VaNews
January 12, 2021

Today's Sponsor:


** Virginia Transit Association
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Saluting public transit during these challenging times. Learn more about how transit benefits our community at Facesoftransit.org @VaTransitAssoc ([link removed]) Vatransit.com ([link removed])
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Top of the News


** Local health official urges patience until vaccine doses keep up with demand ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Local health officials say the phones wouldn’t stop ringing Monday with older folks wanting to line up for COVID-19 vaccines. “The key message from all of us is we are being overwhelmed by phone calls and emails, and we don’t have the capacity to respond to all of the demand,” Dr. Cynthia Morrow, director of the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts, said.
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** Website translation mistake, long phone waits: Virginia vaccine advisers discuss struggles ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A translation problem on the Virginia Department of Health website apparently has been telling Spanish readers they don’t need the coronavirus vaccine. The issue came up during a Virginia Vaccination Advisory Workgroup telemeeting Monday. Dr. Rebecca Vargas-Jackson, a member of the group, said her students at George Mason University were the first to bring it to her attention. Before the faulty translation, the English passage simply meant the vaccine wasn’t mandatory, she said.
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** Virginia hospitals ask Northam to speed up vaccinations, consider more restrictions ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Virginia hospitals urged Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday to accelerate the vaccination of a broad swath of the state's population against COVID-19 and consider further restrictions on public and professional gatherings to relieve pressure on health care providers as a spike in cases threatens to overwhelm them and force limitations on medical care. The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, a politically powerful trade group for more than 100 hospitals and 125,000 employees, urged Northam to "aggressively" expand the state's vaccination campaign to include all workers deemed essential during the pandemic, people 65 and older, and anyone over 16 with a high-risk medical condition or disability.
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** Political newcomer with ability to self-fund to enter race for Virginia governor ([link removed])
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By LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Glenn Youngkin, who made a fortune in the world of private equity, plans to run for Virginia governor, his campaign manager confirmed Monday, after the former Carlyle Group executive filed paperwork laying the groundwork for his Republican campaign. Youngkin, 54 has never held elected office — and plans to use that as a selling point to voters sick of the current political climate, said campaign manager Garrison Coward.
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** Virginia prepares for potential armed protests at state Capitol ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The guardians of Virginia’s seat of government are bracing for potential armed protests at the state Capitol in Richmond beginning on Sunday, as President-elect Joe Biden prepares for inauguration. Biden’s swearing-in will come under the shadow of an insurrection by supporters of President Donald Trump that left five dead and the U.S. Capitol ransacked on Wednesday as Congress prepared to certify his electoral victory.
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** Culpeper councilmember defends calling Capitol rioters 'Patriots' ([link removed])
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By SCOTT BROOM, WUSA

A chorus of people on social media in Culpeper, Virginia are calling for the resignation of a town councilmember who is running for mayor. Councilmember Jon Russell made a Facebook post calling rioters who breached the Capitol barricades Wednesday "Patriots." “Patriots have breached the barricades at the U.S. Capitol," Russell posted as he shared video of the events, which he said he was monitoring online from home, more than 60 miles from the unfolding attack.
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** Smyth sheriff, town chiefs seek more accessible care for crisis patients amid pandemic ([link removed])
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By JASMINE FRANKS, Smyth County News & Messenger

Local law enforcement leaders and state behavioral health officials are meeting today to discuss possible alternatives to lengthy police custody periods while patients in crisis wait for psychiatric beds to come available. Record waiting periods in placing those patients due to pandemic restrictions prompted Smyth County law enforcement leaders to call upon Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute officials and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health to offer alternatives.
The Full Report
44 articles, 23 publications
* Read Online ([link removed])
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** FROM VPAP
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** From VPAP Maps, Timeline of COVID-19 in Virginia ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

Our COVID-19 dashboard makes it easy to track the latest available data for tests performed, infections, deaths and hospital capacity. We've added a link the VDH vaccination data. There's also a filter for each city and county, plus an exclusive per-capita ZIP Code map. Updated each morning around 10:30 a.m.


** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** Virginia officials brace after FBI warning about possible inauguration week violence in state capitals ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Gov. Ralph Northam’s office is working with police agencies to be ready for violence after news of an FBI warning of a nationwide threat to state capitol buildings. The warning, first reported by ABC News, said the FBI has received information that an insurrectionist group is calling for “storming” state government buildings and state and federal courthouses. The warning said the group is planning action in every state on inauguration day, Jan. 20, ABC News said.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Assembly poised to erase mandatory minimums ([link removed])
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By PETER VIETH, Virginia Lawyers Weekly (Subscription required for some articles)

When the 2021 Virginia General Assembly opens on Jan. 13, criminal justice reform, a major issue in last year’s session, will be back front and center. A group of progressive Virginia prosecutors has united behind a five-point agenda for the 2021 session. One of the key projects – getting rid of mandatory minimum sentences – won a boost from the State Crime Commission.
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** As General Assembly session nears, calls for mandatory paid sick leave are revived ([link removed])
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By TREVOR METCALFE, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

After being scrapped in 2020, mandatory paid sick leave is once again on the agenda as lawmakers prepare to head back to Richmond this month. The coronavirus pandemic has increased the urgency of legislative efforts to require Virginia employers to offer paid sick leave, according to one Hampton Roads supporter. However, business groups say a one-size-fits-all mandate would harm small businesses struggling to survive during this time.
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** Virginia Democrats push to end constitutional rule stripping felons of voting rights ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

The last three Virginia governors — a Republican and two Democrats — have made it much easier for people convicted of felonies to have their voting rights restored by the governor’s office. If some lawmakers get their way, felons rejoining society will no longer have to rely on the benevolence of future governors to be able to vote again. Instead, they’d get their rights back automatically after serving their time. Or, if policymakers choose to add Virginia to the handful of states that allow inmates to vote while incarcerated, they’d never lose the right to begin with.
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** New Virginia bill could affect future toll hikes on Dulles Greenway ([link removed])
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By NEAL AUGENSTEIN, WTOP

The Virginia General Assembly is considering a bill that would make the Dulles Greenway’s operators prove that future toll rates are reasonable, and won’t discourage use of a 14-mile roadway linking Leesburg and Dulles International Airport. House Bill 1832, co-authored by Del. Suhas Subramanyam, as well as Sen. John Bell, who will introduce a companion bill, Monday, said they believe there is bipartisan support for an attempt to codify boxes that must be checked before private Greenway operator TRIP II can raise toll rates. Both represent parts of Loudoun and Prince William counties.
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** Virginia gun group pressing on with Jan. 18 event, despite violence in D.C. ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW AND NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

The leader of the pro-gun Virginia Citizens Defense League said the group isn’t changing its plans for a Jan. 18 rally in Richmond after right-wing rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol to protest the presidential election. A year ago, more than 20,000 gun enthusiasts packed the streets around the Virginia Capitol for VCDL’s annual Lobby Day event, a larger-than-normal crowd inspired largely by pro-gun control Democrats winning control of the General Assembly.
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** 2 Loudoun supervisors urge Del. LaRock to resign for Capitol riot claims ([link removed])
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By NATHANIEL CLINE, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Two members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors are calling for the resignation of state Del. Dave LaRock (R-33rd), claiming that he is continuing to spread misinformation about the 2020 presidential election. LaRock attended at least two Stop the Steal rallies — on Nov. 15 in Loudoun County and Jan. 6 in Washington, D.C. — supporting claims of voter fraud in the Nov. 3 presidential election when former Vice
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** LaRock Faces Calls for Resignation after Capitol Riot ([link removed])
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By RENSS GREENE, Loudoun Now

In the wake of an attempted insurrection last week at the U.S. Capitol, Del. Dave LaRock (R-33) is facing calls to resign for his role encouraging attendance at the event and spreading conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election and the violence in the Capitol last week.... LaRock has continued to post conspiracy theories on social media including that the Trump-supporting mob had been infiltrated by “paid provocateurs,” and that there was credible doubt around the validity of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
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** Fredericksburg-area delegate signed letter urging nullification of Virginia presidential vote ([link removed])
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By SCOTT SHENK, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Astate delegate who represents the Fredericksburg area signed a letter last week asking Vice President Mike Pence to nullify Virginia’s electors until an audit of the presidential election could be conducted. Del. Mark Cole, R–Spotsylvania, signed the letter, which he said was written by Del. Dave LaRock, R-Loudoun. The letter was also signed by Del. Ronnie Campbell, R-Rockbridge. Cole represents the 88th District, which includes parts of Fredericksburg and parts of Spotsylvania, Stafford and Fauquier counties. He is also Spotsylvania’s assistant county administrator.
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** Stoney endorses extension of proposal to allow 'skill games' through July 1, 2022 ([link removed])
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By C. SUAREZ ROJAS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The thousands of slot machine-like skill games in Virginia restaurants and convenience stores will no longer be sanctioned by the state come July 1. State legislation introduced last week would keep them legal for another year. After nearly banning the skill games last year, Virginia lawmakers are considering a 12-month extension of a reprieve that allows thousands of the terminals to remain in restaurants, convenience stores and truck stops across the state.


** STATE ELECTIONS
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** Trump administration official running for governor of Virginia ([link removed])
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Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

Another Northern Virginia resident is running for governor. Sergio de la Peña, a Fairfax County resident, U.S. Army veteran and Trump administration official, announced Monday he will seek the Republican nomination this summer. In his announcement, de la Peña said he was born in Mexico, immigrated to America legally and served 30 years in the military before being appointed by President Donald Trump as a deputy assistant secretary of defense.
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** House of Delegates races already shaping up for 2021 ([link removed])
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By LOGAN BOGERT, News Virginian

The November general election may seem far away, but several locals already have announced their candidacy for Virginia’s House of Delegates in 2021. The Republican incumbents in the 20th and 25th districts intend to run for re-election — and both races already are contested. 25th District: Two familiar names are back in the 25th House District race.


** CONGRESS
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** Spanberger, McEachin co-sponsor article of impeachment ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Virginia Democrats in Congress united on Monday to push for immediate removal of President Donald Trump from office, just nine days before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Their preference would be for Vice President Mike Pence and the president’s Cabinet to seek Trump’s removal under the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, or by resignation, as President Richard Nixon did in 1974 after senior Republicans in Congress told him his support had eroded because of his role in the Watergate scandal.
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** Virginia Democrats sign on to second Trump impeachment measure ([link removed])
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By LAURA OLSON, Virginia Mercury

At least 214 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives — including all seven Virginia Democrats — have signed on to a measure to impeach President Donald Trump that was introduced Monday, charging him with inciting the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. Supporters of the impeachment effort say they would have enough votes to send charges against Trump — who is days away from leaving office — to the Senate for a second time.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Forest Service grants pipeline's request to pass through Jefferson National Forest ([link removed])
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By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The U.S. Forest Service has approved, for the second time, Mountain Valley Pipeline’s pathway through the Jefferson National Forest. A decision from James Hubbard, undersecretary of natural resources and the environment for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was posted to the forest’s website early Monday morning.
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** Airbnb banning rioters, hate groups ahead of inauguration ([link removed])
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By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated Press

Airbnb said Monday that it’s reviewing reservations in the Washington, D.C., area ahead of next week’s presidential inauguration and will bar any guests associated with hate groups or violent activity. The move comes as some city officials ask Airbnb, VRBO and other rental hosts to take down their listings until the Jan. 20 inauguration is over.


** TRANSPORTATION
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** Metro to lower its annual subsidy request from Washington-area jurisdictions ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN GEORGE, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Newly cash-infused Metro has gone from an agency on the financial brink to cutting its funding partners a break, proposing to lower the amount of money it requests from jurisdictions for annual operating expenses. Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld is proposing to forgo asking Metro’s main funders for an increase in their annual subsidy commitments next fiscal year, according to a Metro plan released Monday.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** D.C., Northern Virginia move to second phase of coronavirus vaccinations, targeting older residents ([link removed])
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By ANTONIO OLIVO, LOLA FADULU AND OVETTA WIGGINS, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

The District and much of Virginia moved into their next phases of coronavirus vaccinations Monday, targeting older residents and other vulnerable populations as a post-holiday surge of new infections in the Washington region continued to reach record highs. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser said the city will begin vaccinating residents 65 and older, while some jurisdictions in Virginia on Monday began making appointments to inoculate residents 75 and older. Health officials previously had worked to inoculate residents of nursing homes and assisted-living communities before moving to the next phase.
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** As Vaccine Pool Expands, County Registration Line Hit By Overwhelming Demand ([link removed])
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By FATIMAH WASEEM, Reston Now

With nearly 2.1 million Virginians now eligible to receive vaccines, Fairfax County is experiencing challenges handling the overwhelming demand to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations. The county received more than 10,000 calls in the first ten minutes the call system went live. An online vaccine registration system that was supposed to be operational Monday morning is still not available, prompting Fairfax County residents to turn to a hotline for support. The number experienced such high demand that phone calls were being dropped.
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** Health district: More than 109,000 local residents now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

The Prince William Health District estimates that more than 109,000 local residents are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after the county, Manassas and Manassas Park moved into the second phase of vaccinations on Monday. The Prince William Health District, local hospitals, a few clinics and teams from CVS and Walgreens have been vaccinating health care workers, EMTs and nursing home residents and staff since Dec. 28. The health district began vaccinating police officers – a group at the top of the 1b group – on Monday, health district Director Dr. Alison Ansher told the Manassas City Council on Monday night.
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** While awaiting vaccinations, Prince William-Manassas jail reports a new COVID-19 outbreak ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

Another COVID-19 outbreak is being reported at the Prince William-Manassas jail with five staff members and two inmates infected, according to jail officials. None have been hospitalized. There are currently 620 people being held at the facility, according to the jail’s Director of Support Services Maj. Amanda Lambert. Staff at the jail are now eligible to be vaccinated under Virginia’s “phase 1b” vaccination group. Lambert said Monday morning that the jail has had a preliminary conversation with the Prince William Health District regarding vaccinations but has not yet established a date or time.
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** Loudoun County begins new phase of COVID-19 vaccination process ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Law enforcement and grocery store workers in Loudoun County are among the next group of people expected to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. On Monday, Loudoun County entered Phase 1b of the vaccination process and is working with its community partners — including pharmacies, health care systems, schools and employers — to help people in Phase 1b know from whom they will receive a vaccine, how to make an appointment to receive a vaccine, and where to go to get vaccinated.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** A small group of sleuths had been identifying right-wing extremists long before the attack on the Capitol ([link removed])
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By ROBERT KLEMKO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Before a mob of Trump supporters staged a riot in the U.S. Capitol and thousands of Americans became amateur detectives working to identify the culprits, a loosely connected group of seasoned online sleuths were ringing alarm bells and picking off extremists online, one by one. For a nationwide network of left-wing activists who seek out and publish the identities of those they believe to be violent “fascists,” some investigations can take months, years even. Or it can take 10 minutes.
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** Fredericksburg National Guard unit deploys to Washington, D.C. ([link removed])
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By JAMES SCOTT BARON, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

The Virginia National Guard has deployed about 1,000 members to Washington, D.C., to assist law enforcement agencies, and many of those are from the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion. A.A. “Cotton” Puryear, chief of public affairs for the Virginia National Guard, declined to provide additional details in a Monday email, citing “operational security reasons and the safety and security of our personnel.”


** LOCAL
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** Marine Corps threatens to shut off water to Town of Quantico ([link removed])
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By KARI PUGH, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

Quantico, the only town in the country located within a military base, is about to have its water shut off by the U.S. Marine Corps, says Mayor Kevin Brown. A long-running dispute between the town and the surrounding Marine Corps Base Quantico over water and sewer service has reached crisis level, Brown said, with the base threatening to shut off water if the two sides don’t reach an agreement on a new contract by Feb. 1. Brown said town officials have been trying for eight years, since he was elected, to negotiate a “more equitable” water and sewer agreement with the Marine Corps.
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** Richmond considering new tax amnesty measures ([link removed])
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By CHRIS SUAREZ AND KARRI PEIFER, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The city of Richmond is preparing another amnesty period for taxes on real estate, meals, lodging and admissions to ease the burden on businesses and property owners financially struggling as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. The Richmond City Council and city officials briefly reviewed the parameters of the pending tax relief effort in an informal meeting Monday, just three days before the first half of annual real estate tax payments are due.
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** Henrico schools to begin teacher vaccinations next week ([link removed])
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By ALAN RODRIGUEZ ESPINOZA, WCVE-FM

Teachers and staff at Henrico public schools could be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the school district as soon as next week, according to a staff email sent by Superintendent Amy Cashwell on Monday. In the email, Cashwell says HCPS is working with the Henrico Health Department to provide the vaccine to all employees, including, "PREP employees, part-time employees, temporary employees, Adult Education, etc."
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** Hampton schools to stick with all-virtual instruction until Feb. 8 ([link removed])
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By MATT JONES, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Students will not return to classrooms this month in Hampton, the district announced Monday. Before winter break, students in pre-K, kindergarten and some students with disabilities had returned to schools as part of a hybrid in-person model. The district had paused in-person learning for two weeks after winter break, anticipating a surge in cases.
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** Hampton to pick new sheriff in special election, has sworn in undersheriff during interim ([link removed])
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By LISA VERNON SPARKS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Hampton will hold a special election to fill the rest of the term of Sheriff B.J. Roberts, who died last month. Roberts, 70, died Dec. 26 before he was due to retire this month. Per state code, Hampton must, within 15 days of the vacancy, ask the Circuit Court to hold a special election to fill his seat, which will happen on Nov. 2, the same date as the next general election.
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** Chesapeake schools still bringing students back next week. They’re also rolling out vaccines for staff. ([link removed])
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By GORDON RAGO, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

After a two-week pause of in-person learning, Chesapeake public schools will begin bringing students back to the classroom. The decision to stay with the plan after the holiday break comes as the city grapples with one of the highest positivity rates of coronavirus cases in the region. Meanwhile, the school district is poised to become the first in Hampton Roads to offer doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to its employees.
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** Charlottesville City Council holds another emergency meeting ([link removed])
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By ANDREW WEBB, NBC 29

Charlottesville City Council held another emergency closed meeting Monday, January 11, to discuss the holes in leadership. Councilors had previously held an emergency meeting Friday, Jan. 8. Charlottesville is still on the search for its next City Manager following the resignation of Tarron Richardson.
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** Area school districts in flux amid rising COVID case numbers ([link removed])
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By KATHERINE KNOTT, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Lower-grade level elementary students in Albemarle County returned to classrooms Monday as COVID-19 case numbers are close to a division-set threshold for reverting back to all-virtual classes. Monday’s classes were the first in four weeks; the division moved to all-virtual classes for the weeks before and after the two-week winter break as a precaution. Employees expressed concern on social media about going back to school buildings amid a surge in cases.
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** Fauquier students will return to classrooms Jan. 19 ([link removed])
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By ROBIN EARL, Fauquier Times

The Fauquier County School Board voted 4 to 1 Monday night to resume the hybrid model of learning. Students whose families have chosen hybrid will return to classrooms two days a week, learn remotely two days via classroom video camera and have one day of asynchronistic learning. Students whose families who have chosen virtual learning will learn through the classroom video camera four days a week and through asynchronistic learning one day a week.
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** Jails, homeless shelters prepare for vaccination efforts ([link removed])
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By ALICIA PETSKA, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The new phase of vaccinations now gearing up in the Roanoke Valley will include coverage for two highly vulnerable populations: people experiencing homelessness and people in jail custody. Those groups were included in the newly announced Phase 1b plans as distancing is difficult if not impossible in the homeless shelters and correctional facilities where they’re cared for.
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** Regional board approves agreement for AeroFarms to receive $200,000 grant ([link removed])
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By JOHN R. CRANE, Danville Register & Bee

AeroFarms, the company that announced in December 2019 it would bring 92 jobs to the region and invest $42 million over three years, will get a $200,000 state grant if it meets up to a performance agreement approved Monday by the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority. The RIFA board unanimously passed a resolution during its meeting Monday to sign a performance agreement with the company for a $200,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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** Teachers, others line up for COVID vaccinations ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Teachers, health care workers and other designees lined up inside and outside the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center on Monday to receive their first of two installments of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. More than 1,000 doses were distributed Monday, as the Mount Rogers Health District vaccinated teachers and school employees from Bristol and Washington County, as well as others designated in the opening tiers of the state’s vaccination protocols.
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** Bristol, Virginia city students will return to school Jan. 25 ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

City students will return to classrooms Jan. 25, following a Monday vote by the Bristol Virginia School Board. The board voted 5-0 to continue virtual learning for another two weeks after large numbers of teachers and staff received COVID-19 vaccinations Monday during a vaccination clinic at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
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** Virginia Bar revokes Kurt Pomrenke's law license ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

The law license of former Judge Kurt Pomrenke has been revoked due to his ongoing legal troubles. On Dec. 28, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Pomrenke’s license to practice law in Virginia based on his affidavit consenting to revocation, according to a written statement....Pomrenke, of Abingdon, and his wife, Stacey Pomrenke, each pleaded guilty Nov. 6 to a single felony charge of conspiracy to defraud the federal government. The case involves the couple collaborating on a plan for Stacy Pomrenke to falsely claim she had an alcohol problem to gain entry into a residential drug treatment program for federal inmates.

Today's Sponsor:


** Virginia Transit Association
------------------------------------------------------------

Saluting public transit during these challenging times. Learn more about how transit benefits our community at Facesoftransit.org @VaTransitAssoc ([link removed]) Vatransit.com ([link removed])


** EDITORIALS
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** Moratorium on death penalty good first step ([link removed])
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Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

When Virginia’s General Assembly, the oldest continuous legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, meets for its regular session on Wednesday, state senators will be socially distancing at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, while the 100 delegates will once again be meeting online. To keep the House Zoom session manageable, delegates were limited to offering just seven bills each instead of the usual 15, as lawmakers will have just 30 days during the 2021 “short session” to wade through hundreds of bills.
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** Designate Great Dismal Swamp a National Heritage Area ([link removed])
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Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Designating the Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia and North Carolina a National Heritage Area is a great and timely idea. U.,S. Rep. Donald McEachin, a Democrat representing Virginia’s 4th Congressional District, has introduced a bill to start the official process. He’s joined by Reps. Elaine Luria and Bobby Scott of Virginia and Reps. Greg Murphy and G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina.
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** A more proactive COVID-19 vaccine process ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Roughly one month ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a historic step toward eradicating the COVID-19 pandemic. It issued an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The FDA’s mission is to monitor “the safety, efficacy and security” of drugs. And in a moment of crisis, the agency concluded that the benefits of the Pfizer vaccine outweighed the risks.


** OP-ED
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** Lewis: The General Assembly should pass Clean Car Standards now ([link removed])
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By LENA LEWIS, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

At the age of 41, I quit my career as a science teacher and went to graduate school in public policy because I had questions I couldn’t shake: What is the government’s role in protecting people from pollution when the free market fails to do so? How can we prevent the worst impacts of climate change while creating a stronger economy that works for everyone? As much as I loved teaching science, I realized that these problems we’re facing cannot be fixed by education alone.

Lena Lewis is the energy and climate policy manager for The Nature Conservancy in Virginia.
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** Hall: To create a cleaner Virginia, incentivize purchases of EV automobiles ([link removed])
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By DON HALL, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

I probably don’t need to convince you that a car dealer would love to sell you a vehicle — any vehicle — that fits your needs and desires. For more than 100 years, the men and women with names you might recognize from TV commercials — along with 65,000-plus other Virginians in the retail automotive industry — have dedicated their livelihoods to providing you with the right vehicle at the right price at the right time.

Hall is president and CEO of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association


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