Please refer to the draft language below and tailor it to your own voice if you wish. SB 7 will receive its initial readings on the Senate floor this week, with a final vote possible as soon as this upcoming Monday. This is why it's important that you forward this email to your contacts and act now to make your voice heard.
Dear Senator_______,
I write to you to urge your
opposition to Senate Bill 7
, an effort to raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 dollars per hour by year 2025. This is an issue that affects many of your constituents and I hope you will carefully consider the negative impact these policies may have on our region’s businesses and employees.
This proposal to raise the Commonwealth’s minimum wage would have a stifling effect on job growth and employment in our region. The percentage of employees who are currently paid at or below the minimum wage is small, but businesses that already pay their employees above the current minimum wage will inevitably see their cost of labor increase as the labor market is made artificially more expensive. The will lead toward increased automation in some sectors as well as higher prices for the goods and services we all consume. We will lose business to surrounding states should this measure pass and our local economy will stagnate.
Please consider the negative impact this proposal will have on our region’s businesses, employees, and consumers. I hope you will
oppose SB 7
when this piece of legislation comes before you for a vote in the Senate.
Sincerely,
Your Name (First, Last)
Your Home Address
The following Virginia senators represent the broader VA West region. Please use the link below to find the legislator who specifically represents not only your home, but also your business. Your correspondence will be given more serious consideration if you are a constituent of whom you contact.
Senator John Edwards
District21@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7521
Senator Steve Newman
District23@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7523
Senator David Suetterlein
District19@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7519
Senator Emmett Hanger
District24@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7524
Senator Creigh Deeds
District25@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7525
Senator Ben Chafin
District38@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7538
Senator Bill Stanley
District20@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7520
Senator Todd Pillion
District40@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7540
Senator Frank Ruff
District15@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7515
Senator Mark Obenshain
District26@senate.virginia.gov
(804) 698-7526
We encourage you to personalize your message and tailor it to your own experiences. Calling is always the best option, followed by sending an email. Please contact Terry Durkin, Legislative Liaison at tdurkin@roanokechamber.org should you have any additional questions. Please contact your representative without delay.
