Following Richmond City Council’s split vote on an advisory referendum on the use of tax increment financing, grassroots organization Richmond for All announces the formation of a Political Action Committee.
From their release:
The Richmond for All Action Fund is designed to support progressive municipal candidates who refuse corporate funding and put the needs of the public over high-risk development projects like the plan proposed by the “Navy Hill” Corporation.
Richmond residents shouldn’t have to fight the Stoney Administration in court to see redevelopment plans while wealthy investors hear details of that plan in closed meetings at country clubs. We shouldn’t have to go door to door collecting signatures for referendums to make our voices heard while our city center is quietly rezoned at the behest of powerful campaign donors. The Richmond for All Action Fund will allow residents to pool their resources and provide support for the candidates who are committed to putting people first.
Richmond for All co-founder Kristin Reed
The coliseum redevelopment plan has drawn wide criticism from community organizations and citizens for its lack of transparency.
Richmond for All also is criticizing the plan “for its clear reliance on the political power of Tom Farrell, CEO of regional energy monopoly Dominion Energy. ”
Richmond for All stated, “While the Navy Hill Corporation is a legally independent entity from Dominion Energy, it has relied heavily on Dominion’s infrastructure – including involvement from Director of Strategic Communications Grant Neely and Dominion’s law firm McGuireWoods – to advance the redevelopment project. Dominion Energy is the state’s largest campaign donor.”