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Short and … sweet?
Even before the pandemic and ensuing recession took hold in Virginia, 2020 already had the makings for a novel year in the General Assembly. Having won majorities in both houses in the November 2019 elections, Democrats took back full control of the legislature for the first time in a generation. With Gov. Ralph Northam in […]
Northam proposes $240M for pandemic response
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and frontline medical workers receive the first vaccine doses, Gov. Ralph Northam called on the General Assembly to allocate $240 million toward pandemic response in his proposed budget amendments released Wednesday. “The budget I present today preserves our focus on flexibility, targeted investments and help for Virginians. While we […]
Richmond to select casino operator, site in summer 2021
The city of Richmond intends to select a resort casino site and operator in summer 2021, according to an announcement from Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney released Tuesday. The Virginia General Assembly earlier this year passed a law authorizing resort casinos to operate in each of five economically challenged cities, including Richmond. For the project to […]
Northam proposes voter protection reform
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a national wave of mail delays, Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday proposed a $2 million allocation for prepaid return postage on absentee ballots, drop-off boxes and drop-off locations for mail-in ballots, as well as a process through which voters can correct their ballots to expand access to voting for the […]
UPDATED: Sen. Chase refused to wear mask at Harrisonburg restaurant
Updated, Aug. 19 The owners of a Harrisonburg restaurant posted a message on Facebook saying that GOP gubernatorial candidate Amanda Chase refused to wear a mask in their restaurant Sunday and threatened to sue them for enforcing the policy. “Chase came into our restaurant,” wrote Katharine Nye Pellerito, co-owner of Vito’s Italian Kitchen with her […]
Delegates to meet at Richmond’s Siegel Center
Update, Aug. 7: The Virginia State Senate will return to the Science Museum of Virginia, a staffer in Senate Majority Leader Richard “Dick” Saslaw’s office confirmed Friday. Earlier: Leaving the big tent behind, the Virginia House of Delegates will meet at the Stuart C. Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University at its Aug. 18 special session, […]
Chase demands apology from NoVa Chamber
Updated Friday, July 24 State Sen. Amanda Chase, the only announced 2021 GOP gubernatorial candidate, said Thursday that she didn’t know why the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce disinvited her from speaking to the group July 8 until two weeks later, when the chamber’s new chairman released a public statement categorizing some of the candidate’s […]
State deficit stands at $236.5M, down from $1B spring forecast
The state’s fiscal year 2020 deficit, predicted at one point to reach as much as $1 billion, stands at $236.5 million, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. Also, the state’s revenues increased by 2% compared to fiscal year 2019. The news comes as the General Assembly prepares to meet in August to make adjustments to the […]
Va. Minority Business Commission starts Wednesday
With the initiation of a swath of bills passed during the most recent Virginia General Assembly session, the bill that creates the Minority Business Commission went into effective Wednesday, July 1. The Minority Business Commission will provide policy input and operational guidance to the General Assembly with a goal of addressing challenges facing minority business […]
Legislative Briefing
Virginia lawmakers considered an array of bills impacting businesses and the state economy. Here’s a look at some key actions taken during the 2020 session: Casinos Virginia lawmakers passed legislation opening the door for casinos but only in five localities: Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Richmond. A study by the Joint Legislative Audit & Review […]
Protesters bring the noise, demand to reopen Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. — Horns blared and flags waved from vehicle windows as hundreds of Virginians converged Wednesday on Capitol Square to protest restrictions implemented by Gov. Ralph Northam during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protesters reiterated the message of similar demonstrations taking place in state capitals across the country. The groups hope to influence governors and lawmakers […]
Democratic lawmakers reflect on historic General Assembly session
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers passed over 1,200 new laws in two months, a variety of them in the final days of the 2020 session, which expanded into Sunday evening to accommodate the backlog of legislation. This session has been the first time since 1994 that the Democrats have controlled both chambers of the General […]
