Newsletter - July 30, 2018 | Mark Levine for Delegate

There will also be raffles at the event with great prizes such as:
- My behind-the-scenes tour for you and three friends of the Capitol in Richmond
- a visit to a live recording of my radio program, Inside Scoop with Mark Levine,and more.

Click here to RSVP.

Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival

Click picture to watch my speech

On Saturday, July 21st, I had the honor of being the first ever state-elected official to speak at the Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival. Unfortunately, state officials representing the Shenandoah Valley all oppose equal rights for the Rainbow (LGBT+) Community. But it was wonderful to see the love, solidarity, perseverance, and yes, pride, of local Rainbow folk. I was glad to show the thousands of people who enjoyed the day's festivities that they do have people fighting for them in Richmond.

Several people there told me how they had been fired or denied service for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination that should be a relic of the past. Last year, I introduced a bill to make such discrimination illegal, but it was killed by Republicans in a party-line vote in the General Laws subcommittee. My budget amendment to do this was also defeated on a strict 51-49 party-line vote on the House Floor. Here's the bottom line:

The Bad News: Every single Republican in the House of Delegates supports discrimination against Rainbow Virginians.

The Good News: Every single Democrat in the House of Delegates opposes discrimination against Rainbow Virginians.

The choice could not be more stark. I love Nova and DC Pride, but in 2018, it takes real courage for locals to come to Shenandoah Pride in the face of such bigotry in their own communities.

Thank you to Shenandoah for standing up for yourselves and the rest of Virginia!

Alexandria Living Wage Certification Program

With LaJuanna Russell, President and CEO of Business Management Associates,|
a Living Wage Gold Star Certified business.

On July 16th, I was happy to show support for the launch of the Alexandria Living Wage Certification Program to recognize employers in the city who pay a living wage and embrace ethical business practices. The certification program was founded by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Virginia Theological Seminary. No one should live in poverty, and all workers deserve to be paid a living wage. Every business in Alexandria should strive to earn this program's Gold Star. Apply today; email [email protected] for more info.

The Washington Post wrote a story about the launch and mentioned my bill last year to allow localities to raise the minimum wage (The bill was killed by Republicans).

Delegate Kathy Tran on Inside Scoop TV

Click picture to watch the video.

Last Monday, on my Inside Scoop television show, I had the pleasure of interviewing Delegate Kathy Tran, a new delegate from Southern Fairfax County, with whom I have the privilege of serving in the Virginia House of Delegates. Born in Vietnam to immigrant parents, Kathy has a fascinating life story to share and a wealth of experience that informs her values.

Click here to watch our conversation.

Certificate of Public Need Working Group

Tuesday, I drove down to Richmond to serve on the Joint House-Senate Committee overseeing Certificate of Public Need (COPN) reform in Virginia. COPN is the method by which Virginia certifies medical care facilities. If the certification process is too strict, it can lead to less free-market competition and therefore higher prices for consumers. But if the process is too lax, indigent people are often not well served, as new facilities cherry-pick only those who can pay and leave unprofitable care to hospitals.

Prior to Medicaid Expansion, I was skeptical of any COPN Reform. But now that we have Expansion, I’m willing to consider it, so long as poor people get access to quality health care and so long as prices for all medical care are transparent.

You deserve to know how much a non-emergency operation costs before selecting your health care provider. And as Founder of the Virginia Transparency Caucus I’m committed to bringing transparency in medical care quality and prices to Virginia.

The August Mark's Monthly Meetup

will be

Sunday, August 26th

Los Tios, Del Ray
2615 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria
2pm - 4pm

Come discuss any issue on your mind.
It's OK to come late or leave early.

And if you miss August, there's always September or October. Every month, I make sure to be available in this informal setting for any constituent who wishes to discuss a concern or just say hello. As we gear up for the next legislative session, I want to hear from you.

In the Community

With Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna R. Reed at the Shenandoah Pride Festival.

At Parkfairfax's 75th Anniversary Celebration.

Soon-to-be Alexandria City Councilwoman Amy Jackson sure knows how to take a good selfie.

At the Del Ray Music Festival, I was lobbied for a law mandating that parents purchase ice cream
for their children "at least" once per day. I wasn't surprised these kids had specific policy proposals.
Their mom, Kelly Hebron, is a brilliant attorney and the founder of From Prison to Paralegal,
a legal research and writing training program to reduce recidivism among ex-offenders.

With Nora Velasquez and Amy Long at the Del Ray Music Festival.

With Gayle Reuter at the Del Ray Music Festival.

Touring Premium Distributors, the largest beer distributor in Northern Virginia

Upcoming Events

Please Join Me!
(I personally participate in the events in red.)

Wednesday, August 1
9:00-10:30 am
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Annual Meeting with Delegates
Chamber Offices
2009 14th Street North, Suite 100

Wednesday, August 1

6:00-8:00 pm

Black Business and Youth Employment Community Conversation

with Senator Tim Kaine
The Ultimate Barber
2712 Jefferson Davis Highway (we have to change that name!), Alexandria

Monday, August 6
7:30-9:00 pm
Alexandria Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
Minnie Howard High School Auditorium
3801 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria

Thursday, August 9
7:00-9:00 pm
Summer Soirée with Delegate Mark Levine
The Home of Janice Rivera and Peter Halverson
1254 Olde Towne Road, Alexandria

It is always my honor and privilege to serve you.

Delegate Mark Levine
Serving Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax in Virginia's 45th District

Newsletter - July 30, 2018