DAGA Download – March 19
March 19, 2021
ON THE TRAIL
VA ENDORSEMENT CORNER
Virginia AG Mark Herring has been endorsed by the top two Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates. Earlier this month, he was endorsed by House Majority Leader Charniele Herring. Now, Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn announced her endorsement of AG Herring. Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn said, “Mark Herring has been a leader on the issues that matter the most” and applauded his efforts to expand health care access, protect seniors from fraud, reduce gun violence, and combat sexual violence.” AG Herring was also endorsed by Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall. In the endorsement Chairwoman Randall said, “I can think of no one more qualified than Mark Herring.” She also highlighted AG Herring’s record of protecting and fighting for those who are most disadvantaged.
MULTISTATE MOMENTS
STANDING UP AGAINST HATE
Connecticut AG William Tong spoke to Poppy Harlow and Jim Sciutto from CNN about the alarming rise in hate crimes against the API community. In the conversation, AG Tong noted, “I lay the blame at the feet of politicians like President Trump.” Further, AG Tong called attention to the lack of awareness about anti-Asian sentiment in the United States, explaining that “we are largely invisible in the discussion about racism. People are surprised to hear about anti-Asian hate. They don’t know the legacy of the Chinese exclusion act, the beating death of Vincent Chin, and the internment of 125,000 Japanese American citizens.” Watch the full conversation here.
BONUS: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison wrote an op-ed with ADL President Jonathan Greenblatt outlining specific actions people from elected leaders to neighbors can take to address the rise in hate crimes towards the API community. Read the op-ed here.
DOUBLE BONUS: Virginia AG Mark Herring, District of Columbia AG Karl Racine, and Connecticut AG William Tong held a conversation about the rise in hate crimes towards the API community here.
PROTECTING THE PLANET
New York AG Tish James led a coalition of 12 Democratic AGs in filing a petition for review to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to restore key elements of the federal energy efficiency program that were rolled back under the Trump Administration. The coalition supports the repeal of two “midnight” rules that allow for inefficient residential furnaces and commercial water heaters. AG James said, “Restoring the energy efficiency regulations is one of the most effective ways to fight climate change, save consumers money, and create jobs.” Democratic AGs took nearly 500 actions to protect the environment, consumers, and vulnerable communities during the Trump Administration. Further, Dem AGs are continuing to take action to combat the ongoing climate and consumer protection issues.
AG SPOTLIGHT
BECERRA MAKES HISTORY
DAGA Co-Chairs Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Nevada AG Aaron Ford released a statement on the successful and historic confirmation of their colleague, California AG Xavier Becerra, to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Secretary Becerra was the first Latino to hold the office of Attorney General in California and is now the first Latino to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). AG Healey and AG Ford said, “Secretary Becerra brings an essential mix of federal and state bipartisan leadership to HHS. With Secretary Becerra at the helm of HHS, we should all be optimistic about our future, and the positive impact a Becerra-led HHS will have on the everyday lives of millions of people across the country.” Read the full statement here.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison wrote an op-ed on the significance of the Biden-Harris Administration’s pledge to support plaintiff-driven litigation against fossil fuel companies in states across the country. In the op-ed, AG Ellison stated, “truth, justice, and accountability” are at the heart of his litigation, specifically for the lawsuit he filed in 2020 to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the negative effects on Minnesotans. AG Ellison also emphasized the disproportionate effect that climate change has on communities of color and low-income communities across the state. Additionally, AG Ellison outlined “three simple but critically important steps the Biden administration can take to implement its commitment to support these lawsuits.” Read the op-ed here.
TWEETS OF THE WEEK
Following the rise in violence and hate against API communities across the country and the recent shootings in Atlanta, Democratic AGs voiced their support and commitment for the API community:
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Democratic AGs believe in science, and are getting their vaccines in order to beat COVID and fight against vaccine hesitancy.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, DAGA released a video to honor the most diverse coalition of Democratic AGs. Watch the full video here:
