VISUALIZATION: THE RISE OF OUTSIDE MONEY

Money from out-of-state donors made up a bigger slice of campaign donations to Virginia legislative candidates in the 2019 cycle, particularly to Democrats. Money from out-of-state donors accounted for 28 cents of every dollar raised by Democratic candidates, nearly triple the percentage two cycles ago. This chart tracks donations in six election cycles over the last 20 years.

NORTHAM PROPOSES $94 MILLION BOOST FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Gov. Ralph Northam is proposing an expansive investment in early childhood education that would increase the number of state-funded preschool slots for Virginia 4-year-olds and create an incentive program for early childhood educators. Northam’s plan for infants, toddlers and preschoolers has a $94.8 million price tag

NORTHAM CALLS FOR ‘HISTORIC’ BOOST TO VIRGINIA PRE-K PROGRAMS

Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday rolled out a $95 million plan to improve the quality and availability of early-childhood education to low-income families across Virginia, where more than 40 percent of children come to kindergarten unprepared. The funding, part of the two-year budget plan that Northam (D) will unveil in full next week, would boost programs for 3- and 4-year-olds

NORTHAM PROPOSES RESEARCH AUTHORITY

Gov. Ralph Northam will propose legislation to create a new authority to transform the way Virginia invests in higher education research in emerging technologies, as well as the startup companies and entrepreneurs necessary to turn that work to gold for the state’s increasingly high-tech economy.

VIRGINIA MOVES CLOSER TO MORE RELAXED POT LAWS WITH DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY

Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring and the General Assembly’s new “Cannabis Caucus” are exploring ways to loosen state marijuana laws, and will meet Wednesday to discuss decriminalizing possession of the drug and legalizing it for recreational use.

DILLON RULE RESTRICTIONS COULD LOOSEN IN VIRGINIA

Virginia’s cities and counties have complained for decades about their limited powers to control their own destiny. When local officials wanted to charge property owners for cutting overgrown grass on vacant land, they needed permission from the General Assembly. When Fairfax County sought to move animal control officers into its police department, it had to appeal to Richmond.

CHARLOTTESVILLE JUDGE CANDIDATES DISCUSS QUALIFICATIONS, COURT ISSUES

With a judicial vacancy in the Charlottesville General District Court, six attorneys made cases for why they should be appointed to the seat at a public interview Tuesday. The interview, hosted by the Charlottesville Albemarle Bar Association, aims to help the organization to determine which candidates are “highly qualified” for the open position in the General District Court.

AREA DELEGATION TALKS 2020 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Ahead of the 2020 General Assembly session, Augusta County’s delegation answered questions on what’s on the horizon for the region at the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast on Tuesday morning. John Avoli, R-Staunton; Ronnie Campbell, R-Rockbridge; Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon; and Chris Runion, R-Rockingham identified different first priorities for the upcoming session that convenes Jan. 8, but all agreed that broadband access in rural areas needs to be expanded.

REPORT: MEDICAID RECIPIENTS OFTEN USE ER FOR DENTAL ISSUES

A new state report found that many Virginians on Medicaid often go to emergency rooms for dental issues that could have been prevented or treated at a dentist’s office. A recently released report by the Department of Medical Assistance Services found that about 16,000 Medicaid recipients visited emergency rooms about 19,000 times in 2018. More than half of those 16,000 were treated for “non-traumatic dental conditions” like tooth aches and loose teeth.

TRUMP’S FOOD-STAMP CHANGE COULD AFFECT 4,500 VIRGINIANS

The Trump administration’s proposal to overhaul federal food stamp rules could affect 4,500 Virginians, according to state officials who say they’ve already taken steps to prevent anyone from having to go hungry as a result.

DEQ SAYS GROUNDWATER PERMIT FOR CONTESTED CHICKAHOMINY POWER PLANT WILL PROTECT AQUIFER

As Virginia tries to protect its eastern aquifers, the state Department of Environmental Quality is limiting the amount of groundwater that a controversial new natural gas plant can withdraw. Plans to build the Chickahominy Power Station, a privately financed generation facility that is expected to produce more power than Dominion’s Chesterfield coal power plant, the largest fossil-fired power station in Virginia, have been moving forward, despite a late wave of opposition from environmentalists and some locals.

BOTETOURT COUNTY LANDFILL CITED BY DEQ FOR EXCEEDING DISPOSAL LIMITS

Botetourt County dumped more trash in its landfill than allowed by a state permit, a violation that has drawn a civil penalty of $30,660. An inspection by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, conducted one month after the company County Waste assumed operations of the landfill, found that the disposal limit of 150 tons a day was exceeded by 22 tons on Nov. 19, 2018.

SPANBERGER, LURIA SAY THEY AREN’T PART OF PUSH TO CENSURE TRUMP

Two freshman Virginia lawmakers in swing districts said Tuesday that they’re not among the U.S. House Democrats reportedly considering an effort to censure President Donald Trump rather than impeach him.

NAVY’S ECONOMIC IMPACT ON HAMPTON ROADS GREW BY NEARLY $2 BILLION IN 2018, REPORT SAYS

The Navy’s economic impact in Hampton Roads grew by nearly $2 billion last year due to increases in payroll and the procurement of goods and services that include ship construction and maintenance contracts, according to a report released Tuesday.

757 SELECTED AS NEW NAME FOR HAMPTON ROADS IN REGIONAL REBRANDING EFFORT

It turns out the best new name for Hampton Roads is one some people are already using. 757 is the regional moniker to be recommended in a new rebranding effort. The Hampton Roads Chamber and the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce presented the Envision 2020 branding study recommendations as part of their Dec. 10 annual meetings, held concurrently.

METRO AND ITS LARGEST UNION REACH SURPRISE LABOR AGREEMENT THAT WOULD AVOID PRIVATIZATION

Metro and its largest union have tentatively agreed to a four-year labor contract that would allow the transit agency to give up its strategy of privatizing some operations to save money, the two sides said Tuesday. The unexpected deal, which resulted from months of secret negotiations between Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld and Raymond Jackson, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, appeared designed to win labor peace by removing the biggest point of contention

GRTC CAN'T QUANTIFY FARE EVASION ISSUE ON THE PULSE

GRTC Transit System does not have an adequate system in place for catching and punishing people who do not pay fares to ride the Pulse, nor can it quantify how prevalent the issue is, according to a new report from the Richmond city auditor. Lax enforcement on the bus rapid transit line has led to lost revenue for the cash-strapped system and poor returns on a contract that cost $395,000 in the fiscal year that ended in June, according to the report presented to the Richmond Audit Committee on Tuesday.

STATE FUNDING APPROVED FOR CYBER RESEARCH NODES

Virginia has fulfilled its initial budget promise for a statewide cyber- security research initiative by approving $10 million in state funding for four regional research operations, including one led by Virginia Commonwealth University. The participating institutions already have raised money to more than match the state funds, especially in research.

RICHMOND GETS A NEW SOARING STATUE, THIS ONE WITH DREADLOCKS

A massive bronze sculpture of a young black man with dreadlocks astride a muscular horse was permanently installed Tuesday in Virginia’s capital city, not far from one of the country’s most prominent displays of Confederate monuments.

IN THE CAPITAL OF THE CONFEDERACY, A NEW MONUMENT AND A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE

A new monument has risen on ground where Confederate veterans lived their final years, and this city is counting on it to chase out some old ghosts. Two blocks from Stonewall Jackson on his horse, next door to the headquarters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, “Rumors of War” by artist Kehinde Wiley was unveiled Tuesday afternoon before a rain-soaked crowd of some 5,000.

KEHINDE WILEY'S 'RUMORS OF WAR' UNVEILED IN RICHMOND

Nearly a century after the last Confederate statue was erected on Monument Avenue, a crowd massed Tuesday beneath gray skies and drizzle at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for New York-based artist Kehinde Wiley's response: a muscular, triumphant African American astride a horse, looking defiantly north.

FAIRFAX CO. SIGNS BIGGEST SOLAR DEAL IN VIRGINIA

Fairfax County, Virginia, has signed solar power purchase agreements with three teams of solar developers in what it calls the largest power purchase agreement initiative by a local municipality in the commonwealth. The power purchase agreement service providers will install, own, manage and maintain the solar installations, which will encompass photovoltaic arrays at more than 100 government buildings, county schools and park sites.

MARTINSVILLE CITY COUNCIL VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO BEGIN REVERSION PROCESS

Martinsville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to begin the process of reversion. After a public hearing, this council finally took a step many of its predecessors long had pondered and tabled to deal with the city’s bleak financial footing.

RICHMOND-AREA SCHOOLS AREN'T OPENING BEFORE LABOR DAY NEXT YEAR

Despite newfound flexibility, Richmond-area schools are poised to open after Labor Day once again. The Hanover County School Board on Tuesday became the first in the Richmond area to approve a school calendar for the 2020-21 school year — a calendar that has the first day of school coming the Tuesday after Labor Day. Others are reviewing calendars that also open after the early September holiday.

CHESAPEAKE DESIGNATED A “SECOND AMENDMENT CONSTITUTIONAL CITY” BY UNANIMOUS COUNCIL VOTE AT PACKED MEETING

A line of around 1,200 people led from the steps of Chesapeake’s city hall, past the building and into a nearby parking lot. Bright orange “Guns SAVE Lives” stickers adorned the shirts of nearly every person standing in the line and three men stood in front of the building holding Gadsden flags printed with “Don’t Tread on Me.” Their efforts were rewarded when Chesapeake City Council members unanimously voted to designate the city as a “Second Amendment Constitutional City”

A NEW EDA? TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES RESOLUTION SEEKING STATE’S BLESSING

The Front Royal Town Council on Monday unanimously passed a resolution seeking a change in the Code of Virginia that would allow the Town to create its own Economic Development Authority (EDA) if it sees fit to do so. Specifically, the Town’s newly approved resolution requests that the Virginia General Assembly amend a portion of the State Code to allow just Front Royal, VA, to establish a new EDA that’s “separate and independent” from the existing Front Royal-Warren County EDA, which is embroiled in a multi-million-dollar financial scandal.

'WE MUST DO BETTER': SWELL OF RESIDENTS URGE ACTION ON STAUNTON SCHOOL RACISM

Amy Tillerson-Brown took a deep breath at the podium in the Staunton City Council Chambers Monday night. She told the school board members her family was proud to enroll their children in Staunton City Schools after the board voted to restore the name Staunton High School. They felt hopeful, she said. But that changed this fall.

FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD POSTPONES VOTE ON PROPOSED CONFEDERATE FLAG BAN

Franklin County School Board members tackled the question of whether to explicitly ban the Confederate flag in the school dress code, ultimately postponing a decision for the third time after a lengthy, contentious, emotional discussion. The motion to table any updates to the dress code passed 4 to 3, with one member of the eight-member board not present.

SUPERVISORS APPROVE REVISED RESOLUTION DECLARING PRINCE WILLIAM A ‘CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTY'

Supervisors approved a resolution early Wednesday declaring Prince William a “constitutional county” rather than a “Second Amendment sanctuary,” removing language barring local funds from being used to enforce state and federal gun laws.

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY BECOMES STATE'S LATEST SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY

Several hundred people crowded the Spotsylvania County office parking lot while another 195 packed into the Board of Supervisors meeting room Tuesday night. The monthly agenda had a lot of items on it, but the big crowd was there to take aim at what they see as a threat to their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

JCC SUPERVISORS OPT FOR A THIRD WAY ON SANCTUARY

Dozens of James City County residents argued vigorously for and against the Board of Supervisors’ adoption of a 2nd Amendment sanctuary resolution Tuesday. But rather than vote up or down on such a motion, the supervisors approved a resolution to affirm its commitment to the constitutions of the United States and Virginia.

SUPERVISORS TO SUPPORT SECOND AMENDMENT, NOT SANCTUARY

Rockingham County will not join other Virginia cities and counties in becoming a Second Amendment sanctuary under a proposed resolution released Tuesday. The county released a draft document stating the board would declare its intent to oppose unconstitutional restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms through any and all legal means, but the word “sanctuary” was left out.

LYNCHBURG CITY COUNCIL PUTS OFF VOTE ON SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY

A packed city hall chamber echoed with calls against statewide gun control legislation in Lynchburg on Tuesday night. City council did not declare itself a Second Amendment sanctuary at its meeting, and council did not approve an attempt to amend the already-approved General Assembly legislative agenda to add language

SALEM DECLINES, FOR NOW, TO JOIN ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY MOVEMENT

The Salem City Council declined for now to declare the city of 25,000 a Second Amendment sanctuary after two dozen people showed up to a council meeting in support of it. Gun rights advocates sporting orange “Guns Save Lives” stickers filed into the city council chambers Monday night. At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Randy Foley read a statement addressing the issue.

MARTINSVILLE JOINS THE SECOND AMENDMENT 'SANCTUARY' MOVEMENT

The Martinsville City Council on Tuesday joined the list of local governments across Virginia who backing a push to protect gun rights because some citizens’ fear the state legislature will move to restrict them.

SUPERVISORS DECLARE SMYTH COUNTY A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY

A law enforcement official estimated that about 1,000 people filled Marion Senior High School’s auditorium and the outside hallways Tuesday evening. Only a handful of people spoke to the county’s board of supervisors, but the crowd made its intentions known that they were present in support of Smyth County declaring itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary.

WHY DEMOCRATS SHOULD VISIT A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY

Here’s a suggestion for the new Democratic leaders who will be in charge of the next General Assembly: They should visit one of the meetings where rural crowds are demanding that their locality declare itself a “Second Amendment sanctuary.” Not because it will change their minds about passing new gun laws. And not because it will change the mind of gun-rights advocates, either. We’re quite certain no minds would get changed on either side.

A MEANINGFUL DEBATE OVER MARIJUANA

Virginia took its first tentative steps in recent years toward a smarter, more equitable approach to marijuana. Now it appears poised to make a giant leap, as the new Democratic majorities poised to assume power in Richmond consider more dramatic action on pot.

SCULPTURE RAISES STAKES ON STATUE QUESTION

The unveiling of Richmond’s new progressive face at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was never going to come off without a hitch, even if that cover had cooperated in parting company with its monument. You don’t sweep away 400 years of grimy history with the tug of a string. In Virginia, the birthplace of Massive Resistance, the past concedes nothing to the present or future without putting up a fight.

VARGAS-ORTEGA: THE CASE FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT ACCESS IN VIRGINIA

During the Virginia General Assembly’s 2019 session, 3 out of the 4 proposed bills expanding college-sponsored dual enrollment programs in Virginia were unanimously killed in committee. Among these bills were proposals to offer tuition waivers for students in need,

Jason Vargas-Ortega is a senior at the College of William & Mary.

FORGET: NORTHAM SHOULD EMPHASIZE ENVIRONMENT IN BUDGET PROPOSAL

Gov. Ralph Northam will release his budget soon and has committed to raising spending on natural resources to 2% of the state budget over the next two years. That will put us on par with our neighboring states. While this may seem like a fairly modest increase, it would more than double current funding and provide many benefits to Hampton Roads residents and all Virginians.

Karen W. Forget is executive director of Lynnhaven River NOW in Virginia Beach.