Archive for category Virginia’s News

Republicans and Democrats split over Youngkin tax cuts

Last year, lawmakers were deadlocked over the budget for months. Now, Republicans and Democrats are trying to balance the books, and Michael Pope tells us they have different priorities.

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Virginia Democrats delay proposals to amend state’s constitution to 2025

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell

Virginia Democrats spoke often of amending the state’s constitution on the campaign trail during the 2023 election cycle.  And while bills to enshrine abortion protections and same-sex marriage, as well as restoring felon voting rights, have been submitted, they won’t get heard until next year. Brad Kutner has more. 

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House Democrats cast doubt on funding for Youngkin’s STEM lab schools

Governor Glenn Younkin speaks before a crowd at VCU’s School of Engineering, opening the doors to his first STEM-focused lab school. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

About $100 million was allocated to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s lab school program in 2022, but future funding to maintain them is in the hands of a Democratically-controlled legislature who argue existing public schools need funding first. Brad Kutner has more.

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One Virginia lawmaker is hoping to strike a deal on FOIA fees

Public documents are supposed to be available to the public. Although, as Michael Pope tells us, sometimes they come at a price.

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Democrats: Virginia teachers deserve a significant pay raise

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne

Education was a topic on the campaign trail last year. Now, members of the General Assembly are debating what to do about it. Michael Pope reports on an effort to pay teachers more.

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Efforts to increase teacher pay, decrease school counselor ratio clear first legislative hurdle

Virginia Beach Delegate Michael Feggans presents his bill before a House Education subcommittee Tuesday, January 16th, 2024. (Credit: Del. Michael Feggans’ Office/X)

A pair of bills that aim to increase the quality of Virginia’s schools made it out of a House subcommittee Tuesday morning. Brad Kutner has more.

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Raising the minimum wage is a top priority for Virginia Democrats this session

Democrats in the General Assembly are hoping to raise the minimum wage. Michael Pope reports.

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Skill games legislation taking steps towards Senate floor

Virginia legislators, [from left] GOP Sen. Timmy French, GOP Delegate Terry Kilgore, Democratic Senators Aaron Rouse and Louise Lucas and Delegate Suhas Subramanyam unite around an effort to legalize, regulate and tax skill games in Virginia. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Members of the General Assembly are considering a bill that would allow more gambling at convenience stores and truck stops. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia legislators look to update outdated school funding formula

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne

Virginia has long used a school funding formula that legislators and education advocates argue fails to focus on student outcomes or education equity. A House education committee this week took the first steps to change that. Brad Kutner has more.

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House Speaker Scott wants to boost healthcare access in rural Virginia

Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ

Virginia’s new Speaker of the House is not wasting any time to put his stamp on the General Assembly. Michael Pope reports on his goal of improving rural healthcare.

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Gun advocates, opponents gather at Virginia’s capitol

Virginia Citizens Defense League leader Phillip Van Cleave leads the group’s annual lobby day at the 2024 legislative session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Advocates for gun access and those against it have already visited the capital this session. And while Governor Glenn Younkin is not expected to make it any harder to acquire a firearm, there’s at least one bill by Democrats that may get his sign off. Brad Kutner has more.

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Virginia lawmakers honor MLK during history-making session

Credit: NARA

Martin Luther King, Junior’s birthday has been a federal holiday since the early 1980s. But as Michael Pope tells us, members of the General Assembly are hard at work.

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Time is running out to secure coverage through Virginia’s new health insurance marketplace

Virginia has a new state healthcare exchange for Obamacare. And as Michael Pope reports, open enrollment closes soon.

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Dreaming of spring flowers? Guide lists 1600 native plants and how to grow them in Virginia

Mountain laurel is a plant species native to Virginia. (Credit: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation)

This time of year, many gardeners are dreaming of warmer days, and perhaps are already making plans for spring. If you’re looking to plant more native flowers this year, Roxy Todd has the details on an online garden guide.

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A change to the voting rights restoration process in Virginia is getting bipartisan support

Virginia is the only state that permanently disenfranchises anyone convicted of a felony, and allows only the governor to restore that right. Michael Pope reports on an effort to change that.

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Virginia legislature elects first Black Speaker of the House

Credit: Brad Kutner

Portsmouth-area Delegate Don Scott became the first Black speaker of Virginia’s House of Delegates when the 2024 legislative session opened Wednesday. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Governor Youngkin’s proposal to ditch the car tax is “dead on arrival”

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell

Lawmakers are back in Richmond for the General Assembly session. And as Michael Pope tells us, they’re already making news about tax issues.

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The 2024 General Assembly is in session; what can we expect?

With the fiscal legacy of Virginia’s governor at stake, members of the General Assembly will gavel into session this week/today. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Virginia Democrats want to make menstrual app data off limits to police

Abortion was one of the most important issues during the campaign. And now that Democrats are taking control of the General Assembly, they are hoping to make it a part of the legislative session. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia legislators hope to restore former felon’s voting rights

With the 2024 legislative session just days away, an effort to amend Virginia’s constitution to give former felons the right to vote is already on the docket. Advocates argue the current requirement for the governor to authorize rights restoration disproportionately impacts Black voters. Brad Kutner has more.

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Study finds land subsidence could make sea level flooding worse

Scientists predict climate change will make sea levels rise, threatening many coastal communities. A new study finds another threat could make sea level flooding worse, as Roxy Todd reports.

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State Democrats say Youngkin’s tax cut proposals aren’t happening

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Governor Glenn Youngkin wants to cut Virginia’s income tax. But as Michael Pope reports, he’ll have a difficult time persuading Democrats who are now in control of the House and Senate.

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A proposed sports arena in northern Virginia will be a big topic of debate for the upcoming session

A render of part of the proposed sports complex in Alexandria. (Credit: Alexandria Economic Development Partnership)

One of the issues lawmakers will be debating when they gavel into session next week is the creation of a new authority that would own a northern Virginia sports arena. Michael Pope reports.

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Mental health, elder care tops public concerns in 2024 budget hearing

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

The Virginia legislature held four virtual hearings Wednesday to hear from the public on what they’d like to see in the budget. Brad Kutner tuned in to two of hearings where mental health and care for the elderly were repeated concerns. 

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Labor force participation has bounced back in Virginia, albeit somewhat unevenly

A graph showing the labor force participation rate in the Commonwealth (Credit: FRED)

Virginia’s labor force participation rate is now higher than it was before the pandemic. Michael Pope explains.

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Will Governor Youngkin be successful in his “digital personal property tax” proposal?

Members of the General Assembly are about to consider a proposal from the governor to modernize the sales tax. Michael Pope reports.

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Shakeup at Virginia’s Massive Resistance-linked scholarship fund concerns advocates

Sen. Mamie Locke listens as JLARC members explain new K-12 teacher pipeline and vacancy data. The Hampton-area senator is baffled by the decision to not reappoint Cobbs. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Civil rights advocates and elected officials are worried about recent shake ups in Virginia’s Brown vs. Board Scholarship Committee.

The legislatively-approved body has been expanded to support the children of those impacted by massive-resistance-era school closures, but changes in membership and funding issues are raising eyebrows. Brad Kutner has more. 

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How will state lawmakers handle Governor Youngkin’s behavioral health push?

Later this month, members of the General Assembly will consider an effort some are calling a transformation of Virginia’s behavioral health system. Michael Pope reports.

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New report: Virginia experienced economic growth in 2023

Old Dominion University has released its annual State of the Commonwealth report. Virginia saw economic growth this year, but Virginians are still feeling pessimistic. Nick Gilmore reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: Looking back at the biggest stories of 2023

2023 was a big year for Virginia government and state politics.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – look back at some of the year’s most noteworthy stories.

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Outmigration is still worrying some Virginia lawmakers

Virginia lawmakers continue to worry about the number of people leaving the Commonwealth. Michael Pope has the details.

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Governor Youngkin proposes more than $400 million for childcare efforts

Childcare is expected to be a major topic of conversation for the upcoming General Assembly session. Michael Pope reports.

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Only Democratic legislator from Virginia’s western half shares priorities for 2024

Delegate Sam Rasoul

Delegate Sam Rasoul is the only Democratic legislator from the western half of Virginia who will head to the General Assembly next month.

Brad Kutner spoke to him about his priorities for the region and what he hopes to accomplish as the chair of the House’s Education committee. 

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2024’s lesser-known proposed amendments to Virginia’s Constitution

Members of both political parties are hopeful they can soon add new amendments to Virginia’s state constitution. While you may have heard about some headline making constitutional amendments already, Brad Kutner took a look at lesser-known proposals that will go before the legislature next month.

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Is it time for a millionaire tax in Virginia?

This week, the governor will outline his proposal for the next budget. And as Michael Pope reports, some are calling for him to finally do something about Virginia’s tax code.

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A new Virginia sports arena is raising questions about the use of public funding for such projects

A render of part of the proposed sports complex in Alexandria. (Credit: Alexandria Economic Development Partnership)

Should public money be used to finance sports venues? Michael Pope reports it’s likely to be a hot topic at the state capitol.

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State lawmakers to take another look at “skill games” next month

Gambling will be one of the many topics of conversation when members of the General Assembly return to Richmond next month. Michael Pope has this update on machines you might have seen at your local convenience store.

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Privacy concerns still surround some smart toys. Experts have these tips for protecting kids

Holiday gift giving is upon us, and for many kids that means toys. As Roxy Todd reports, there are a growing number of smart toys on the market that you may want to do a bit of research about before gifting to kids.

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Will state lawmakers require paid sick leave next month?

One of the topics lawmakers will consider when they return to the Capitol next month is requiring businesses offer five paid sick days every year. Michael Pope reports.

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More money is on the way for community service boards across Virginia

A new facility in Abingdon operated by Highlands CSB, to help people experiencing a mental health crisis, and help treat adults with substance use disorder and other behavioral health disorders opened earlier this year. State officials want to add more crisis receiving centers and stabilization units across the state. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is trying to figure out ways to fix a broken mental health system. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia Cold Case Database growing and providing leads

Virginia Cold Case Database website (Credit: Virginia State Police)

Virginia’s Cold Case Database went online in June of 2022. Now, a year-and-a-half after its launch, Craig Wright examines the growth of the site and whether it’s paying dividends.

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JLARC: Admissions to Virginia’s psychiatric hospitals are way up

Catawba Hospital in Roanoke County (Credit: Virginia Dept. Of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services)

Virginia’s mental health system continues to create challenges for state leaders. Michael Pope has details from a new state report.

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Parents ask Supreme Court of Virginia to force Attorney General to investigate state’s special needs education system

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Two families of special needs kids in Fairfax County are asking Virginia’s highest court to force Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate the state’s support systems for kids like theirs. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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State lawmakers will likely revisit license plate readers next month

Credit: Flock Safety

Privacy advocates are worried about a new wave of license plate readers deployed across Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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Appeals court appears unlikely to side with Virginia mobile home park in immigration liability dispute

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Should a landlord be criminally liable for renting to undocumented people? That’s an argument a Richmond-based federal appeals court seemed unlikely to agree with after a Fairfax County mobile home park asked tenants for their immigration status. Brad Kutner has more.  

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Most coal fired power plants in Virginia have closed. What happens to the buildings after they shut down?

Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ

How long will we produce electricity from coal? It’s a question being debated at the Climate Conference in Dubai. Here in Virginia, production of electricity from coal has dropped over the past 15 years. Our state now gets most of its electricity from nuclear and natural gas.

But what happens to communities when their coal-fired power plants close? It’s a question Roxy Todd went asking in Giles County, not far from the West Virginia line.

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New study: Virginia has a growing number of news deserts

Weekly newspapers are often a key way for a community to follow high school sports or the local obituaries. Michael Pope reports that Virginia has a growing number of news deserts.

You can see the full report here.

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Democrats will get to fill vacancies on the powerful State Corporation Commission next month

One of the consequences of Democrats taking control of the General Assembly is that Republicans will have no say in who serves on the State Corporation Commission. Michael Pope explains why.

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Could a minimum wage increase be on the horizon for 2024?

One of the first agenda items for Democrats who will soon take control of the General Assembly is raising the minimum wage. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia AG sides with religious parents in federal appeal over LGBTQ books in schools

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Parental rights isn’t just a hot topic in Virginia. One Maryland county has gone as far as integrating LGBTQ-inclusive books in their English language curriculum as young as kindergarten. That school system was sued by religious families, and Tuesday morning the fight came to Richmond’s Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.  That’s where Virginia, via Attorney General Jason Miyares, also got involved, as Brad Kutner reports. 

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