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Richmond's vision for a more equitable future is often met with concerns about affordability. Historically, Richmond has struggled with economic disparities and inadequate funding for essential services, perpetuating inequities and hindering progress toward a more inclusive city. At the heart of our approach lies the principle of fairness and shared responsibility. We believe that everyone should contribute their fair share to support vital community initiatives and services. To account for new expenses, we must create a tax system that prioritizes the needs and well-being of working-class individuals and families while holding property speculators and corporations accountable for their fair share of taxes.
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To address the pressing issue of housing affordability and ensure that every Virginian has access to safe and affordable housing, we must implement a comprehensive set of policies. These policies include freezing housing demolitions of public housing units, granting the right of first refusal to tenants, reducing evictions, enacting stronger tenant protection laws, and amending our zoning code to promote missing middle housing and mixed-use development. By taking these steps, we can work towards achieving housing for all and create more equitable and inclusive communities in Richmond.
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Richmond's current tax system unfairly places the burden of funding the city's budget—around 70%—on homeowners through real estate taxes. This leads to unpredictable tax spikes driven by market speculation and does not reflect the city's values of equity and fairness. Our goal is to create a fairer system by ensuring that those who profit the most contribute their fair share while providing consistent, predictable taxes for homeowners and small business owners. Here’s how we propose to make this happen:
Go down most streets in the East End and you will find things in a messy state: sidewalks under inches of soil and grass, potholes, leaking methane gas pipes, dead and dying trees, unfinished construction projects, the list goes on. Maintenance is the city's responsibility. It's unacceptable that the city council has not pressed our public works department on what resources they need to handle the upkeep of our city. While lived-on blocks are ignored for years on end, our city council has been distracted by picking the proverbial carpet color for shiny new corporate handout projects like the football training field, casinos, coliseum, and CarMax Park (formerly Diamond District—they've already sold out to the highest bidder) and stick us taxpaying citizens with the bill. Eric will prioritize getting the key matters done for you: a good street and a good block make for a good city.
From its founding, many neighborhoods in Richmond faced systemic disinvestment, neglect, and oppression. Naturally, these anti-working-class and anti-Black policies resulted in disparities in infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities. Today, these disparities persist, perpetuating inequities along racial and class lines. In response, our reparations plan focuses on comprehensive community investments, grants, and expanded public services to address these historical injustices and promote equitable development across the city.
Our reparations plan seeks to address these disparities head-on through bold and transformative actions. We recognize that repairing the damage inflicted by decades of disinvestment and discrimination requires comprehensive and sustained efforts to uplift and empower marginalized communities. To tackle this legacy of injustice and inequality, we must implement a comprehensive set of strategies aimed at ensuring housing affordability, stability, and equity for all Richmond residents:
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Evictions in Richmond are not just a symptom of economic hardship; they represent a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities and injustices that have plagued our city for generations. From its inception, Richmond has grappled with policies that disproportionately marginalized working-class and Black communities, resulting in enduring disparities in infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities. These inequities continue to reverberate today, perpetuating cycles of poverty and housing instability among our most vulnerable residents.
By investing in comprehensive community development initiatives, expanding tenant protections, and strengthening enforcement measures, we aim to create a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape for all residents. To confront this history of injustice and inequality, we need a multifaceted approach to ensure that every Richmond resident has access to affordable, stable housing. This means taking decisive action to combat the economic, logistical, and moral crisis of evictions:
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In Richmond, Virginia, the lack of adequate shade and green spaces presents significant challenges to public health and environmental sustainability. The city's urban areas suffer from a shortage of trees and vegetation, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and contributing to poor air quality.
Richmond's densely populated neighborhoods are characterized by high levels of impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt, which absorb and retain heat, leading to elevated temperatures. These urban heat islands not only increase energy consumption for cooling but also pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and low-income communities. Here's what we'll do to address these issues:
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No one deserves to go hungry. Yet, many neighborhoods face food deserts, depriving residents of affordable, nutritious options and perpetuating cycles of poverty. This injustice disproportionately affects low-income communities, exacerbating health disparities and hindering economic opportunity. We must ensure food for all to promote equity and well-being. Here's how we'll make access to food a universal human right in our city:
Empowering unions is essential for creating a fair and equitable labor environment in Richmond. By protecting the right to organize and collectively bargain, workers can join unions to advocate for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. Strengthening labor laws and implementing worker-friendly policies will further ensure that employers cannot interfere with union organizing efforts and that workers have access to essential benefits like paid family leave, affordable healthcare, and safe working conditions. Here's how we'll do that:
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In Richmond, traffic fatalities are not just accidents; they're tragic outcomes of inadequate planning and traffic engineering. Despite the "Vision Zero" pledge made in 2017, annual traffic fatalities have nearly doubled since then, highlighting the urgent need for action. Our city deserves streets that prioritize people's safety above all else, creating a walkable and livable environment for everyone.
Ultimately, our goal is to foster a culture of safety and sustainability in Richmond, where all residents can move freely and safely throughout the city. By adopting policies that prioritize multi-modal transit options and promote active transportation, we can create a more equitable and resilient urban landscape for generations to come. To achieve this vision, we must:
Ensuring access to high-quality early childhood education is paramount to the development and success of children. By establishing a universal pre-K program, we can provide equitable opportunities for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This investment in early childhood education infrastructure, teacher training, and resources will create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that sets the foundation for lifelong learning and success. Furthermore, by promoting universal childcare and early childhood education, we empower Richmonders to have and raise children, fostering a thriving and inclusive city for all families.
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Environmental sustainability is a pressing concern for Richmond, as we grapple with the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Our city has a long history of industrialization and urban development, which has often come at the expense of the environment. Decades of reliance on fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and unsustainable land use practices have led to pollution, habitat loss, and ecological degradation. This legacy of environmental harm has disproportionately affected marginalized communities, exacerbating social inequalities and environmental injustices.
Our plan for environmental sustainability in Richmond is multifaceted and comprehensive. It includes transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing climate resilience, promoting sustainable transportation, implementing green building practices, and protecting natural ecosystems. By adopting these measures, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint, mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve air and water quality, and preserve biodiversity. To achieve these goals, we must take decisive action to prioritize environmental sustainability and build a greener, more resilient Richmond for future generations:
The fight against poverty requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying causes and provides meaningful support to those in need. In Richmond, we can make significant strides by implementing comprehensive anti-poverty measures, such as expanding access to affordable housing, healthcare, and nutrition programs. Additionally, increasing the minimum wage and investing in job training and workforce development will empower individuals to secure stable and well-paying jobs, fostering economic security and creating a pathway out of poverty.
Creating walkable cities and towns is essential for fostering vibrant, sustainable communities in Richmond. By adopting zoning regulations that prioritize mixed-use development, we can encourage the integration of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, making it easier for people to access their daily needs on foot. Investing in pedestrian infrastructure, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and green spaces, will further enhance walkability, reduce traffic congestion, and promote healthier and more connected neighborhoods for all residents.
Protecting and upholding the unalienable civil rights of all individuals is essential for fostering a just and inclusive society. By strengthening and enforcing existing civil rights laws, we can ensure that discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other protected characteristics is prohibited and swiftly addressed. Furthermore, expanding anti-discrimination protections across various domains, including employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations, will guarantee equal rights and opportunities for all residents, promoting a more equitable and harmonious community.
It is time to reimagine our approach to public safety and prioritize proactive measures that address system issues at their roots. With this vision in mind, Richmond must adopt a series of reforms aimed at reallocating resources, ensuring accountability, and promoting the well-being of our communities. By reimaging how the state approaches law enforcement, we can ensure that those entrusted with public safety truly uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and equality. To achieve this we must:
Supporting co-ops and local businesses is essential for fostering economic resilience and community empowerment. By providing financial assistance, technical support, and education, we can facilitate the growth of cooperative businesses, empowering workers and promoting economic democracy. Additionally, offering incentives and grants to locally owned businesses that prioritize fair wages, worker benefits, and sustainable practices will bolster local economies, encourage entrepreneurship, and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive business ecosystem.
Building a 21st-century transit network is vital for creating a sustainable and efficient transportation system. By allocating funds to expand and improve public transportation options such as buses, trains, and light rail, we can enhance connectivity, increase frequency, and improve accessibility for all residents. Additionally, focusing on sustainable transportation modes like trains and prioritizing the development of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure will help reduce congestion, lower emissions, and promote a greener environment while ensuring the safety of road users.
Investing in our public schools and our children is crucial for their academic success and overall well-being. By incorporating essential life skills education into the curriculum, we can equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the challenges of the modern world. Additionally, expanding career and technical education programs and fostering partnerships with local businesses will provide students with practical skills and valuable hands-on experience, preparing them for the workforce and future career opportunities. Investing in mental health services and creating safe, inclusive school environments will ensure that students' social-emotional needs are met, fostering a positive and supportive learning environment for all.
Respecting tribal nations is essential for upholding justice, reconciliation, and honoring the history and culture of Indigenous communities. By establishing a meaningful government-to-government relationship, we can empower tribal nations to actively participate in shaping policies that affect their communities, lands, and resources. Recognizing and respecting their inherent sovereignty not only acknowledges their unique governance structures but also supports their efforts in cultural preservation and economic development, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for our city and our commonwealth.
Richmond's legacy is stained with the historical enforcement of a segregated, apartheid system, perpetuating deep-rooted injustices and systemic discrimination. From segregated neighborhoods to unequal access to education and resources, the city's past policies have entrenched racial divides and perpetuated systemic oppression. To truly embody anti-racism, we must confront this legacy head-on and actively oppose systems of oppression, both locally and globally. This requires a commitment to challenging not only the historical injustices within our city but also standing against oppressive regimes and states that perpetuate discrimination, violence, and human rights abuses. Only by taking a proactive stance against oppression can we work towards a more equitable and just society for all. To do this, we must:
Promoting accessibility is a fundamental aspect of creating an inclusive and equitable society. By implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in public spaces, buildings, and transportation systems, we can remove barriers and provide equal access for individuals with disabilities. Allocating funds to support infrastructure modifications will not only improve physical access but also foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment, enabling individuals with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of community life.