Tag: General Assembly
Annandale/Mason residents affected by redistricting
The Virginia Supreme Court [Roanoke Times] Under a redistricting plan approved by the Virginia Supreme Court, some residents of the Annandale/Mason area will be shifted to a different congressional, Virginia House of Delegates, and/or Virginia Senate district. Here are some of the key changes: Several communities currently in the 11th U.S. Congressional District (represented by … Continued
New Virginia laws legalize marijuana, abolish death penalty, protect absentee voting
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signs legislation allowing localities to establish green banks. Third from left: bill sponsor Del. Kaye Kory (Annandale). A long list of laws passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by Gov. Ralph Northam are now in effect. The following laws took effect July 1 unless otherwise noted: Marijuana Legal possession … Continued
Meet the candidates: Del. Kaye Kory
Del. Kaye Kory We sent the same questionnaire to the two people running in the Democratic Primary for the 38th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates: the incumbent, Kaye Kory, and challenger Holly Hazard. The 38th District includes most of Annandale inside the Beltway, Lake Barcroft, and parts of Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven … Continued
Meet the candidates: Holly Hazard
Holly Hazard (right) on the campaign trail. The Annandale Blog sent the same questionnaire to the two people running in the Democratic Primary for the 38th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates: the incumbent, Kaye Kory, and challenger Holly Hazard. The 38th District includes most of Annandale inside the Beltway, Lake Barcroft, and … Continued
Marijuana possession legal in Virginia as of July 1
The Virginia General Assembly has approved Gov. Ralph Northam’s request to move up the date for legalizing marijuana. As a result, the simple possession of marijuana for recreational use will be legal on July 1, 2021, three years earlier than under legislation passed earlier. Virginia is the first state in the South to legalize marijuana.
New state laws address voting, equity, electric vehicles, and more
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced March 19 that he signed into law over a dozen additional bills passed by the General Assembly, including measures to expand access to healthcare and birth control, promote equity, and more.
New Virginia law gives students an excused absence for a civic or political event
Gov. Northam signs new laws. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed 80 new pieces of legislation into law that were passed by the 2021 General Assembly. Here are some highlights: Student civic engagement – The Virginia Department is Education is directed to establish guidelines that allow an excused absence for middle and high school students … Continued
Holly Hazard to run against Del. Kaye Kory in Democratic Primary
Holly Hazard (right) talks to residents about their concerns. Social justice advocate Holly Hazard is challenging long-time House of Delegates member Kaye Kory in the Democratic Primary. The primary is June 8. Hazard, a Mason District resident for more than 30 years, wants to bring a new viewpoint to the General Assembly.
Virginia legislature passes bill on legalizing recreational marijuana
Virginia lawmakers approved legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use, beginning in 2024. Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to sign the measure, which focuses on ending inequities in the criminal justice system. Several lawmakers said they hope Northam will propose amendments to speed up legalization and strengthen the provisions to promote racial equity.
Laws protecting nursing homes from COVID-related liability needn’t stop suits against Annandale Healthcare Center
Chris Duncan holds a portrait of his mother at an event at the Washington monument in September honoring the lives lost to COVID-19 and protesting the lack of a national policy to contain the pandemic. Constance Duncan contracted COVID at the Annandale Healthcare Center. Legislation approved by the Virginia General Assembly during the special session … Continued
Virginia decriminalizes marijuana
A Beyond Hello medical marijuana dispensary owned by the Jushi Co. The company plans to open a state-approved dispensary in Manassas. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law several bills May 21 passed by the General Assembly relating to the decriminalization of marijuana possession. The new laws take effect July 1. Anyone caught by the … Continued
Historic gun safety legislation enacted in Virginia
Members of Moms Demand Action (right) watch the General Assembly consider gun legislation in January. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law several bills passed by the General Assembly aimed at reducing gun violence, including the following: Senate bill 70 (incorporating House bill 2) requires background checks for all firearm sales and transfers, including those … Continued
Virginia repeals overly restrictive abortion rules
Tarina Keane, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice VA, speaks in January in support of legislation to overturn restrictive anti-abortion laws. Legislation enacted in Virginia, signed by Gov. Ralph Northam April 9, repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on women’s reproductive health. Senate Bill 733 and House Bill 980 eliminate the requirement of an ultrasound and a mandatory … Continued
Virginia General Assembly approves bills on taxes, guns, marijuana, and much more
The General Assembly The Virginia General Assembly has mostly wrapped up for the year – except for a budget bill that is expected to be approved March 12. Some of the bills being sent to Gov. Ralph Northam, include the following: Taxes – The gas tax would be raised 5 cents a year over the … Continued