Rumors are spreading that legislators may finally (finally!) be close to a budget agreement. As they enter into month three of negotiations, senior conferees have been spotted about Capitol Square over the last several days – which is, honestly and surprisingly, a welcome sight; these appearances coincide with the positive news that Virginia’s state revenue report for April continues to show a strong economy
Good omens, folks. We love to see them.
In the more overtly political realm, new candidates are joining the field for both House and Senate districts – and for both open and incumbent-held seats. Fundraising is in full swing across the board, as individual and caucus PACs vie to inspire confidence and assure viability with strong reporting figures. And behind closed doors, House Democrats are still waiting on an internal election to appoint new caucus leadership.
In closing, and unrelated to any political or policy rumblings: it’s worth noting that we received more notes and feedback (mostly positive) after our last newsletter mentioned the angry turkey attacking people up in D.C., than we’ve received about any other newsletter or news item ever.
…well, far be it from us to deny the people what they want: A bold, “highly food-conditioned” wild horse named Chip has officially been banished from Assateague Island.
Cheers,
Davis Consultants
- May 16 | Virginia Code Commission
- May 17 | Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee
- May 17 | Virginia Commission on Youth
- Behavioral Health Commission
- May 18 | Joint Commission on Health Care
- May 31 | Deadline to register to vote or update registration for June 2022 Primaries
Virginia budget leaders say no public meetings planned as negotiations enter third month
As Democrats and Republicans continue to point fingers over who’s to blame for Virginia’s delayed budget, the two lawmakers leading the negotiations said Monday they have no plans to hold any public meetings that might offer more insight into how those talks are going.
FULL STORY IN VIRGINIA MERCURY»
State Supreme Court vacancies remain unfilled during political standoff
Two vacant seats in the Virginia Supreme Court hang in the balance in the political standoff in the Virginia Assembly. State lawmakers said in interviews this week that their negotiations over the justices continue but indicated they are no closer to resolution.
Del. Danica Roem announces run for newly-drawn state Senate seat
Del. Danica Roem, D-13th, announced a run for the state Senate on Monday morning, saying she’ll seek election to the newly-drawn 30th district encompassing Manassas, Manassas Park and western Prince William County.
Tunnel contractor pokes through Virginia Capitol ceiling
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A contractor working on a $25 million tunnel that will connect Virginia’s Capitol to a nearby legislative office building “inadvertently” poked through the ceiling of a subterranean Capitol extension earlier this year, causing debris to fall into the visitors center cafe, a state official said.
Sen. Joe Morrissey lashes out at his radio producer when pushed on abortion position
Last week on Democratic Sen. Joe Morrissey’s talk radio show, The Fighting Joe Morrissey Show, Morrissey sparred with a new producer on the program who pushed him to take a position on abortion.
Virginia senator involved in skill-game suit invokes special session to delay hearing
Virginia Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, invoked his duties as a sitting lawmaker to request a delay in a high-profile lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on slots-like skill games, a move that appears to have bought his client valuable time to continue operating machines the General Assembly has tried to outlaw.
Youngkin’s education secretary says her goal is preparing students for jobs
Virginia’s top education official says the state is “resting on our laurels” when it comes to educating public school students. In a forum hosted by a conservative think tank last month, Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said her top goal is preparing students for the job market.
Va. CEOs expect increased sales despite shortages
About 70% of CEOs expect sales to increase in the next six months, despite supply chain and labor shortages, according to the first quarter CEO Economic Outlook survey conducted by the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business and the Virginia Council of CEOs (VACEOs).
279 Virginia tourism programs to receive over $2.7M to support economic recovery
RICHMOND, Va. (WFXR) – At the start of National Travel and Tourism Week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that 259 local and regional tourism programs — including dozens around southwest and central Virginia — will be awarded more than $2.7 million in matching grant and reimbursable sponsorship funds.
Youngkin plans to end most remote work for state employees
Gov. Glenn Younkin is ending remote work for state employees, bringing workers almost entirely back to the office by July 5. The administration formally announced the policy in a news release on Thursday evening, unveiling a new state telework policy updated “for the first time in more than a decade,” according to a statement from the governor.
Virginia AG urges federal agency to help human trafficking survivors establish financial independence
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has joined a group of 41 attorneys general in sending a letter urging a federal agency to help human trafficking victims.
State corrections department will release 4,500 inmates beginning July 1
Virginia Department of Corrections officials say thousands of inmates who have accumulated enough early release credits to lessen their sentences will be released from custody this summer.The early outs are the result of a July 1 start date of House Bill 5148, a law that allows certain inmates to earn up to 15 days off for every 30 days they are confined.
Foster kids are getting swept up in Virginia’s mental health crisis
At the beginning of April, Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a startling announcement: Over the last year, more than 150 foster children in Virginia had spent at least one night in government offices, hotel rooms or local emergency departments due to a lack of available placement options.
Youngkin’s ‘almighty creator’ rhetoric in new diversity training offends some state employees
A new diversity training Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration enacted includes two references to a “creator,” religious language that struck several workers who saw it as inappropriate for inclusion in training material that’s mandatory for new state government employees.
Private property owners sue over Virginia’s hunting dog law
WILSONS, Va. (AP) — Soon after Jim Medeiros bought his 143-acre (58-hectare) cattle and poultry farm in rural Virginia a decade ago, he and his wife were startled by the sounds of 20 hunting dogs barking and howling as they circled their house and chased their chickens.
Warner, Kaine announce more than $1.4M in federal funding for Virginia tribes
WASHINGTON (WAVY) — More than $1.4 million in federal funding is headed to four Native American tribes in Virginia to support affordable housing initiatives. U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced the funding in a news release Thursday.
Senator Tim Kaine speaks on Women's Health Protection Act, Roe v. Wade, abortion protests
WASHINGTON (WSET) — On Wednesday, Senate lawmakers voted on the Women’s Health Protection Act. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine co-sponsored the bill. He said it would have codified the right of women to make their own decisions about pregnancy, contraception, and reproduction.
Virginia woman charged in Jan. 6 riots at U.S. Capitol
A Collinsville woman has been charged with joining the riots at the U.S. Capitol, where federal authorities say she was photographed wearing a shirt that stated: “Yes, I’m a Trump girl.”
County, governor spar over protests at justices’ homes
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Fairfax County officials have rebuffed a request from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to establish a security perimeter around the neighborhoods of U.S. Supreme Court justices living in the county after some have faced protests outside their homes.