NORTHAM SEEKS $145M TO BACK FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR QUALIFYING STUDENTS IN HIGH-DEMAND FIELDS

Gov. Ralph Northam will pursue $145 million over the next two years to offer free community college to low- and middle-income students pursuing careers in high-demand fields. The program, which Northam first teased over the summer, would cover tuition, fees and textbooks.

NORTHAM PROPOSES TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR LOW- AND MODERATE INCOME STUDENTS

He’s been talking about since his election campaign, and now Gov. Ralph Northam says it’s time for Virginia to offer free tuition and other financial support to low- and moderate-income community college students who are willing to give back in terms of work, public service or community service. So he’s proposing to set $145 million out of the next two year state budget to fund the program.

NORTHAM PROPOSES MAKING COMMUNITY COLLEGE FREE FOR SOME JOB-SEEKERS

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday debuted a $145 million proposal to make community college free for low- and middle-income residents seeking jobs in fields such as cybersecurity and early-childhood education.

NORTHAM UNVEILS BIG BUDGET FOR CLEAN ENERGY, CLEAN WATER, RESTORED BAY

Gov. Ralph Northam is pushing hard for clean energy, clean water, a clean Chesapeake Bay and environmental justice with $733 million in new spending contained in his proposed budget package. The governor announced the partial plan Wednesday at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center ahead of unveiling his full spending package next week.

TWO DEMOCRATS PROPOSE RECASTING STATE CRIME COMMISSION AS ‘VIRGINIA JUSTICE COMMISSION’

Two Virginia lawmakers have filed legislation to recast the Virginia State Crime Commission as a more reform-minded body that would be known as the “Virginia Justice Commission.”...The two lawmakers said that in addition to expanding the commission’s focus, they also want to see it expand its membership to include the director of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, the head of the Virginia State Police, and “experts in rehabilitation, reform and reentry.”

BIPARTISAN BILL IN VA. CHIPS AWAY AT DOMINION’S EXCESS PROFITS

Two state lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan effort on Thursday to reclaim the state's authority to set electric rates, a sign that the incoming Democratic-controlled legislature may take on Virginia's biggest utility, Dominion Energy. Dels. Lee Ware (R-Powhatan) and Jerrauld C. “Jay” Jones (D-Norfolk) said their proposal is a “common sense” effort to restore protections for consumers.

IN VIRGINIA, A CALL TO BOOST SCHOOL SPENDING BY NEARLY $1 BILLION

Statewide groups in Virginia have launched a campaign to boost education spending by nearly $1 billion when the next General Assembly starts in January. The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a Richmond-based think tank, and three groups representing educators and civil rights advocates announced the Fund Our Schools campaign Wednesday, which also calls on lawmakers to lift a funding cap for counselors, psychologists and other support workers that was imposed after the Great Recession of 2008. The coalition is part of a growing push by advocates and educators across Virginia to increase spending on public schools.

LOCAL POLITICAL LEADERS RESPOND TO PRESSING POLICY MATTERS

The biannual Eggs and Issues breakfast and political forum, sponsored by the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Dec. 4 at the Onley Town Center, gave local and state representatives the opportunity to address current issues. Virginia General Assembly representatives Sen. Lynwood Lewis and Del. Rob Bloxom were present, along with Chairman Donald Hart, of the Accomack board of supervisors, and Chairman Spencer Murray, of the Northampton board of supervisors.

LEGISLATORS TOUR AMHERST CAREER, TECHNICAL EDUCATION OFFERINGS; DISCUSS ISSUES WITH SCHOOL BOARD

A month before they head to Richmond for the upcoming General Assembly session, three Amherst County-area state legislators received an up-close look at Amherst County High School’s career and technical education offerings during a Dec. 4 visit. Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg; Del. Ronnie Campbell, R-Rockbridge and Wendell Walker, who on Nov. 5 was elected to the House District 23 seat, took part in the tour

GUY RETAINS LEAD AS OFFICIAL RECOUNT PROCEEDS IN 83RD DISTRICT HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE

Delegate-elect Nancy Guy’s vote margin of victory has grown. According to her attorney, Guy, a Democrat, picked up 13 votes during the recount process in Virginia Beach Thursday, adding to her 27-vote margin and giving her a 40-vote lead against Republican Del. Chris Stolle. Nancy Guy was there at the the end of the recount, but would not make any comments until the recount process is over, which is expected to be completed Friday.

ALL DEMOCRATS EXCEPT TWO FILE FOR VA. PRIMARY BALLOT

All but two candidates in the crowded Democratic field for president filed petition signatures and other paperwork in an effort to appear on Virginia’s primary ballot on March 3. Julian Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio and Obama administration housing secretary, and former U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland did not file by the deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday.

SKILL MACHINES MANUFACTURERS REQUEST FEDERAL LAWSUIT BE MOVED TO STATE COURT

Skill machine manufacturers have requested a lawsuit against the Charlottesville commonwealth’s attorney be sent back from federal court to the city circuit court. Last week, the manufacturers, who are plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania, requested the lawsuit be remanded to the circuit court and filed an amended complaint which removed federal issues.

AMHERST, LYNCHBURG RACE TO FORM REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR CVTC SITE

Mapping out the future redevelopment of the Central Virginia Training Center site has been a constant source of discussion among Lynchburg-area officials over the past few years as closure looms in mid-2020. The most pressing question remains: What is the best use for the property’s next chapter?

RECYCLING CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE IN ROANOKE AND STATEWIDE

If Virginia’s recycling rate was measured by a 24-pack of bottled water, 11 of the empty plastic bottles would get recycled and 13 would wind up as trash. That’s one way to look at a report from the Department of Environmental Quality, which found that Virginia had a recycling rate of 46% in 2018 — the highest percentage since the state began keeping track in 1989. A closer look, however, shows that recycling is in more trouble than the report suggests.

KAINE, WARNER CALL FOR MINIMUM WAGE HIKE IN VIRGINIA, OTHER PRO-WORKER REFORMS

Virginia's U.S. senators believe the state's lawmakers should pass pro-worker policies long blocked by Republicans now that Virginia Democrats have finally won unified control of the state General Assembly. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, stopped short of calling for a repeal of the state’s right-to-work law, one of the top demands of unions and other progressive activists around Virginia. But the former Virginia governors are urging representatives in Richmond to embrace some reforms and ensure the state is no longer rated among the worst for workers in the entire country.

HISTORIC SETTLEMENT SEES ONLINE LENDERS WIPING OUT $380 MILLION IN DEBT

A handful of persistent Virginians, burned by triple-digit interest rates on their online loans, won a groundbreaking national settlement that aims to close a loophole that let loan firms pretend to be Native Americans to skirt state loan-sharking laws. The settlement, approved Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Hannah Lauck, wipes out some $380 million of debts owed by more than one million people across the country.

UNION ACCUSES CONTRACTORS, OWNERS OF AMAZON BUILDINGS OF LABOR VIOLATIONS

A union is charging that employers at six construction projects that will house Amazon employees or operations in Northern Virginia have evaded federal and state taxes by misclassifying workers, failing to carry workers' compensation coverage and avoiding overtime pay.

VA. SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS RULING THAT GMU FOUNDATION NOT SUBJECT TO FOIA REQUEST

A unanimous Virginia Supreme Court on Thursday upheld last year’s ruling by a Fairfax County judge that the George Mason University Foundation need not disclose details of gifts to the school under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

JUDGE APPROVES $2.15 MILLION SETTLEMENT OF LAWSUIT AGAINST MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE

Mountain Valley Pipeline will pay $2.15 million for the environmental damage it has caused so far in building a natural gas pipeline through Southwest Virginia, while facing additional penalties for any new violations that may occur. Those were the conditions of a settlement, approved this week, of a lawsuit brought against the company by state regulators.

AN ACHIEVABLE DREAM ACADEMY TO EXPAND IN VIRGINIA BEACH DESPITE BACKLOG OF SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

An Achievable Dream Academy will expand in Virginia Beach — despite questions from some city council members if constructing a new home for the school was really the best use of taxpayer money.

MICHAEL VICK OWES HAMPTON $70,000 IN BACK TAXES ON LUXURY CARS

Former football star Michael Vick left his Hampton mansion years ago, but he still owes the city $70,800 in unpaid taxes on a fleet of luxury cars. Vick lived in the city after serving time in prison on federal charges of running a dog-fighting operation in Surry County, in which, federal investigators reported, he was involved in strangling and drowning some dogs.

SPOTSYLVANIA SUPERVISORS VOTE TO BAN EMPLOYEES FROM SERVING ON BOARD

The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to ban county government employees from serving on the board. Following a brief discussion at Tuesday’s meeting, supervisors voted to approve the measure, 5–1. Chris Yakabouski voted against the change while Kevin Marshall, a county employee, abstained.

OWNER OF ALLEGED ILLEGAL LANDFILL NO SHOW IN COURT

A lawyer with the state attorney general’s office was in Greene County Circuit Court on Dec. 2 asking the judge to assist the state in getting proper information, documentation and answers in a case against a Ruckersville man the state claims has been operating an illegal landfill on his property. The Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Waste Management Board and the State Water Quality Board jointly filed the lawsuit on Aug. 9 against Kenneth Collier Sr., who lost his bid for Greene County sheriff in November. Collier was not present for the scheduled motion’s hearing

FREDERICK COUNTY MAKES 50-FOOT TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS A BY-RIGHT USE

The Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Wednesday night to amend county code to make small telecommunications towers a by-right use. Previously, all commercial telecommunication towers required a conditional-use permit (CUP).

SMITHFIELD TO BUY TIMES BUILDING

The Town of Smithfield has entered into a contract to purchase The Smithfield Times building and grounds, located in the center of Main Street in the historic district. A contract was signed Friday and the news was announced during the annual Christmas tree lighting, held, fittingly, at what is known locally as “Times Square.” The deal is expected to close March 1, said former Smithfield Times Editor and Publisher John Edwards

HUNDREDS ATTEND HAMPTON COUNCIL MEETING TO WEIGH IN ON SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY ISSUE

It wasn’t on the Hampton City Council agenda, but the debate surrounding Second Amendment sanctuaries dominated the Wednesday meeting, drawing hundreds of residents and gun owners.

AS 2ND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY MOVEMENT ARRIVES IN REGION, IT IS UNCLEAR IF IT WILL ACCOMPLISH ITS GOALS

As a movement to create 2nd Amendment sanctuaries gains momentum across Virginia, the supremacy of state law over local law poses a potential roadblock. But what ultimately happens might depend on what laws actually pass, how far the state will go to enforce them and how far localities will go to oppose those efforts.

SURRY SHIES AWAY FROM SANCTUARY DESIGNATION

The Surry County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution upholding the Second Amendment Thursday, but stopped short of declaring the county a “Second Amendment Sanctuary,” resulting in a backlash from the public.

FAUQUIER SUPERVISORS PUT OFF GUN RIGHTS VOTE UNTIL DEC.23

At a Fauquier County supervisors meeting Dec. 12, speaker after speaker urged their elected officials to pass a resolution with tough language against any attempt by a Democratic Party-controlled Virginia General Assembly to infringe on gun owner rights. At the end of a 4 ½ hour-long public comment period that drew 71 speakers (69 in favor of a strongly worded resolution and two against), Board Chairman Chris Butler, R-Lee, said he wanted more time to consider what was said and to consult with legal staff.

FREDERICK COUNTY ADOPTS SECOND AMENDMENT RESOLUTION

With about a thousand people crowded into and around the County Administration Building, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday night unanimously adopted a resolution opposing any laws that would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of its citizens to keep and bear arms.

NORTHAMPTON SIDESTEPS SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY

Northampton supervisors unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night that supports gun rights but does not establish the county as a Second Amendment sanctuary. The resolution “urges the Governor and members of the General Assembly to take no action which would violate the freedoms guaranteed” by the U.S. Constitution and Virginia constitution.

THERE'S NO GOOD WAY TO PAY FOR ROADS

News item: Virginia Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine says Gov. Ralph Northam may ask the General Assembly to raise gas taxes to pay for new roads. Whoa, wait. Where did this come from? We just had an election. Did anyone run on a platform of raising gas taxes? We thought the election was all about how people felt about President Trump and new gun laws. Now you tell us you want to raise gas taxes. Why does this feel like a bait-and-switch?

A MORE TRANSPARENT LEGISLATURE

When the Virginia General Assembly convenes in January, lawmakers will hit the ground running. The so-called “long” session lasts 60 days, compared to 45 in the “short” sessions in odd-numbered years, in which the legislature will consider more than 3,500 bills. That’s a massive workload for lawmakers and their staffs. It’s a challenge for the ever-dwindling number of media members who cover the General Assembly. And for the general public? Forget about tracking every detail of the legislature’s work while balancing the demands of work and home life.

IN THE PUSH FOR HIGH-TECH JOBS, VIRGINIA CAN BRIDGE REGIONAL DIVIDES

High-tech jobs are an important economic indicator for U.S. cities of all sizes. As a May 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics brief explained, these positions matter because “they produce a large share of total output, and from a workforce standpoint, they employ a large numbers of skilled workers and provide higher wages for all types of workers.”

DUBOIS: NORTHAM PROPOSAL TRUE TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROOTS

Gov. Ralph Northam’s recently announced proposal to create more affordable pathways to community college programs leading to high-demand jobs for low- and middle-income Virginians is true to the original promise of Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Glenn DuBois is the chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges

U.S. TROOPS COULD SOON BE ABLE TO SUE OVER MEDICAL BLUNDERS

VIRGINIA BEACH -- Lt. Rudolph Feres parachuted into the darkness in the first hours of D-Day in 1944. He fought his way through the hedgerows of Normandy and the snows of the Bulge to the final defeat of Nazi Germany, and was highly decorated for valor. Generations of servicemen and women since then have heard his name, but not for any of that. Instead, it has been invoked time and again to deny active-duty members of the military a right extended to nearly every other American — to sue for injuries.