12 Legislators Named ‘Affordability Champions,’ 32 Named ‘Economic Security Allies’ Freedom Virginia Will Run Mail and Digital Ads Highlighting Key Leaders

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.

The full scorecard can be read here.