VaNews
March 10, 2020

Today's Sponsor:


** Rosie’s Gaming Emporium
------------------------------------------------------------

There are more than 1,000 Rosie’s team members across Virginia helping guests every day. Rosie’s values you ([link removed]) - THANK YOU for a great first year!

Read Online ([link removed]) 10 Most Clicked ([link removed])
Top of the News


** Budget includes $25 million for tunnel at Capitol and state worker raises ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Beneath the plans for compensating public employees, moderating college tuition and giving dental benefits to adults in Medicaid, the pending two-year state budget includes $25 million in bonds for a tunnel to connect the Virginia Capitol and the new General Assembly Building.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Advocates see progress on workers rights in Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DENISE LAVOIE AND SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press

Virginia lawmakers overhauled labor and employment laws this year in a way that advocates say will help low-income workers but the business community warns could hurt the state’s overall economy. The changes came as a new Democratic majority took control of both the Senate and House of Delegates for the first time in more than two decades.
------------------------------------------------------------


** VCU Health halts 30-year campaign that seized patients’ wages, put liens against homes ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JAY HANCOCK AND ELIZABETH LUCAS, Kaiser Health News

In one of the most sweeping moves yet by a nonprofit hospital system to reduce aggressive bill collection, VCU Health is halting seizure of patients’ wages and removing thousands of liens against patients’ homes, some dating to the 1990s. “Health care needs to be more affordable for patients, and we want to be part of the solution,” said Melinda Hancock, VCU Health’s chief administrative and financial officer.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia moves closer to casino gaming, posing real threat to MGM National Harbor's revenue ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DREW HANSEN, Washington Business Journal (Subscription required for some articles)

Virginia’s House and Senate signed off on legislation Saturday and Sunday that will allow five cities to hold public referendums as early as November on whether to build casinos — putting a threat to MGM National Harbor’s revenue on the horizon. The “economically challenged” cities of Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Richmond, as the legislation refers to them, are all in different preliminary stages of setting up casinos.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Push to honor black soldiers on Richmond’s Monument Avenue gathers steam ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By CAT MODLIN-JACKSON, Virginia Mercury

Powhatan Beaty was born enslaved in Richmond. He fought for freedom just outside the city in the final days of the Civil War. Soon he, along with other black Union soldiers, could be commemorated on Monument Avenue, in the former capital of the Confederacy, alongside statues of the slaveholders who lost.
------------------------------------------------------------


** As Botetourt County considers wind farm, survey shows divide in public sentiment ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

As the permitting process restarts for huge wind turbines atop a Botetourt County mountain, a survey finds public sentiment evenly split. Of the 95 people who responded to the online survey conducted by the county’s planning and zoning department, 41 said they generally support a wind farm to be built by a renewable energy company. Another 40 opposed the idea; 14 were undecided. The survey comes as the county considers changes to an ordinance that would govern the state’s first on-shore commercial wind farm.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia Beach couple waits for test results on the coronavirus ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A Virginia Beach couple returned this weekend from an Egyptian cruise on the Nile River with good reason to suspect they were getting sick from the novel coronavirus. But after idling for more than six hours at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk on Friday, they went back to their home, still not knowing whether they had it.
Leave feedback for VaNews:
[link removed]
The Full Report
29 articles, 13 publications

Read Online ([link removed]) 10 Most Clicked ([link removed])


** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
------------------------------------------------------------


** Northam: 'Open to casinos,' but must be 'responsible' ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Calling it a “new day in Virginia with casinos,” Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday he wants to “move forward” responsibly with legislation to allow casinos by public referendums. Speaking at an economic development announcement in Abingdon, Northam was asked about bills approved with bipartisan support by the state Senate and House of Delegates.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
------------------------------------------------------------


** Democratic majority delivers on liberal agenda ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JUSTIN MATTINGLY AND MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Proclaiming a mandate from voters, Democrats in the Virginia legislature ushered the formerly conservative statehouse to the ideological left on a wide range of issues during their first session with full control of state government. Over the past 60 days, Virginia Democrats acted to tighten gun control laws, roll back restrictions on abortion, raise the state’s minimum wage, decriminalize marijuana possession and enact protections for the LGBTQ community, among other things.
------------------------------------------------------------


** New budget plan has raises for teachers, state employees ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press

Virginia lawmakers have approved raises and bonuses for state employees and public school teachers in their final budget proposal. Lawmakers unveiled their latest $135-billion two-year state budget proposal Monday and are expected to give it final approval on Thursday.
------------------------------------------------------------


** 30 reasons why Virginia's legislative session mattered ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By STAFF REPORT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Under Democratic control, the General Assembly approved sweeping changes on issues ranging from casinos to cigarettes and from marijuana to the minimum wage. Here are 30 reasons why the session mattered. Abortion Legislators rolled back a number of abortion regulations, ...
------------------------------------------------------------


** Legislators pass ban on tethering dogs in extreme weather ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press

Virginia lawmakers have passed legislation that would prohibit the tethering of dogs outside during extreme weather. The legislation would also increase the minimum length of a tether from 10 feet to 15 feet.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Which bills fizzled at the end of the Virginia legislative session? ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MAX SMITH, WTOP

A number of bills almost made it to the finish line, but failed in the last hours the Virginia General Assembly gave itself over the weekend to finish most action for the year. A bill allowing Dominion Energy to sell electric school buses to local school systems that the power company could also use for energy storage remains alive, though, due to a parliamentary maneuver.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
------------------------------------------------------------


** Inside the failed efforts to reform health care facility approvals in Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

On a June day in 2019, a familiar cast of characters assembled in the East Reading Room of the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond. . . . Minutes from the June 11 meeting list a group of more than two dozen health and policy experts, from legislative analysts to physicians to Dr. Daniel Carey, Virginia’s secretary of health. They were there to discuss the state’s Certificate of Public Need Program, often abbreviated as COPN: a perennial flashpoint for legislators, policy makers and health care professionals.
------------------------------------------------------------


** State holds town hall on diversity, equity and inclusivity ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KATHERINE KNOTT, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

A packed town hall Monday evening at Charlottesville High School focused on how Virginia can become more inclusive as state leaders unveiled a draft strategic plan about diversity, equity and inclusivity. Janice Underwood, the state’s chief diversity officer, heard feedback on the plan during the town hall — one of six planned throughout the state.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Amazon, fresh off buying land in Suffolk, appears to be keen on property in Chesapeake ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The “Blue Firebird at The Grove” might sound like an alert to classic car enthusiasts for where they might catch a glimpse of a muscle car. In Chesapeake, though, it’s the code name for a 74-acre industrial development in Western Branch estimated to span up to 1.5 million square feet and stand a maximum of 75-feet-tall. The developer has said there could be as many as 2,000 jobs at the site.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Northam: The 1901 Group to establish operation in Washington County, creating 150 jobs ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOE TENNIS, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

The 1901 Group, a provider of IT services for the public and private sectors, is slated to invest $1.15 million in Washington County to establish its third Virginia operation and create 150 jobs. “This exciting announcement for Washington County, that is, this is a team effort,” Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday morning in Abingdon.
------------------------------------------------------------


** AeroFarms grows projected investment in Dan River Region by $13 million ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOHN R. CRANE, Danville Register & Bee

AeroFarms, the company that announced in December it would bring 92 jobs and $42 million in investment to the Dan River Region over three years, plans to increase its investment in the area by $13 million.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
------------------------------------------------------------


** 5 cases of coronavirus confirmed in northern Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press

Two new cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in Virginia, bringing the cases to five, state health officials said Monday. One case is a household contact of a case previously identified in Fairfax in the northern region of the state. The other case is a resident of Spotsylvania County in the northwest region of the state, the Virginia Department of Health said in a news release late Monday. The two cases are not related.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Wife of Fairfax patient tests positive for coronavirus; Virginia's total reaches five ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By BRIDGET BALCH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

The Virginia Department of Health said Monday that three more people in the state have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus, increasing the state’s known cases of COVID-19 to five. Late Monday, the department announced two new cases in Spotsylvania County and the city of Fairfax, after announcing a case in Arlington County earlier in the day.
------------------------------------------------------------


** UVa imposes new travel restrictions; ACPS unveils contingency plans ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KATHERINE KNOTT, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

As more cases of the coronavirus are confirmed throughout the country and world, the University of Virginia is prohibiting university-related travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. Staff members who have traveled to those areas are being asked to self-isolate for two weeks.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Roanoke-area health care providers routinely plan for threats like coronavirus ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Months before a new coronavirus emerged in China and began to sicken and kill people across the globe, 400 health care providers from the Roanoke and New River valleys gathered to plan for a similar threat. Did each of their organizations have enough gloves, face masks, medications and other supplies should disaster strike?


** LOCAL
------------------------------------------------------------


** Alexandria to try again on redevelopment of public housing sites ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ALEX KOMA, Washington Business Journal (Subscription required for some articles)

Alexandria is now looking to redevelop five of its public housing communities, putting out a call for developers to replace 288 affordable homes around the city while building new “mixed-income communities.” The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority recently issued a request for qualifications for interested developers on the projects, renewing a similar effort launched more than six years ago.
------------------------------------------------------------


** After Five Months, Richmond Program Helps 122 Residents Avoid Eviction ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ROBERTO ROLDAN, WCVE

New data released by the City of Richmond shows more than 120 people have avoided eviction because of a diversion project launched last year. Mayor Levar Stoney launched the Eviction Diversion Program last year after a 2018 New York Times article highlighted Richmond as number two in the nation for evictions. Data presented to Richmond City Council showed the program has helped 122 people over the past five months with cash assistance to stay in their homes. On average, each participant gets around $1,300.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia Beach will consider privatizing its tourism department ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ALISSA SKELTON, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

It’s no secret that the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Visitors Bureau has struggled to book major conventions without a full-service hotel attached. But that’s not the only way the city’s tourism department is falling behind, according to a consultant. It’s underpaying its staff, which is making it hard to retain top talent.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Police chief is out: Virginia Beach Council won’t increase retirement age for public safety employees. ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ALISSA SKELTON, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The City Council does not plan to change the mandatory retirement age for public safety employees, meaning Virginia Beach will have to say goodbye to Police Chief Jim Cervera in the next two months after he turns 65.
------------------------------------------------------------


** It’s not a crime for businessman to shower gifts on Norfolk sheriff, defense argues ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

It wasn’t illegal for a businessman to shower gifts on Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe, defense attorneys argue. Even though the sheriff oversaw millions of dollars in government contracts that benefitted Jerry Boyle’s longtime company, the attorneys said there was no explicit quid pro quo.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Agreement between mother who filed multiple complaints and York County School Division is hush-hush ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JULIA MARSIGLIANO, Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily (Metered paywall - 3 articles per month)

After months of fighting with the York County School Division and filing multiple complaints with the Virginia Department of Education, a woman fighting for her 7-year-old son’s education has reached an agreement with the school division. But it’s hush-hush.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Transgender students using preferred bathroom in schools upsets some Radford residents ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SAM WALL, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Some citizens expressed concerns about which bathrooms transgender students are using in the city’s schools at Monday’s school board meeting. Ken Alderman — a retired principal at Belle Heth Elementary and former Radford School Board member — told the board he thinks transgender students should be using gender neutral bathrooms.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Waiting to see if governor signs skilled gaming ban, Danville Planning Commission postpones requests again ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOHN R. CRANE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

A request for a special-use permit to run a business based solely on skilled game machines have been postponed yet again by the Danville Planning Commission while officials wait to see if the state bans them.

Today's Sponsor:


** Rosie’s Gaming Emporium
------------------------------------------------------------

There are more than 1,000 Rosie’s team members across Virginia helping guests every day. Rosie’s values you ([link removed]) - THANK YOU for a great first year!


** EDITORIALS
------------------------------------------------------------


** What the Constitution Pipeline says about Virginia's pipelines ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

While everyone else has been preoccupied by primaries, purges and pandemics (or at least the threat thereof), there’s been some news involving another “p” word: Pipelines. The proposed Constitution Pipeline has been cancelled. This pipeline wasn’t going to be near us — it would have run from Pennsylvania to New York ...
------------------------------------------------------------


** House picks politics over professionalism ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Commonwealth's Attorney LaBravia Jenkins, who has served as chief prosecutor in Fredericksburg since 2008, was nominated by the regional delegation to the General Assembly to fill an open district court judgeship. Since judges in Virginia are elected by members of the state legislature, getting the imprimatur of local lawmakers is not unusual, but a key part of the process.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Redistricting amendment heads to the voters — as it should ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

In the final days of the General Assembly, Virginia took a much-needed step forward to end partisan gerrymandering when the House of Delegates finally backed the proposed constitutional amendment about redistricting. Now the measure will go before voters in November — as it rightfully should.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Invest in naval strength, growth ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

What goes with the vaunted commitment of President Donald Trump to national defense? Presumably that commitment included shipbuilding and the Navy, based on candidate Trump’s declarations that he would add “billions and billions of dollars more” to rebuild, replenish and otherwise renew defense spending. As it turns out, the proposed 2021 budget goes the other direction.


** OP-ED
------------------------------------------------------------


** Harris: D.C. wants statehood? Annex Northern Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By STERLING HARRIS, published in Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

What has happened to our proud and beloved great state of Virginia? This disconcerting and frightening sentiment has been openly asked by many shocked Virginians, as well as by astute political observers across our magnificently historic, prosperous and liberty-loving commonwealth. Virginia’s General Assembly has been usurped by a blatantly unconstitutional power grab by Northern Virginia.

Sterling Harris is an adjunct professor of history at Rappahannock Community College
------------------------------------------------------------


** Hanes: Botetourt wind project is a bad idea ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By STEVEN HANES, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Christopher West’s commentary from Jan. 21 (“Botetourt wind farm should be approved”) was one-sided, misleading, and a poor attempt to spin a case for wind turbines in Botetourt County. It demands a response. Most adults will recall the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

Hanes is the retired director of the Norfolk Southern Railway Police Department. He lives in Roanoke County.
------------------------------------------------------------
Donate ([link removed]) Subscribe ([link removed]) Content Policy ([link removed]) Privacy ([link removed])

============================================================

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Virginia Public Access Project . P.O. Box 1472 . Richmond, VA 23218 . USA