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Virginia lawmakers delay human trafficking training for short-term rentals
Lawmakers did not advance measures to implement human trafficking awareness training for short-term rental properties, with one patron saying they need to get the language right first. Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, sponsored House Bill 1654, and Sen. Angelia Williams, D-Norfolk, introduced Senate Bill 985. The bills would require property owners and their employees to complete awareness training[...]
Va. Democratic Party chair to depart in March
Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker announced Monday she’s stepping down after a decade in the position. Swecker has served as chairwoman since March 2015 and said that her 10 years in the role has been “both an honor and a privilege.” “After our strong victories in Virginia this past November, I believe the […]
Judge hits pause on Trump/Musk federal workforce buyout deadline
Less than 12 hours before the Trump administration’s midnight Thursday deadline for 2 million federal workers to decide whether to accept a controversial buyout plan, a federal judge temporarily paused the clock, setting a hearing on the matter for Monday. Three unions representing about 800,000 federal workers filed the lawsuit to stop the deadline. In […]
Fairfax casino legislation passes in Va. Senate
A bill to allow Fairfax County residents to hold a casino referendum passed in a Virginia State Senate vote Tuesday. The measure will next go before the Virginia House of Delegates for consideration. Senate Bill 982, introduced by Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, passed in a 24-16 vote in the Senate, along bipartisan lines, with some […]
Fairfax casino bill moves forward in Va. Senate
A Virginia State Senate bill that could bring a casino to Tysons won a vote in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, pushing it forward to a full Senate vote later in the Virginia General Assembly session. If passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Fairfax County voters would have the […]
Richmond water crisis shuts down many restaurants, businesses
Jan. 9 update: Richmond starts water testing, but city remains under boil water advisory “Dry January” became all too literal in Richmond, where most city residents and businesses were struggling with a water outage that started Monday afternoon and was still leaving much of a city with a population of more than 225,000 people without […]
What to expect from the 2025 Va. General Assembly
The General Assembly enters the fourth year in the gubernatorial cycle with even more gridlock than usual. Democrats hold narrow majorities in both the House of Delegates and Senate, but are vulnerable to vetoes by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who begins the final year of his constitutionally mandated single term. Hopes for bipartisan compromise were […]
Not with a bang, but a whimper
This story has been updated since publication. Despite lofty promises from Democrats and Republicans, divided government in Richmond meant few wins or losses for either party during the 2024 General Assembly session — and few sweeping changes for Virginia in the year ahead. “The only thing that the legislature really did is the one thing […]
JLARC calls for governing changes at VCU Health
After a failed development deal and a nearly $80 million payout, VCU Health needs to change the way it is governed, the Virginia General Assembly’s investigative body declared Wednesday. Virginia Commonwealth University’s president has too much room to influence the health system’s operations, the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC) found. State lawmakers dire[...]
Metro passes $4.8B budget for FY25
Metro’s board of directors on Thursday passed a $4.8 billion capital and operations budget for fiscal year 2025, which avoids massive service cuts, although fares will increase by 12.5% beginning July 1. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which oversees the Metrorail and Metrobus public transportation systems, had warned of “catastrophic” cuts to service because [...]
Petersburg casino competitors roll out details
More details have rolled in about the five Petersburg casino contenders, all of whom presented their plans during a town hall Sunday at the Petersburg Public Library. Hosted by state Sen. Lashresce Aird, D-Petersburg, the town hall saw officials representing Bally’s, Cordish Cos., Penn Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming and The Warrenton Group reveal more details […]
Senate Dems criticize Youngkin’s budget amendments
Virginia Senate Democrats had a lot of criticism Tuesday for Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed reworking of the state’s 2024-26 budget but held back on saying whether they would vote yea or nay on his 233 amendments. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said late Tuesday afternoon that he and fellow legislators had not had time […]
