GOVERNMENT + POLITICS
State funding for Richmond sewer project stripped out of budget deal
Earlier proposals to put an additional $100 million in state funds toward upgrades to Richmond’s combined sewer overflow system got edged out of this year’s budget deal to fund other initiatives, top budget negotiators said Wednesday. Gov. Glenn Youngkin as well as the Republican-controlled House of Delegates and Democratic-controlled Senate all included the funding in […]
Virginia sales tax holiday on track to return Oct. 20-22
Virginia’s sales and use tax holiday for school supplies, clothing and energy-efficient goods is on track to be reinstated Oct. 20 through Oct. 22 after the General Assembly approved amendments to the state’s two-year budget during a special session Wednesday. What’s in Virginia’s long-delayed 2023 budget deal The amended budget will now go for review […]
Virginia plan projects universal broadband access by 2028
A five-year plan for how Virginia intends to spend almost $1.5 billion in federal broadband funds concludes the state could achieve “functionally universal broadband access” by 2028. “In today’s increasingly digital world, having access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury, it is necessary in order to fully participate in daily life,” said Gov. […]
After six years of inaction, Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Regulation reconvenes
Virginia’s Commission on Electric Utility Regulation met for the first time in six years Tuesday, following legislation during the last General Assembly session that requires it to now meet twice every year. The CEUR is tasked with reviewing the impacts of legislation on electric utility regulation, which can be hundreds of pages in length and […]
What’s in Virginia’s long-delayed 2023 budget deal
Ahead of the General Assembly’s return to Richmond for a special session Wednesday, budget negotiators this weekend released full details of how they believe the state should spend billions in surplus funds over the remainder of the fiscal year. The long-delayed deal was announced Aug. 25, but lawmakers at the time provided few specifics beyond […]
VPLC’s invitation to Oliver Anthony: Join us!
By Valerie L’Herrou and Cassie Edner Odds are, by now you’ve heard about that song from a country singer in Farmville, Virginia, who performs under the stage name Oliver Anthony. As he belts “Rich Men North of Richmond,” Mr. Anthony raises an important issue that we here at VPLC care about and work hard to change: working […]
Over 60,000 Virginians used Easy Enrollment in medical assistance program’s first year
Thousands of Virginians recently checked a box on their state tax return indicating they were uninsured and wanted to know if they were eligible for medical assistance programs like Medicaid. Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services spokesperson Rebecca Dooley said in an email that last year the agency received 63,982 requests for contact as part […]
Cities are embracing teen curfews, though they might not curb crime
In response to growing public concern over crime, cities and counties throughout the United States are returning to a familiar tool: curfews for young people. Proponents argue curfews curb crime and protect youth by keeping them off the streets. But research suggests curfews are ineffective, and some juvenile justice advocates and experts warn of unintended […]
Virginia General Assembly to return to Richmond next week to resolve budget
The Virginia General Assembly will return to Richmond Sept. 6 to complete work on long-delayed amendments to the state budget following a proclamation by Gov. Glenn Youngkin Tuesday evening. “Today, I am calling Virginia’s lawmakers back to Richmond to reach a resolution on the state budget,” Youngkin said in a release. “Virginians deserve it. To […]
Virginians can soon go nuts for state acorn collection program
As the fall season approaches, Mike Ortmeier is preparing to break out his broom, dustpan and new portable leaf blower to add to the nearly 8,000 pounds of acorns he’s collected for Virginia over the past 13 years. The dedication shown by Ortmeier, an Arlington native and retiree, to the nuts has earned him notoriety […]
Democrats need to embrace economic populism
By Ben Litchfield A few weeks ago, Governor Glenn Youngkin was on Fox News talking about the state of the national economy. In his segment with Laura Ingraham, he described how a trip to the grocery store is still a “gut punch” for working families with more than 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. […]
Pregnant workers have new protections. Here’s what to expect from your boss.
Almost two months after workplace accommodations for pregnant workers became law, the rules surrounding what employers can and cannot do have yet to be finalized — but that doesn’t mean the protections are not in place. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s proposed regulations are expected to offer more clarity once finalized, but workers can still […]