Tag: state government
Youngkin vetoes bills on marijuana sales, firearms, and the minimum wage
Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed numerous bills that had been Democratic priorities, including measures to establish a retail marijuana market, to increase the minimum wage, and to address gun violence. In vetoing the marijuana bill, Youngkin cited concerns about children’s health and safety. Currently, Virginia allows adults to possess small amounts of marijuana, … Continued
No more legacy college admissions
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has so far signed 64 bills passed by the General Assembly into law, amended 12, and vetoed 20. One of the measures signed by Youngkin prohibits legacy admissions and admissions based on donor status at public institutions of higher education (House Bill 48). As a result, colleges and universities will no … Continued
General Assembly considers women’s health, gun violence
Hundreds of bills have been introduced in the Virginia General Session since the current term began on Jan. 10. Now that the Democrats have majorities in both houses, they’re pushing an agenda that includes curbing gun violence, protecting women’s reproductive healthcare, increasing funding for schools, and much more. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has veto power, … Continued
Rep. Spanberger, a candidate for governor, reaches out to all voters
U.S. Rep Abigail Spanberger, a Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, believes her ability to collaborate across the aisle will enable her to accomplish her goals in the statehouse. Spanberger spoke about her time in Congress and her background in the Central Intelligence Agency during an event on Jan. 12 hosted by the Democratic Business … Continued
FCPS won’t implement Youngkin’s model policies on trans students
Fairfax County Public Schools will not implement the “model policies” on the treatment of transgender students promulgated by the administration of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Superintendent Michelle Reid announced Aug. 15. The final version of the model policies issued by the Virginia Department of Education in July calls for school districts to set their own policies … Continued
New Virginia laws took effect July 1
The following laws passed by the General Assembly this year took effect July 1 unless otherwise stated. For more information about these and other bills enacted in 2023, visit the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. Criminal offenses House Bill 1682, Senate Bill 1188 – A mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl is … Continued
FCPS objects to subpoena by Virginia attorney general on delayed notifications
Fairfax County Public Schools is refusing to hand over additional documents to Attorney General Jason Miyares about the delay in notifying students designated as Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This winter, FCPS contracted with the Sands Anderson law firm to conduct an investigation of the delay. The report concluded that the delayed … Continued
Candidates for the state senate clash on corporate campaign contributions
Heidi Drauschak, a candidate for the 35th District in the Virginia Senate, told the audience at a forum May 16 that one of her top priorities is campaign finance reform and that she won’t accept money from Dominion Energy or other corporations. She is challenging Sen. Dave Marsden in the Democratic Primary on June 20. The 35th … Continued
Sen. Saslaw will not run for re-election
Longtime Virginia state Sen. Dick Saslaw has confirmed the rumors about his retirement. Saslaw, currently the Senate Majority Leader, announced Feb. 23 on the Senate floor that he will not run for re-election in November. The 83-year-old Democratic leader was first elected to the General Assembly in 1980. Saslaw will retire when his term is … Continued
VA Senate candidate Heidi Drauschak focuses on campaign finance reform
Heidi Drauschak, a candidate for the Virginia Senate in the 35th District, is focusing on the need for campaign finance reform. She will be on the ballot in the Democratic Primary on June 20. The redrawn 35th District encompasses Annandale, Springfield, West Springfield, and adjacent areas. Due to redistricting, the 35th District incorporates areas currently … Continued
BoS urges state to prevent schools from hiring offenders
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed on Oct. 11 to urge the state to strengthen its policies on how the arrests of public school employees are reported. This action comes in the wake of the discovery of a convicted sexual predator working as a counselor at Glasgow Middle School. County and school officials were … Continued
Prosecutors won’t enforce abortion ban
If Virginia enacts a law banning abortions, the commonwealth’s attorneys for Fairfax and Arlington counties will not enforce it. That’s the message Steve Descano, the chief prosecutor for Fairfax County, and Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, who has that role for Arlington County and Falls Church City, brought to a fundraiser for Repro Rising Sept. 22 in Mason … Continued
Frisch and Siebold running for the General Assembly
Fairfax County School Board member Karl Frisch (Providence) and Holly Seibold, an advocate for women’s issues, are seeking the Democratic nomination for the House of Delegates in the 35th district. That seat has been held by Mark Keam since 2010. On Sept. 4, Keam announced his departure from the General Assembly to take a position … Continued
Youngkin attacks public schools
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other Republican state leaders came down hard against public education at a back-to-school rally for GOP congressional candidates Aug. 31 at Mason District Park in Annandale. The key message at the event is that parents, not school administrators, teacher unions, or “radical politicians,” should have control over their children’s education. … Continued
New Virginia laws take effect
Here are a few of the newly enacted Virginia laws that took effect July 1: Public education Senate Bill 656 – The Department of Education is directed to develop model policies on sexually explicit content in instructional material by July 30. School boards must adopt policies by Jan. 1, 2023, for ensuring parental notification of … Continued