Posts Tagged General Assembly 2022

New updates for Virginia’s approach to the coast go into effect

Virginia’s approach to climate change and coastal flooding continued to be updated this year. Jahd Khalil briefs us on the General Assembly’s latest updates to coastal management that went into effect this summer. 

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The House of Delegates rejects amendment making it a crime to protest outside judges’ homes

Friday, state legislators had 38 budget amendments to go through. Budgets in Virginia don’t only mean more or less money. They could even mean a new felony, as Jahd Khalil reports from the Capitol. 

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After months of negotiations, the General Assembly has come to an agreement on the state budget

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now considering his first budget since taking office. Michael Pope has details.

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A look at some of the budget proposals lawmakers will take up next week

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House and Senate leaders may be on the verge of cutting a deal on the budget. Michael Pope reports.

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State lawmakers could finally vote on a budget proposal next week

Lawmakers have yet to finalize an agreement on the budget. But as Michael Pope reports, they might be on the verge of cutting a deal.

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What’s next for the Democratic caucus in the House of Delegates?

Democrats in Virginia’s House of Delegates are currently without a leader, leaving open a question about how the divided caucus will forge a path forward. Michael Pope reports.

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What to expect from this year’s reconvene session

Lawmakers will be returning to Richmond Wednesday to finish up some unfinished business. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Pope & Schapiro: Virginia’s reconvene session and what to expect

The General Assembly will be back in Richmond next week for the reconvene session – weighing amendments and vetoes from Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro with the Richmond Times-Dispatch preview what to expect from the session.

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The sponsor of solitary confinement study is ok with governor’s amendment

Lawmakers will return to Richmond next week to consider several amendments from the governor to legislation from the General Assembly. Michael Pope has this report on one of those amendments to a bill aimed at limiting the use of solitary confinement in Virginia prisons.

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Youngkin amendment would reduce restitution for wrongfully-convicted man by $1

Bobbie Morman Jr., pictured with his mother. (Credit: UVA Innocence Project)

Lawmakers are about to consider a bill to determine the exact dollar amount to pay someone who was wrongfully convicted and spent 22 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. As Michael Pope reports, the governor wants to reduce the amount of money by one dollar.

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Pope & Schapiro: Veto pen fireworks

Governor Glenn Youngkin set off political fireworks with the stroke of his veto pen earlier this week. What lies ahead for state lawmakers with the veto session on the horizon later this month?

Jeff Schapiro with the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope take a closer look.

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Youngkin vetoes include bipartisan measures to address medical debt issues

Credit: Wellness GM / Flickr, Creative Common: flickr.com/photos/130100316@N04/15728773073/

The idea that medical debt collectors might come after people having a hard time making ends meet is concerning to a lot of Republicans and Democrats, who worked together during the General Assembly session to protect Virginians.

As Michael Pope reports, now the governor is using his veto pen on two of those bills. 

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One gubernatorial veto would’ve helped localities address issues with slumlords

Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed 26 bills lawmakers put on his desk this year. Michael Pope has this report on one of those vetoes for a bill aimed at cracking down on slumlords.

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What comes next for state lawmakers following Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments?

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Governor Youngkin’s vetoes of 26 pieces of legislation are the most since 1998. They would’ve meant some new policies for the Commonwealth. Jahd Khalil has this report on the politics of the move. 

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The debate over police use of facial recognition technology isn’t over

Lawmakers are not done debating whether police should be able to use facial recognition technology. As Michael Pope reports, an amendment from the governor will keep this issue on the docket for weeks.

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How to go about providing tax relief to Virginians is a major budget sticking point

Lawmakers will be returning to the Capitol Monday to finish balancing the books and finalizing a budget. But, as Michael Pope reports, serious divisions remain.

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Tax breaks are biggest difference between state budget negotiators, but there’s a gap in SNAP funding, too

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State lawmakers return to Richmond on Monday. They’ll be there to start a special session focusing on the Budget. Jahd Khalil reports on another item they’ll have to address: money for an expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. 

The Virginia Poverty Law Center has a SNAP calculator that can calculate whether a person qualifies for SNAP.

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How much to spend on affordable housing is another debate state lawmakers face next week

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Lawmakers are about to return to Richmond in an effort to balance the books. But, as Michael Pope reports, they’re divided over how much money to invest in affordable housing.

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Pope & Schapiro: What to expect from the special session, Miyares’ opposition to Dominion offshore wind project

Lawmakers are returning to Richmond for a special session on the budget, as teachers voice their support for equity programs and the attorney general voices his opposition to wind power.

Richmond Times-Dispatch political columnist Jeff Schapiro joins Michael Pope to break it down.

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A gas tax holiday may not lead to savings for Virginia drivers

Lawmakers will be returning to Richmond next week for a special session. And, as Michael Pope reports, one of the things they’ll be considering is a gas tax holiday.

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Youngkin will consider hundreds of bills in the coming weeks

Credit: Jahd Khalil

The General Assembly session may be over, but the process of a bill moving from just an idea to becoming a law is far from over. Governor Glenn Youngkin still has hundreds of bills to consider, as Michael Pope reports.

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State lawmakers remain divided on how to best address gun violence

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Governor Youngkin is urging lawmakers back to the Capitol to finish work on Virginia’s two-year budget. One item still on their to-do list is deciding the most effective way to spend millions earmarked to help reduce gun violence.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, Republicans and Democrats don’t agree on which state agency should oversee the funds. 

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Will Governor Youngkin sign a police facial recognition bill?

Police departments across Virginia may soon be using your Facebook photo to see if you are a suspect in a crime. Michael Pope reports.

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Partisanship marked a 2022 session without any major accomplishments

Lawmakers ended their General Assembly session without any major accomplishments. Michael Pope has this report on why.

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State lawmakers must work out a $3 billion difference between House and Senate budgets

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The General Assembly session is done and dusted. But as Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are still negotiating on the budget.

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Governor Glenn Youngkin wants lawmakers to suspend the state gas tax for three months

Credit: Jahd Khalil

There are three big players in Virginia’s budget negotiations. On one side are Republicans who control the House and Governor Glenn Youngkin. On the other are Senate Democrats who held up much of the Governor’s agenda. Jahd Khalil reports on one signal about how those discussions are going. 

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A General Assembly rejection of a cabinet pick isn’t without precedent

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Governor Glenn Youngkin’s controversial pick for Cabinet secretary was rejected by lawmakers, although he’ll be sticking around as an advisor. Michael Pope reports that this has happened only one other time in Virginia history.

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Virginia students could soon get some say in statewide education decisions

Public school students across Virginia may soon be getting more input into education policy. Michael Pope reports.

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The biggest budget sticking point? What to do about the standard deduction

Members of the General Assembly concluded their session without passing a budget. Michael Pope reports.

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Despite some opposition, facial recognition measure moves forward

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill that would allow police departments to use facial recognition technology. Michael Pope reports.

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A scaled back virtual meetings bill is likely moving forward in Richmond

During the pandemic, many local governments started conducting business virtually. Now as Michael Pope reports, some of that is about to continue into the future.

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Lunch debt legislation headed to Youngkin’s desk

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now considering legislation that’s passed the House and the Senate. As Michael Pope reports, one of those bills is about school lunch debt.

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‘Medical sandbox’ legislation in danger of being dropped for the year

Members of the Virginia state Senate are considering a bill that would expedite the approval process for prescription drugs and medical devices. Michael Pope reports that some senators have concerns.

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Some state lawmakers want to roll back Virginia’s new police documents law

Virginia has a new law that finally makes some police documents available to the public after the case has been closed. As Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are trying to roll that back.

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Localities and natural gas: lawmakers weigh how much power city councils should have

Lawmakers are debating how much power your local government has to prohibit fossil fuels. Michael Pope has more from Richmond.

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Changes are on the horizon for Virginia’s Parole Board

Last year, Republicans campaigned on cleaning up the Virginia Parole Board. Now, as Michael Pope reports, they’re making some changes.

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Tax cuts and a balanced budget: it’s now or never for Virginia lawmakers

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Lawmakers are trying to balance the books before heading out of town Saturday. Michael Pope reports.

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A voting measure for some Virginia active military members has been shelved for this year’s session

The Senate is rejecting a bill that would allow some active duty military to vote in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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‘Medical Sandbox’ legislation headed to the Senate floor

Credit: Wellness GM / Flickr, Creative Commons: flickr.com/photos/130100316@N04/15728773073/

As the pandemic continues to claim lives, lawmakers in Richmond are talking about taking steps to prompt medical innovation. Michael Pope reports.

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Lawmakers have again rejected a homeschool sports bill

Governor Glenn Youngkin was elected on a platform of giving parents more choice. But as Michael Pope reports, homeschool students will not be joining public school sports anytime soon.

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State Democrats using last-ditch effort to move forward amendments referendum

Two significant changes to Virginia’s Constitution are being considered by the General Assembly. But it’s an uphill battle, as Jahd Khalil reports. He has this update on a last-ditch effort by Democrat legislators. 

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Medical debt bill likely headed to Governor Youngkin’s desk

Credit: Wellness GM / Flickr, Creative Commons; flickr.com/photos/130100316@N04/15728773073/

Governor Glenn Youngkin may soon consider a bill that would create a statute of limitations for medical debt. Michael Pope reports.

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An effort to add party affiliation to Constitutional offices is dead

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Candidates for some offices in Virginia are identified by party affiliation and some are not. Michael Pope has this report on an unsuccessful attempt to add more party affiliation.

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Facial recognition measure will soon be on Youngkin’s desk

Governor Glenn Youngkin will soon be considering a bill allowing local police departments to use controversial facial recognition technology. Michael Pope has details.

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Virginia Constitution language banning same-sex marriage will remain

Voters will not have an opportunity to reject Virginia’s unconstitutional ban on gay marriage. Michael Pope explains why.

The same House subcommittee also killed a proposed referendum on the automatic restoration of voting rights of former felons.

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An effort to roll back Virginia’s red flag law is done for the year

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Virginia has a red-flag law designed to combat gun violence. As Michael Pope reports, a Republican effort to overturn the law has failed.

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A regulated marijuana marketplace in Virginia likely isn’t happening this year

The effort to create a regulated marijuana marketplace is going nowhere, at least for this year. Michael Pope has more from the General Assembly.

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Some state Senators want protective plexiglass in the chamber removed

Senator Siobhan Dunnavant says she wants the box around her desk removed by Monday, vowing to remove it herself if it’s not gone by the beginning of next week. (Credit: Virginia Senate livestream)

Mask mandates are being lifted in schools across Virginia. And as Michael Pope reports, COVID-19 protocols may also be changing in the state Senate.

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Differences of opinion on what to do with Virginia’s grocery tax remain

Governor Glenn Youngkin campaigned on eliminating the grocery tax. Now lawmakers are debating how much of it they want to eliminate. Michael Pope reports.

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An effort to end solitary confinement in Virginia is dead for this year’s session

Lawmakers are rejecting an effort to end solitary confinement. As Michael Pope reports, they’re moving forward with a study instead.

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