It’s the most time of the year.
No typos above; it is simply the most right now in Capitol Square’s preparatory landscape.
Friends from the Senate Clerk’s office have already begun keeping Session hours. Prefiling of legislation continues in earnest (though now any new ideas submitted for drafting are subject to a far stricter bill limit). Invitation reminders are coming in for a smattering of fundraisers to close out 2022. And along with the annual flu making a resurgence, COVID rates have also crept back up in Virginia in recent weeks.
The days grow shorter, and the weeks inch closer – to a new year, another Session, the next round of elections, and everything else we’ve grown accustomed to in this political ebb and flow. It won’t be the most indefinitely. And soon enough, we will shift to the next professional season.
And that new season — much like this toothy, penguin-moose-mix looking dinosaur – promises to be a lot.
Cheers –
Davis Consultants
- December 12 | Joint Subcommittee on Tax Policy
- December 12 | Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
- December 13 | Behavioral Health Commission
- December 15 | Governor’s Presentation to Joint Money Committees
- December 19 | Joint Commission on Administrative Rules
- December 22-26 | DCI will be closed for the holidays
'Homegoing': Dignitaries and ordinary people pay tribute to A. Donald McEachin
By REGINA H. BOONE, Richmond Free Press
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Tim Kaine and Majority Whip for the U.S. House of Representatives James Clyburn were among dozens of dignitaries and distinguished guests who paid tribute to Congressman A. Donald McEachin during his funeral Wednesday at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church on Creighton Road in Henrico County.
Jennifer McClellan and Lamont Bagby likely contenders for vacant U.S. House seat
By JEREMY M. LAZARUS, Richmond Free Press
Two Richmond-area Democratic members of the General Assembly are preparing to run for the vacant 4th Congressional District seat, the Free Press has learned. The seat is now empty as a result of the death of U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin on Nov. 28.
Senators call on Virginia to repeal constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
By JAKOB CORDES, WRIC News
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — As congress sends a bill protecting same-sex marriage to President Biden’s desk, Senator Mark Warner has called on Virginia to repeal its own ban on same-sex marriage.
VA lawmakers urge Senate vote to remove time limit for equal rights amendment ratification
By CAITLYN FROLO, WSET News
WASHINGTON D.C. (WSET) — On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine led Senator Mark R. Warner and Representatives Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Don Beyer (VA-08), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) in calling for a vote by the full Senate before the end of the 117th Congress to remove the arbitrary time limit for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) after Virginia became the 38th and final state needed to ratify the ERA in 2020.
School divisions, facing buildings in disrepair, tap into new buckets of money
By NATHANIEL CLINE, Virginia Mercury
According to state data related to school construction needs, Grayson, Franklin City, Martinsville, Bristol and Petersburg are the most financially strapped localities in Virginia. The five have fiscal stress ratings of around 107. By contrast, many divisions in the more affluent Northern Virginia have scores of around 90.The state average is set at 100.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin Won’t Rule Out a 2024 Presidential Bid — But Says Right Now He’s Focused on Serving Virginia
By AMY AYRES, Northern Virginia Magazine
Less than a year into his term as the governor of Virginia, Republican Glenn Youngkin has made national headlines for delivering on some controversial promises to voters, campaigning for Republicans in several battleground states — and toying with the idea of a presidential run.
Virginia begins official withdrawal from regional carbon market
By CHARLIE PAULLIN, Virginia Mercury
Virginia’s State Air Pollution Control Board officially began the process of withdrawing Virginia from a regional carbon market by regulation following guidance from the attorney general’s office, but critics maintain the move isn’t legal.
Virginia Attorney General joins bipartisan multistate coalition to hold Big Tech accountable
By WDBJ7 Staff
RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Wednesday that Virginia joined a bipartisan coalition of 25 States and the District of Columbia. The coalition is urging the United States Supreme Court in Gonzalez v. Google to interpret Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act (1996) narrowly to ensure technology companies remain accountable to state consumer protection laws.
Oreo cookie and Ritz cracker maker Mondelez International opens 450,000 square-foot Henrico center | CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
By SEAN JONES, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Mondelez International Inc. officially opened its new 450,000-square-foot fulfillment and distribution center in Henrico County. The snack maker’s new building is part of a $122.5 million investment into its Henrico County operations.
Virginia is studying whether to open a second inland port
By MEGAN SCHNABEL, Cardinal News
…The Virginia Inland Port opened near Front Royal more than 30 years ago and commerce has followed, as manufacturers and distributors have sought inland access to one of the largest ports on the East Coast: the deep-water harbor at Norfolk, with its steady stream of ocean-going cargo ships.
Youngkin wants $350 million for business sites
By SEAN JONES, Richmond Times-Dispatch
There aren’t enough sites ready for businesses that want to move to Virginia or expand existing operations, Gov. Glenn Youngkin says, and so he’s pushing for a $350 million increase in what the state spends on those sites. That represents a more than three-fold increase over the multimillion-dollar increase approved by the General Assembly in the current two-year budget.
Crime commission split on drugged driving measures
By PATRICK LARSEN, VPM News
The Virginia Crime Commission recommended a handful of new laws related to driving under the influence of drugs but walked away split on other proposals.
‘Our community is scared’: Va. lawmakers address rise in crime in Hopewell
By RACHEL KELLER, WRIC News
HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — Two Virginia lawmakers want to team up with Hopewell city leaders to work to further prevent crime in the city. On Thursday, Dec. 8, Virginia Senator Joe Morrisey and Delegate Carrie Coyner held a press conference to address the recent rise and spike in crime throughout the city of Hopewell. The pair publicly called on city officials to implement initiatives in order to prevent more crime and protect citizens.
Virginia candidate who fought COVID rules fundraises off raid of his restaurant
By TYLER ARNOLD, The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority raided a Fredericksburg restaurant in relation to COVID-19 rule violations, but the owner who is running for a state Senate office is using the raid as a fundraising opportunity.
Loudoun Supervisors Pitch Regional Mental Health Facility to State Lawmakers
By RENSS GREENE, Loudoun Now
Loudoun supervisors have asked state legislators for a new facility to address a crisis in psychiatric hospital beds, among other local priorities, while state lawmakers warned them to temper their expectations during a politically divided General Assembly session.