maggiebeth's blog

In a unanimous vote last night, the Executive Committee of the Virginia Young Democrats voiced their support for the many middle-class families in Virginia taking part in striking against Verizon communications. Verizon is demanding $1 billion in concessions from workers despite posting a profit of over $6 billion in the past year.

In a unanimous vote, the Executive Committee of the Virginia Young Democrats joined with the Sierra Club to urge lawmakers to keep the ban on uranium mining in the Commonwealth. The thirty-year ban has protected drinking water in potential mine sites. A contamination of water near mining sites could drive away the businesses so many communities in Southern Virginia need. Sign on to keep the ban.

The Virginia Young Democrats seek communications interns to assist in crafting and disseminating our message. VAYD is the premier youth progressive political organization in the Commonwealth. Interns may start immediately or over the summer and will work out of their own space. Duties include:

- Generating content for the website and social media outlets
- Assisting with maintaining the VAYD Twitter feed and Facebook account
- Blogging regularly on the VAYD website
- Communicating with local chapters about their media needs
- Editing media content generated by members, under the direction of the Communications Director
- Responding to press needs as they arise

The Pell Grant financial aid program has allowed millions of moderate- to low-income young Americans attend college. Rep. Paul Ryan and the Republicans in Congress recently proposed a %5.7 billion cut to Pell Grant funding. This cut will have far-reaching, negative impacts on students who otherwise cannot afford the cost of higher education.

In response to this atrocious proposal, the Old Dominion University Young Democrats will launch a campaign tomorrow encouraging young Democrats to call Senators Warner and Webb. Encourage our senators to vote NO to any cuts of Pell Grant funding!

Gov. Tim Kaine spoke to nearly two hundred Young Democrats assembled in Williamsburg for their annual convention. He spoke of the importance of public service. He also emphasized Virginia’s status as a swing state and the effect young people can have on election outcomes.

Former Virginia governor and newly-minted Senate candidate Tim Kaine will address young Democrats from around the Commonwealth during VAYD’s annual convention April 10. Kaine will speak at a breakfast hosted by the Historic Triangle Democrats at William and Mary’s Trinkle Hall.