VaNews
March 17, 2020

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** Rosie’s Gaming Emporium
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** VPAP Visual Divergent Party Unity ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

In the recent past, House Democrats and Republicans both operated with a relatively narrow band of party unity on contested floor votes. But this changed in 2020, as Democrats took power and pushed through a number of progressive policy initiatives. In the process, Democrats stuck together to maintain their narrow majority, while Republican unity fell.
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** Some Virginia lawmakers want a special session to address coronavirus, but Northam’s office says it’s unlikely ([link removed])
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By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Fresh off their adjournment of the two-month legislative session, some Virginia lawmakers want to come back to Richmond to address a few issues they think could help the state during the coronavirus outbreak. Democrats want the state to require employers to provide paid sick leave, and a top Republican wants to address the virus’ possible impact on the state budget, among other issues.
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** In reversal, Liberty University will move to online classes amid coronavirus outbreak ([link removed])
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By RICHARD CHUMNEY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

In an abrupt reversal, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Monday announced the university will move most in-person classes online next week in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision comes just three days after Falwell sought to downplay the threat of the virus and to assure students that classes would resume on campus at the conclusion of spring break on March 23.
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** Bus drivers, food managers and counselors are ensuring students get fed ([link removed])
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By CLAIRE MITZEL, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

As the yellow school bus bounced down Bradshaw Road near the Roanoke-Montgomery county line on Monday afternoon, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Bus 80 snaked along its usual route with driver Pam Meador at the helm. But students didn’t get off the bus when it came to a halt. Instead, Masons Cove Elementary School’s nutrition manager handed out bagged meals.
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** Lessons learned from Roanoke's battle against the 1918 flu ([link removed])
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By RALPH BERRIER JR., Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

During the afternoon of Sept. 23, 1918, Wiley W. Eastwood left work early, complaining of chills and a fever, and went to his bed in his Highland Avenue home. Friends visited him the next morning, when news of his grave condition made rounds of the neighborhood. By noon, Eastwood was dead — the first Roanoke resident to die of influenza during the infamous “Spanish flu” pandemic of 1918.
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** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** AG Herring receives price gouging complaints as coronavirus prompts product shortages ([link removed])
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By JACKIE DEFUSCO, WAVY

The coronavirus is already taking a major economic toll on Virginians. While money is tight, Attorney General Mark Herring says his office is taking steps to prevent consumers from being overcharged for critical products or punished for not paying the bills.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Va. to try limited energy competition after Dominion reverses opposition to embrace pilot ([link removed])
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By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury

Virginians will see some expansion in their choice of companies to buy electricity from after two proposals killed at the urging of the state’s two largest electric monopolies, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company, were unexpectedly resurrected in the waning days of the session.
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** Budget Proposes Overhaul for 'Unreliable' Election Tech ([link removed])
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By BEN PAVIOUR, WCVE

The IT system Virginia uses for election tasks could get an overhaul under the proposed budget approved by the General Assembly on Thursday. The Virginia Election and Registration Information System has been a longstanding complaint of registrars, who say it often stalls during busy periods and lacks the functionality they need to do their job.
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** General Assembly fails to fill Chesterfield judgeship after 2 delegates derail bipartisan consensus ([link removed])
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By MARK BOWES, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The General Assembly left a vital Chesterfield County judgeship unfilled this session after two of the county's 10-member state delegation opposed the candidate supported by the majority and rejected an 11th-hour compromise measure that sought to address the minority's demands.


** FEDERAL ELECTIONS
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** Second staffer for ex-Congressman Scott Taylor indicted on election fraud charges ([link removed])
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By JANE HARPER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A second member of former U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor’s staff was indicted Monday on election fraud charges stemming from a petition scandal that erupted during the ex-congressman’s 2018 re-election campaign. A grand jury charged Roberta Marciano with two felony counts of the crime.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** Courts in Roanoke and New River valleys address virus threat with postponements, added precautions ([link removed])
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By NEIL HARVEY, MIKE GANGLOFF AND JEFF STURGEON, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

State and federal judges in and around the Roanoke and New River valleys took steps Monday to address the looming threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which has now been deemed a “judicial emergency” by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The actions largely postpone most in-person hearings until at least mid-April for state courts, and into early May for federal courts.
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** Nearly all court hearings in Virginia will be postponed because of coronavirus ([link removed])
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By PETER DUJARDIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court on Monday declared a “judicial emergency” in light of the new coronavirus outbreak — ordering thousands of trials and other court hearings around the state postponed for at least three weeks.
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** Virginia prison system suspends accepting new inmates from local jails for 30 days ([link removed])
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By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

The Virginia Department of Corrections has suspended taking new inmates from local jails for 30 days as of Thursday’s declaration by Gov. Ralph Northam of a state of emergency. As of Monday afternoon, there had been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the system’s 30,000 inmates or among the staff at its more than 40 facilities, officials said.
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** SCC prohibits utilities from cutting off service during coronavirus crisis ([link removed])
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By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

The State Corporation Commission has barred utilities from cutting off electricity, natural gas, water or sewer service to customers during the spread of the new coronavirus. In an order filed Monday, the SCC noted the “ongoing public health emergency” that first struck Virginia on March 7 and has steadily grown worse.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Amazon's coronavirus plan: Hire displaced restaurant workers, raise hourly pay ([link removed])
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By JONATHAN CAPRIEL, Washington Business Journal (Subscription required for some articles)

Amazon.com Inc. has its own economic stimulus plan for the global pandemic that has ground the economy to a near halt: Give laid-off and furloughed hospitality workers jobs delivering Prime packages. The e-commerce company will hire an additional 100,000 workers in the United States and temporarily boost wages for current employees by $2 per hour, Amazon said late Monday.


** TRANSPORTATION
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** These Local Public Transit Agencies Cut Service In The Wake Of Coronavirus ([link removed])
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By MARGARET BARTHEL, WAMU

As cases of the coronavirus continue to rise in the Washington region, transit agencies are adapting their schedules in an attempt to balance the virus’ impact on ridership and public health.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** Liberty University now says most classes will move to online-only ([link removed])
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By JOE HEIM AND SARAH PULLIAM BAILEY, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Liberty University abruptly reversed course Monday afternoon and told students that most in-person classes would be moved online because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The decision takes effect March 23 when students were expected to return to class after spring break.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** Second coronavirus death reported on the Peninsula ([link removed])
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By JESSICA NOLTE, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

A man in his 70s died Monday from respiratory failure caused by the coronavirus, according to a news release from the Peninsula Health District. The man, who had been hospitalized, is the second death reported on the Peninsula and in the state. Officials say they haven’t determined how the man came in contact with the virus. They would not confirm the city he lived in, only the health district.
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** Virginia reports second coronavirus death; hospitals prepare for more cases ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY AND BRIDGET BALCH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

A second person in Virginia has died from the coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases in the state continues to grow. The Virginia Department of Health said Monday that a man in his 70s in the Peninsula Health District died after acquiring the virus through an unknown source. The cause of death was respiratory failure from COVID-19.
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** Virginians adjust to new normal as more things close down ([link removed])
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By DENISE LAVOIE AND ALAN SUDERMAN, Associated Press

Virginians began adjusting Monday to living with the threat of the new coronavirus, a new reality that left elected officials and business owners struggling to decide what should stay open and what should close. The state said Monday the total number of people who tested positive in Virginia for the virus was 51 and reported the second virus-related death.
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** After struggling for days to get coronavirus test results, Manassas man found positive for COVID-19 ([link removed])
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By EMILY SIDES, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

After struggling to get COVID-19 test results for days, the family of a Manassas man learned Sunday that he has tested positive for coronavirus. Titou Phommachanh has started an experimental drug treatment at Inova Fairfax Hospital, according to his wife, Amanda Phommachanh, who spoke with InsideNoVa on Monday.
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** MCV treating first COVID-19 case, restrictions implemented for patient visits ([link removed])
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By HANNAH EASON, Commonwealth Times

VCU Medical Center is caring for its first COVID-19 patient, according to a release sent to employees on Monday. The Virginia Department of Health, or VDH, has confirmed the case, and the release states VCU Health System has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the “earliest reports” of the new coronavirus.
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** UVa employee tests positive for COVID-19 ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

A resident of Charlottesville has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officials with the Thomas Jefferson Health District announced Monday. The diagnosis marks the first case of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, in the district, according to a news release. ... There are at least 51 positive cases in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health, but the department’s Monday update did not including the Charlottesville case.
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** Va., Maryland and D.C. request federal funding for COVID-19 test sites ([link removed])
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By SYDNEY LAKE, Virginia Business

As coronavirus cases in Virginia continue to rise, Gov. Ralph Northam, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser sent a letter to President Donald Trump Sunday requesting that the National Capital Region — which includes Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. — be added as a priority location for federal funding to support drive-through testing sites for COVID-19.
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** In the race to develop coronavirus testing, Virginia universities are stuck on hold ([link removed])
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By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

In early February — just a few weeks after the U.S. confirmed its first case of coronavirus transmission — it wasn’t a question of when the University of Virginia would develop its own test for the virus. It was a question of whether to do it. . . . Both UVA and Virginia Commonwealth University are now on the front lines of the state’s race to expand its testing capabilities — a push labs across the country are making as states scramble to quell the spread of the virus.
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** Sentara begins drive-through testing for coronavirus ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A line of cars in Sentara Princess Anne Hospital’s parking lot stretched nearly to the road Monday afternoon, with passengers wanting to be examined for the coronavirus. Some could be heard coughing when they rolled down their windows to talk to medical staff. A few were wearing face masks. The draw was a new drive-through testing service for COVID-19...
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** No confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lynchburg area, drive-thru testing available ([link removed])
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By SARAH HONOSKY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

As of Monday, there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronoavirus, in the Lynchburg area. Currently, 51 people have tested positive in Virginia, with two deaths reported from the virus.
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** Most Virginia court activity postponed as state confirms second COVID-19 death ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

The Virginia Department of Health announced Monday that a man in his 70s died of respiratory failure caused by the COVID-19, the state’s second death associated with the new coronavirus. . . . With nothing new from the governor’s office Monday, it was the judicial branch that ordered the latest sweeping change intended to slow the spread of the virus. The Supreme Court of Virginia declared a “judicial emergency” Monday, postponing routine court activity for at least 21 days in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that has now caused two deaths in the state.
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** COVID-19’s effects send shockwaves of disruption across Harrisonburg ([link removed])
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By RANDI B. HAGI, BRIDGET MANLEY, CALVIN PYNN AND RYAN ALESSI, Harrisonburg Citizen

Harrisonburg businesses, organizations and other service providers made gut-wrenching decisions over the past 48 hours to dramatically scale back their interactions with the public. That has meant shifting to carry-out-only for restaurants, cutting back on hours of operations, limiting visitors to the hospital and, in many cases, closing up for the next couple weeks — at least.
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** Hampton Roads restaurants voluntarily closing dining rooms in wake of coronavirus ([link removed])
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By MATTHEW KORFHAGE, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

On Saturday, Kevin Ordonez looked around his restaurants and saw what many chefs can only dream of: a packed house of customers, shoulder to shoulder, eating his food. He was horrified. At Alkaline in Norfolk, and at his newly opened Baby Izakaya in Virginia Beach, business was good. But with mounting cases of COVID-19, ...
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** Richmond announces tax amnesty program for restaurants ([link removed])
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By KARRI PEIFER, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The owners of some of the largest and most influential restaurants in Richmond gathered Monday afternoon to come up with a plan amid the coronavirus crisis. “All the restaurants got together and said, ‘We have to make it a social obligation to make the right decision and that’s by closing down,’” said Johnny Giavos, who owns nearly a dozen Richmond restaurants ...
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** Virginia Dental Association recommends dental offices close for two weeks ([link removed])
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By SALEEN MARTIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Some local patients who had dental appointments scheduled for the next two weeks might have to wait. The Virginia Dental Association recommended Sunday night that dentists cancel non-emergency visits starting Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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** Navy suspends ‘quality of life’ port visits in Middle East due to coronavirus ([link removed])
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By BROCK VERGAKIS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The Navy has suspended “quality of life” port visits for its ships in the Middle East due to concerns over the coronavirus, a decision that will affect more than 10,000 sailors assigned to Norfolk-based ships.
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** At least 25 relocated from Richmond homeless encampment amid coronavirus pandemic ([link removed])
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By MARK ROBINSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Officials hastened efforts to disperse a large homeless encampment in Richmond’s Shockoe Valley on Monday, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and the fatal danger the disease poses to the men and women living there. Amid the upheaval, Perri Seeley worried not about the disease, but his newborn son. A week earlier, Seeley and his wife, Doris, arrived at the encampment with nowhere to go. Their baby, who at the time was due in three weeks, came within days.
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** All area Catholic masses suspended due to COVID-19 ([link removed])
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By RACHAEL SMITH, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond is suspending all public masses effective immediately. According to a news release issued Monday evening, Barry Knestout, Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, said this will affect all local Catholic churches and includes all masses, Sunday Eucharists and any other formal Eucharistic celebration.
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** Richmond schools will be closed two more weeks, until at least April 13 ([link removed])
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By SAMUEL NORTHROP, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Richmond Public Schools said Monday that the city’s schools will be closed two more weeks — through spring break, until at least April 13 — because of the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, RPS announced its plan to close through March 27. On Friday, Gov. Ralph Northam ordered every K-12 school in the state to do the same.
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** With school out, COVID-19 creating child care problems — and solutions — in Southside ([link removed])
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By CALEB AYERS, Danville Register & Bee

When regional school divisions closed Friday, it did more than result in a number of students needing child care — it also freed up a new workforce to watch them in the form of high school and college students. Between Pittsylvania County and Danville Public Schools, more than 14,400 students will be out of school for the next two weeks.
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** Here’s where children can get free meals while schools are closed ([link removed])
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By SARA GREGORY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Local school districts are making plans to provide meals to students while schools are closed. Details of each school district’s plan will be added below as they become available. Generally speaking, districts plan to make meals available to anyone under the age of 18, whether they’re a student or not. Federal rules that require students to eat on-site have been lifted, giving districts the option of offering grab-and-go meals to eliminate large gatherings.
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** School systems, businesses serving free meals to Danville, Pittsylvania students ([link removed])
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Danville Register & Bee

Five-year-old Maximus Doerr was thrilled about the meal he got from the food truck in front of Woodrow Wilson Elementary School on Monday. “Chocolate milk! Yay!” he yelled just after being handed a Styrofoam container that also included chicken fajita, steamed corn and an apple. Danville Public Schools’ food truck as well as local businesses are providing free meals to children ...
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** Virginia SOL testing will go on despite coronavirus school closures ([link removed])
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By JENNA ZIBTON, WSLS

Many of you have been asking about SOL testing after learning all K-12 schools were shutting down until at least March 27. In the history of SOL testing, it has never been canceled according to Virginia Department of Education spokesman Charles Pyle. He said they are advising school districts of the testing window, making some exceptions where needed and exploring what additional flexibility might be needed or available on the state and federal level.


** LOCAL
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** Local governments contend with safety measures, continuing operations amid virus outbreak fears ([link removed])
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By C. SUAREZ ROJAS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

As area residents struggled on Monday to find their footing in a world of shuttered businesses and government offices, the work of administering essential local services trudged onward. There were lesson plans to design, feeding sites to organize and decisions to be made about how best to manage the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis, and its fallout.

Today's Sponsor:


** Rosie’s Gaming Emporium
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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
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** Assembly puts funding behind Bay cleanup ([link removed])
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Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

The success of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup has always depended on two basic elements: Enforceable goals and the money to achieve them. With the goals established and the Environmental Protection Agency in its watchdog role, the Virginia General Assembly has approved serious new funding that will help Virginia meet the 2025 cleanup deadline.
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** Keeping your distance can save lives ([link removed])
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Daily Press Editorial (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

People traditionally celebrate St. Patrick's Day by attending a community parade or crowding into a pub to hoist a pint of Guinness in the company of friends. Not this year. No, this year will be different. It must be different. People need to stay home. The coronavirus pandemic is a serious threat to public health, one that too many people aren't taking seriously enough.


** OP-ED
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** Andrews: How will coronavirus scare affect my students? ([link removed])
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By JAMES ANDREWS, published in Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

What happens to our students when we cancel classes, SAT tests, AP classes, sports, and other valuable activities without thinking ahead to the consequences? Will they actually be safer? Will their futures be more secure? Having taught around 8,000 high school students for 54 years, it doesn’t bother me that NBA or NHL giants are sidelined for a while...

James Andrews, who lives in Woodford, teaches English at Stafford High School and Germanna Community College.
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** O’Mara: RGGI provides a path to protect kids’ health ([link removed])
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By TIM O'MARA, published in Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Healthy children need a healthy planet. Pediatricians are leading the medical community in support of policies that will ensure a bright future for our patients. In 2020, we know that this includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions that warm the planet and pollute the air our kids breathe. That is why the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is proud to have strongly supported Virginia’s joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI.

Tim O’Mara, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician in Fairfax who serves on the climate change committee of the Virginia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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** Haner: The new Virginia looks a lot like the old Virginia when it comes to energy laws ([link removed])
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By STEPHEN D. HANER, published in Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Doing what it has always done, deferring to campaign donors, the Virginia General Assembly is about to give us what we always get: a major revision to the commonwealth’s energy economy that again puts consumers last. It was easy to predict. ... Reversing polarity proved meaningless. Eight months later, the new Democratic majority was behaving the same way as its predecessors.

Haner is a senior fellow for state and local tax policy at the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy and contributing editor at Bacon’s Rebellion.
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