Tomorrow begins the 2021 Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, and a myriad of issues will be discussed among the returning and newest members of the House of Delegates. This will be an assembly like none other, and with Democrats holding control of the House and Senate, a host of progressive agendas will be on the table. Since this is an odd-numbered year, the assembly will meet for 30 days, with the option of extending sessions up to an additional 30 days. Several issues will be of interest within the Black community, and below are a few to watch:

The Coronavirus Pandemic continues: Despite reports of the vaccine being rolled out to healthcare workers and more recently to adults over age 75, the state continues to struggle with rising COVID-19 rates. Governor Ralph Northam has released a budget proposal that will include approximately $90 million for vaccines as well as an additional $230 million on the virus. In addition, Northam proposes for finances towards rent and mortgage relief as well as unemployment assistance.

Renaming of Confederate Roads: Led by Delegate Joshua Cole (D-28th) there will be a bill to rename Jefferson Davis Highway, as the state continues to remove images and names that honored its racist past. This will continue a trend that took place in areas such as Dumfries, in which Confederate Lane was renamed Liberty Lane over the summer. Some of the proposed names are Richmond, Freedom, Commonwealth and Emancipation Highway.

Recreational Marijuana Legalization: A platform that many gubernatorial and lieutenant governor candidates have already touted for in their respective campaigns, it will be up for discussion. The challenge will be how to establish the regulatory and licensure structure. Even if it were to pass in the abbreviated session, it could be years before legalization becomes the law of the land in the Commonwealth.

Criminal Justice Reform: The Black community has been impacted more than any other group when it comes to unjust legislation, and there will be a litany of issues that legislators will look to alter, or remove outright. One will be the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences from the state code. By doing so, it will challenge judges to initiate sentences on an individual basis. Also, there will be a push for released felons to be provided the opportunity to get their voting rights immediately.

Another issue the assembly must deal with is the abolishment of the death penalty. The state of Virginia, according to Roanoke.com, has executed more than 1,400 people, which is by far the highest of all states in the country. So far this has had bi-partisan support, and there is growing momentum for it to end.

Mandatory paid sick leave: Several gubernatorial candidates have pushed for families to no longer have to choose between a paycheck and their families, and this is where the implementation of mandatory paid sick leave comes into effect. Due to the pandemic, this has had greater support, and could be applied to businesses across the state.

Green New Deal: Roanoke Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-11), along with several grassroots organizations, have promoted passing of the Virginia Green New Deal (HB1937) as well as the Fossil Fuel Moratorium. According to a press release by Mother’s Out Front, “Delegate Rasoul’s Green New Deal Act would commit Virginia to a just transition to a 100% clean renewable energy grid that leaves no fossil fuel worker or environmental justice community behind.”