Highlights this Week:

1. VAGOP Nomination Convention for statewide candidates taking place this Saturday, May 8th.

2. Capacity limits on VA businesses could be completely lifted by June 15th

COVID-19

KEY MEASURES: Virginia Department of Health

Dashboard updated 5/7/2021. Case counts reflect what has been reported to VDH by healthcare providers and laboratories.

Visit the VDH Dashboard

VA vaccine wastage rare...for now

“…experts say wastage is almost guaranteed to go up. That certainty will require providers to make new choices when it comes to managing supply, and an overhaul of how the public views the concept of unused doses.”

CVS: Walk-ins and same-day appointments now available

“Walk-in vaccinations for COVID-19 are now being offered at 342 CVS locations in Virginia, largely putting an end to the rush to get leftover doses there and the wait for new time slots to appear on the pharmacy’s website.“

Read the full story in the RT-D

Resource Links:

Virginia Department of Health

Coronavirus in Virginia: State Hub

Centers for Disease Control

Current Vaccination Status in Virginia: PHASE 2

Virginia Politics

Legislation & Policy

New Virginia Poll Shows Support for Progressive Ideas, but Not Labels

KEY TAKEAWAYS: A majority of Virginia voters largely identify as “ideologically moderate,” and support legislative policies central to the Democratic platform – including Medicare for all-that-want-it (76%), pathways to citizenship for undocument immigrants currently in the U.S. (73%), and prioritizing renewable energy investments (82%).

A new poll from Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center finds the average Virginians describes themselves as slightly right-of-center when it comes to politics. At the same time, more than two-thirds of those polled support passing the Green New Deal, creating a legal pathway to citizenship for immigrants, and higher taxes on those making over a million dollars — all ideas popularized by Democrats.

Statewide Races

Elizabeth Warren Endorses Sam Rasoul For Lt. Governor Of Virginia

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) endorsed state Del. Sam Rasoul’s bid for lieutenant governor of Virginia on Wednesday, handing the progressive contender a boost in a competitive primary.

Warren, who does not often wade into Democratic primaries, cited the four-term lawmaker’s record of fighting to expand Medicaid and raise the minimum wage, as well as his present support for guaranteed paid sick leave.

“Sam Rasoul is a hard worker who dreams big, fights hard, and gets results,” Warren said in a statement. “Sam is the passionate, progressive voice Virginians deserve.”

View coverage in The Huffington Post »

Full story

Government

Virginia officials ask to delay lawsuit over unemployment insurance delays

The Virginia Employment Commission asked a judge this week for extra time to respond to a class-action lawsuit over long delays processing jobless claims.

The request drew a mocking response from the plaintiffs’ lawyers and was largely rejected by a federal judge, who limited the extension to just four days. The state had requested three weeks.

Elections 2021

The tight battle for control of Virginia’s House of Delegates

Virginia’s off-year gubernatorial races have historically served as a temperature check for the party controlling the White House. In every gubernatorial election since 1977 (except for 2013), the state has elected a governor from the party opposite the president’s.

The tight race for control of the Virginia House of Delegates could also provide some sense of where the parties stand ahead of the midterm congressional elections in 2022.

Federal

Garland Reverses Trump Administration Order, Sending Grants to Virginia

RICHMOND-Just over $10 million in law enforcement grants will be coming to Virginia this month, just a couple years late. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland reversed a decision by the Trump administration this week, removing restrictions put in place.

Every year, state and local law enforcement agencies across the country rely on federal JAG grants to fund part of their operation. Virginia is no different. The Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants fund everything from a local police department’s technology upgrades to drug treatment programs. Then, in 2017, the U.S. Justice Department under Jeff Sessions made some changes.

Full story in Virginia Dogwood »

Business, Economy, & Labor News

Northam speaks at Green Business Alliance launch

CHRISTIANSBURG — Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday commended a newly formed group that aims to help Virginia-based businesses and nonprofits address climate change and prepare the economy for a clean energy future.

FULL STORY IN THE DAILY PROGRESS

New River Valley Gets Rail: State Launches Western Initiative

VADogwood »

More delays, cost increases for Mountain Valley Pipeline

Virginia Mercury »

Data centers and electric vehicles will drive up Virginia electricity demand, UVA forecaster predicts

Virginia Mercury »

2021 Virginia General Election

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RECAP: Virginia This Week (May 7, 2021)