17 Virginia Legislators Committed to “America’s Goals” Take Office in Virginia’s House of Delegates

17 VIRGINIA LEGISLATORS COMMITTED TO “AMERICA’S GOALS” TAKE OFFICE IN VIRGINIA’S HOUSE OF DELEGATES

One Third of Virginia’s House Democratic Caucus Pledge Support for Future Now’s Agenda

Democratic Leader David Toscano Praises Future Now’s Efforts And Focus On State Government

“America’s Goals” Define Concrete Targets for Surging Citizen-Powered Movement in VA

RICHMOND, Va.—Today, seventeen legislators who have committed to Future Now’s agenda—America’s Goals for 2030—will take office in the Virginia House of Delegates. In the upcoming legislative session, these delegates will push for policies that benefit working families through better jobs; expanding affordable, quality health care; and improved roads and transit. They also have committed to putting the people of Virginia before powerful special interests, and agreed to be held accountable through America’s Goals accountability metrics.

“We have a tremendous group of legislators being sworn in as members of the Virginia House of Delegates today, including many who have signed on to support America’s Goals,” said House Democratic Leader David Toscano (D-57). “I’ve been very impressed by all the work Future Now is doing to frame these issues and focus on state government. There’s so much at stake for Virginia, and I look forward to working with our new and returning Delegates on ways to make the Commonwealth a better place for working families. America’s Goals are aspirational, and our challenge is to find the appropriate policy initiatives to make them reality.”

“Last year’s elections clearly showed that voters are looking for a new generation of leaders that are focused on getting things done for everyday Virginians, not political brinkmanship,” said Future Now Executive Director Daniel Squadron. “Winning in 2017 was the first step. Now, it’s time to work together to enact policy solutions that deliver the targets in America’s Goals for the people of the Commonwealth.”

“I decided to run for the Virginia House of Delegates because I believe things can be different — that’s why I am so excited to be among the first legislators in the country to have signed on to America’s Goals, a new blueprint for state government supported by Future Now, a new organization pushing to reorient politics around goals and accountability,” said Delegate Hala Ayala (D-51).

“I’m dedicated to finding solutions and getting things done for the people of my district, and that’s why I’ve signed on to support America’s Goals,” said Delegate Karrie Delaney (D-67). “Uniting behind these bold, achievable goals will help us deliver real results for Virginia families.”

“I ran for Delegate because I wanted to fight toward a fairer, stronger and more just Virginia,” said Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-2). “That’s why I’m so passionate about pushing for America’s Goals by 2030, a set of achievable policies that will benefit Virginians and make our communities stronger.”

“I’ve spent my career fighting for quality, affordable health care for Virginia families,” said Delegate Patrick Hope (D-47). “From improving health care to spurring economic growth, the targets in America’s Goals provide a vital blueprint for Virginia’s future.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity in Virginia, with the changing balance of power, to accomplish these goals that Future Now has so greatly enumerated.” said Delegate Chris Hurst (D-12).

“Voters sent a loud, clear message that they are tired of divisive, do-nothing politics. Voters want their representatives to produce results!” said Delegate Kaye Kory (D-38). “This legislative session, I will be pushing to make progress toward America’s Goals, which are focused on bringing better jobs, better health care, and more opportunity to Virginia. Our Commonwealth should lead the way for the nation.”

“I stand with Future Now in commitment to achieve America’s Goals, specifically regarding ending the school-to-prison-pipeline and ensuring that voting districts at all levels are fair and representative,” said Delegate Mike Mullin (D-97).

“America’s Goals are the stars that guide us in creating the country we want to become,” said Delegate David Reid (D-32). “I ran for office because it’s time to make an investment in our future, and I’m proud to represent the citizens of the 32nd District to achieve those goals for Loudoun County and Virginia.”

“I’ve devoted my career to ensuring that all working families have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream,” said Delegate Kathy Tran (D-42). “By achieving America’s Goals, we can help Virginia’s working families thrive in a long-term, sustainable way.”

“I ran on a platform that emphasized the opportunities all Virginians need to succeed, from education and health care to inclusive communities, which is why I’ll be working to achieve America’s Goals in the upcoming legislative session,” said Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-72). “We have a great opportunity in Virginia to work together to invest in the policies that build stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous communities.”

In the upcoming legislative session, Future Now will be working with the 17 Delegates who have committed to America’s Goals to policy solutions in these seven key areas. The America’s Goals Delegates include: Del. Lashrecse Aird (D-63); Del. Hala Ayala (D-51); Del. John Bell (D-87); Del. Jeffrey Bourne (D-71); Del. Karrie Delaney (D-67); Del. Kelly Fowler (D-21); Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-2); Del. Wendy Gooditis (D-10); Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-31); Del. Patrick Hope (D-47); Del. Christ Hurst (D-12); Del. Kaye Kory (D-38); Del. Mike Mullin (D-93); Del. David Reid (D-32); Del. Kathy Tran (D-42); Del. Cheryl Turpin (D-85) and Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-72).

America’s Goals for 2030 is the commonsense agenda supported by Future Now, a national advocacy organization. The goals are a set of measurable, achievable targets in seven key areas: good jobs; affordable, quality health care; investing in children; empowering people over special interests; equal opportunity for all; sustainable infrastructure; and clean air, water and energy.

Overview of America’s Goals

1.     GOOD JOBS – We can agree that full-time work should not drive a family into poverty. This starts with making sure every job provides a livable wage and decent standard of living – allowing those that work hard and play by the rules, a fair shot to get ahead.

2.     AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTHCARE – For years now, Washington’s entrenched special interests have fought about health care as costs continue to rise for working families, and life expectancy falls. Americans must no longer pay more to get less – we can lower healthcare costs for all and help Americans live longer.

3.     INVESTING IN CHILDREN – Every parent wants what’s best for their children, but too many public schools lack what’s needed for our kids to succeed, and too many kids fall through the cracks without a path to a decent job. From early childhood to higher education, all children deserve a clear path to a brighter future.

4.     EMPOWERING PEOPLE OVER SPECIAL INTERESTS – Corporate special interests are using their financial might to drown out the voices of working families. It’s time we limit corporate spending to protect our democracy, and give regular people their rightful voice.

5.     EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL – America is a diverse society that works best when everybody who works hard can achieve their dreams and build a better life. That’s why we need to end mass incarceration, ineffective and discriminatory profiling, and ensure equal pay for equal work.

6.     SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION – America must rebuild our roads, bridges, airports, and transit to help move people, goods, and services more efficiently, and effectively – ensuring America will continue to be an engine of innovation and will be prepared for decades to come.

7.     CLEAN AIR, WATER, and ENERGY – Smart investments will not only protect the water we drink and the air we breathe, they will preserve America’s beautiful wilderness and parks for our kids, and these investments will help reduce utility bills by offering more efficient and sustainable energy choices.

To learn more about America’s Goals for 2030 and discover the in-depth metrics that will be used to measure Virginia’s progress, visit: www.FutureNowUSA.org/the-goals

ABOUT FUTURE NOW
Founded by economist Jeffrey D. Sachs, entrepreneur Adam Pritzker and former New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, Future Now pushes progress toward America’s Goals, with a report card on each state and innovative cost-effective strategies to impact legislators, the media, partner organizations and the public. America’s Goals for 2030 include seven goals with measurable targets for each, focusing on jobs, healthcare, children, good government, equal opportunity, infrastructure, and clean air, water and energy. Learn more at www.FutureNowUSA.org.