While there are many examples statewide of corporations and their political enablers putting profit over people, few so blatantly exemplify this crisis at a local level than what is happening in Richmond around Navy Hill. Dominion Energy’s ‘Navy Hill’ proposal steals public funds for private profit, public land for private development, and residential city planning power for corporate benefit. Virginia Justice Democrats (VAJD) believes in creating a new democratic majority that puts people ahead of corporate money and influence. Thus, our opposition to this unjust and offensive boondoggle is fundamental.
VAJD advocates for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in our state, and we stand with Richmond residents, community organizations and activists to oppose the deal. Public funds should go towards public services, not private corporate gain. We are concerned that Richmond-area Delegate Jeff Bourne’s House Bill 1345 proposes using state funding to build the Dominion Arena (Coliseum) in central Richmond despite residential rejection of the project. This bill overrides local democratic governance, empowers state-level corporate interests to intervene in local planning decisions, and appropriates state funds for private profit ventures. We cannot let this happen.
This fight is not for just Richmond. It is a statewide fight for local government and communities to maintain power over Dominion Energy and any other corporation that seeks to subvert democratic processes for their own economic interest. We are watching our legislators closely this session. HB1345 must be stopped, and our legislators must do the right thing and stop it. Constituents come first, NOT corporations or their campaign donations. Legislators represent the people of Virginia, not Dominion Energy, its kingpin CEO Tom Farrell or the “power brokers” behind the scenes who seek even greater wealth for themselves.
VAJD unequivocally opposes HB1345.
Further reading:
“The city of Richmond is considering a massive handout to Virginia’s political kingpin” (Ryan Cooper, inThe Week, Nov 6, 2019)
“Delegate Jeffrey Bourne, Dominion’s Clown Prince” (Jeff Thomas, in Blue Virginia, January 9, 2020)