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There’s an urgent need for global leadership on COVID-19
By Drs. John Austin Lee and Amita Sudhir On a normal day in our emergency department in Charlottesville, we see patients from all over the world. Despite the fact that we do not practice medicine in a large metropolis, we are constantly reminded of the fact that we are part of a global community. Language […]
State Corporation Commission should pause process on natural gas project
By the Stop the Abuse of Virginian Energy Coalition The State Corporation Commission did the right thing when, weeks ago, it chose to officially suspend the disconnection of utility services in light of the pandemic. Now, it should do the next right thing by suspending the consideration of new fossil fuel infrastructure permits, at least […]
Clean air and clean water are more important now than ever
By David K. Paylor In the face of the greatest public health crisis in decades, we are more aware than ever of the connection between environmental protection, public and individual health and a strong economy. As we enter a new decade of environmentalism, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come so we […]
Earth Month: a moral obligation to prioritize people over profits
By Geran Loraine Becoming a father has forever changed the way I look at the world. It has created a growing sense of urgency. I see the impact my current decisions will have on my children’s future as I watch them barrel down the sidewalk on their bikes. On a day last month, they were […]
Legal aid, facing state cuts, remains crucial during pandemic
By Mark D. Braley The deeper we get into the COVID-19 pandemic, the more challenges we face regarding the health and economic hardships facing Virginia’s communities. It is clear that the outbreak in Virginia leaves countless people with new and unanticipated civil legal challenges: securing unemployment benefits, remaining safely in their homes without being evicted […]
However lawmakers feel about gambling, they should allow proceeds to be used for school facilities
By Keith Perrigan Over the last several weeks our commonwealth has dealt with a tremendous amount of troubling news. However, high poverty school divisions, especially small and rural school divisions, got some much needed good news this weekend when Gov. Ralph Northam proposed amendments to dedicate a portion of the commonwealth’s casino revenues to school […]
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is looking like a riskier investment every day
By Thomas Hadwin When announcing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, its owners, including Dominion Energy, said the project is essential for us to have the energy we need, will save us millions of dollars each year, foster economic development and be a windfall for shareholders. Events since the announcement demonstrate that none of the claims are […]
Facing the COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia without government relief
By Jennifer Romero As a DACA recipient and daughter of undocumented parents, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic has become a struggle. My father’s boss has cut several hours off his job, and my mother can’t work for the next few weeks due to her health condition. My brother and I will receive stimulus checks from the […]
Virginia’s new gun restrictions have been 13 years in the making
By Lori Haas “Hi Mommy, I’ve been shot.” Those were the words I heard 13 years ago today when I picked up the phone. I was speechless. My daughter was supposed to be safe in her French class at Virginia Tech. She was supposed to be learning. Instead, she’d been shot twice. I was panicked. […]
How Virginia’s new gun laws will reduce intimate partner homicide
By Jonathan Yglesias and Justin Lingenfelter Last week, Gov. Ralph Northam took historic action to sign several gun safety bills into law. This came in the wake of a tragic mass shooting in Virginia Beach, followed by a special session on firearms that concluded within three hours with no action taken and the emergence of […]
How to thwart ‘Zoom-bombing’
By Claudia Sachs The virus of hatred and bigotry is on the rise in the United States, and now it’s digitally creeping into our classrooms, offices, and bedrooms. As the number of cases of the COVID-19 virus is on the rise and schools and houses of worship have shuttered their doors, the global disease of hatred […]
Plummeting tax revenues will put governors in tough budget situations
By Raymond Scheppach “Governors Have the Best Political Jobs in America” is the name of one of my lectures in a leadership course I occasionally teach at the University of Virginia. In that class, I describe how governors have huge appointment powers for their personal staff, agency directors and even boards and commissions. Governors dominate […]