Tag: state government
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.
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 to become the first Southern state to abolish the death penalty
The execution chamber at the Greenville Correctional Center in 1994. [Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginia is poised to ban the death penalty. Gov. Ralph Norman said Feb. 22 that he plans to sign legislation banning capital punishment approved by both houses of the General Assembly.
COVID vaccination program to expand to include more pharmacies
Addo-Ayensu Virginia health officials hope the COVID-19 vaccination process will speed up when the federal retail pharmacy partnership expands. So far, CVS is getting 52,000 doses a week statewide, said Dr. Danny Avula, Virginia’s vaccine coordinator, at a COVID vaccine town hall hosted by state Sen. Dave Marsden, whose district covers the Annandale area; Del. … Continued
CVS COVID vaccination rollout poorly coordinated
This store in Annandale has begun providing COVID vaccinations to people 65+. The CVS COVID vaccine rollout in Virginia has been confusing and frustrating, Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccine coordinator, acknowledged. As part of a federal vaccine partnership, CVS is providing 26,000 doses a week to 36 pharmacies across the state, including the CVS … Continued