Political leaders received some welcome news this week, courtesy of Virginia’s general fund finishing with a nearly $2 billion surplus for FY 2022. This announcement comes as the numerous tax relief measures passed in the new biennial budget – including a reduction of $1 billion to fund one-time tax rebates for filers – go into effect in the Commonwealth.
Interestingly, and almost coincidentally: the current (small) pool of prefiled bills for the 2023 Session features a majority focus on income tax and other tax policy.
The dog days of summer are here, and they are brutal. As a large portion of the globe grapples with a devastating heat wave, elected leaders and policy experts are responding in different ways (in different regions). Many have renewed calls for direct and immediate, large-scale action to mitigate these ongoing effects of climate change; others remain unchanged in their approach to environmental policy. Regardless of the powers that be: as individuals, we can and must continue to do our part.
A remind to our clients and colleagues to stay safe and stay hydrated, over the coming days. Know the signs of heatstroke, and how to stop it. And don’t forget to check in on friends and neighbors during (and after) these sweltering heat advisories.
We leave you with another reason to stay in the air conditioned indoors during these hot summer days, courtesy of some unwelcome news from our little corner of the Commonwealth: Invasive jumping worms spotted in Chesterfield.
Cheers –
Davis Consultants
- July 26 | Behavioral Health Commission
- August 19 | Joint Meeting of House Appropriations, House Finance, and Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee
- September 7 | Virginia Commission on Youth Workgroup
- September 7 | 2022 Special Session – Reconvened Session
- September 14 | Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee
New updates for Virginia's approach to the coast go into effect
Several bills changing Virginia’s approach to it’s coastline and oceans went into effect on July 1st, covering climate change, coastal flooding, and the shellfish industry.
Court upholds dismissal of Virginia redistricting lawsuit
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court Thursday upheld a ruling by a lower court that dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force members of the state’s Republican-controlled House of Delegates to face an unscheduled election this year.
Lawmaker wants to move menhaden boats out into the ocean following Eastern Shore fish spill
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – Del. Tim Anderson (R-Va. 83rd District) says decades of menhaden harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay has been long enough.
Panel: More Express Lanes projects needed for region
Northern Virginia has been transformed for the last decade by Express Lanes projects and regional leaders say more of the same is needed – including over the Potomac River and into Maryland – if the metropolitan area is to continue thriving.
Restaurant industry grapples with inflation costs
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – As inflation continues to drive up the prices people are paying at the grocery store or gas station, the restaurant industry is also feeling the pinch of the climbing costs on their menus.
Virginia Board reduces necessary hours to obtain cosmetology license
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology voted to reduce the number of hours required to obtain a cosmetology license from 1,500 hours to 1,000.
Youngkin and GOP board majorities could reshape education, environment, elections
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s push to ban “divisive concepts” from classrooms fell flat in the face of a Democratic majority in the state Senate. Democrats also doomed his attempt to pull Virginia out of a regional cap-and-trade market.
Youngkin says schools, daycares can maintain stricter COVID policies than new state guidance
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Glenn Youngkin is clarifying new state COVID-19 guidance for schools, daycares and camps.
More state employees may leave jobs as telework policy lowers morale, survey shows
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- A new survey shows several state employees are unhappy with the implementation of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s new telework policy and many are considering leaving their jobs because of it.
Virginia’s mental health hotline launches amid fears it won’t meet expectations
On Saturday, Virginia was part of a nationwide transition to 988, a simple three-digit hotline for mental health emergencies.
Embattled Gay Va. LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Member Casey Flores Resigns
A controversial appointee to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board is out of the position before even beginning. The Republican chosen for the post is leaving the state altogether.
Testing and treatment still limited as monkeypox spreads in Virginia
As cases of monkeypox continue to rise in Virginia, the state’s response has been limited by a short supply of vaccines, testing and other forms of treatment, raising concerns among some advocates who worry the outbreak will only become more difficult for health officials to contain.
Excavation of graves begins at site of colonial Black church
Archaeologists in Virginia began excavating three suspected graves at the original site of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches on Monday, commencing a monthslong effort to learn who was buried there and how they lived.
Kaine aims to codify range of personal, civil rights
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said Wednesday that he is optimistic Congress will codify a range of personal and civil rights that recent Supreme Court decisions have rescinded or called into question.
Luria, Kinzinger put careers on line in Jan. 6 investigation
WASHINGTON (AP) — Reps. Elaine Luria and Adam Kinzinger, who will lead questioning in the closing summer hearing of the Jan. 6 committee on Thursday night, are from different parties but agree emphatically on one thing: The investigation into the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is worth sacrificing their political careers.
Virginia GOP congressmen vote against resolution on Finland, Sweden and NATO
Three Virginia congressmen were among a relative handful of House Republicans who voted against a resolution expressing support for Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Senator Warner visits Darden School of Business to talk about economic solutions
Senator Warner visits Darden School of Business to talk about economic solutions