I. GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY & POLITICAL REFORM

We support the repeal of all state laws which restrict local communities from exercising the power or authority to make decisions (i.e. the Dillon rule).

We support the right of citizens to petition to have legislation on the ballot, to be approved by the voters (initiative); to vote on laws passed by the legislature (referendum), and the right to recall elected officials from office.

We support a "None Of The Above" (NOTA) line on all ballots for elected office.

We support state-funded "electoral forum" publications to be sent to registered voters that contain candidate positions and campaign finance reports.

We support real campaign finance reform: spending and contribution limits, restriction or elimination of political action committee (PAC) contributions, and public financing of campaigns.

We support the enactment of the federal "motor voter" bill, as approved by the people of Virginia, and voter registration by mail.

We support raising the minimum wage to a living wage so that every Virginian can afford the basic essentials of decent food, affordable housing, and quality health-care.

We support legislation to strengthen collective bargaining, the right of all workers to organize, and the right to negotiate binding contracts with their employers.

We support measures for the private sector to take greater responsibility for retraining for displaced and laid-off workers

We support measures to encourage the private sector to fund parental leave and workplace-available day care.

We support vigorous enforcement of child labor laws.

We support the elimination of sales tax on purchases of food.

We support the creation of community-based housing trust funds that will grant money to build affordable housing.

We support homelessness prevention programs which allow families to receive temporary assistance before they become homeless.

We support the strict eofitting existing homes with passive solar heating.

We support the development of sun-to-electricity technologies.

We support removing any obstacles that prevent Virginia utilities from promoting energy efficient technologies.

We support strengthening the Clean Water Act and full compliance with the Clean Air Act.

We support requiring land zoning boards to fully account for the requirements of environmental protection regulations.

We support the individual citizen's right to bring legal suit against those who pollute.

We support strengthening protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

We support the expanded use of rail for surface transportation, recognizing that it is less polluting and more energy efficient than automobile transportation.

We support measures to reduce automobile travel, such as better public transportation, tax on workplace parking, and higher gas taxes to be used for non-automobile modes of transportation.

We support requiring all non-automobile funds from the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Act (ISTEA) be used to support non-automobile modes of transportation, instead of highway beautification or HOV lanes.

We oppose any law that restricts Virginia from passing environmental legislation that exceeds federal requirements.

We support rigorous measures to reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated within and exported into Virginia.

We oppose the import or export of toxic and nuclear waste.

We oppose nuclear-generated energy and nuclear weapons.

We support organic and biologically sustainable farming.

We oppose government incentives that encourage chemical farming over organic farming.

We support universal health care for every Virginian through the implementation of a "single-payer" medical insurance system, with an emphasis on prevention and wellness programs, and the inclusion of alternative treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture and homeopathy

We support the regulated use of hemp as a physician-dispensed medication.

We support measures requiring gun owners to be qualified to use firearms safely and held strictly accountable for any illegal use of the firearm.

We support crime prevention programs such as after-school recreation and youth employment initiatives.

We support state funding for unarmed community patrols and neighborhood watches.

We support decriminalizing nonviolent drug offenses.

We support "fully-informed juries" that are instructed of their constitutional right to judge the law as well as the case in questions.

We support judicial discretion in setting sentences for those convicted of a crime.

We oppose using prison construction as a method for stimulating the economy, and oppose the no-parole plan as too costly, ill-conceived and ineffective.

We oppose the "21-day rule" that prevents defendants from introducing new evidence more than 21 days after their original trials.

We oppose the death penalty.

We support the adoption of an amendment to the United States Constitution guaranteeing equal rights to women.

We support a woman's freedom to make her own reproductive choices, providing easy access to birth control education and all contraceptive options.

We support keeping abortion safe and legal, while seeking solutions to the root causes of unwanted pregnancies.

We oppose all laws that discriminate against gay and lesbian citizens, and support extending the anti-discrimination rights afforded to ethnic/religious minorities and women to include gays and lesbians. We oppose all laws used to dnforcement of mine safety regulations.

We support legislative protections for the rights, health and safety of migrant workers and their families.

We support market-based solutions and the concept of the "polluter pays" to improve the environment, i.e. "green" taxes, measures to include a product's social and environmental costs in the consumer cost of the product, and cost preferences/discounts for environmentally friendly products and services

We support measures to require local, state and federal agencies to buy environmentally friendly products and services.

We support a "bottle bill."

We support "minimum recycled content" legislation to include newsprint and glass containers.

We support the revision of building codes to remove barriers to the use of new energy-efficient technologies.

We support the reinstitution of tax rebates for retriscriminate against lesbian and gay citizens (i.e. the Virginia Crimes Against Nature Act).

We support the rights of gays and lesbians to marry, adopt, and equal treatment under the law in child custody cases.

We support the vigorous enforcement of anti-assault laws to end violence against gays and lesbians.

We support community-based services for the homeless, and oppose all laws that criminalize homelessness.

All children have the right to develop in a safe environment, through affordable child care, pre-school preparation and a high quality education.

Education should eventually be available from pre-school through college, graduate and profession schools, regardless of ability to pay.

We should reaffirm the value of public education and reject the use of public funds to pay for students' attendance at private or parochial schools.

We affirm and support home-based schooling, and support the right of parents to home-school their children.

We support increasing the ratio of teachers to students in grades K 12.

We oppose the current shift from public to corporate funding of schools.

We support programs that provide equal opportunity in education.

We should change the management and administration of our schools to provide for more teacher, parent and student participation at every level of decision making, especially concerning the allocation and expenditure of funds.

We should restructure the school system to provide a greater diversity of choices and smaller, more personalized schools.

We should treat and pay teachers as valued professionals.

We should insure that trade school opportunities are readily available.