Tag: General Assembly
Virginia adopts assault weapons ban
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a package of legislation on June 16 aimed at preventing gun violence, including a ban on assault weapons. Surrounded by law enforcement officers, lawmakers, students, healthcare workers, and families impacted by gun violence, Spanberger said the commonsense gun legislation “will keep our families, communities, and law enforcement safe.” The legislation … Continued
State leaders announce a compromise on a retail weed market
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and General Assembly leaders approved an agreement to establish a cannabis retail market that would open on July 1, 2027. The compromise would be implemented through the budget process. It comes after Spanberger vetoed legislation passed by the General Assembly that would have allowed sales to start on Jan. 1, 2027. … Continued
General Assembly to consider comprehensive study on data centers
As the June 30 budget deadline nears, the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate are still unable to agree on tax breaks for data centers. The House Appropriations Committee announced a budget conference proposal on June 12 that doesn’t require data centers to meet environmental standards to be exempted from the state’s 5.3 percent sales … Continued
Spanberger vetoes retail cannabis market
After Virginia lawmakers tried for years to enact a marketplace for recreational cannabis, only to see their efforts vetoed by the previous governor, Glen Youngkin, they were hopeful things would be different with a Democratic governor. But Gov. Abigail Spanberger on May 19 vetoed House Bill 642 and Senate Bill 542, which would have established a framework … Continued
Spanberger signs more bills, vetoes others
In the days before the April 13 deadline, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed dozens of bills into law that had been passed by the General Assembly to expand workforce opportunities, strengthen schools, curb gun violence, and much more. She also vetoed several bills, including the closely watched measure on a casino in Tysons. Among the … Continued
General Assembly sends casino bill to the governor
After the General Assembly passed a casino bill this weekend, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay said, “I will continue to fight any and all efforts to jam a casino in Tysons.” The bill (SB 756) agreed to by both the Senate and House of Delegates would allow the development of a casino … Continued
House of Delegates passes a casino bill
Legislation to allow a casino in Fairfax County moved a step closer to passage after the House approved the measure on March 4 on a 59-37 vote. Shortly afterwards, the Senate unanimously rejected the House substitute (SB 756). That means members of the House and Senate will have to work out a compromise in a … Continued
Casino bill clears House committee with significant changes
The General Laws Committee in the House of Delegates voted 12-8 on Feb. 24 to pass a heavily amended version of legislation to allow a casino in Fairfax County. The bill (S756) now goes to the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Agriculture & Natural Resources. The original bill, introduced by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount … Continued
Bill approved by Senate committee doesn’t limit a casino to Tysons
A substitute version of the casino legislation (SB756) approved by the Virginia Senate’s Finance and Appropriations Committee removes language that required a casino to be located in Tysons. The original bill pushed by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) included restrictions on the location of a casino in Fairfax County that meant the only place it … Continued
Democratic agenda advances in the General Assembly
These are some of the bills moving through the General Assembly: Clean energy – SB225 (Sen. Scott Surovell – Mount Vernon) creates a Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank to provide grants and loans to greenhouse gas emission and other clean energy projects. Passed by the Senate Feb. 10. Water rates – HB770 (Del. Charniele Herring … Continued
Bennett-Parker elected to the Virginia Senate
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, a Democrat who represents Alexandria in the Virginia House of Delegates, easily won a special election on Feb. 10 for the 39th District in the state Senate. Bennett-Parker got nearly 83 percent of the vote, compared to 17 percent for her Republican opponent, Julie Robben Lineberry. Bennett-Parker will complete the term of Sen. … Continued
Spanberger authorizes referendum on redistricting
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation passed by the General Assembly calling for referendums on four proposed constitutional amendments on reproductive freedom, marriage equality, voting rights, and mid-decade redistricting. “Virginia voters deserve the opportunity to respond to the nationwide attacks on our rights, freedoms, and elections,” Spanberger said after signing the legislation on Feb. 6. … Continued
Virginia Senate candidates clash on key issues
Candidates for the 39th District in the Virginia Senate clashed on taxes, affordable housing, immigrants, unions, and much more during a Feb. 1 forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City. Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D) and Julie Robben Lineberry (R) are on the ballot for a special election on Feb. … Continued
McGuire wins special election for the House of Delegates
Garrett McGuire, a Democrat, easily won a special election Jan. 20 to represent the 17th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. McGuire beat Republican candidate Christopher Cardiff, getting just over 78 percent of the vote, the Virginia Department of Elections reports. The reliably Blue 17th District includes parts of Franconia, Rose Hill, and Springfield. … Continued
Gretchen Bulova wins special election for Virginia House
Gretchen Bulova won a special election on Jan. 13 for Virginia House of Delegates District 11. Bulova, a Democrat, beat her Republican opponent, Adam Wise, with nearly 69 percent of the vote, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. She will succeed her husband, David Bulova, in the House of Delegates. He had resigned after … Continued