By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
House Democratic leaders announced Wednesday that they would not take up a constitutional amendment on redistricting before their Thursday deadline, punting on an issue that has divided Democrats up to the highest ranks. The divisions became clearer on Wednesday,
Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)
A local legislator’s measure to refine the definition of “small business” when it comes to state-government procurement appears on the way to victory after being bottled up for several years in Richmond. Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington-Fairfax) patroned the measure that would define a small business as one with both 250 or fewer employees and less than $10 million in annual receipts.
By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
As the House of Delegates and Senate prepare to adopt their versions of the two-year state budget on Thursday, they still don’t know how much money to expect from the pending sale of the Center for Innovative Technology complex in Northern Virginia.
By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
For the Richmond area, the biggest state budget item depends on approval of House Bill 1541, which Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, proposed to create the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. The regional authority would collect an additional gas tax of 7.6 cents per gallon
By BILL ATKINSON, Progress Index (Metered paywall - 10 articles a month)
A Senate panel advanced legislation Wednesday that would clear the way for Petersburg, Emporia and Hopewell to enact an extra real-estate tax on blighted properties in those cities, but not until one panel member made an offhand remark about a locality not affected by the bill.
By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)
Virginia lawmakers appear poised to ban electronic skills games outright rather than regulate and tax them. Legislation in both chambers of the General Assembly would classify the electronic skills games, or gray market games that resemble slot machines, as “illegal gambling devices” and ban their use
Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)
Colonial Downs Group might have a long delay at the starting gate before expanding its gaming business to Northern Virginia and other parts of the state. The proposed budget that the Senate will approve on Thursday includes a provision that would impose a five-year moratorium on additional off-track betting parlors
By ROBERTO ROLDAN, WCVE
Faith leaders from the Virginia Interfaith Center gathered at the Capitol Wednesday, praying for lawmakers to end their divisions over how to raise the minimum wage. House Democrats have proposed raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour across Virginia by 2025. A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax), however, would raise the wage to $11.50 by 2023, with future increases tied to regional median incomes. That means that more expensive parts of the state, like Northern Virginia, would see a $15 minimum wage much faster.
By JEFFREY KNIGHT, VCU Capital News Service
A bill that would allow state residents, nonprofits and schools to more easily seek and secure alternative energy sources such as rooftop solar recently passed the Senate by a vote of 22–18. Senate Bill 710, patroned by Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D–Richmond, cleared the hurdle on crossover day, the last day for each chamber to advance its own legislation before it dies. McClellan’s amended bill helps remove some barriers that make it harder for individuals and organizations to access energy alternatives outside of public utility providers such as Dominion Energy.
By MICHAEL POPE, WVTF
A sweeping package of new restrictions on guns has been moving through the General Assembly. But, Democrats are divided about how universal background checks should be.
By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)
Legislation that would pay almost $160,000 to a former Fairfax County resident wrongly convicted of a 1975 rape for his wrongful imprisonment is sailing through the General Assembly. Winston Lamont Scott, 63, of Indiana was cleared of the rape and burglary by DNA testing
By JARED FORETEK, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)
After weeks of back-and-forth, the Dumfries Town Council voted Tuesday night to clear the way for the state’s newest Rosie’s Gaming Emporium at the Triangle Center. By a 4-3 vote, the council approved a conditional use permit for the 18,364-square-foot gaming parlor and removed a requirement that Colonial Downs Group, Rosie's parent company, pay the town $100,000 for transportation improvements.
By QUASHON AVENT, Danville Register & Bee
The misdemeanor warrant states the Stop In Food Store on West Main Street had four skilled gaming machines running — despite lacking the proper permit — when police officers stopped in late last month. Now, the store has only two gaming machines, each sitting dormant and untouched:
