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Yancey: Unsung heroes? Or mass murderers? The General Assembly turns its attention to … fungi
We don’t know how many of them there are; we just know there are a lot. A lot, as in millions. Multiple millions. We know some are good, but we also know some are bad. Bad as in fatal. Bad as in causing maybe 3.7 million deaths a year, according to the British medical journal The Lancet. Since we don’t know how many of them there are, we don’t know how many are in each category — friendly, hostile or simply harmless and disinterested. We also don’t know where they all are.
Recent court ruling affirms Flock camera legality … for now
The Norfolk Police Department’s use of 176 automated license-plate readers does not violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches, according to a recent federal court ruling. But a major caveat from the judge should not be ignored — the day could come when the cameras do infringe upon civil liberties and require the court’s intervention.
Richmond-area freshman legislators push through bills on tax filing, juries, evictions
It’s a headache Del. Kimberly Pope Adams, D-Dinwiddie, knows a lot about from her day job as an accountant. Now she’s aiming to get the state to offer a free tax filing program to ease, just a bit, that pain. The freshman legislator convinced the House of Delegates to support her legislation, House Bill 1180. “I’m an accountant, and I’m a single mom, so I try to make every dollar count,” Pope Adams said. “That’s why I know free filing is important,” she said.
Legislation focused on Appalachian Power bills advances with narrower scope
A bill aimed at helping control Appalachian Power customers’ rising monthly bills is headed to a House of Delegates committee with a narrower focus than originally proposed. HB 1075, carried by Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, now would ask the State Corporation Commission to examine two factors that contribute to what customers pay each month.
Spanberger admin supports consolidated gambling agency
Virginia’s rapid expansion of gambling has led to several bills hoping to create a singular gaming agency to help regulate the industry. And a member of Governor Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet spoke in favor of the effort, a rare move from the new governor who has kept public comments on bills to a minimum so far.
Yancey: Prospect of new congressional map prompts two exits and one entrance
Wednesday was a busy day on the campaign trail in Virginia, with two congressional candidates dropping out and one jumping in. All this action happened on the Democratic side, and all three of those moves were related to the proposed redistricting map that Democrats hope voters will approve in an April 21 referendum (assuming the Virginia Supreme Court allows the vote to go forward). Let’s take these moves district by district, although that’s tricky because the maps might change.
Democrat Scott Surovell invokes George W. Bush in tax cheat legislation
Members of the General Assembly are considering a bill to crack down on people who have not paid state taxes. The debate has a partisan dimension. "This is a bill that I got from George W. Bush." That was the Majority Leader of the state Senate, Scott Surovell, a Democrat from Fairfax County. He was speaking about a bill he introduced that would help Virginia identify people who have not paid state taxes by awarding money to anyone who blows the whistle on tax cheats.
More Republicans, including in Virginia, buck Trump on offshore wind
A growing number of House Republicans are openly questioning the Trump administration’s assertion that offshore wind projects pose a risk to national security. Nine Republicans, led by House Homeland Security Chair Andrew Garbarino of New York, last month called on top Trump officials to brief lawmakers about their decision in December to halt construction of five nearly complete projects off the Atlantic coast. ... As of Wednesday, they had not heard back. Both the Interior and Defense departments declined to comment on congressional correspondence.
Lawmakers look at maternal health gaps as rural services shrink
Lawmakers are considering several bills at the General Assembly this year to address widening maternal health gaps in Virginia. Access to care continues to diminish, particularly in rural communities, as hospitals shutter obstetrics units due to staffing shortages, financial strain and declining birth volumes. Each closure forces pregnant patients to travel farther for prenatal visits and delivery.
Nett again selected as vice mayor of Purcellville
Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett was appointed for a second term as vice mayor at the Feb. 10 town council meeting. He will remain in the position through Dec. 31, according to the motion made by Council member Susan Khalil. ... Nett, Luke, Khalil and Bertaut are part of an ongoing recall effort initiated by the residents of Purcellville last year. Nett’s recall jury trial is currently scheduled to begin in Loudoun County Circuit Court on March 2.