Released: Sunday, February 05, 2017

ONE Voice for Liberties Conference

September 28-29, 2017

At Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

VAIB | VirginiaVoice

January 27, 2017

Dear Friend of VAIB,

The General Assembly has now met for just over two weeks of its forty-six-day session. Nearly one-hundred bills are on my “watch list.” I’ve spoken in numerous committees and to numerous legislators on bills.  You can bills of concern on our web site. I’m relieved that some bills are already defeated. I’ve listed some bills at the end of this letter as well.

I want to emphasize that most of our work involves preventing bad laws from becoming a reality. So far, I’ve already sent out several CapitolALERTs. Thank you for those who have responded. Legislators are paying attention! 

Pastors & Prayer Day at the Capitol

There was a huge crowd on January 24 with many other groups lobbying and school groups visiting.  I was honored to have sixteen friends and pastors of VAIB attend “Pastors & Prayer Day” and all of them visited with legislators to express our concern for two bills. Every person gave testimony of being well-received and enjoying the opportunity to experience what I do every day I’m at the Capitol. One pastor sent me an email with this statement:

“Thank you for taking your time to give us the tour, explain the various processes, and all the documentation you gave us. Likewise, thank you for your work on a daily basis on our behalf. It is even more appreciated now that I've seen what goes on there and how things are setup.”

 There is no way for me to explain what you must see and experience for yourself about the work I do at the General Assembly. I hope you will determine to find a day to visit with me and be a part of our citizen legislature.

Prayer is so important to our work. Would you pray for the following?

• Scheduling churches for 2017 for me to be in more nonsupporting/uninvolved churches.
• Continued improvement in our financial support.
• Scheduling churches for Joe Naylor as he gives updates to area supporting churches.
• More people signing up for our CapitolALERTs and emails.

Your voice for Christian liberties!

Eddy Aliff

Executive Director

I am thankful for the defeat of the following bills:

HB2129 (Del. Mark Levine) Virginia Human Rights Act; protecting sexual orientation and gender identity. Failed to report in subcommittee.

SB782 (Sen. Adam Ebbin) Same-sex marriages; civil unions. PBI in committee.

SB908 (Sen. Louise Lucas) & SB1269 (Sen. Adam Ebbin) Decriminalize marijuana. PBI in committee but a letter sent to request a study of other states as to the impact of decriminalizing.

SB1010 & SB1011 & SB1012 (Sen. Louise Lucas) Allowing for casino gambling in Virginia. PBI in committee.

SB1458 (Sen. Jeremy McPike) Authorization for dangerous weapons at places of religious worship. Individuals must have authorization from church authority to have concealed carry at places of religious worship.

The following are still active although I am working to defeat these bills:

SB783 (Sen. Adam Ebbin) Nondiscrimination in public employment. Passed out of Senate General Laws. The vote was:

YEAS--Locke, Barker, Vogel, Ebbin, Wexton, Surovell, DeSteph, McPike, Suetterlein, Dunnavant, Sturtevant, Mason--12.

NAYS--Ruff, Black, Reeves--3.

SB822 (Sen. Jennifer Wexton) Nondiscrimination in Virginia Fair Housing code based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Passed out of Senate General Laws. The vote was:

YEAS--Locke, Barker, Vogel, Ebbin, Wexton, Surovell, DeSteph, McPike, Suetterlein, Dunnavant, Sturtevant, Mason--12.

NAYS--Ruff, Black, Reeves--3.

SB1400 (Sen. Louise Lucas) Authorizes poker as being a game of skill; under charitable gaming regulations. Passed out of Senate General Laws. The vote was:

YEAS--Locke, Barker, Ebbin, Wexton, Surovell, DeSteph, McPike, Mason--8.

NAYS--Ruff, Vogel, Black, Reeves, Suetterlein, Dunnavant, Sturtevant--7.

 

Pray for a positive vote for the following bills:

HB1473 (Del. Dave LaRock) Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act; penalty.

HB2025 (Del. Nick Freitas) & SB1324 (Sen. Bill Carrico) Solemizing marriage; religious freedom:

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