Released: Friday, June 20, 2014

State Government Update

As of June 23, the state of Virginia had a budget in place with no plans to expand Medicaid. The governor, however, seems to believe he can still expand Medicaid in Virginia. This issue will likely be decided by the courts. While the next statewide elections are not until November 2015, the resignation of Sen. Phil Puckett, changing control of the Senate to the Republicans by the slimmest of margins, had a huge impact on how the budget issue played out. More have announced plans not to run for re-election, notably 87-year-old Sen. Chuck Colgan and longtime delegates Bob Brink and Algie Howell, all Democrats. More announcements are forthcoming.

Elections November 4, 2014

This fall, Virginia will hold elections for one of our two US Senators. Democrat Sen. Mark Warner will stand for re-election against Republican Ed Gillespie and Libertarian Robert Sarvis. Every US Representative will be elected this fall, as well. One important event was the primary defeat of Rep. Eric Cantor (Republican) by David Brat. Brat will face Democrat and Libertarian contenders, as well. Two representatives, Frank Wolf and James Moran will not run for re-election, so more “new” faces will be running. 

Be responsible to know where each candidate stands on important issues like abortion and same-sex marriage; then vote!  We need every member of our churches to vote based on biblical values if we expect officials to be elected who hold those same values.

Have You Registered for the ONE Voice for Liberties Conference?

The conference begins at 7 p.m. September 18, and runs all day on September 19. The annual business meeting begins at 9 a.m. on September 19. All pastors are encouraged to attend to vote on the budget and other agenda items. The conference and business meeting will be at Landmark Baptist Church, 4000 Creighton Rd., Richmond. For more information on the conference, go to www.vaib.org and click on “ONE Voice for Liberties.” If you plan to attend, please register online at www.vaib.org. Materials will be awaiting you at our registration desk at the conference.

Pray for us as we continue to be . . . “Your voice for Christian liberties”

 

Sincerely,

Rev. Eddy Aliff
Executive Director
Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists

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