“BIG CHANGES are coming to Virginia, as a result of the elections.” It’s an obvious and seemingly repetitious statement, over the last couple of cycles; yet it has always proven to be true. As Governor-elect Youngkin begins announcing his transition team, and the House of Delegates starts adjusting to a return to Republican rule, our firm – along with other colleagues who’ve through more than a few changes in administrations and majority shifts – recognizes that the best way to address the pending changes is to continue what we have been doing over those years: work hard, and work together.
An incoming adminstration is, to varying degrees of totality, a reset. There will be some familiar faces (especially in non-appointed positions), but also quite a few new ones. Relationship-building remains a prime directive – and with an ongoing pandemic still dampening several opportunities for in-person connections, you have to get creative with (safely) engaging the new folks.
The good news is that, even with political tensions appearing high and a doozy of a legislative Session looming in 2022, “working hard and working together ” becomes a fairly natural skill with experience and practice. No effortless successes, with a guaranteed return on investment, by any means. But for the last thirty years, it’s been how we have done things…building new relationships, and maintaining existing friendships. We look forward to continuing the work with both the incoming Governor and a new leadership in the House.
Davis Consultants
- Nov. 15 | Prefiling for 2022 Session begins
- Nov. 16 | House Appropriations Committee Retreat (2022 Session Presentation)
- Nov. 18 | Senate Finance & Appropriations Committe Annual Meeting
- Nov. 29 | Prefile draft request deadline for 2022 Session
- Dec. 2 | 2021 Virginia Education Summit
- Dec. 13 | Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission Meeting
- Dec. 16 | Governor’s Budget Presentation to the Joint Money Committees
The Va. Supreme Court rejects all three Republican redistricting nominees
The Supreme Court of Virginia rejected three Republican nominees for special master, a position which will be awarded to a redistricting expert to help the justices draw new political maps based on 2020 Census data.
Va. Republicans avert House of Delegates leadership battle with handshake deal
Del. Todd Gilbert, the top House Republican, has endorsed Del. Terry Kilgore for majority leader and Kilgore is now backing Gilbert for House speaker after the two were expected to face off for the role.
Margins make outcomes unlikely to shift in two tight House races, Virginia elections commissioner says
Recounts are unlikely to change the outcomes of two tight Virginia contests for the House of Delegates because of the size of the margins, the commissioner of the state Department of Elections told a Richmond civic group on Wednesday.
More than 35,000 children were vaccinated in the first week of Virginia’s pediatric rollout
Among the things that Pearl Barry is excited to do once she’s fully vaccinated: hang out with friends, eat inside at restaurants and visit SkyZone, a sprawling indoor trampoline park.
Health Wagon focusing on vaccination outreach
The Health Wagon is currently focusing its outreach efforts on providing COVID-19 vaccinations for unvaccinated residents.
Stephen Moret to leave VEDP
Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Stephen Moret will leave VEDP to become president and CEO of Indianapolis-based Strada Education Network in January, Strada and VEDP announced Wednesday.
Medical marijuana operators reflect on industry’s first 12 months in Virginia
The Richmond area’s first and only medical cannabis operator has opened an outpost in Short Pump, the latest of several new or upcoming marijuana dispensaries popping up around the state.
As steel demand rises, Virginia coal mining is on the upswing
Virginia is seeing an uptick in coal mining as demand for steel surges amid global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and federal plans for sweeping infrastructure investment.
Will the infrastructure bill help expand broadband access in rural Virginia?
RICHMOND — Virginia is eligible to receive a minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which cleared the House of Representatives on a 228-206 vote last week. The funds will be distributed to internet service providers through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI), the commonwealth’s broadband grant program which extends internet service to currently unserved areas in the commonwealth.
Rep. Spanberger discusses recent elections, CRT and infrastructure
While state elections have wrapped up in Virginia, campaign season is just around the corner for the members of Congress. Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger will be running for a third term in Virginia’s 7th District. VPM News’ Ben Paviour spoke with the congresswoman about the state recent election results, Critical Race Theory and the bipartisan infrastructure bill, among other topics.
With big federal boost, Virginia shows Medicaid surplus this year, helping offset future costs
Virginia is showing a surplus of almost $654 million in its Medicaid program, boosted by federal spending that will help offset future cost increases in the next state budget for the $18 billion program for poor, elderly or disabled Virginians.
Scathing audit faults poor management for Virginia’s unemployment insurance failures
Virginia’s failure to deliver unemployment benefits in a timely manner left thousands of jobless Virginians waiting months for aid during the pandemic.
Some in newly empowered Va. GOP open to speeding retail sales of marijuana
Newly empowered Republicans in Virginia say plans to allow retail sales of recreational marijuana won’t necessarily be doomed under their control of the House of Delegates and Executive Mansion.