Virginia Legislators Form Progressive Caucus

RICHMOND – More than 20 Democrats have joined to form the Virginia Progressive Caucus. Their agenda includes supporting education and health care and fighting discrimination and global warming.

The caucus consists of 21 legislators – 19 House members, mostly from Northern Virginia and Richmond, and two senators (Donald McEachin of Richmond and Mamie Locke of Hampton). The group hopes to gain members throughout the year.

Formation of the caucus was announced at a press conference Friday. Speakers at the event said they hope to change the mood of politics in Virginia by embracing modern concepts and overcoming politicians “whose heads have not yet advanced to the 21st century.”

“Virginia can be very slow to change, as we all know,” said Delegate Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria. “We have to keep pace with the times.”

Delegate David Englin, D-Alexandria, said the caucus hopes to combat the “right-wing tide” washing through the General Assembly in recent years.

The conference also focused on catering to the “average citizen.” Legislators said they will work to improve public schools and make universal health care a reality.
“Families across the commonwealth want their legislators to focus on issues that matter to them,” said Delegate Patrick Hope, D-Arlington.

Delegate Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, reprimanded opponents of employee unions and said she joined the Progressive Caucus to promote the issue. “There is nothing wrong – absolutely nothing wrong – with being part of a union,” Ward said. “All unions want is just a little bit more, so that their families can do a little bit better.”

The caucus was announced a day after the Senate joined the House in passing a bill regulating abortion clinics. That’s a key issue for members of the Progressive Caucus, who support a woman’s right to choose to get an abortion.

“It’s a sad step backwards in the Virginia Senate,” Ebbin said. “Virginia must once again reclaim its future and move forward.”

Caucus members said they plan to help more progressives get elected. Democrats hold 39 of the 100 seats in the House and 22 of the 40 seats in the Senate.

Asked if he thought the Democrats could lose their Senate majority in the next election, McEachin said that possibility exists.

He pegged his opponents with a quote from Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw of Springfield: “We’ll be as fair to the Republicans as they were to us.”

The 2011 session of the Virginia Assembly concluded Feb. 27.

By Catherine Leth, Capital News Service