The days are growing longer with the seasonal changes, it’s true. Given that Virginia remains in a season of “Special Session,” however, the nights could potentially begin to lengthen as well – particularly since the Reconvened (Veto) Session took place this week, and conferees made it clear they were still not near a final agreement on the budget.
Still, the 2022 Reconvened Session itself convened and adjourned in a single, only slightly long working day; perhaps this bodes well for the days still ahead.
As we approach the “Lobbyist New Year” this weekend – when old registrations expire and new ones are filed for the next May to April cycle – we maintain faith in, and commit our work towards, good things to come.
And we count our blessings, that no friends or colleagues have yet fallen prey to the angry turkey that’s attacking people on the Anacostia Riverwalk.
Davis Consultants
- May 2 | Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission
- May 5 | Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
- May 16 | House Appropriations Committee
- May 16 | Virginia Code Commission
- May 17 | Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee
- May 17 | Virginia Commission on Youth
Virginia House Democrats vote to remove their leader
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia House Democrats voted Wednesday to remove their caucus leader, months after an unsuccessful election cycle that saw the party lose full control of the state government.
Weed confusion, a Putin jab and slumlords: recapping the General Assembly’s veto session
The Virginia General Assembly’s one-day veto session featured a secretive Democratic coup, an accusation Gov. Glenn Youngkin was using Putin-esque tactics to punish a county school board and a break until 4:20 p.m. to resolve massive confusion over marijuana laws.
Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert talks special session
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Virginia lawmakers were back in Richmond on Wednesday to take up bills that were amended and vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. Prior to their return Del. Todd Gilbert, Speaker of the House of Delegates, spoke with WHSV about the special session and ongoing negotiations over the state budget.
Youngkin prevails on vetoes, but loses on gas tax holiday, numerous bill amendments
Gov. Glenn Youngkin didn’t lose any veto battles in the General Assembly, but his first-year record was mixed, with numerous defeats on bills he attempted to amend, including a hotly debated bid to force an election this year for all members of the politically embattled Loudoun County School Board.
Virginia explained: the lawsuit trying to force new House elections
As the only two states with legislative elections scheduled for 2021, Virginia and New Jersey had a more urgent need to get the new population data and start the redistricting process in order to have new political maps in time for last November’s elections.
City Councilman Michael J. Jones files again to run for House of Delegates
Pastor and City Councilman Michael J. Jones will try again for a seat in the House of Delegates. Dr. Jones has filed to run in the 77th District, which includes a major chunk of South Richmond and part of Chesterfield County, including Bon Air.
VEC pays $200,000 to legal aid groups to settle suit on jobless claims
The Virginia Employment Commission has agreed to pay $200,000 to three legal aid organizations to settle a federal lawsuit filed almost a year ago to force the state agency to promptly handle claims for unemployment benefits filed by Virginians who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even After 30 Months, MDOT Says ‘Beltway Accord’ Remains a Work in Progress
In late 2019, Maryland Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) and then-Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam (D) announced a $1 billion agreement to rebuild the American Legion Bridge.
Despite pandemic’s hit on supply chains, business is booming at the Port of Virginia
VIRGINIA BEACH — Not long into his “State of the Port” address before a packed oceanfront hotel ballroom in Virginia Beach, Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director Stephen A. Edwards shared a journalist’s comment to him: “Congratulations on being the least newsworthy port.”
Five takeaways from the landmark Virginia Solar Survey
From having zero large-scale solar farms in 2015, the commonwealth now has 51 in operation, with more than half found in the central and Southside regions. Distributed solar — which includes rooftop solar and small ground arrays that provide power at or near the place where it is used — has also seen a sharp increase.
Lawsuit targets skill-game company over lobbying effort invoking deceased senator
The estate of the late Virginia Sen. Yvonne Miller, the first Black woman to serve in both chambers of the General Assembly, is suing a skill-game company over a flier that featured what the lawsuit says was an unauthorized photo of Miller as part of a 2021 lobbying campaign to keep the slots-like machines legal.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin calls first 100 days in office ‘encouraging’
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — Tuesday marks Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s one-hundredth day in office. He appeared on Good Morning America Tuesday morning to reflect on those days and discuss his top priorities.
Va. appeals mask ruling for 12 immunocompromised students
Virginia is appealing a federal judge’s ruling that favored the families of 12 immunocompromised students, who filed a lawsuit claiming the commonwealth’s mask-optional law violates their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Gov. Youngkin ‘most concerned’ about elevated crime rate in Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Virginia’s governor says increased police funding will help curb crime as there has been an uptick in violence across the state and Richmond.maps in time for last November’s elections.
Why Virginia officials ruled the Parole Board leaks don’t count as whistleblowing
A former state investigator accused of leaking confidential information about the Virginia Parole Board acknowledged she was “ultimately responsible” for the material making its way to the news media last year, according to an employment-dispute ruling that upheld the investigator’s firing despite her efforts to seek whistleblower protection.
Youngkin signs “landmark” Virginia Literacy Act
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday signed the Virginia Literacy Act, a piece of legislation that will change Virginia’s literacy curriculum and require reading intervention services to young students who are struggling to read.
New Va. law, digital map funding aims to improve school emergency response
Keeping children safe at school is at the top of most parents’ priority lists — Virginia is taking steps to help first responders quickly defuse a major emergency at a school.
This Democratic congressman voted for his out-of-town colleagues 2,251 times and voted to impeach Trump 6 times
Racking up votes on behalf of one’s colleagues isn’t exactly a competition. But if it was, Democratic Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia would be the far-and-away, uncontested winner; as of Wednesday afternoon, he’s voted on behalf of colleagues 2,251 times over the last two years.
Sen. Tim Kaine, who suffers from long COVID-19 symptoms, pushes for research into treatments
In the spring of 2020, the former Democratic vice presidential nominee and current Virginia Senator Tim Kaine became one of the first prominent politicians to test positive for COVID-19. Two years later, he told CBS News he’s still fighting the virus.
Henrico’s Achievable Dream Academy gets $1.5 million boost
HENRICO, Va. (WRIC) — A popular school program at Henrico’s Highland Springs Elementary school will receive $1.5 million in federal funding, thanks to a budget item secured by Congressman Donald McEachin.
Virginia's U.S. Senators speak out about prescription drug prices
AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau and State President Joyce Williams joined Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to urge Congress to lower prescription drug prices. AARP Virginia electronically delivered 103,846 petitions to the senators signed by Virginians calling for Congress to act now and stop unfair drug prices.
Virginia Congressional delegation urges Commerce secretary to consider Virginia for semiconductor sites
All members of the Virginia Congressional delegation are calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce to consider Virginia for future locations of major semiconductor production and research facilities — as efforts to fund the CHIPS for America Act continue.