VaNews
February 21, 2020

Today's Sponsor:


** Virginia REALTORS®
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In 2020, Virginia REALTORS® celebrates 100 years of advocating for economic development, fair housing, affordable housing, and helping Virginians achieve the dream of homeownership.

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Top of the News


** Virginia House and Senate adopt budgets, prepare for battle ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Democrats in the House and Senate on Thursday used their new majorities to sweep aside Republican objections and adopt a pair of state budgets that focus on political priorities such as education, public employee compensation, transportation, climate change and a proposed increase in the minimum wage for workers.
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** Metro GM: Silver Line likely delayed until mid-2021 ([link removed])
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By MAX SMITH, WTOP

The long-delayed Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County will likely not be ready for riders until spring or summer 2021, Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said Wednesday.
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** Private schools concerned about ramifications of Virginia Values Act ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

As the Virginia legislature moves forward with protections for LGBTQ residents, private schools in the state are worried that the new law could infringe on their religious freedoms. The Virginia Values Act, which has passed the House of Delegates and the Senate, would create new nondiscrimination protections for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community
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** Democrats push to update school immunization schedule over objections from antivaxxers, GOP ([link removed])
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By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

A legislative proposal to conform the state’s immunization requirements to federal guidelines is advancing over outspoken opposition from a contingent of Republican lawmakers and anti-vaccine parents. The schedule of vaccines children must be given to attend school in Virginia hasn’t been updated since 2008 and, over the past decade, GOP lawmakers have blocked periodic efforts to include vaccines now recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, including for hepatitis A and meningitis.
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** Norfolk man arrested on charge of threatening Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

A Norfolk man was arrested Thursday on a felony charge of threatening House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, Virginia Capitol Police announced. Stephen J. Hartzell, 23, of Norfolk, was arrested after making a post on Filler-Corn’s Facebook page on Feb. 12, authorities said.
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** Thousands of Families Waiting for State Disability Services, Providers ([link removed])
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By MEGAN PAULY, WCVE

Nearly a decade ago, a federal investigation found Virginia was failing to provide adequate services to people with severe disabilities. Today, demand for these services has only increased. Since 2012, the number of people on a wait list to receive services through a Developmental Disability (DD) Medicaid waiver has more than doubled to about 13,000 people, including more than 3,000 with the most intense needs.
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** Secession fever spikes in five states as conservatives seek to escape blue rule ([link removed])
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By VALERIE RICHARDSON, Washington Times

You’ve got Oregonians seeking to cascade into Idaho, Virginians who identify as West Virginians, Illinoians fighting to escape Chicago, Californians dreaming of starting a 51st state, and New Yorkers who think three states are better than one.
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The Full Report
29 articles, 21 publications

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** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Highway safety bill passes House committee, but could face Senate roadblock ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

A highway safety package proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam passed through the House Transportation Committee on Thursday morning but could face a roadblock in a Senate committee that has been hostile to most of its provisions.
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** Lawmakers pitch $2M study on extending Metro to Quantico, other transit options ([link removed])
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By EMILY SIDES, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

A state budget proposal in the General Assembly would put $2 million toward a study on extending Metro’s Blue Line from the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station to Marine Corps Base Quantico in Prince William County. The study would also examine other transportation options, including bus rapid transit along Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1.
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** Conference committee will likely resolve differences in casino bills ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Two similar bills to allow casinos by referendums continue moving through the Virginia General Assembly, but a committee will likely have to resolve their differences. On Thursday, the House of Delegates held second reading on a substitute version of Senate Bill 36, advancing the bill for third reading.
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** House lawmakers authorize $40 million start-up loan for state health exchange ([link removed])
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By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

House legislators finally put a dollar amount on the cost of establishing a state-run health insurance exchange — a cost met with opposition from Republican delegates. In Thursday’s largely party-line vote, lawmakers approved a budget amendment that would authorize up to $40 million in start-up funding for a state-run health exchange.
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** Bill to allow neonatal ICU at LewisGale back in play ([link removed])
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By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Sen. David Suetterlein’s effort to allow LewisGale Medical Center to open a neonatal intensive care unit has been reborn. LewisGale has been trying for years to equip and staff a neonatal intensive care unit
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** Advocates say full Medicaid dental benefit could be life-altering for Virginia's poor patients ([link removed])
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By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

Lisa Coles had a tooth infection. But she couldn’t afford treatment. So, for nearly a decade, she suffered through terrible toothaches, relying on heating pads and Advil to make it through the worst of the pain. Twice, she borrowed $50 from family members to visit a dentist in her home county of Goochland. But without money to pay for a procedure, the treatment was always the same: a prescription for antibiotics that Coles also struggled to afford. It’s the type of situation that makes dental health advocates cringe: a simple problem that spirals into a major medical issue. But it’s a concern for the more than 380,000 adults enrolled in Virginia’s Medicaid program, which doesn’t cover basic dental care.
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** Revised Marijuana Decriminalization Legislation Moves Closer to Governor’s Desk ([link removed])
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By WHITTNEY EVANS, WCVE

Lawmakers have fine tuned some of the details of a plan to decriminalize possession of marijuana in the commonwealth, including the amount of the fine for possession of small amounts of marijuana. The latest version of the legislation makes possession of up to an ounce of marijuana a civil penalty, punishable by a $25 fine. Juveniles who are caught with the drug would be treated as delinquents, rather than what state law calls a “child in need of service.” Advocates prefer the latter, which they say is less punitive.
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** Statue of archsegregationist remains in Capitol Square ([link removed])
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By JEREMY M. LAZARUS AND GEORGE COPELAND JR., Richmond Free Press

Richmond and other Virginia localities are on track to gain permission from the General Assembly to take down Confederate statues. But just as there is no threat to a Confederate shrine inside the State Capitol, the Democratic-controlled legislature has abandoned any effort to remove a statue paying tribute to a top Virginia defender of racial segregation that stands on the Capitol grounds.
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** Algae test funding fails in General Assembly ([link removed])
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By IRENE LUCK AND DAVID HOLTZMAN, Central Virginian

A bid for $500,000 in state funding to increase testing of harmful algae blooms on freshwater bodies, including Lake Anna, appeared to run out of steam this week in the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not include the money in its budget.
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** Virginia students could get in-state tuition despite citizenship status ([link removed])
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By ADA ROMANO, VCU Capital News Service

The state Senate and the House have advanced bills to make students living in the U.S. without documentation eligible for in-state tuition. SB 935, introduced by Democratic Sens. Jennifer Boysko and Ghazala Hashmi, would require a student to provide proof of filed taxes to be eligible for in-state tuition.


** FEDERAL ELECTIONS
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** Democratic presidential hopefuls round up Virginia endorsements ahead of Super Tuesday ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Candidates in the crowded Democratic presidential primary field will vie for Virginia’s 124 delegates on March 3. Virginia’s primary coincides with those of 13 other states in what will likely be a pivotal Super Tuesday contest. Candidates are seeking alliances with current and former lawmakers, local elected leaders and other prominent Virginia figures
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** Biden picks up series of endorsements from Hampton leaders ([link removed])
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By MATT JONES, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Joe Biden’s campaign announced Thursday that it had picked up 32 new endorsements in Virginia, according to a news release from the campaign, including three of the seven members of the Hampton City Council.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** Virginian-Pilot sues state Department of Corrections for records ([link removed])
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By GARY A. HARKI, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

The Virginian-Pilot is suing the state Department of Corrections for records explaining what information it keeps on inmates and their visitors. The newspaper made its initial request as part of an investigation into the strip-searching of an 8-year-old girl by DOC officers. It has continued to seek the information while investigating numerous other people who were strip searched


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Loudoun supervisors approve more data center usage near Leesburg ([link removed])
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By NATHANIEL CLINE, Loudoun Times

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved Luck Stone Corporation’s plans to rezone more than 60 acres near Leesburg from quarrying uses to allow data center development. The approved application includes plans for data center uses, with approximately 1 million square feet of industrial space and 33 percent of open space.
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** Norfolk signs 5-year deal with Carnival Cruise ([link removed])
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By ROBYN SIDERSKY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

For the first time, Norfolk will have guaranteed use of its cruise terminal by a major line for multiple years. City officials and Carnival Cruise Line announced a five-year deal Thursday morning that will bring ships to the mermaid city through at least 2025.
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** Quarry Expansion Raises Trail Questions ([link removed])
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Loudoun Now

A proposal to expand the Luck Stone quarry pit near Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park has raised questions not only about protecting the wetlands around Goose Creek, but about the potential for a trail along the state scenic river. The quarry owners have applied to the county to expand the pit by 27 acres


** TRANSPORTATION
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** Fairfax Connector Bus Workers Say They’re Prepared To Strike ([link removed])
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By MARGARET BARTHEL, WAMU

Drivers and maintenance workers for the Fairfax Connector say they’re prepared to go on strike against Transdev, the contractor that operates the bus service for Fairfax County. A strike would affect service for an estimated 30,000 riders. Negotiations between Transdev and the workers’ union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1764, stalled Thursday morning at 2 a.m. over health care benefits and a management rights provision.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** Second Amendment advocate asks supervisors to support Nelson County militia muster ([link removed])
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By NICK CROPPER, Nelson County Times

A Second Amendment advocate proposed a resolution to the Nelson County Board of Supervisors during its Feb. 11 meeting to support a call for muster of an unorganized militia in Nelson County.
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** Mustering a militia ([link removed])
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By JEAN WIBBENS, Bedford Bulletin (Paywall for all articles)

Hundreds of Bedford County residents answered a Muster Call at Falling Creek Park on Saturday for a Militia to be formed in order to protect Second Amendment Rights. Volunteers signed up for militia groups based on the area of Bedford County in which they resided. The goal of the organizers is for the Bedford Militia to be recognized by Bedford County officials.


** LOCAL
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** Arlington County announces proposed budget with no tax-rate hike ([link removed])
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By MIKE MURILLO, WTOP

Over the past two years, Arlington County, Virginia, residents saw tax-rate hikes with the approval of new county budgets, but this year could be different. On Thursday, County Manager Mark Schwartz announced his proposed 2021 budget, in which he proposes no tax-rate change.
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** Richmond Residents Raise Concerns Casino Could Bring Crime, Neighborhood Change ([link removed])
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By ROBERTO ROLDAN, WCVE

Residents in Richmond’s Southside got a first chance to share their questions and concerns Thursday regarding a planned casino resort in that area. Virginia’s Pamunkey Indian Tribe announced plans recently to build a casino resort near the intersection of Ingraham Avenue and Commerce Road. The $350 million development would include a hotel tower and a 1,000-car garage. Questions and comments from the community were mostly centered around the potential for crime.
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** Restraining order sought for slave auction block removal ([link removed])
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By CATHY JETT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

A downtown Fredericksburg business is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to keep the city’s controversial slave auction block from being removed while an appeal is made to the Virginia Supreme Court.
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** South Hill sued for info on town manager ([link removed])
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By SUSAN KYTE, Mecklenburg Sun

The Town of South Hill has been sued under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act by a Richmond-area lawyer who is demanding the disclosure of documents related to “complaints from citizens or third parties” about Town Manager Kim Callis. Midlothian attorney Richard Hawkins filed the lawsuit Thursday

Today's Sponsor:


** Virginia REALTORS®
------------------------------------------------------------

In 2020, Virginia REALTORS® celebrates 100 years of advocating for economic development, fair housing, affordable housing, and helping Virginians achieve the dream of homeownership.


** EDITORIALS
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** Why does Virginia have so few female judges? ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Today in Richmond, General Assembly committees interview prospective judges. This is such a routine proceeding by Virginia standards that we don’t appreciate just how unusual this really is. We’ll get to that momentarily. For now, attention in this part of the state is focused on two particular vacancies — a circuit court judgeship in Montgomery County and another circuit court opening in Roanoke.
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** Virginia's history in bite-size chunks ([link removed])
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Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

From the towering Confederate monoliths on Richmond’s Monument Avenue to the state’s myriad museums dedicated to the past, Virginians have many opportunities to gorge themselves on history. And why not? We have so much of it. “Virginia is the most historical region of the continents of North and South America,” wrote Fredericksburg’s Hamilton James Eckenrode almost a hundred years ago.
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** Lawmakers should exercise caution with state budget ([link removed])
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Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Virginia’s fluid politics notwithstanding — the transition from bleating red to urgent blue, the oh-so-obvious ascendency of liberalism and engagement accompanying the relative decline of tradition and restraint — one political imperative endures: Be responsible with the public’s money. Or, alternatively, don’t be stupid with the public’s money.
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** Justice ought to take disabilities into account ([link removed])
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Daily Progress Editorial (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

"We have policies to address mental illness and policies to address physical handicaps,” the father of an autistic son told a House of Delegates committee recently concerning the state’s criminal justice system. “But we do not have policies to address developmental disabilities.” The General Assembly should remedy that. And, yes, bills to address this terrible oversight have been advancing ...


** OP-ED
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** Ligon: Virginia Maritime Association's 100th birthday ([link removed])
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By MIKE LIGON, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Growing up in Lunenburg County in south central Virginia, you quickly learn about the value of agriculture to the commonwealth’s economy. My father was with American Tobacco Co. for more than 40 years, and since the early 1980s, I have worked for Universal Corp.

Mike Ligon is vice president of corporate affairs at Universal Corp.


** THE FRIDAY READ
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** In 1933, two rebellious women bought a home in Virginia’s woods. Then the CIA moved in. ([link removed])
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By JESSICA CONTRERA AND GILLIAN BROCKELL, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Before the spies came, the house was perfect. Five thousand square feet, wide windows, a grand staircase, a front porch with a panoramic view of nature. The year was 1933, and Northern Virginia was still the countryside, even with Washington just across the Potomac. So it was the ideal retreat for Florence Thorne and Margaret Scattergood, two pioneers of the American labor movement who defied the gender expectations of their time.
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