VaNews
February 29, 2020

Today's Sponsor:


** Treasurers Association of Virginia & Commissioners of the Revenue Association of Virginia
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** Virginia will crack down on high-interest loans, as new laws pass after failing for a decade ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The General Assembly has voted to put an end to the triple-digit interest rate loans that have overwhelmed tens of thousands of Virginians over the past several years. Both the House of Delegates and the state Senate have passed bills — the final version on Wednesday — that cap interest rates and fees on payday loans, car title loans and open end credit lines, including those Virginians arrange online.
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** Lawmakers vote to repeal minimum wage exemption for nannies and maids ([link removed])
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By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

Virginia lawmakers finalized passage of legislation Friday that repeals minimum wage exemptions for domestic workers such as maids and nannies. The advocacy group Care in Action, which advocates nationally for the workers, said Virginia is the first state in the South to adopt such protections.
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** Democrats grapple with how to grant driving privileges to immigrants in the state illegally ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

As the General Assembly session winds down, Virginia lawmakers must still decide how to help immigrants who are living here illegally drive legally. The House of Delegates and Senate agree on the concept, but have passed bills that differ in their approach ...
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** Northam vows to break deadlock on redistricting ([link removed])
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By LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Gov. Ralph Northam vowed Friday to help break a legislative deadlock on redistricting, an issue that helped Democrats flip the legislature in November but has split the party ever since. Northam (D) sent word that he would weigh in – by twisting arms, sending down a new bill or even calling a special session — as time seemed to be running out for a constitutional amendment limiting the power of legislators to draw political maps for partisan gain.
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** Who Will Win on Super Tuesday? Here’s What Polls Show in 6 Key States ([link removed])
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By GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)

With three nominating contests down, 101 pledged delegates have been divided among the Democratic presidential candidates. On Saturday, 54 more will be up for grabs in South Carolina’s primary. But three days later, the stakes get a lot higher. More than 1,300 delegates — about one-third of the available total — will be in play on Super Tuesday next week, when 15 states and territories and Democrats abroad vote.
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** In Virginia, a push to save country’s ‘cleanest’ coal plant ([link removed])
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By SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press

Officials from southwest Virginia have mounted a last-minute push to oppose the possible early closure of one of the country’s newest coal plants. A Dominion Energy facility in Wise County that opened eight years ago and is frequently touted as the cleanest of its type could close decades sooner than expected under a sweeping rewrite of Virginia’s energy generation policy Democrats are advancing through the General Assembly.
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** Virginia braces for a possible coronavirus outbreak ([link removed])
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By BRIDGET BALCH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Amid the continued spread of coronavirus across the globe and warnings that a disruptive outbreak is likely to hit the U.S., Virginia’s health department, hospitals, schools and universities are preparing for a potential public health crisis.
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The Full Report
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** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** Northam signals last-minute involvement in redistricting row ([link removed])
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By ALAN SUDERMAN, Associated Press

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam may float an alternative redistricting plan as his fellow Democrats remain divided over how best to draw new congressional and legislative maps next year. With only a week left to this year’s legislative session, the governor’s office announced Friday that he’s considering a range of options, including drafting new legislation or calling a special legislative session later this year.
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** House panel puts off vote on redistricting amendment as Northam considers options ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Few issues have divided the new Democratic majority as much as redistricting reform, and after weeks of failed coalescing, a looming deadline has burst those tensions into the open. Two alternative approaches to redrawing legislative and congressional districts are resting precariously before the legislature, which has about a week to finish its work ...


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Energy bill would close Virginia City plant by 2030 ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Legislation that would force closing the Dominion Energy hybrid power plant in Virginia City by 2030 is advancing in the Virginia General Assembly, but an amendment may extend its life. ... During a lengthy Thursday debate, state Sen. Ben Chaffin, R-Lebanon, successfully urged the Senate to accept an amendment to extend the closing deadline from 2030 to 2050.
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** Senate removes Southwest Va. coal plant from list of Clean Economy Act closures ([link removed])
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By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury

An amendment to remove a 2030 closure deadline for the coal- and biomass-fired Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center from the Democrats’ Clean Economy Act omnibus bill unexpectedly cleared the Senate Thursday. The vote in favor of the amendment, which was taken by voice, adds yet another item to the list of issues that must be resolved before the legislation can reach Gov. Ralph Northam’s desk.
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** No more soy ‘milk’? Plan to ban milk label on plant-based drinks revived in Virginia legislature. ([link removed])
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By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A bill that defines milk as coming from a “healthy, hooved animal” — and bars popular plant-based beverages from carrying the word — is on its way to the governor’s desk for a signature after initially dying in the General Assembly.
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** Bill allows new birth certificate for transgender people ([link removed])
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By RODNEY ROBINSON, VCU Capital News Service

The state legislature recently passed a bill that will allow transgender individuals to receive a new birth certificate, something advocates said will help transgender people acquire documentation in alignment with their identity.
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** Virginia will cut its Chesapeake menhaden catch limit under bill passed by state lawmakers ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

All seven of Omega Protein’s big blue purse-seine boats will head out on the chase for menhaden as usual this spring, but legislation passed by both the House of Delegates and state Senate could mean some will be tied up in their Reedville dock in the late summer and fall.
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** Gov. Northam-backed gun control bills pass in Virginia ([link removed])
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Associated Press

Parts of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s sweeping gun control legislation have won final passage in the General Assembly. Lawmakers in the House and Senate gave final passage to several pieces of gun control legislation Friday.
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** An overload at the Senate Finance Committee ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Twice in two days now, Senate Finance Committee chairwoman Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, has tried to pause the rush of bills as other General Assembly committees — the gatekeepers empowered to kill legislation — try to finish their work. “Finance is not a place to make policy decisions; it’s a place to debate if you’re going to fund something,” she said as the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee geared itself up Tuesday to refer yet another controversial bill.


** FEDERAL ELECTIONS
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** Sen. Tim Kaine endorses Joe Biden ahead of Super Tuesday primary ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., on Friday endorsed Joe Biden in the Democratic primary for president, just days ahead of Virginia’s primary Tuesday. Kaine said the former vice president “has exemplary heart, character, and experience.”
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** Biden gains new energy in Virginia, while Sanders, Bloomberg slide, poll finds ([link removed])
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By ANTONIO OLIVO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Former vice president Joe Biden appears to have regained momentum in Virginia ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic presidential primary election, while Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and billionaire Mike Bloomberg have both lost support, a poll released Friday shows.
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** Klobuchar vows 'decency check' in Virginia campaign kickoff ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar launched her march to the Super Tuesday presidential primary in Virginia by promising “to lead with decency” and repudiating what she termed President Donald Trump’s divisive legacy.
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** Klobuchar rally draws standing-room-only crowd looking for a moderate ([link removed])
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By RACHEL CHASON, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Amy Klobuchar may be polling in the single digits in Virginia, but to the suburban voters who packed her rally in Falls Church on Friday, she represents the best chance for Democrats to defeat President Trump. The senator from Minnesota received frequent cheers as she made her case days ahead of Virginia’s Super Tuesday primary, drawing sharp contrasts between herself and other Democrats with promises to build on the Affordable Care Act, but not “blow it up,” and to make college more affordable, but not free for everyone.
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** Democratic presidential hopefuls round up Virginia endorsements ahead of Super Tuesday ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR AND JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Candidates in the crowded Democratic presidential primary field will vie for Virginia’s 124 delegates on Tuesday. 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 to make their case to voters in the Old Dominion.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** Coronavirus test comes back negative in Virginia's southwest health region ([link removed])
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By ALICIA PETSKA, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

A coronavirus test administered in Virginia’s southwest region has come back negative. To date, eight people across the state have been tested for the virus and all were cleared, the Virginia Department of Health said.


** CONGRESS
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** Warner Hears of Data Centers’ Local Impact ([link removed])
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By RENSS GREENE, Loudoun Now

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner met with executives from Loudoun’s data center and cloud computing industry in Data Center Alley on Friday, getting a briefing on how they see the industry’s impact on Loudoun and the threats it could face. The discussion, hosted at an Equinix campus, focused on the industry’s positive impacts, the surrounding community’s sometimes negative reaction to the industry, and how Loudoun came to be the dominant data center market in the world.
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** Maternal wellness, racial disparities topics of discussion as Kaine visits Lynchburg ([link removed])
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By RACHEL MAHONEY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Of the Virginia communities Sen. Tim Kaine has met with to discuss maternal health and racial disparities in care and outcomes, he said, Lynchburg seems to be a bit ahead of the curve in finding community solutions. Kaine stopped by the Community Access Network clinic downtown Friday to hear from local voices about where and how they see those issues manifesting.
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** Kaine joins lawmakers opposing proposed consolidation of minor league baseball teams ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., is joining a coalition of federal lawmakers opposing Major League Baseball’s proposed consolidation of 42 minor league baseball teams, including those in Bluefield, Bristol and Danville.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Dominion, Savion close solar power purchase deal ([link removed])
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By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine

The $30M solar project is in Westmoreland County. Kansas City-based solar and energy storage development company Savion LLC has finalized a 20-megawatt (MW) power purchase agreement with Richmond-based Dominion Energy Virginia Inc. for the $30 million Westmoreland County Solar project, the company announced Thursday.
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** Public hearings on a new area code for the 540 region set for Tuesday ([link removed])
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By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

The 540 area code is running out of numbers. At public hearings Tuesday in Roanoke, the State Corporation Commission will take ideas on how to best relieve the exhaustion of phone numbers in the area code that serves the Roanoke and New River valleys and a swath of Virginia to the north.
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** $28 million grant will aid rural broadband expansion ([link removed])
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By TYLER HAMMEL, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative soon will be expanding fiber-optic broadband throughout 14 localities thanks in part to a $28 million loan and grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Friday, about 200 people gathered in Buckingham County to celebrate the loan and grant ...


** TRANSPORTATION
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** Study: I-66 tolls, other changes, moving 700 more people in corridor per day ([link removed])
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By MAX SMITH, WTOP

About 700 more people each day total are commuting along the Interstate 66 corridor inside the Capital Beltway now compared to before tolls for solo drivers and an expanded rush-hour period began, and there are also fewer car trips each morning. The numbers from Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments traffic counts provided in a corridor performance report from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission is the most specific data provided yet on corridor-wide changes since tolling started in late 2017.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** Some Students Could Get Free Tuition to Historically Black Universities ([link removed])
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By MEGAN PAULY, WCVE

Low-income students in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas may soon be eligible for a new program that would provide free tuition to a historically black college or university. That’s if Virginia lawmakers keep the money in the budget. The program is called the Virginia College Affordability Network (VCAN) and its goal is to increase college access to students in the Richmond and Norfolk areas by reducing their financial burden.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** Descendant pushes to be recognized by Pamunkey Tribe despite vestiges of ‘Black Laws’ ([link removed])
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By JEREMY M. LAZARUS, Richmond Free Press

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe’s fight in the General Assembly for the right to build gambling casinos in Richmond and Norfolk is shining a renewed spotlight on the tribe’s use of racial bigotry to ensure its survival. The tribe’s history of white supremacist policies and practices — though sharply disputed by tribal Chief Robert Gray — have largely flown under the radar during this session of the General Assembly and went almost unnoticed during the tribe’s long years of applying for federal recognition.


** LOCAL
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** Alexandria launches new mobile app for city services ([link removed])
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By KYLE COOPER, WTOP

Alexandria, Virginia, has launched Alex311, a new mobile app enabling users to request municipal services as the city works to improve its response to community issues. When the city receives a request, such as for repairing a pothole, it will send an email with a summary of the action that needs to be taken and the expected date the issue will be tended to.

Today's Sponsor:


** Treasurers Association of Virginia & Commissioners of the Revenue Association of Virginia
------------------------------------------------------------

Serving the Commonwealth and our localities: TAV ([link removed]) and CORVA ([link removed]) show you the $$$


** EDITORIALS
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** Will Public Unions Take Virginia? ([link removed])
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Wall Street Journal Editorial (Subscription Required)

Virginia is a purple state, but the Democratic majority in Richmond seems intent on shoving it into the blue column for good. The Legislature soon might authorize collective bargaining by public workers. The debate is how far to go.
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** Virginia’s Second Amendment ‘sanctuaries’ can’t ignore new gun control laws ([link removed])
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Washington Post Editorial (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

It was a showy gesture of defiance when local elected officials and sheriffs across Virginia and elsewhere declared themselves Second Amendment “sanctuaries” last year, suggesting or stating outright they would refuse to enforce new state gun-control laws.


** COLUMNISTS
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** Schapiro: And now a crisis for which Northam is suited ([link removed])
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By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

The doctor is in — the governor’s office, that is. You don’t have to remind Ralph Northam that — as a British prime minister famously said more than a half-century ago — the biggest obstacle to governing is events. A year ago, the Democrat was struggling with those largely of his own making: the blackface episode and his clumsy handling of it.
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** Politifact: Bernie Sanders Rallies in Richmond ([link removed])
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By WARREN FISKE AND LOUIS JACOBSON, Politifact

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the front-runner for the Democratiic presidential nomination, campaigned in Richmond on Thursday. He made renewed calls for social and economic fairness during a 40-minute speech to an estimated 4,700 people at the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center. PolitiFact has fact-checked many of the claims Sanders made in his speech.


** OP-ED
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** Stottlemyer and Dyke: Virginia leadership in the cyber dominion ([link removed])
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By TODD STOTTLEMYER AND JIM DYKE, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Winston Churchill once famously stated, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” As leaders who are focused on helping the commonwealth diversify its economy and meet its 21st century talent demands, we are mindful of Churchill’s words. Not long ago, Virginia faced the tough reality of having to compensate for loss of revenue ...
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