Courtesy of our friends at the Democratic Party of Virginia, we get a glimpse of what Ken Cuccinelli's reckless crusade against our state's education system really means.

Today is the anniversary of the youth vote! On this day in 1971, the 26th Amendment was adopted making the voting age 18 years old nationwide. Celebrate YOUR right to vote by making your voice heard this election season. Register to vote, or ask 5 friends whether they are registered. Then sign up to volunteer for our targeted congressional elections to amplify your impact: Rick Boucher in the 9th, Gerry Connolly in the 11th, and Young Democrats Glenn Nye in the 2nd and Tom Perriello in the 5th. Go to www.vayd.org to find the Young Democrat chapter nearest you and join other Young Dems across the state in our Young Voter Revolution!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Isaac Sarver
evp@vayd.org
(540) 616-8393

Despite the fact that millions of Virginia workers have been paying into a Medicaid system designed to help children and the disabled receive health insurance, Gov. Bob McDonnell will not lobby on Virginia’s behalf to extend Medicaid reimbursements or increase the number of children eligible for FAMIS. Despite signing a letter in February urging the federal government to extend these benefits, McDonnell is now putting politics before Virginia’s hospitals and patients.

“Virginia’s families deserve better than political word games,” said Adam Sharp, VAYD Family Caucus Chair. “They deserve a Governor dedicated to helping them get by and stay healthy in these difficult economic times, and a Governor who understands that a ‘jobs agenda is about keeping jobs as much as it is creating them.”

According to the non-partisan Commonwealth Institute, about one million Virginians do not have health insurance. Many of those Virginians are children. A Commonwealth Institute study also predicts that over 12,000 Virginians will lose jobs in the health care sector without these funds.

Below is a message from VAYD Campaign Director Sarah Buckley. Please come out and support Kai Degner this weekend, and send a message to Virginia Republicans!

Who is Virginia's best shot to pick up a HOD seat in the deep-red Valley? Kai Degner. Mayor of Harrisonburg and a Young Democrat himself, Kai is running in a three-way special election against Republican Tony Wilt and conservative/Tea Party candidate Carolyn Frank. The election is next Tuesday, June 15, and YOU can help by joining VAYD in Harrisonburg to get out the vote this Saturday, June 12 at noon. Kai has recently gained some momentum as his opponent, Tony Wilt, has caught heat for his ties to the oil and gas industry and a controversial natural gas drilling process called "fracing", which he has kept under wraps until recently. You can read more of the story at Blue Virginia by clicking here. The oil washing up on the shore of the gulf is a reminder that we don't need a Delegate that would push forward risky energy projects because of a personal financial interest. Help VAYD send that message and get Kai elected this Saturday! To RSVP and get more details, check out our event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127250087299142&ref=mf). Can't make it? Consider donating to the campaign at our Actblue Page: www.actblue.com/page/ydsforkai.