7428 • shavoffice@shav.org • shav.org V WORDSPRINT.COM/VCC-PUBLICATION-ORDERS.HTML Order the 2020 Red Book today! This edition includes contact information for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and 2020 General Assembly. Ordering online is simple and easy! Personalized Covers Available!