Tag: state government
Police can now pull over loud cars
Under a Virginia law that takes effect July 1, police officers can stop a vehicle for having an excessively noisy exhaust system. Officers can enforce this law as a primary offense, meaning there is reasonable suspicion to make a traffic stop. Up to now, state law considered loud exhaust systems a secondary offense. Officers were … Continued
FCPS sets metrics for ending mask mandate
Fairfax County Public Schools will begin to roll back its mask requirements when the county reaches “moderate transmission rates” and remains there for seven consecutive days, the school system announced. Meanwhile, both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have passed bills allowing parents to have their children opt out of school mask mandates. Gov. … Continued
Youngkin pursues right-wing agenda
Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin’s legislative priorities call for diverting funds from public schools to charter schools, banning critical race theory, restricting voting, and promoting massive tax cuts. The following bills and budget amendments introduced in the General Assembly are part of Youngkin’s “Day One Agenda.” Education The Board of Education or a local school board … Continued
Youngkin selects former school board member Elizabeth Schultz for state office
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has selected former Fairfax County School Board member Elizabeth Schultz as assistant superintendent of public instruction. As a school board member, Schultz opposed including gender identity and sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies and was an outspoken advocate against efforts to support transgender students. Her Twitter account ThinkSchultz – which has been … Continued
Candidates for governor – McAuliffe and Youngkin – in a dead heat, according to latest poll
McAuliffe speaks to voters. The two candidates in the race to become the next government of Virginia – Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin – is a virtual dead heat. Forty percent of likely voters plan to vote for McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate, on Nov. 2, and 37 percent favor Youngkin, the Republican candidate, according to … Continued
Virginia sales tax holiday this weekend
This weekend is a good time to stock up on school supplies. [Amazon] Virginia is having its annual sales tax holiday this weekend. You can buy certain school supplies, clothing, emergency preparedness supplies, and energy-saving and water-saving products without paying state sales taxes. Purchases can be made in person, online, or by phone.
Public can have a say in Virginia redistricting effort
The Redistricting Commission could redraw gerrymandered districts like this one. Members of the public are invited to provide input into Virginia’s redistricting process at a hearing July 27 at George Mason University in Fairfax. The hearing, at 4 p.m. in Dewberry Hall in GMU’s Johnson Center, will help guide the Virginia Redistricting Commission’s work to … 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
Funds available for cooling assistance
Monday afternoon in Annandale. Virginia’s Department of Social Services offers funds for cooling assistance to help vulnerable households deal with summer heat waves. To be eligible, at least one household member must be age 60 or older, age 5 or younger, or designated as disabled by Social Security, Medicaid, or the U.S. Department of Veterans … Continued
Virginia Republicans select Youngkin to run for governor
Long lines of Republican delegates wait in line to vote at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College. [Virginia-Pilot] Delegates from the Republican Party of Virginia selected Glenn Youngkin as their nominee for the governor of Virginia May 10. Youngkin, a former co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, a private equity company, will face off … 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 DMV center planned for Braddock Road
An illustration of the new DMV center planned for Braddock Road. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is planning to build a new DMV Customer Service Center at 9911 Braddock Road in Fairfax, Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw announced. The structure will replace a facility currently used for motorcycle training. The DMV purchased the property in … Continued
Northam signs legislation abolishing the death penalty
Northam (right) visits the execution chamber at the Greensville Correctional Center. Virginia Gov. Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation March 23 abolishing the death penalty. Virginia is the 23rd state, and the first in the South, to ban executions.
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.
More candidates join the race for governor, other state offices
Since we reported in January on the crowded field of candidates running for statewide offices, several more Republican candidates have jumped into the race. They include seven more candidates running for governor for a total of 10. Another Republican candidate joined the race for lieutenant governor, and there’s one more running for attorney general.