Sign In
Free Newsletter
Youngkin appoints lottery director, tax commissioner and chief transformation officer
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced three new hires in his administration Friday, including a new lottery director, chief transformation officer and tax commissioner. Khalid Jones, a hedge fund founder, attorney and licensing firm partner, was appointed director of the Virginia Lottery, assuming the role previously held by Kelly Gee, who was named secretary of the commonwealth […]
SCHEV board member hired as new director
Less than a year after joining the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s board, A. Scott Fleming will be SCHEV’s next director, the state agency announced Thursday. Fleming, whom Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed to the SCHEV board in July 2023, stepped down from the body this week after accepting the job as director. He […]
Youngkin removes tax cuts, RGGI mandate in budget
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday released a slate of 233 amendments to the state budget passed by the General Assembly — calling it an opportunity for “common ground.” However, his budget removes language that would mandate Virginia’s future participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has been a high priority for Democrats. It […]
Saving grace
When Del. Don L. Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, was sworn in on Jan. 10 as the first Black speaker of the house in the Virginia legislature’s 405-year history, he also was likely the first leader of that illustrious body to have served time in federal prison. Reminiscent of the literary trials of Jean Valjean, Scott’s is […]
After long delay, Va. lawmakers appoint two SCC judges
The Virginia General Assembly unanimously elected two attorneys to fill two vacancies on the Virginia State Corporation Commission on Wednesday, after more than a year of understaffing and partisan battles. State senators and delegates voted 40-0 and 98-0, respectively, to approve the nominations of Kelsey Bagot, a former legal adviser with the Federal Energy Regulatory […]
Fairfax, Petersburg could hold casino referendums
Two pending Virginia State Senate bills would change the list of locations eligible to host a casino, adding Petersburg and Fairfax County to the mix and removing Richmond. On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology’s gaming subcommittee met to discuss these and other measures regarding skill games, sports betting and horse racing. […]
Anthem, Va. Chamber partner on WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield on the WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance, the next step in providing health insurance to small business owners through a newly legalized consortium structure, President and CEO Barry DuVal announced Wednesday. In June 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation allowing associations — including […]
Wizards, Capitals plan Alexandria move in $2B deal
The Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards are planning a move to a new home in Alexandria in a $2 billion deal that would see the professional sports franchises exit Washington, D.C., by 2028, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Dec. 13, 2023. The nonbinding agreement to build a new arena for the Capitals and Wizards is […]
Back in the saddle again
The political version of musical chairs — aka the 2024 General Assembly session — begins again in Richmond this month, as legislative control shifts once again to Democrats, who won majorities in the House of Delegates and the state Senate in the November 2023 elections. Nevertheless, a 6-foot-5-inch Republican roadblock stands in the way of […]
Pot of gold
Placing aside the morality of marijuana use, let’s consider how much money Virginia is currently leaving on the table without a regulated, taxed recreational cannabis market. In 2020, directed by the Virginia General Assembly, which was then under Democratic control, the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission conducted a study on legalizing marijuana in Virginia. […]
Democrats sweep Va. General Assembly
Democrats regained control of the General Assembly in the Nov. 7 elections, likely putting a damper on Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s legislative agenda and potential 2024 presidential aspirations. Democrats won 21 out of 40 seats in the Virginia State Senate and 51 seats out of 100 in the House of Delegates, which has been held […]
EVMS, ODU merger pushed to July 2024
The merger of Eastern Virginia Medical School into Old Dominion University has been pushed back six months, to July 1, 2024, instead of January as originally planned, ODU President Brian O. Hemphill announced Friday during his State of the University address. While that date still meets the deadline set by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the […]
