Posts Tagged General Assembly 2024

State lawmakers are running out of time to reach a budget agreement

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Senior leaders of the General Assembly’s money committees are expected to meet with the governor this week to hash out a budget compromise. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia’s budget deal pushed to May after newfound collaboration between Youngkin and legislature

Members of the Virginia General Assembly gather in the House of Delegates for the 2024 veto session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginia’s top elected officials appeared unified around the promise of a real compromise budget during Wednesday’s veto session. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol. 

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The fate of skill games is now in the governor’s hands

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now facing a decision about what happens with slot-machine style machines in convenience stores and truck stops. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia’s legislature hasn’t overridden a veto in more than a decade. Could that change Wednesday?

Virginia’s legislature returns to Richmond Wednesday to review Governor Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments. While tension remains high, at least one bill with strong bipartisan support could see Youngkin rebuked. Brad Kutner has more. 

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A look at what the 2024 reconvene session may hold

All 140 members of the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate will be back in Richmond Wednesday. They’ll take action on all the governor’s amendments, including a historic number of budget amendments. Michael Pope has this preview.

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A gubernatorial amendment on bullying might get the boot later this week

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

All 140 members of the Virginia General Assembly will return to Richmond this week for a brief session to consider the governor’s amendments and vetoes. Michael Pope tells us one of the amendments they’ll be considering involves bullying in schools.

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New school funding sales tax ballot initiative likely coming to a Virginia locality near you

Bristol officials are using ARPA funds to build a new school – the first one in more than half a century. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

While the Virginia legislature and Governor Glenn Youngkin continue to bicker over future school funding, one bill aimed at giving localities more authority to raise funds for school construction is likely to be signed in the coming weeks.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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The session is over, but there are big disagreements on the state budget

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Members of the General Assembly may have concluded their session. But as Michael Pope reports, the fight over the budget isn’t over.

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Bill reining in junk fees died late at the General Assembly this year

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Advocates for a bill to crack down on junk fees are disappointed that the bill failed at the last minute as the General Assembly session ended. Michael Pope has the story.

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Democratic priorities rule in legislative compromise budget

Delegate Luke Torian speaks to reporters after announcing a compromise budget. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Thursday’s release of a budget between the two legislative chambers was overshadowed by the news it would not include Governor Glenn Youngkin’s arena project. But the document offers details about the state’s $87 billion annual spending. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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Sports arena funding left out of General Assembly’s budget

Governor Glenn Youngkin gives a press conference as Senators Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke hover in the background. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Public financing for a proposed sports arena in Alexandria is not in a budget agreement struck this week by leaders in the House and Senate. Michael Pope reports.

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General Assembly moves online meetings bill to the governor’s desk

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Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering legislation that would expand online meetings. Michael Pope reports.

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Expanded revenge porn bill clears Virginia Senate

Members of the General Assembly are considering a bill that would increase penalties for revenge porn. Michael Pope has the story.

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Criminal justice reform plays out in the Virginia budget

Democratic House Speaker Don Scott presides over the House of Delegates in the waning days of the 2024 session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has used his post to advocate against some Democratic criminal justice reform efforts, including reforms pitched in the budget. But advocates say his criticisms are based on bad data and the reforms he’s blocking could save the Commonwealth millions of dollars. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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Will Governor Youngkin back NIL? One Virginia delegate is hopeful

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill that allows high school athletes to have more control over their name, image and likeness. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia free clinics fear impending legislative budget cuts

The Health Brigade’s office in Richmond. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginia’s free clinics, some in rural parts of the state, stepped up during the pandemic. And many got one-time federal funding for their service. But as that federal money dries up and state revenue projections make the fight for Virginia dollars even harder, many clinics are fearing the worst. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Effort to water down Virginia’s alcohol to food sales ratio shelved for a year

The owner of The Tobacco Company restaurant in Richmond testified against removing the state’s alcohol-to-food sales ratio. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

A bill that would have all but done away with the state’s alcohol to food sales ratio for restaurants was killed on the House floor Tuesday. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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State lawmakers weigh “reciprocity” in concealed carry debate

Democrats in the General Assembly are trying to limit who can carry a concealed firearm. Michael Pope reports.

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A bill changing the absentee vote count process is likely headed to the governor’s desk

Credit: Jahd Khalil

The dramatic increase in absentee balloting in recent years is prompting new legislation to make sure the process runs efficiently. Michael Pope has the story.

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Democrats challenge Gov. Youngkin with ‘7-day deadline’ bills

Senate Majority Scott Surovell announces a collection of bills that will require action from Governor Glenny Youngkin within seven days. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Democrats in Virginians House and Senate sped up approval of over 80 bills with the intention of getting Governor Glenn Youngkin to act on them before the scheduled end of session Saturday. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol.

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Virginia budget conferees share a few details as negotiations get underway

The sun shines down on the GAB grounds during the 2024 legislative session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

The deeply secretive budget process between the Virginia House and Senate is now underway. And while details are mum, Brad Kutner got what he could from those involved. 

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New vape laws, tax likely headed to the governor’s desk

The assortment of vape products sold by Capitol Smoke Shop. (Credit: Michael Midgette / Capitol Smoke Shop)

Two bills and a new tax on vape products are likely coming out of Virginia’s 2024 legislative session. Brad Kutner has more on the efforts despite concerns from vape shop owners. 

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Another session will wrap up without any new campaign finance laws

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Governor Glenn Youngkin is about to consider hundreds of bills that members of the General Assembly will be sending him. But campaign finance reform will not be on the list. Michael Pope reports.

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An earned sentence credits bill is still alive in Richmond

Members of the General Assembly are considering a bill that would help people who are incarcerated earn credits to be released early. Michael Pope reports.

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100 years ago, two women served in the General Assembly for the first time

A photograph of Sarah Lee Fain (left) and Helen Timmons Henderson is featured on the front page of the January 9, 1924, Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. (Credit: Library of Virginia)

As Women’s History Month opens Friday, the Virginia General Assembly now has the largest group of female lawmakers in history. Michael Pope has this story about Virginia’s first female lawmakers who broke the glass ceiling.

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Pro-solar bills die as local authority rules Virginia

Solar panels at the University of Virginia. (Credit: UVA)

Efforts to allow more solar panel placement across the Commonwealth failed to sway lawmakers this session. But their patrons, who sought to supersede local efforts to block solar projects, hope they got the conversation started.  Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Marijuana marketplace legislation inches towards Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk

Governor Glenn Youngkin is about to consider a bill that would create a retail market for marijuana. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia moves closer to dropping food-to-alcohol sales ratio for many restaurants

The owner of The Tobacco Company restaurant in Richmond testified against removing the state’s alcohol-to-food sales ratio. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

It’s long been a law in Virginia that establishments that sell alcohol must sell nearly half their earnings in food. But Tuesday, an effort to remove that requirement got endorsed in a House subcommittee, a massive step in a fight that’s been decades in the making. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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Could Virginia finally implement a minimum wage for farmworkers?

Rows of pumpkins at Jeter Farm in Roanoke near Bonsack. (Credit: Craig Wright / Radio IQ)

Members of the General Assembly are considering a bill that would overturn a law from the Jim Crow era. Michael Pope has the story.

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An effort to allow electronic wills is dead this session

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

The pandemic moved a lot of modern life online. But Michael Pope tells us that writing a last will and testament is not one of those things, at least in Virginia.

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There are strong opinions on both sides of the skill games debate

Lawmakers in Richmond are debating if convenience stores and truck stops should have machines that allow customers to play video games that pay money when the person wins.  And Michael Pope reports the opposition to the machines is growing louder.

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Housing expansion via mother-in-law suites looks likely in 2025

The Virginia House of Delegates during the 2024 legislative session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

As Virginia continues to suffer from a housing shortage, efforts to increase livable units struggle to make headway at the state’s legislature.

And while one bill promising to increase housing may be dead for this year, a study and support from leadership could put it on the path to success in 2025. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Virginia Senator starts Narcan training challenge during 2024 session

Virginia legislators pose after receiving naloxone training. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

As deaths from opioid overdoses continue to rise across the Commonwealth, a Virginia Senator is hoping to see as many elected officials get trained to use an emergency treatment as possible. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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An effort to add training on Virginia’s red flag law is moving through the General Assembly

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Virginia’s red flag law has successfully taken guns out of the hands of people who pose a danger to themselves or others. Michael Pope has this story about proposed legislation that would encourage more law enforcement agencies to use risk orders.

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Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears apologies for misgendering Senator Danica Roem

A screengrab of the Virginia Senate livestream on Feb. 26, 2024. (Credit: Virginia Senate)

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears is apologizing for misgendering the only transgender member of the Virginia General Assembly. Michael Pope has more.

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Virginia elected officials in Washington and Richmond push IVF protections

After the Supreme Court of Alabama found fertilized eggs are unborn people in the wake of the rollback of Roe v. Wade, Virginia’s elected officials in Washington and Richmond are pushing to protect in vitro fertilization. Brad Kutner has more. 

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State lawmakers want to raise teacher pay, but are at odds over how much

Teachers across Virginia may be getting a raise soon. But Michael Pope tells us lawmakers are disagreeing about how to calculate it.

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Effort to rejoin RGGI survives House debate

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, is a multistate partnership that has seen hundreds of millions of dollars returned to Virginia.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has called it a burdensome tax and tried to remove the state from the agreement. But a budget amendment that would force Virginia to rejoin survived debate on the House floor Thursday. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Virginia House Republicans disagree on prison reform in budget

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Public safety has been a priority for Virginia’s Republican Party this session, but when the House GOP leader took issue with a reform effort in the budget, one of his own members pushed back. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Legislation allowing for more ADUs is still alive at the General Assembly

Advocates for affordable housing are hoping members of the General Assembly will take action to increase the number of housing units. Michael Pope reports.

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Many gun control measures are likely headed to Governor Youngkin’s desk

Members of the General Assembly are moving new gun violence legislation to the governor’s desk. Michael Pope reports.

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Abortion opponents flock to Richmond for rally

Thousands of people who oppose abortion rights were at the state Capitol today/Wednesday. Michael Pope has more on their rally.

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Which budget is asking Virginians to pay more?

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It’s been a few days since the Virginia House and Senate released their competing tax proposals, and about two months since we got Governor Glen Youngkin’s budget. So, which budget will make Virginians pay the most? Brad Kutner has more in Richmond. 

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Virginia’s Latino Caucus enters the budget fray

From left, Delegates Michelle Maldonado, Alfonso Lopez, Phil Hernandez and Marty Martinez speak at a press conference for the Virginia Latino Caucus. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Latinos make up about 11% of Virginia’s population, but only about three percent of the state legislature. But that hasn’t stopped that small percentage from speaking up in Richmond, especially as the 2024 legislative session moves into its more adversarial phase. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol. 

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Confederate heritage groups may soon lose their tax exempt status in Virginia

Virginia saw a flood of efforts to remove Confederate monuments and iconography starting in 2020. Michael Pope has an update on one effort in this year’s legislative session. 

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Labor groups say they’re opposed to an arena project in northern Virginia

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

A proposed arena in northern Virginia is in serious trouble. Michael Pope has the latest.

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Virginia legislature could inch towards a regulated crypto market with potential new commission

The Virginia Legislature established a definition for virtual currencies in 2022. This year, new legislation would create a commission to better understand and regulate its use in the Commonwealth. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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The General Assembly wants to eliminate predatory probate loans

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Lawmakers in Richmond are considering a bill that would crack down on predatory probate lending. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia House and Senate release budget proposals

The Virginia House and Senate released their budgets for the next two years Sunday. Both documents differ from Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed budget released late last year. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol. 

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House committee looks beyond data centers to Virginia’s high-tech future

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

A Virginia Beach-based data center and subsea cable company – along with other tech advocates spoke before a Virginia House of Delegates committee Monday. They talked about Virginia’s unique role in the global internet, but also warned about the opportunities they fear the Commonwealth is missing out on. Brad Kutner has more. 

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