After running on a campaign of affordability, transparency, and renewable energy, the Virginia Democrats' first few weeks of session show the opposite. They have introduced hundreds of bills to raise taxes, make power bills more expensive, and, worst of all, try to change your congressional representation without any input from the citizens. SB769, introduced by Senator Lucas, is a bill to change Virginia's Congressional lines from the 6-5 politically split regions we have now to a 10-1 split heavily favoring democrats. Your Virginia Republican legislators know how wrong this political jerrymandering is, and they are trying to stop it! They are standing up against it on the floor of the Senate, filing lawsuits, and continuing to try to kill the bill, but this alone won't stop the Democrats' radical wave. Without your help in volunteering to door knock, poll work, and more, we may not be able to stop this jerrymandering or the other things that the Virginia democrats are trying to do right under our noses. This bill represents a concerning attempt by Virginia Democrats to manipulate electoral boundaries.
State Senator Ryan McDougle talking about. redistricting on the floor.
In the past couple of days, a Tazwell Judge came back granting Senator Ryan McDougle an injunction against Speaker Don Scott and Clerk of the House G. Paul Nardo. This is great news showing that the Virginia democrats broke the law trying politically Jerrymander the Congressional lines. Though this news is good, it's not time to celebrate yet. The injunction is not the end of the line for this case; the Democrats will most likely appeal, and from there, really, there's no telling what will happen. To stop this "sleight of hand trick," tell everyone about this bill and what the democrats are trying to do without letting them know. Don't be afraid to show up to committee meetings and voice your opinions, email your representatives, and, most of all, volunteer to stop the problem at its root: elections! Finally, remember that even if you don't believe or agree with your Democrat colleagues, don't be afraid to talk to them, listen to their opinions, and even become friends, because at the end of the day, you are both trying to fix the world just in different ways.
Image by Shaban Athuman/VPM News