Virginia Poverty Law Center News
Low-wage workers' incomes said to lag
Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 11, 2008
"In particular," Cassidy said, "despite growing worker productivity in Virginia, we have seen declining median wages in recent years, which means workers are not being rewarded for the work . . . which has led to growth in our economy."
Foreclosures increase substantially in state and Richmond area
Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 1, 2008
One in every 246 households in Virginia -- or a total of 13,151 -- received notices of default, auction sales and bank repossessions from January through March, up 526 percent from the same period a year ago.
Holton: State helped children despite financial struggles
The Northern Virginia Daily, April 26, 2008
Low reimbursements made it harder for foster parents to "take in that second child, or to take in another child when the first one leaves," Holton said. "Over the course of three years we will have raised those reimbursements 40 percent."
Virginia ranks low in funding of home care
The Roanoke Times, April 20, 2008
Because Virginia's reimbursement rate for home care doesn't cover all the costs of providing it, many home-care companies opt out of accepting Medicaid patients altogether. The companies that do accept Medicaid are plagued by worker shortages.
Reacting to Undocumented
Centre View Northern Edition, April 9, 2008
"It's nice to see a community with this [inclusive] approach to immigrants," [Freilich] said during the group's March 27 meeting. "I wish more communities were like this."
Legal Aid to give free advice sessions
The Daily Progress, April 5, 2008
The center is hosting its fourth annual Java for Justice series from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday this month. The free series, which includes lunch, will be held at the center's Charlottesville office at 1000 Preston Ave., Suite A.
Some immigrant children eligible for in-state tuition
The News & Advance, April 3, 2008
The ACLU of Virginia has taken aim at the interpretation, sending a letter to the presidents of state public universities stating "it is unconstitutional to deny a student in-state tuition based solely on the immigration status of his parents."
Why must Virginia's elderly be in nursing homes to get Medicaid support?
The Free Lance-Star, April 3, 2008
The issue, of course, is funding. Asking the feds for Medicaid waivers for residents in assisted-living facilities would oblige the state to pay for another new category of people.
Va. health care gets average grade in national ranking
Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 1, 2008
The rankings are in a federal government analysis of health care data for each state. The 2007 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports was compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
UVA law students help veterans
WSLS, March 28, 2008
A group, made up of attorneys and law students, is helping veterans get their claims heard in the Veterans Administration. The project is sponsored by the law school, the student-run Virginia Law Veterans and the Charlottesville/Albemarle Bar Association.
Virginia Shouldn't Provide Worst Foster Care
Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 23, 2008
Change is hard. The system is complex. But Virginia cannot continue to have the worst outcomes in the country for youth in foster care. We can do better, and the recently passed reform package moves us toward the day when rhetoric becomes reality -- when all of our children in foster care find permanent and loving homes in caring communities.
Illegal Immigration Issues Attract Little Interest Outside N.Va.
The Washington Post, March 15, 2008
"Bills dealing with behaviors that threaten public safety ought to be taken very seriously," [Governor] Kaine said. "Beyond that, you've got to be very careful."
Compromise doesn't withdraw Virginia from No Child Left Behind
The Virginian-Pilot, March 7, 2008
Instead, the governor will likely get a bill that leaves it to the Virginia Board of Education to recommend what to do if federal officials don't grant the state waivers from the landmark education law.
A bushel of immigration bills met with mixed reviews
The Virginian-Pilot, March 6, 2008
"When local police are seen as immigration agents, it destroys community policing efforts and undermines the trust between law enforcement and the immigrant communities of Virginia," said Tim Freilich, legal director of the Legal Aid Justice Center's Immigrant Advocacy Program.