Virginia House advances paid leave bill for essential workers
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill on Thursday which would provide paid leave to essential workers. House Bill 2137, introduced by Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Woodbridge, would require essential businesses to offer paid leave to their workers, according to the bill. Employees must be offered a minim[...]
Why the Richmond Fed has zero Black Ph.D. economists
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is one of only five Fed banks that employs zero Black Ph.D. economists, according to a New York Times report this week. Of the 12 Federal Reserve banks, seven employ only one or two Black Ph.D. economists, which Fed officials blame on lack of Black talent in the economics […]
Va. House kills bill requiring hazard pay for essential employees
RICHMOND, Va. — Lawmakers unanimously shot down legislation this week that would have required employers to provide hazard pay to essential employees and provide protective equipment in the event of a stay-at-home order. Del. Hala S. Ayala, D-Woodbridge, said she introduced House Bill 2015 to help protect and further compe[...]
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to step down as CEO in Q3
Amazon.com Inc. announced Tuesday that Jeff Bezos, who founded the e-commerce company in 1994, will step down as CEO and transition to the role of executive chair in the third quarter of 2021. Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy will succeed Bezos. “Amazon is what it is because of invention,” Bezos said in a statement. [&hell[...]
The Hilb Group makes third acquisition announcement of 2021
Henrico County-based insurance company The Hilb Group LLC made its third acquisition announcement of the year, with the purchase of Lake Success, New York-based Rampart Brokerage Corp. & Affiliates. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded 55 years ago, Rampart Brokerage Corp. and Affiliates (RBC) employs nearly 200 people and serves as a […]
Wells Fargo to lay off 320 Henrico County employees
The investment management and financial brokerage business unit of Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia’s third-largest bank by 2019 deposits, will lay off 320 employees from its Henrico County office. The wealth and investment management jobs are moving to some of the bank’s larger locations, Wells Fargo Advisors spokesperson Shea Leordeanu said in a statement. Wells […]
Va. hotel revenues fell 42% in December 2020
Virginia hotel revenues for December 2020 were on trend for a year that saw the hospitality industry suffer from the pandemic. Compared with December 2019, hotel revenues statewide declined by 42% during December 2020, according to data released Monday from STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides weekly market data on the U.S. hospitality […]
Delegate tries again to advance paid sick leave bill
RICHMOND,Va. — A Virginia House of Delegates committee advanced a measure into appropriations that would provide some essential workers with paid sick leave. House Bill 2137, introduced by Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Woodbridge, reported out of the House Labor and Commerce committee Thursday in a 13-8 vote along party lines. This is Guzman’s latest effort to […]
A taxing year
After a turbulent business year, accountants are bracing for a tax season filled with increased uncertainty, complexity and the looming reality that, eventually, 2020 taxes will be due and books must be reconciled. Businesses navigating the pandemic — from entrepreneurs launching their first ventures to corporations with expe[...]
Charging ahead
Greener rides are on tap for schoolchildren and commuters as Dominion Energy Inc. accelerates efforts to increase the number of electric vehicles on Virginia roads. Electric transportation is a key component of the Richmond-based utility’s 10-year Grid Transformation Plan, which sets targets for reducing carbon, adding renewab[...]
Bills advance to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine distribution
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House and Senate have unanimously advanced separate bills to facilitate administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. House Bill 2333, introduced by Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Richmond, intends to strengthen the state’s vaccine distribution efforts and also bolster data collection. The measure removes ba[...]
At 10-year mark, CarLotz goes public
Nearing its 10-year anniversary, CarLotz, a used-cars consignment company founded in Chesterfield County, went public on Friday. In October 2020, CarLotz first announced it would merge with special purpose acquisition company Miami-based Acamar Partners Acquisition Corp. — a deal that was approved by stockholders Jan. 8 and cl[...]