“We have to assume that if we leave RGGI, we will return to that low-priority status for this work,” Stiles said. “Before Virginia joined RGGI, there were ZERO state dollars going toward these resilience efforts,” said Stiles in an email.Īny state spending on these efforts through the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Virginia Sea Grant or the Virginia Department of Emergency Management used money derived from federal agencies, he said. Since the state joined, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which administers the Flood Fund, has begun paying out grants from the revenues. Whether flooding occurs on Virginia’s coast from sea level rise or in its inland areas from rainfall increases, the impacts are real, said Skip Stiles, executive director of Wetlands Watch, a Norfolk-based nonprofit working to address sea level rise adaptation, floodplain management, and other waterway impacts.īefore Virginia joined RGGI in 2020 - a Democratic priority during the party’s brief period in power - flood protection was left up to local and regional planning bodies, with no central pool of funds governments could draw from. 7, Virginia has received some $452 million from RGGI, meaning $203 million will go toward flood resiliency efforts. Including the latest sale of allowances on Sept. In Virginia, half is directed to low-income energy efficiency programs, while 45% goes toward the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, a pool of money that provides flood assistance to communities and local governments. The proceeds of those auctions are returned to the state. RGGI is the 11-state cap-and-invest program in which energy producers must buy allowances at auction for the carbon they emit, and a cap is placed on overall carbon emissions. “RGGI is a bad deal for Virginia,” said Travis Voyles, acting secretary of natural and historic resources, when he outlined the administration’s plans for withdrawing Virginia from RGGI at the end of last month. The coalition argues that the Ninth Circuit’s decision jeopardizes the constitutionality of similarly-worded criminal laws in all 50 states and emphasizes that the flawed decision could invite state and federal courts to invalidate longstanding criminal laws. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals then struck down the statute on the grounds that the law’s words, “encourage” and “induce,” are too broad. illegally for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain. He was charged under a federal statute for encouraging migrants to come to the U.S.

In 2017, a grand jury charged California resident Helaman Hansen with multiple crimes for scamming hundreds of noncitizens out of more than $1 million by deceptively promising them a path to citizenship that did not exist. “This statute simply says that individuals cannot encourage others to break existing immigration law. Now, more than ever, we need to enforce our immigration laws and secure our border,” said Attorney General Miyares. Fentanyl and other illegal substances from the cartels are invading our communities and ravaging families in Virginia and in every corner of our country.

“We’re in the middle of a crisis on our Southern Border.

We commend the service of Hispanic and Latino men and women in the military protecting our democracy and freedom.Īttorney General Miyares has joined an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to uphold an important federal statute used to enforce immigration laws in United States v. We recognize the dedication of our public servants as teachers and government employees. We highlight their leadership in business and education, and their service in the fight against COVID-19 as healthcare and frontline workers. “We acknowledge their deep-rooted history and foundation in our country and in our Commonwealth. Hispanic and Latino Virginians continue to make great strides in public office and civil rights issues, supporting the fight for justice and equality for all, and successfully advocating for the historic passage of language access and of protections for all immigrants regardless of citizenship status. “Throughout this month, we honor and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our Hispanic and Latino men and women who have contributed greatly to the success of our Commonwealth.

They enrich our communities by sharing their vibrant culture and heritage. “As we mark 53 years of commemorating National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, Pam and I encourage all Virginians to join us in celebrating the important history and enduring contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community throughout Virginia and our country. RICHMOND-Governor Ralph Northam today proclaimed September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.

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