CALL TO ACTION: Support Socially Responsible Investment by Arlington County

One of the main goals of socially responsible investment is to protect the environment. Given the federal government’s abandonment of responsibility on the environment, and the ever-growing signs that significant, irreversible environmental damage is imminent if we do not act, it is incumbent on state and local governments do what they can. And they should do it now. Another goal of socially responsible investment policies is to avoid doing business with financial institutions with a history of fraud or discrimination. Instead, state and local governments should award their substantial books of business to financial institutions with a clean record.

Across the country, a number of public and private entities are pursuing socially responsible investment. In Arlington, this would require the county government first to review the extent of its authority under state law to adopt a socially responsible investment policy. The county would then adopt, consistent with that law, any ordinances, procedures, or other measures needed to enable it to implement the policy. To the extent necessary, the county also would request from the Virginia General Assembly whatever additional authorities are needed to enable the county to adopt and effectuate such a policy.

Many of Arlington’s elected officials have privately expressed support for a policy of socially responsible investment. Give them a nudge to convince them to move forward on this initiative.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Outreach to Arlington County Treasurer
Contact Carla de la Pava, the Arlington County Treasurer, at 703-228-4000 or treasurer@arlingtonva.us.

Proposed script: Please adopt a policy of socially responsible investment for Arlington County to the extent permitted by applicable law and urge the Virginia General Assembly to provide whatever additional authorities are needed for the county to adopt this policy. It is important that our county act to protect the environment and to promote a fairer society in every way that it can.

Outreach to Arlington County Board
To email all five Arlington County Board members at once, including Katie Cristol, Christian Dorsey, Erik Gutshall, and Libby Garvey, address your comments to countyboard@arlingtonva.us

Proposed script: Please support the Arlington Country Treasurer in adopting a policy of socially responsible investment for Arlington County to the extent permitted by applicable law and urge the Virginia General Assembly to provide whatever additional authorities are needed for the county to adopt this policy. It is important that our county act to protect the environment and to promote a fairer society in every way that it can.

Outreach to Arlington’s General Assembly Delegation
Finally, you can reach out to Arlington’s delegation in Richmond, including:

• Senator Adam Ebbin, 571-384-8957 or district30@senate.virginia.gov
• Senator Barbara Favola, 703-835-4845 or district31@senate.virginia.gov
• Senator Janet Howell, 703-709-8283 or district32@senate.virginia.gov
• Delegate Patrick Hope, 703-486-1010 or DelPHope@house.virginia.gov
• Delegate Mark Levine, 571-234-8481 or DelMLevline@house.virginia.gov
• Delegate Alfonso Lopez, 571-336-2147 or DelALopez@house.virginia.gov
• Delegate Rip Sullivan, 571-210-5876 or DelRSullivan@house.virginia.gov

Proposed script: Please support Arlington’s adoption of a socially responsible investment policy by introducing or co-sponsoring legislation in the Virginia General Assembly to provide whatever additional authorities are needed for the county to adopt this policy. It is important that our county act to protect the environment and to promote a fairer society in every way that it can.