Delayed, but not denied, legislators are finally returning to Richmond this coming Wednesdaywith a budget deal.

Collective sighs of relief have been heard from numerous sectors (ours included), and folks are now anxiously awaiting the release of further conference report details over the next couple of days.

In the words of several colleagues: “A little relaxing reading, for the long weekend.”

And yet, it is difficult to relax when so much grief and tragedy is dominating the news cycle, these last few days and weeks. “Thoughts and prayers” truly aren’t enough in the face of pervasive violence and loss of life; though, naturally, those are still being given in abundance. With one special legislative coming to a close, there is whispered speculation and hope that (just perhaps) lawmakers will begin to put serious focus on and bipartisan effort towards responsible, holistic reforms.

We will be hugging our loved ones a little tighter, over the Memorial Day weekend – and remembering not only the heroes in our armed forces, but also those in our schools, our supermarkets, and throughout our communities.

Davis Consultants

 

  • May 31 | Deadline to register to vote or update registration for June 2022 Primaries
  • June 1| 2022 Special Session Convenes
  • June 9 | State Exectuive Council for Children’s Services
  • June 13 | Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
  • June 14 | Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee
  • June 15 | House Appropriations Committee

Virginia budget compromise gives Gov. Glenn Youngkin partial win

RICHMOND — House and Senate negotiators working overtime on the state budget announced a deal Thursday that would provide $4 billion in tax cuts, boost salaries for teachers and state workers, and plow hefty sums into affordable housing, school construction, health and water quality.

FULL STORY FROM WASHINGTON POST »

 

After 11-month wait, Paul Goldman says he isn’t dropping his redistricting suit just yet

On Friday evening, Democratic attorney and activist Paul Goldman pushed out a text message with what he called “breaking news.” After an 11-month legal battle with the state of Virginia over whether the House of Delegates should have new elections this year, Goldman said he was planning to voluntarily drop the case.

FULL STORY IN VA MERCURY »

Lt. Governor threatens to propose bill fining legislators for budget delays

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Legislators appear closer to passing the Virginia state budget, long after the deadline, and if the state’s lieutenant governor gets her way, legislators will be fined if they take this long again in the future.

FULL STORY FROM WSET »

Gridlocked on guns, Virginia lawmakers debate other ways to address violence

Virginia politicians responded to Tuesday’s school shooting in Texas with well-worn condolences, prayers and in some cases, renewed calls to restrict access to guns.

FULL STORY FROM VPM NEWS »

Metro projects in Northern Va. to prompt temporary station closures this fall

Metro riders from Alexandria and other parts of Northern Virginia will see several stations shutting down for weeks — as well as an entire line, for up to eight months.

FULL STORY FROM WTOP »

Commanders acquire right to buy 200 acres in Va. for potential new stadium

The Washington Commanders recently acquired the right to purchase land in Woodbridge, Va., as a potential site for its new stadium, state Sen. Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax) said he was told Monday by a lobbyist for the team.

FULL STORY IN WASHINGTON POST »

Southwest Virginia's job growth is outpacing the state

Southwest Virginia’s economy is recovering faster than the state and the region appears poised to capitalize on new growth opportunities, a state economic development leader said Wednesday.

FULL STORY FROM BRISTOL HERALD COURIER »

New agreement signed to deepen, widen Port of VA

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Local and federal authorities have reached an agreement that funnels federal funding to the ongoing construction of the Port of Norfolk.

FULL STORY FROM WAVY »

Nuclear will be major for Virginia’s electric grid as utilities decarbonize, regulator says

Dominion Energy’s two existing nuclear plants “may become more important to the transmission system” as Virginia and the utility move to decarbonize the power grid by midcentury, a hearing examiner with the Virginia State Corporation Commission says.

FULL STORY IN VIRGINIA MERCURY »

Youngkin restores voting rights to about 3,500 people

Gov. Glenn Youngkin restored civil rights to nearly 3,500 people since he took office in January, his office announced on Friday. The move will allow the people to vote, serve on a jury or run for public office.

FULL STORY FROM VPM NEWS »

Health Wagon was turned down for reimbursement of its COVID-19 services

WISE, Va. — At the end of Patriot Drive, a stone’s throw from the Wise County Sheriff’s Office and just around the corner from the campus of UVa-Wise, are mobile units of the Health Wagon and the Smiddy Clinic — home base of the oldest and one of the most recognized free health care providers in America.

FULL STORY IN BRISTOL HERALD-COURIER »

Virginia Superintendent asks divisions about school security, safety after Texas school shooting

RICHMOND, Va. – State officials are looking to implement more school security and safety measures following one of the most horrific elementary school shootings in U.S. history.

FULL STORY FROM WSLS »

Virginia official says staffers are leaving mental health facilities to work at Chick-fil-A

At a meeting last week, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel made an eye-opening remark about the state’s understaffed and overstressed mental health facilities.

FULL STORY FROM VIRGINIA MERCURY »

A closer look at Youngkin’s model for new lab schools that could cost millions

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Glenn Youngkin wants to expand alternatives to traditional public schools in Virginia and at least one Democrat is “pretty sure” the push will be included in the final budget in some form.

FULL STORY FROM WAVY »

Virginia bans private funds for election offices after grants from Zuckerberg-allied group

Election offices in Virginia will no longer be able to accept private grant money under a new law passed in response to a $3.7 million infusion local election administrators got in 2020 from a nonprofit funded partly by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.

FULL STORY FROM VIRGINIA MERCURY »

Eight Virginia groups join request for Federal Trade Commission to investigate electric utility industry

Eight Virginia organizations have joined more than 230 consumer, environmental and public interest groups in asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate electric industry practices that they say “impede renewable energy competition and harm consumer protection.”

FULL STORY IN VIRGINIA MERCURY »

Kaine expresses frustration with Senate inaction following mass shootings

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDBJ) – Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) reacted to Tuesday’s mass shooting in Texas, expressing frustration with Senate inaction following the Virginia Tech tragedy and other mass shootings across the country.

FULL STORY IN WDBJ »

McEachin, 5 others call for ‘strongest possible’ truck emissions requirements

U.S. Representative Donald McEachin (D-4th District) joined two other Democratic representatives and three Democratic U.S. Senators in calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt “the strongest possible heavy-duty vehicle [emissions] requirements” in order to protect the environment and minority communities.

FULL STORY IN HENRICO CITIZEN »

Frustration grows as the movement to ban stock trading in Congress stalls: 'They're trying to run out the clock'

“I think that they’re trying to run out the clock,” said Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, who’s sponsored one of the several stock-ban bills now pending in Congress. 

FULL STORY IN BUSINESS INSIDER »