Social Action Linking Together(SALT)

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My name is John Horejsi and I’m from Minnesota and I wanted to reach out to introduce myself.

Born June 1940;
Mom died when I was just 3 years old;
Taken in with brother and sister to relative care;
Grew-up on a farm near tight-knit Czech village - Bechyn in Renville County, MN;
Attended District #7 a one room school with six grades and one teacher;
Milked cows, slopped the hogs, and caught early bus for a forty- minute school bus ride to Redwood Falls; H S;
First in Family to go to College – U of MN—PolSCi (62); U of MO-- MSW (64); U of Mo @ KCMO—MPA--65)

Unlike career politicians that I work with, I’m not a household name — not everyone knows where I came from, or how I decided to get into the work of making our world better. So today, I’d like to introduce myself and tell you a little more about how Social Action Linking Together (SALT) came to be.

My Dad & foster parents instilled in me the values that form the base of my advocacy: compassion, fairness, and justice for all. During my time Social Services, my decision to launch (SALT) and now as a persistent advocate, I’ve drawn upon these lessons — and I’m honored to get to share them with you.

How was I engaged in my community before I became an advocate?

I learned early the value of having a strong community to rely on when you need it. I also learned over the years that building a strong community takes time and hard work. I believe there is no force greater than advocacy power, and I’ve devoted my entire career to cultivating it;

*****SALT advocates are driven by their faith. Their faith demand acts of hope. That is why I am so hopeful about the day-to-day activism of our incredible advocates, like you. John

I was raised in a small town in MN, during a time when everyone treated each other like family (we never got away with ANYTHING!!!).
We went outside to play, got dirty and eating fast food was a treat. We ate bologna sandwiches, hot dogs, and cooked meals at home. We fixed our own food after school, we ate penny candy, yes I said, "Penny", and fake candy cigarettes.

***We played 1,2,3 Red Light Green Light, Hide & Seek, Truth or Dare, Red Rover, Tag, Dodge ball, Baseball, kick ball, kick the can, rode bikes and raced against each other. We cried if we couldn't go outside and play. We went over and spent the night with friends but not on school nights.
There was no bottled water, we drank from the faucet and the water hose (don't forget to let that water run for a minute because it was hot when you just first turned it on!). Made mud pies from water.

We watched cartoons on Saturday morning. Everyone looked forward to Saturday morning cartoons!!! Our parents loved it because they were able to sleep in, knowing we were occupied. We only had 3 channels on TV(which you had to get up to change) we played in the woods, built forts, and rode our bikes for hours without a cellphone. Laid on the ground and looked up at the stars. If you wanted to talk to your friends, you had to go to their houses and find them.

We weren’t afraid of ANYTHING. If someone had a fight, that’s what it was...a fight. Kids didn't have guns. Guns were for hunting animals for food, not for settling disagreements or arguments. Dusk was our curfew. Had to sneak out after dusk and hoped our parents didn’t find out! School was mandatory and we said the pledge of allegiance at the start of each day.

We watched our mouths around our elders because ALL of your neighbors were your “parents” and we knew if we didn't, we were in big trouble when we got home. I really miss those days. We were taught to be respectful and we didn't give our parents a hard time. We had a respectful fear of our parents, and the law. We were taught to work hard for what we wanted. Life is short...Be humble and kind and respectful.

First job at Social Security Payment Center (PC) in KCMO; Review claims—no public contact—resigned for job with public contact-direct service;
Interviewed for Jackson County Welfare for frontline casework position; Got the job! At last working-with-people job as a service caseworker; During job interview was asked single question – “Did I object to working with Black Families? Response – No problem! – hired;
First caseload assignment at 7th and Vine—Ghetto location of the then popular song: “Kansas City Here I Come;” Location of T.B. Watkins Housing Project
1st home visit; 1st question on my 1st Welfare Family visit; a grandma raising two grandchildren, keeps asking “Are you Black?” Insisting: “You must be Black;” To me –a most curious question. “No Mam,” I keep saying! Question persists with other clients; Why?
Further, I observe at staff meetings—No white case workers in the entire unit—Also, No white families in my caseload. Reality-I was first to have a Black caseload; I had integrated Jackson County Welfare where only Black caseworkers were allowed to serve any Black families! This was: Historic!
Learned from clients that I was safe even throughout my caseload assignment area - 7th & Vine (T.B. Watkins Housing Project) the poorest of the Ghetto areas –
My client families regularly reassured me of my safety -- no danger –I would be protected, I learned because-- I carried a very visible agency issued black binder notebook that clearly identified me as a “helping person.” I was deemed safe and felt comfortable knowing I was safe when in their community.

My 1st advocacy lessons!

I Came to admire my fellow caseworkers. We worked in clusters of four desks with two telephones; No air conditioning—just huge fans that blew our massive paperwork in all directions. Office close when it reached 96 degrees; No privacy; constant interruptions; My in-service training--Everything I learned was second-hand from my desk mates, listening to their conversations and guidance.
I asked: “What’s Up?” one hot summer day when my desk-mate arrived late from having lunch break. She appeared stressed out. She shares, but “Don’t tell!” that he and some friends from CORE were picketing the “Kansas City Star” newspaper to protest biased coverage. The next thing I knew I too joined-up—again the only white person and risking being fired.
My next Black Experience, (arranged for me by my desk mate) was an evening debate event between James Farmer, Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) and the militant Black Panthers groups. I again found myself being (it seemed) the only white person visible in an enormous auditorium. I had the good fortune to meet James Farmer and CORE members at smaller and more hospitable follow-up events.

A Story to Tell; What a story!

Amazingly, eventually I received a phone call soliciting me to participate in an Experimental Social Work Master’s Degree program by the University of Missouri on full salary. I enthusiastically accept, of course, there is a five-year commitment to the agency.
Next thing, I find out my field placement -- a political hotspot—McCune Home—for juvenile delinquents where the prevailing philosophy is unprofessional. I was shocked to learn staff there got jobs by paying a “political lug” every month to get and keep their jobs. The staff’s idea is to keep the kids there as long as possible. In short, the kids were not bad, they just had parents.
My goal was to work with the family to return the child to the community at the earliest possible date. A new progressive administrator recruited by the Board of Supervisors, found himself fighting for his job when he tried to change the “old guard”. It turned out to be an experience in “real politic” – regularly navigating front page coverage by the Kansas City Star and Grand Jury investigators. Best education
My best fortunes continue: I get to enroll in leader, Arthur Dunham’s “Community Welfare Organization: Principles & Practices” (Community Org) first in the nation class. I graduate with MSW from the U of MO in 1964 ready for a career Community Development and better yet Social Action

What’s the next Move?

Next – Promoted to Supervisor, I return to welfare office to persistent rumors: “You will be transferred to the St. Louis Welfare Office.” Told to pack-up and go. The reason: Front page news headline --The St. Louis City Welfare Office breaks-down with backlog of overdue applications.
Arrive to be assigned to head-up Adult Services --Aid to Disabled, Blind and “Old Age Assistance” programs with 175 staff & 13,000 cases and Food Stamp Pilot Project.
Challenge of a life-time. St. Louis Area Congresswomen Lenora Sullivan sponsors model Food Stamp legislation. Congress bulks and stipulates nationwide passage depends on evaluation outcome-located—where else -- but St. Louis City & I’m to head-up the pilot.
Meanwhile, the Food Stamp pilot just about crashes when in the Spring of 1965 the Teamsters strike. The St. Louis Teamsters known for being mavericks sprung a wildcat action. The entire city remained shut down—the lines at our Food Stamp office were horrendous -- starting to form at 5:00am--day after day. Based on a valid sample - a near death experience - the program was saved. It goes national and so amazingly today we have SNAP.

What happened to trigger my community activism?

Over time, I could see that that the people who were legislating public social policy, and sitting at the table, didn’t know very much about it despite the fact that Social Security, Medicaid, Child Welfare and other social programs were passed, I decided that poor and someone knowledgeable in public social programs should be at the table, especially at the state level, so I stepped.

Every budget cycle—like clockwork---the Governor announces a budget short fall (caused by welfare). Welfare cuts of monthly benefits from $75- $125 per month are a given. Each budget cycle Aid to the Disabled, Blind, Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance are on the chopping block. In short, being an advocate, I was sick of it.
I tell my staff to ask each: “Will the budget cuts hurt your family?” If so, tip them off to file and give them Appeal forms. This action generates hundreds of appeals. Panic struck the appeal hearings staff from Jefferson City. They arranged for a large auditorium with no air conditioning—a 96 degrees in the shade in St. Louis in August. The turnout was huge-reportedly 100s. Total chaos!!

Looking out for people; Having their backs!

Next thing a women Lynn wants to meet. Says she attended the hearing and spoke sympathetically of the desperation she observed welfare recipients everywhere on crutches, with walkers, the blind with their white canes and moms with young children some fainting, and barely mobile due to age and disability. Ambulances were there picking up folks. She’s appalled! Says, the Appeals staff are intimidated –just packed up and left.
She says she’s so horrified; tells me she wants to do something; lacks knowledge of welfare. She lives in wealthy area of the county. Says she has to cut the meeting short--has meet with the Speaker of the House. Says he goes to her church.
We collaborate. HER STORY UPSETS HIM. She gets him to put in a bill to cancel the budget cuts and to increase benefits. She reports that: “When the Speaker of the House puts in a bill all the legislator rush to sign-on as co-sponsor.” What the speaker wants—the Speaker gets. Not only were budget cuts restored; but benefits were increased.
Against cautions not to go there; I go to Jefferson City with Lynn and the small group she assembled, mostly from her church, named “ROWEL”-or - “Spur.” I stand with Lynn and her groups to achieve three more increases in the next three years. The last was signed by Governor Kit Bond, who sent the following message: “I’m prepared to veto; but will sign only if you agree not to go for any more increases.”
Meanwhile, back to the reorganization—the real reason for my reassignment to St. Louis. The office at Delmar & Euclid broke down -too large and too centralized. As part of a reorg team we broke it down into six community offices. I became the Deputy Director Offices IV & VI.
I always insisted all staff to be “Client Oriented” and to advocate as part of their job descriptions Being a state supervised office, we were to follow state policies developed by state staff recruited from the smallest of rural offices—who could never comprehend the needs of a large urban office. As soon as a new policy came in, my would identify cases where the was hugely detrimental—filled with unintended consequences—State Office learned quickly respect us by pre-clearing any policy changes. Everybody was the better for our advocacy.
I took my inspiration “Looking out for people; Having their backs” from my Community Org training in graduate school, my on the job training and my professional development by participating in APWA regional conference. I started a local chapter—staff were expected to participated. We learned best practices.
My staff were fiercely loyal and dedicated. No challenge was to great. For example; When the State Hospital would release 4 to 6 patients –to meet their quotas) in a cab and send them to our office at Delmar & Euclid on a Friday afternoon without coordinated planning my staff were able to find temporary placements for all of them by closing time
I get calls from the state personnel office saying: ”What are you doing? You don’t have any staff turnover & your caseload currency reports are the highest-usually at 90percent--Compared to the 30% to 60% range.”

Mr. Horejsi goes to Washington
The next thing I know APWA has a staff resignation. They want me to come and work for them—I say “no”—the cost of living is too high! They say: “Let’s talk and send me a plane ticket. I accept and I head-up membership and professional development services
My job is organize and run conferences designed to identify and share new ideas ,and successful programs that impact the most vulnerable—in short to identify and share best practices.
My life changing good fortune is to meet and work with frontline welfare workers and leaders from all over the country. It doesn’t get any better than that!
I meet Tom Walz a charismatic Dean of the University of Iowa School of Social Work. We decide to write book together: “Working in Welfare: Survival through Positive Action” It’s a battle manual for the much-ignored welfare worker on the front line of services—The worker speaks. It’s popular with the workers and schools of social work and quickly goes into a 3rd printing with all profits donated to a beginning writers fund at the U of Iowa.
Rave review. Wilber Cohen, the godfather of the Social Security Act & President of APWA says about our book: "It’s a significant book because it speaks for one group from whom relatively little has been heard—welfare workers. It provides the worker a practical guide for working within the welfare system. It tells how change can be made that provides insight into the sort of changes that are needed as useful, helpful and constructive.”

Off to HEW—The Welfare Peer TA Network
With growing State’s needs for help, the federal Government is on the lookout for resources. Where to look? Recognizing the APWA success for struggling state learning from the success of another leads to the establishment of the Welfare Management Institute at HEWs new Office of Family Assistance (OFA).
My state relationships, experience and skills at APWA are a perfect fit for the job. I’m picked to help set-up the Welfare Management Institute (WMI): Sharing Our Skills program. Highlighting State and local practices to improve welfare or PeerTA is my next opportunity to serve.

Either we take it on or it will take us on…
A new administration arrives. An early visit provides accolades—says what we do PeerTA is the only thing that makes sense for the government to do. We are a model for most other agencies. Keep up the good work they say. On their return to their offices they call ordering us to stop doing our jobs. It’s panic time!
Fear of being forced out of jobs and depression are rampant. New Management brings in personnel psychologist to say “What’s wrong with you?” Psychologist reports to management: “This is the most demoralized staff he has ever encountered.
Psychologist advises us at an open meeting, if you’re not appreciated & worse yet not allowed to use your skills then find another job or decide to stay (keep a low profile) and volunteer in your community until this blows over.
Determined to beat this, I drop-off my resume at my County Board of Supervisor’s office. With-in a week I received a very kind letter appointing me to the FXCO Social Services Board (FXSSB). I get to serve again; contributing in ways I could no longer practice at my day job—
*********
The Board appointment allowed me to develop local community expertise and relationships. Re-locating to Northern Virginia left me with big gap, which I quickly bridged. I was challenged on homeless, hunger, welfare and other social issues. The Virginia Department of Social Services being locally administered presented a range of challenges that simply did not occur in the MO DSS State supervised system—where if the state said “jump; we say “How high!” My state and federal service—made me well regarded.
I got consistent praise for my contributions, but was puzzled when the AHS Chair wanted to meet. Did I say/do something wrong. Turns out his wife is the director of the Catholic Charities Board. The Board desperately needs someone with you Social Service expertise.” I said: “no! – I’m over extended.” Reluctantly he convinced me to allow my name be submitted thinking, “I will never be selected!”---Before I could take a deep breath, I found myself on another Board.
Regrettably, I was unsatisfied. I expected the Catholic Charities Board to be a strong voice for the poor—advocate. I rattled the cage—so to speak-- with limited success. When I brought my proposal to the Board a third time, with pre-amble quotes from Pope John Paul II,--thing who could be against that. Unexpectedly, Bishop Keating shows-up - likes it – the board votes support. Victory is sweet!

Just do it! It’s off the shelf--
Shopping I spot a board game called “Welfare.” Sadly, it doesn’t address the misconceptions or provide an opportunity to know the Truth about living in poverty. The poor are not revealed as our neighbors---- indeed as our brothers, sisters and children—86% of those on welfare being children.
Astonishingly, the game singings that same old ignorant tune--- “If I can do it, why can’t they.” I remember it using words like “lazy and “freeloader.” Clearly, it’s hitting below the belt—stigmatizing persons who are poor.
Finding my voice; I tell the store manager that I find the game offensive. He agrees but says only the Corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach can remove it from the shelves. I call the top guy. He blows me off—saying why would I when you’re the only complainer & two, it’s selling like hot cakes.
What action next? I go to our parish priest to ask him to speak out against this vile game. Afraid it will only give it publicity, he tells me to write to Walter Sullivan Bishop of the Richmond Dioceses. The corporate headquarter is locate in his Diocese. Without delay, the Bishop tells the company to immediately remove from its shelves or “I will have all the pastors in my diocese speak out against your company!”
Success! Late that evening (11:00pm) I receive an apology call from the Corporate Director saying: “When we first talked I was not familiar! I apologize, I now have the ”Welfare” game in front of me. I too am offended. I now see why your offended! It’s off the shelf!

The direct service fever is broken.

Catholic Charities puts me in charge of their Social Policy Committee and agrees to organizes a convocation—to bring together into a single network all parish social justice committees. Most are eager to do something—are lacking action plans & agendas. A good move!
During the first convocation I lead a workshop on Ending Homelessness. The evals are strong so next year I’m again asked to lead second workshop. This time it’s on “Ending Hunger.” One of the participants becomes upset. It was nothing that I did or that I said. He said that his anger was self-directed - adding: “I attend last year’s workshop to End Homelessness--learned so much but yet have done nothing about it.” He said: “It’s what you do when you leave here that counts!” My response is: “If you agree signup on this piece of paper—and let’s work on it!” A good start! Eight sign!
We learn that Virginia is charging sales tax on Food Stamp purchases--diverting $9.5 million in hunger aid to the Virginia General Fund. The eight signers become the “Gang of Eight” with the goal to eliminate the tax. Our first action is to organize a campaign to send in the mail to our legislators on paper plates with a hand written “End the Sales Tax” messages.
The workshop was not without controversy. Some caution, that we could not go to Richmond to lobby without the Bishop’s approval. The same people said we would just turn off the legislators—Bishop Sullivan, says: john, you go! We went and we’re warmly welcomed. The reaction was “Where have you been? It’s about time you Catholics showed up!!”
Legislators were receptive to our “End the Sales Tax” message. The response was: This is Wrong; Outrageous; Immoral! We left feeling that the legislator’s would do the right thing—eliminate the tax. At the end of the session we got the word—Nothing Happened! The following two years it was the same “song & dance!
Sadly, we were a naïve grass roots group, lacking the understanding that we had to have a strongly committed patron who would have a bill drafted before the session began. We underestimated the resistance to loosing revenue and the appeal of taxing the poor instead of the well to do.

Take a Look at Federal Relief & How it can Help

After three years of struggle, we stumble on the idea to call Senator Kennedy’s office. I say: “I know Virginia is his adopted State. Since he lives in Mclean. He should be concerned, as well, since Food Stamps is a federal funded program.” His staffer agrees to put in legislation—a it’s a failure to use funds for its intended purpose.
The Senator’s staff calls back within a couple hours saying they just determined that Virginia is just one of 18 other states. Staffer says Senator Kennedy is committed to ending in all 19 states. He advises that the Food Stam is in the final most stages of a 5 year reauthorization—the Markup stage. Gives me the telephone # and says to call the person leading the Mark-Up. The Mark-up staff said they had no idea about this—very upset about states behavior. Says he will insert a prohibition. The prohibition stuck and all 19 states are stopped.

We did it! SALT Success! Reason to Celebrate!!!

SALT removes sales tax from the federal Food Stamp Program in 18 states and Virginia. This action result increases food aid of $9.5 million annually (since 1987) in Virginia with comparable increases each year in each of the other states.

A Story to tell-- What a story!

Word spreads fast. SALT grows from “Gang of Eight” to over 300 over- night. There is nothing like success to light a fire. We see an article covering an incident in which legislators are angered by the loss of revenue. They summon the Governor in a blame game—accusing him for the loss. The Governor shouts “No! You did it!” When tempers cool the Governor relays a message reporting that Washington did! ACTUALLY, WE HAVE FULL SATISFACTION!! SALT DID IT!

Accountability –What to do next?

We brainstorm! What can SALT do get Virginia legislators to take us seriously. Why did we have to go federal to accomplish what they should have done? Rene says let’s hold a Richmond Wrap-up conference where they have to face us with their lack of action. Amazingly 100 advocates and ten legislators. Embarrassed that SALT had to go to the federal level the leader of the NOVA delegation, Senator Gartlan, takes the microphone and announces he’s ready to work with us on Ending Homelessness legislation. SALT agrees, suggesting next—planning meeting s in the Fall; Sen. Gartlan says: ”No, Start now!” LESSON LEARNED—Hold legislators accountable & start early on the next round!

Homeless Intervention Program (HIP)—Green Card Campaign is Born

As we work with Senator Gartlan, SALT with a “Home for the Holidays” campaign that generates more than 2200 letters to the governor, and Virginia legislators. Recognizing that most everybody sends Holiday Greeting cards to friends and relatives, so why not to your legislators, we ask? SALT gins up a pseudo greeting card with a “Home for the Holidays” logo. We provide a sample messages with talking points to personalize. Legislators receive what they assume are greeting card only to open to view constituent messages to support HIP. The genius here is that the Session convenes the first Wednesday right after the New Year’s Holiday. Two Black Baptist Churches and Unitarian Churches write Green Cards

What a difference a Green Card makes

First Legislator response. Sen Howell asks “Who is behind this effort?” She reports getting “Over fifty.” I say: “Expect more—and be assured we are not targeting you!” I tell her we are working with the entire delegation! She says: “That good. If you’re doing that, I guarantee your HIP legislation will pass!” She’s right!

HIP Success

HIP passes & Governor signs bill funding eight HIP pilot projects!! We learn: Don’t expect the legislators to do the right thing the first time. Virginia does things incrementally! Common Wealth University evaluates HIP. Finds that 90% of families recover with short term assistance to prevent evictions. Findings also determine fiscally that HIP costs 1/3 as much as if the families served ended up on the streets (evicted) and ended up in homeless shelters. Convincing the Legislators that HIP is fiscally prudent HIP is expanded to 2/3rds of Virginia. The last third complains they are left out—the HIP program is made a statewide program. With this HIP success come another huge spike in SALT membership.

Special Challenge – the Legislators are the mirror of public opinion

SALT learns of “Off to Richmond” legislative hearings. Seven SALT members signup to testify. Our goal, being a new kid on the block, is simple: Show Up! Get past our initial fears and get on with our voice. Speak! Our SALT journey to get here has been one of increasing confidence. Believing when there seemed to be no reason to keep going. Encouraging each other when we needed to be encouraged the most. We realized that we were fulfilling a need and that "We’re Very Necessary!"

We are thrown off balance when Senator Gartlan, Delegation Leader, calls us out: “I see, there are seven SALT Shakers signed up to speak. Go out in the lobby and chose just one person to speak for SALT or we will be here all day.” We stay put—all testify.
Intimidated, getting pass the lump in my throat and knees shaking I get my message out! g! My testimony for Virginia family welfare benefit increases goes over like an “Empty Care Package.” Is anyone listening? Does anyone care? Our advocacy confidence is shaken!

What an outcome! We did it! We made an impact for Virginia kids!

Following my testimony, Delegate Dorothy McDiarmid calls saying: “John, I heard you testify. and I’m troubled! I’ve never heard of the AFDC welfare program before. How can any family survive? Why is Virginia so stingy?” She Chairs the Appropriations Committee—her message: “Confidentially; the Governor is about to announce a substantial budget surplus. I’m going to use it for a welfare increase--Tell SALT: Start advocating!!”
SALT works its magic! We get a ten percent increase--the first in over ten years. SALT regains its confidence! Our testimony-advocacy efforts paid off for the most vulnerable.

Advocates keep fighting

Determined to avoid another ten-year gap, SALT convenes a social services coalition to increase benefits. Year after year without any success, coalition members drop-out. “It’s hopeless!” they say. SALT stands alone
We persist! The next 15 years is a dry spell—no increases; Knowing that the welfare benefits are only at 20% of the federal poverty level (FPL), we keep trying!
Each year our consistent message is to: “Urge serious consideration and immediate passage HB 1143 --Welfare recipients suffer from Inflation too!” SALT persists year after year with bills to increase and attempts to index for inflation.

Delegate Callahan—A SALT gift

Meanwhile, each year, SALT hosts Fall policy and Spring Richmond Wrap-Up Conferences. A conservative, Delegate Vince Callahan, always attends. When he becomes the Appropriations Chairman I make an appointment--we talk; He says: “I care! — I’ll do it!” Our NEW HERO!, He does it !!” SALT advocacy pays off –with a 10% TANF increase.

So, here we go again, Next Challenge

SALT learns legislators are “using TANF for everything under the sun.” Our message to: “Stop! Use TANF for its core purpose—to care for poor children in their own homes.”
So, repeat performance! SALT proposed bills every year again for fifteen years until rookie Senator Barbara Favola says “I’ll do it! She delivers four TANF increases in four years followed by a 15% increase during the 2020 session. In short, our SALT persistence & advocacy pay off!

Child support pass thru—fosters family income stability!

It’s time to take welfare cost recovery out of the child support system and to put the money where it belongs: in the hands of families.
SALT stops the diversion of welfare family child support to the General Fund. SALT recognizes that non-custodial parents need help. They are not necessarily deadbeat; but dead broke.
Proudly Virginia becomes the first state in the nation to pass-through 100 percent of child support payments to their welfare families.
Advocates can proudly say that they have made a difference in the lives of poor families in Virginia.

Overcoming resistance—Another fifteen-year challenge

SALT’s--HB 1371 by Delegate Dillard to rescind the Federal Life-time Ban on Food Stamps & TANF welfare benefits for ex-offenders convicted of felony drug offenses is on the HWI docket. The full committee goes crazy at the thought.

Delegates Moran & McDonnell propose a work group to consider benefits—not to just say “NO!” The full committee accepts work group compromise to lift Food Stamp ban – No to TANF!
SALT continues the fight to end the Life-time Ban on TANF. This ban penalizes children of drug felons. Removing the lifetime ban is particularly helpful for ex-offenders mothers left without transitional support services who regain custody of their children and includes a reduction in recidivism rates, and enhanced family re-integrations.
Finally, after 15 years HB 566 with universal coverage passes. No More Double Punishments for former drug felons after serving their time! The ban on Food Stamps and TANF are lifted

xxxxxPartial Win: The General Assembly Passes SALT’s Virginia EITC: (Half-a-Loaf)

Working families tax credits like the federal EITC have a proven track record of boosting economic opportunity and helping low- to moderate-wage working families make ends meet. SALT lobbies extra hard—expects a tie vote—we lose! A Republican Doesn’t Show up—SALT wins!

SALT struggles for eight years to make it happen—Finally, we persuade the General Assembly to pass the Virginia Income Tax Credit (VITC) which boosts the income of 190,000 low-income workers.
The unfinished SALT goal is: “Making the VITC fully refundable”--to make sure all households receiving the VITC get the full credit they’ve worked for.
We lobby the Senate Finance Committee. The Chair says making the VITC refundable is: “Welfare” and he says “no to refundability”. Our position: It makes work pay--just makes up for Virginia’s regressive state and local taxes, such as sales and gas taxes and makes taxes fairer!
Senate leader tells us “Not on my watch! Accept a non-refundable or nothing!” What the committee wants—prevails!
SALT accept deal--the first non-refundable VITC. To this day a refundable VITC is nowhere in sight. To this day Governor Northam and Delegate Plum are still fighting for the Refundable VITC . Maybe someday—never say never!!.
SALT Learns Hard Lesson!--“A half of a loaf is better than no loaf!” Success, for now - is a non-refundable VICT!

SALT Proposes VITC Volunteer Coalition Mini-Grants – WIN!

SALT learns that $175 million in Federal Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) are unclaimed - left on the table every year-- We can do better. Local voluntary outreach efforts are insufficient. Loss of potential federal and state aid for struggling working families is a compelling reason for state and local officials to become involved in support of existing and emerging VITC outreach coalition efforts. SALT learns that existing Volunteer campaigns lack basic resources and reimbursements for toner, mileage, meeting room space rentals, printing for signs and pamphlets, etc. WE CAN DO BETTER! Our message: There is a need for more coalitions throughout Virginia.

SALT propose VITC Mini -Grants to be used to expand existing and establish new initiatives by locality volunteers & leaders.
With lightning speed the General Assembly provides $185,000 to the Virginia Community Action Partnership to support the VITC Coalitions and to provide grants to local organizations to provide outreach, education and tax preparation services to citizens who may be eligible for the federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit.
The Action Partnership reports over $32 million in federal refunds and over $12 million in State refunds. The number of coalitions providing free tax preparation has risen over the years from eight to twenty-five and clients served from 2,600 to 33,000. Additionally, the Mini-Grant funds training for volunteers and Fiscal Literacy classes for clients. Big Success by Delegate Callahan in just one year!!
Lesson learned! SALT WINS!! Our elected officials work for us!! Let them know what you think! The working poor win! xxxxx

xxxx“No Shame at School Act” by Delegate Patrick Hope - WIN

Governor Northam signs HB 50 our SALT Anti-School Lunch Shaming Bill that passed the Virginia House and Senate - unanimously.

“Thanks to SALT for its leadership on this - our bill (HB 50) is going national!” -- Senator Barbra Favola

“Good stuff, John! This law wouldn’t have been possible without SALT and your leadership!” -- Delegate Patrick A. Hope

Patrick

SALT is invited and present as Governor Northam signed into law HB 50. SALT appreciates the support of all the advocates and of all the Legislators that put all the kids in Virginia first, especially our most vulnerable! The Governor Northam spent 25 minutes with SALT and our Patron Delegate PATICK Hope.
In recent years, parents and families have become increasingly concerned with "lunch shaming," or how school personnel penalizes children for their unpaid lunch debt. SALT brings the issue to the General Assembly of Virginia, which passed HB 50 prohibiting school satigmatizing of students with lunch debt.
The bill requires that notification of lunch debt be communicated directly to parents or guardians; “No!” to shaming students.
SALT Wins! SALT efforts win recognition!

Anti-Shackling Bill—Round #1-Lose; Round #2 -Win

SALT message: “No pregnant inmate should ever be unnecessarily restrained.”

SALT is shocked to learn that pregnant inmates are being shackled when in labor. SALT Anti-Shackling bill by Delegate Hope is defeated in subcommittee by a voice vote. We say: “Where’s the transparency at the General Assembly?” We have “No Way” to determine how each voted; At SALT’s urging members are over-whelmed with SALT calls scolding them. The legislators complain: “Stop calling! We’re flooded with SALT calls & e-mails-Can’t get to our work!” What to do next? Ready for a fight, SALT asks Delegate Hope: “Please re-submit our bill during the next session.”

Delegate Hope has a better idea to go see the Department of Corrections (DOC) Director. “Let’s see what he says.” First, we establish an anti-shackling Coalition & with the help of Guest House document five women who have been shackled.
The DOC Director & his top staff meet us. His response—“We don’t do that here!” Our response: “We have documentation so let’s not dispute it.” He says he’s new to the job and was not aware—and further he too finds it objectionable!
Our response—“So, you will support our bill? The answer, he says: “Yes, but I have a better idea—Knowing the sub-committee will kill the bill—so DOC will develop regulations for the coalition’s review and present them to the DOC Policy Board.” The Board gives unanimous approval!
Delegate Hope--“I commend the Board of Corrections for its strong endorsement prohibiting the restraint of pregnant inmates...the proposed regulations will ensure the protection of the mother, her unborn child, and law enforcement. No pregnant inmate should ever be unnecessarily restrained.”
With the leadership of Delegate Hope SALT & our anti-shackling Coalition achieved Virginia Board of Corrections passage of regulatory language to restrict the use of restraints on pregnant inmates.
SALT WINS!! Lesson learned! When defeated: More than one way to WIN! Take it to another venue and WIN!

???? (HB 1284) Hope: Study of Solitary Confinement In Local and Regional Jails

SALT takes the position that Prolonged Solitary Confinement is Torture. Even if held for a shot-time, It can cause serious lifelong psychological harm and trauma. We learn, in Virginia, it is a widespread and overused practice, but we don’t know who is being held in solitary, for how long, or why. WE have reason to believe there are racial, gender or other disparities at play.

Along with a coalition of advocates and organizations, we push to limit solitary confinement and end it for the mentally ill. Our bill is defeated, as DOC says it too costly to implement our plan.
We Win! So we are successful in pushing through a bill to gather data on how solitary is being used in Virginia local and regional jails and for what purpose. The Next goal is to get the Board of Corrections to adopt accreditation standards for jails that prohibit the use of Solitary except in very unusual circumstances.
Lesson Learned! We can win against overwhelming odds when we stand together and persist!

Shared Work comes to Virginia (Partial-Win)

SALT proposes enactment of a type of unemployment insurance called short-time compensation-STC- (also known as “work sharing,” or “shared work”) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In the past, SALT was pleased to work with Sen. George L. Barker and Sen. William M. Stanley, Jr., who were co-patrons of a bipartisan temporary short-time compensation bill.

Our Proposal: Comes up before Commerce & Labor Committee (CLC) and goes over like-a-sinking-ship. The committees preoccupation is: Does the Unemployment Compensation Commission (UCC) support it? SALT’s response: “What’s that?” We find out & testify for two years. The UCC reaction is listen and then to not hold a vote.
We go back Senate Commerce & Labor Committee (CLC)—Senator Barker (D) allows Senate Bill Stanley (R) to become the face of the bill. Big news!! TV cameras roll! Shared Work passes—but with a ”Poison Pill” by Delegate Kathy Byron to sunset the bill just prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic—when most desperately needed. The 2020 special restores bill to qualify for funding the program under the federal CARES Act!!

Reform Locality Groupings for TANF Program – High Cost of being poor

SALT recognizes that the existing Groupings of localities cause TANF to be inequitably distributed among localities in Virginia.

Our Proposal: The TANF Groupings should be revised to eliminate the Groupings of Localities entirely-- adopt a single statewide eligibility standard for TANF. Consolidate those localities in the lowest Groups I into the higher benefit Group II, must be a top funding priority.
???WE inform Senator Stanley that his district is in the poorest part of the state: “I get it! But, what to do?” He says: Well let’s draft a Budget Amendment—He ages to sponsor!! We struggling together and get the Budget Amendment filed in record time and most important it passes—giving TANF families in over 100 low income jurisdictions substantial TANF increases.

Prison Family Phone Rates are Astronomical -Heartless & Cruel Win!

SALT Calls for BIG STEPS to Immediately end (Telephone Gouging) kickbacks to the General Fund after learning that Virginia is making $2.6 million profit annually from inmate phone calls. A 15 minute call can run as high as $25.00 in some facilities—charged to some of society’s most vulnerable people trying to stay in touch with loved ones serving time. For some telephone calls are the only way they can stay in touch. Phone profits represents a 35 percent commission rate, possibly the highest in the country, from the phone contract that goes into the state General Fund. Our HB 414 Telephone Justice bill by Delegate Hope is laid on the table (defeated) in Appropriations. SALT TAKES NEXT BIG STEPS IN REDUCING INMATE CALLING RATES:

The problem we want solve is the commission. Sure, we want the telephone rates (what you and I pay) to be the lowest they can possibly be and/but we also want to eliminate the 35 percent commission that is tacked on top of that.
SALT takes a stand for the vulnerable community members and makes phone calls more affordable by preparing a letter for Republican Delegate Jim LeMunyon asking then Gov. MacAuliffe to issue an Executive Order eliminating the commission. LeMunyon declines: saying “I have a better idea! I’m going to call the Governor!”
Good News! LeMunyon Calls! The Governor issues an Executive Order immediately reducing rates to 4-9 cents per minute eliminating the commission.
Lesson Learned! SALT Success for Phone Justice, Calls for Big Step & Works Across the Aisle for Victory!

Big news! FXCO & Virginia Localities Join Ban the Box

Congratulations! We did it! Thanks to our SALT organized and led Ban the Box Coalition, Fairfax County is officially recognized as a “Ban the Box” jurisdiction--joining now with over 50 jurisdictions nationally.

Next! Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order to ‘Ban the Box’ on Virginia State Employment Applications

Inspired by our FXCO success SALT recruits Senator Roslyn Dance to patron a State “Ban the Box” bill. Our bill, assigned to the Commerce & Labor Committee comes up first-place on the docket in a large hearing room filled to capacity—standing room only, but yet we are #12—last to be called. Exhausted, we finally get to testify to an empty room. The chair calls for a voice vote. The Dem minority (Gang of 7) jump to their feet and scream “yes” as loud as they can; (It’s not licked, but we may be)! The majority chair, embarrassed, calls for a vote. The Republican super majority of 15 (7Y - 15N) wins; We lose!

Next Step? We ask Gov. McAuliffe for another Executive Order!!! At a press conference at Goodwill Industries in Richmond, Governor McAuliffe signs an Executive Order reforming state hiring practices by removing questions regarding criminal history from employment applications.
Lesson Learned! Do your Home Work! Keep going! to another level of Government until you’re heard and you win!
Emboldened by our success, we strategize—What will be our next step? Determined to avoid another ten year gap before the next increase SALT takes part in meetings on the development of a coalition to increase benefits. Year after year without any success, coalition members drop-out. It’s hopeless; legislator’s caring stopped; and SALT stands alone. SALT persists every year for fifteen years, with bills to increase and tries to index for inflation. Then in 2016 rookie Senator Favola gets an increase and eight increases in a row in including a “MANDATED” increase EACH CONSECUTIVE YEAR UNTIL BENEFITS ARE INCREASED TO 50% OF THE FPL.
After a similar struggle SALT achieve the Lifting of the Life-Time Federal Ban on SNAP and TANF “UNIVERSALLY” FOR PERSONS WITH DRUG RECORDS. Universally, means with drug testing or other pre-conditions intended to deny some the benefits they are entitle to.

The end---
Senator Barbra Favola offered “My thanks for all your support over the years. The accomplishments of SALT are numerous and far-reaching your focus to achieve legislation to aid Virginia’s welfare-dependent families, the elderly poor, the incarcerated, the homeless, the working poor and their children.

You have made such a positive impact on so many lives, I am proud to have worked alongside of you.

Lots of Love – Senator Barbara Favola.

SALT Media: Inspiring Compassionate Action

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We are Called My Story REVISED (Backrond eliminated)TY added 7-13-23