2023 General Assembly Session

As our schools have re-opened we've seen teacher and staff shortages, increasing rates of violence, a rising need for mental health services, and a need for academic support to address unfinished learning. For our students to thrive, our schools need to be adequately staffed, our crumbling schools must be renovated; mental health resources improved; and we need to reduce high stakes testing while fostering a climate focused on student academic growth and family engagement.

For the past 100 years PTA has brought families of all backgrounds together with one shared goal, to support the academic success, health and safety of all students through family engagement and advocacy. As volunteers and elected leaders in our school communities, we observe first-hand the challenges that are faced by students and families. Our voice is needed more than ever. We invite you to join us to #TakeAction4Kids! 

Over the past several years Virginia PTA advocacy has resulted in an increase in mental health support staff, expanded access to affordable high-speed broadband, increased funding for building renovations, and access to free school meals through-out the pandemic.

During the 2021-22 school year Virginia PTA advocacy resulted in:

✅ Literacy Act: Transformative change in literacy instruction and increased K-3 reading specialists ($63M)
✅ Building Renovations: Historic funding for school building repair/renovation and construction ($1.25B)
✅ Full-time Principals: for every elementary school ($20M)
✅ Essential Support Staff: Increased funding by partially lifting the 'support cap' ($272M)
✅ High poverty school divisions: Increased funding through At Risk Add-On program ($145M)
✅ Early Childhood Education expanded for three-year-olds served by the Virginia Preschool Initiative ($47M)
✅ School Meals: Extension of the federal free school meal waivers through summer 2022 including grab-and-go options and $8.2 million of state funding to help local school divisions eliminate the cost of school meals for students who are eligible for reduced-price meals based on federal income criteria
✅ School Safety: Passage of the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and $6.5M of state funding for gun violence prevention programs through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
Watch this 30 minute re-cap with Fund Our Schools Coalition partners for additional details and insight on the 2022 General Assembly Session.

2023 SESSION

  • Governor's Budget Announcement
  • House & Senate Budget Hearings
  • Webinar to Prepare for Capitol Day
  • 2023 General Assembly Starts
  • PTA Virtual Rally
  • Advocacy Social, Richmond   
  • PTA Capitol Day - Richmond 
  • PTA Virtual Legislator Meetings
  • House/Senate Budgets Announced
  • Crossover  
  • Last day for committee action on bills 
  • 2023 Session adjournes sine die
  • VAPTA Webinar Wrap-Up
  • Last day for Governor action on bills
  • Legislation enacted

(Dec. 15, 2022)
(Jan. 5, 2023)
(Tues. Jan 10th, 7:00pm - 8:30pm)
(Wed. Jan. 11th)
(Thurs. Jan 12th)
(Thurs. Jan 26th 7-8pm)
(Fri. Jan 27th)
(Jan 30 - Feb 10)
(Feb 5th)
(Feb. 7th)
(Feb 20th)
(Feb 25th)
March TBD
(March 27th)
July 1

This Is How YOU Can Help!!

COMMENT ON BILLS

You can view House and Senate meetings from home as well as provide remote testimony and written feedback. The best time to comment on a bill is when it's in sub-committee. If you sign-up for public comment, you will generally have a minute or less, so you should be brief and to the point. Speakers are called as each bill is read, so you have to watch the meeting until the bill you are interested in is presented, and your name is called.
 
To provide written comment and view public comment on House Bills visit HODSpeak. To comment on Senate bills you should visit the Senate Video Stream page and click on the committee you want to register to speak in.  
 
Legislative Information Services contains the full text, summaries, and status history of all bills and resolutions for each General Assembly session. Bills can be looked up by bill/resolution number, by subject, or by the senator or delegate who introduced the legislation. If the bill originated in the House it will start with HB___ and if it originated in the Senate it will start with SB___. 

GET ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Follow @VirginiaPTA for calls to action and information about the session. We encourage you to share posts from Virginia PTA on your PTA page and with friends to raise awareness in your community.

Help us amplify the call to action by joining a #VirtualRally and challenging your community and friends to #TakeAction4Kids.

-> Take a picture holding a sign with YOUR top priority or record a 20 second video sharing your "why"
-> Tag 2 Friends and ask that they join the challenge
-> Set your post to 'public' and tag your legislators and @VirginiaPTA
-> Use the hashtags: #VAPTAAdvocacy #TakeAction4Kids
-> You can also use and share materials from our coalition partner @FundOurSchoolsVA #FundOurSchools

View our Virtual Rally Video and PRINTABLE SIGNS to get started.

CALL OR EMAIL YOUR DELEGATE!

Legislators respond best to personal stories and asks from their constituents. Letters don't have to be long, just a short statement about what's important to you and why you want your legislator to take a stand for education.In addition to emailing your own delegate. This session we encourage you to write letters to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees. Keep your message short and to the point. Here are some tips for a compelling letter to your legislator:

1. Introduce - Share where you live, how you volunteer and the topic you are concerned about. 
2. Persuade - Tell your story and how this topic impacts you. 
3. Inform - Add data or statements from our resolutions or position statements
4. Conclude - Restate your call to action

Find your Virginia Delegate and Senator
Find your U.S. Representative 
Find your U.S. Senator

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper reminding your community why it's important to fund education.

 

QUESTIONS? Contact Virginia PTA's Vice President of Advocacy

 

InvestinVirginiaSchools