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RICHMOND, Va. — Freedom Virginia — a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to building a commonwealth where all families have the financial freedom to thrive — today released its 2024 Affordability Scorecard.
This session, Freedom Virginia tracked votes on key bills impacting Virginians’ economic security, including legislation on health care, paid leave, labor, consumer protection, taxes, child care, energy and housing. The full list of bills and analysis can be found here.
Senator Stella Pekarsky (D-Fairfax) and Delegate Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax) were selected as Freedom Virginia’s Legislators of the Year. Sen. Pekarsky introduced legislation to ban surprise junk fees, and Delegate Delaney patroned legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board.
“Hardworking families deserve to know where their legislators stand when it comes to lowering the cost of living and building a fair economy,” said Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “This new General Assembly looks more like Virginia than ever before, and we applaud legislators of both parties who took bold action to make life more affordable during this historic year. We hope this scorecard will empower and encourage people to make their voices heard, as many of these bills will be reintroduced next year.”
Honorees were selected based on their voting records and leadership on Freedom Virginia’s priorities, including creating a fair tax system, banning surprise junk fees, and establishing both a Paid Family and Medical Leave program and a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The organization will launch a mail and digital program to highlight key leaders for their support of an affordability agenda and to educate the public on their legislators’ records on these key pocketbook issues.
Below are the members Freedom Virginia is highlighting as champions and allies. The full scorecard can be read here.
Affordability Champions
Senator Jennifer Boysko Delegate Ellen Campbell
Senator Creigh Deeds Delegate Karrie Delaney
Senator Mamie Locke Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling
Senator Stella Pekarsky Delegate Adele McClure
Senator Todd Pillion Delegate Briana Sewell
Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg Delegate Kathy Tran
Economic Security Allies
Senator Adam Ebbin Delegate Debra Gardner
Senator Ghazala Hashmi Delegate Jackie Glass
Senator Jeremy McPike Delegate Rozia Henson
Senator Aaron Rouse Delegate Phil Hernandez
Senator Saddam Salim Delegate Mike Jones
Senator Suhas Subramanyam Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra
Senator Angelia Williams Graves Delegate Michelle Lopes Maldonado
Delegate Bonita Anthony Delegate Alfonso Lopez
Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Delegate Marty Martinez
Delegate Katrina Callsen Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price
Delegate Betsy Carr Delegate Sam Rasoul
Delegate Nadarius Clark Delegate Holly Seibold
Delegate Laura Jane Cohen Delegate Marcus Simon
Delegate Joshua Cole Delegate Shelly Simonds
Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler Delegate Josh Thomas
Delegate Rae Cousins Delegate Rodney Willett |
