Virginia takes legal action against Trump’s immigration order
Attorney General Mark Herring, flanked by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, announced Tuesday that Virginia is taking legal action against President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Herring called the order “unconstitutional and unlawful.” He said Virginia is already being hurt by the immigration ban. Herring said it affects the state’s businesses, […]
Democrats and Republicans join forces at Capitol Classic
Virginia government officials participated in the ninth annual Massey Capitol Classic Challenge Tuesday night at Virginia Commonwealth University. While Democrats and Republicans are often at odds at the state Capitol, members of the Senate and House of Delegates from both sides of the aisle fought for the same cause at the Siegel Center. Adding to […]
Senate committee rejects two pro-choice bills
Five days earlier, half a million protesters showed up for the Women’s March on Washington. Last Thursday, two pro-choice abortion bills were defeated 8-7 along party lines by a Senate committee. The Senate Committee on Education and Health rejected SB 1424, which advocates had dubbed the Restoring Dignity to Informed Consent act, and SB 1549, […]
House passes bill targeting undocumented immigrants
Local law enforcement officials would be required to hold undocumented immigrants in jail past their scheduled release dates under legislation approved last week by the House of Delegates. Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William, proposed HB 1468, which would prohibit officials from releasing an incarcerated undocumented immigrant until the individual has been received by the U.S. […]
Virginia could legalize sale of 151-proof liquor
Virginians would be able to buy liquor with almost 50 percent more alcohol than is currently available under a bill passed last Wednesday by the House of Delegates. The legislation would raise the limit on the alcohol content of neutral grain spirits — alcohol that is “without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color” — sold […]
Bills would make presidential candidates release tax returns
In a slap at President Donald Trump, two Democratic legislators are pushing for a state law requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns in order to get on the ballot in Virginia. Del. Mark Levine of Alexandria and Sen. Jeremy McPike of Woodbridge filed their legislation after Trump refused to make his tax returns […]
Bartenders may help prevent sexual assaults
Virginia bars might be stepping up their game in combating sexual assault under legislation making its way through the General Assembly. Senate Bill 1150, proposed by Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, would encourage bartenders and other employees who “otherwise sell, serve, or dispense alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption” to undergo “bar bystander training.” On Friday, the […]
Virginia wine sales increase by 6 percent
Pour yourself a drink and raise a toast to the record 6.6 million bottles of Virginia wine sold last year – an increase of more than 6 percent from 2015. Officials said Thursday that a new economic impact study shows the state’s flourishing wine industry contributes more than $1.37 billion annually to Virginia’s economy. This […]
VCU poll finds Virginian support in taxes to fund workforce training and development
A 2017 Virginia Commonwealth University Public Policy Poll found strong support for continued funding of workforce training and development in Virginia. The study by the Center for Public Policy at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs found 58 percent of the respondents said they were willing to pay more in taxes […]
Virginia Democratic leaders rally for Obamacare
Unsuccessful vice presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine kicked off his remarks at a health care rally at Capitol Square in downtown Richmond Jan. 15 by recounting the first vote in the Republicans’ renewed efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “I stood up,” Kaine said. “I said, ‘Madame Clerk, I was sick and you visited […]