Virginia Democratic leaders rally for Obamacare
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democrats’ unsuccessful vice presidential nominee, kicked off his remarks at a health care rally at Capitol Square 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 me. I […]
House panel shoots down ban on guns in libraries
A House subcommittee shot down a bill Thursday to allow libraries owned or operated by local governments to ban firearms from their premises. On a 4-1 voice vote, Subcommittee No. 1 of the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee recommended tabling HB 1418. The bill, proposed by Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, sought to allow […]
Gov. McAuliffe Pushes for Easier Voting
Currently, to vote absentee in Virginia, you must cite a specific excuse, such as attending college or having a disability. But if Gov. Terry McAuliffe has his way, the state would expand the list of excuses to include people caring for children or for an ill or disabled individual and anyone without reliable transportation. Better […]
Legislative Black Caucus seeks to protect education funding
As Virginia faces an estimated $1.26 billion budget shortfall, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus announced that its top priority during the General Assembly’s session is to protect funding for K-12 education. Additionally, the VLBC will focus on criminal justice reform, job creation, increasing the minimum wage and public safety. “These are the issues we will […]
Organizations, advocates for rape survivors applaud federal grant
Organizations that help rape survivors see benefits from Virginia receiving a $2 million federal grant to improve the commonwealth’s handling of sexual assaults. They say the money will help the state train sexual assault investigators, test rape evidence kits and provide services to rape survivors. “At YWCA Richmond, we acknowledge that all survivors respond differently […]
Delegate Bob Marshall defends bathroom privacy bill
A state lawmaker and his supporters Thursday defended legislation telling transgender individuals which bathroom they must use – a proposal that Gov. Terry McAuliffe has vowed to veto. House Bill 1612, proposed by Del. Bob Marshall, R-Manassas, would require people in public schools and government buildings to use the restroom for the sex shown […]
General Assembly starts tackling Virginia’s opioid crisis
Virginia officials are scrambling to get a grasp on the state’s growing opioid epidemic, legislators and health-care leaders said Thursday. William A. Hazel Jr., the commonwealth’s secretary of health and human resources, gave a presentation to the Senate Education and Health Committee and the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee about the opioid problem […]
Court: State same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional
The fight for marriage equality for same-sex couples in Virginia continues to progress through the courts after a federal judge ruled the state’s ban on gay marriage unconstitutional last week.