The Special Session reconvenes next week, and thankfully some of the major potential firestorms seem to have already been put to bed.
Prefiling for the upcoming Regular Session in 2023 remains slow. So far, legislation seems to focus on the nuts and bolts of the people’s business; taxation, wells, and landfills. A needed reminder perhaps, that – unlike politics and campaigning – policymaking should actually be routine (maybe even a little mundane).
Speaking of the people’s business (with only a small fireworks display): Virginians wondering about the recent federal action to forgive student loan debt can breathe a bit easier. The Commonwealth will not tax forgiven student loans as income, despite earlier reports in the media.
Finally, and as proof of the impact of powerful branding and marketing, we offer the ultimate glow up:
How ‘the Most Vicious, Horrible Animal Alive’ Became a YouTube Star
Cheers –
Davis Consultants
- September 7 | Virginia Commission on Youth Workgroup
- September 7 | 2022 Special Session – Reconvened Session
- September 13 | House Appropriations Committee
- September 14 | Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee
- September 19 | Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
- September 21 | Virginia Commission on Youth
Democratic Party seeks information on Youngkin’s travels
By BEN PAVIOUR, VPM News
The Democratic Party of Virginia on Thursday said it plans to file public record requests designed to shed light on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s travels. A spokesperson for the governor said he pays for his own political travel and dismissed the inquiry as a “baseless partisan attack.”
Youngkin’s office says no plans for abortion bill at special session next week
By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury
Abortion rights supporters are on high alert, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office says it’s not planning to introduce any abortion-related legislation when the General Assembly returns to Richmond next week.
Youngkin says Virginia law on banning obscene books needs review next session
By JACKIE DEFUSCO, WRIC
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- Governor Glenn Youngkin is walking back comments on a 1950’s law that is at the center of an effort to restrict book sales to minors.
A Months-Long Shutdown Is Coming To Parts Of The Blue And Yellow Lines. Here’s What You Need To Know
By JORDAN PASCALE, DCist
For some jobs, you can be a few minutes late and get by. But for many jobs, you cannot. And that’s what has airport contract worker Meseret Woldeyohanes so nervous about the upcoming six-week Blue and Yellow line Metro shut down in Virginia.
A robot may deliver your food at some Hampton Roads restaurants
By AMY AVERY, WAVY News
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — If you’re making plans for breakfast, lunch or even dinner this weekend, a robot could be bringing your food to you.
Gov. Youngkin tours minority-owned businesses at Patrick Henry Mall
By CHRIS HORNE, WAVY News
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – While many indoor shopping malls are dying off, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) sees potential in the Patrick Henry Mall for the future.
Youngkin administration outlines plan to withdraw Virginia from carbon market by regulation
By CHARLIE PAULIN, Virginia Mercury
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration announced their newest plans for how they intend to withdraw Virginia from a regional carbon market Wednesday, a move critics say is not allowed by law, would drain important state programs of funding and would hurt the fight against climate change.
The changing landscape of Virginia labor organizing
By KATHARINE DEROSA, VPM News
Jillian O’Hare has worked at Starbucks for four years — and loved her job prior to the pandemic. She took some time off around December 2021, as a Starbucks store in Buffalo voted to unionize. When she returned to work in January, anti-union literature had started to appear in her workplace.
What the end of rent relief means for Virginia tenants
By MARK ROBINSON, VCIJ
Five-day eviction notices. Judgments for back rent that will take years to settle. Frantic searches for a new home in a historically tight rental market. These are what Virginia renters are facing as federal aid for tenants at risk of eviction dries up and the state’s rent relief program winds down.
Youngkin outlines steps to address teacher shortage in executive directive
By NATHANIEL CLINE, Virginia Mercury
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an executive directive on Thursday that aims to address teacher shortages in Virginia through strategies that include hiring retired educators and targeting recruitment and retention efforts toward communities most in need.
A.G. Miyares urges Congress to authorize states to protect airline consumers
By CAITLYN FROLO, WSET
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares sent a bipartisan joint letter with 37 states to Congressional leaders urging them to take meaningful action and pass legislation that would authorize state attorneys general to enforce both state and federal consumer protection laws governing the airline industry on Thursday.
GOP leaders want to untie Virginia from California EV rule
By SARAH RANKIN, AP News
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican leaders in Virginia said Friday they want to change the law so the state no longer follows California’s stringent rules for vehicle emissions.
Warner talks broadband in Independence
By SHANNON WATKINS, The Declaration
INDEPENDENCE — U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, in a three-day trip through Southwest Virginia, stopped at the 1908 Courthouse in Independence to discuss rural broadband on Aug. 23.
Candidates for Congress differ on how to boost caregivers' ranks
By CHER MUZYK, Prince William Times
During a recent online forum, four candidates vying to represent Prince William County in the U.S. Congress differed on ways to address an ongoing shortage in personal caregivers for people with disabilities.
Congressman Bobby Scott goes on fact-finding mission at NN clinic to improve women’s reproductive healthcare
By CHRIS HORNE, WAVY News
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – First the talk, then the tour. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA 3rd District) listened to healthcare providers and advocates Friday morning about what’s needed to improve women’s reproductive health at the Southeastern Virginia Health System clinic on Warwick Ave.
EPA tells 15 states they missed air pollution plan deadline
By ZACK BUDRYK, The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued notices to 15 states for failure to submit plans for air pollution reduction, four months after a lawsuit on the matter from a coalition of environmental groups.