VISUALIZATION: A CLOSER LOOK AT HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

In the Virginia legislature, who sits on a committee can determine what bills become law -- or which ones fail. VPAP takes a close look at how Democrats have put their stamp on House of Delegates committee assignments. There's a map showing the geographical distribution of committee chairs and charts showing the change in workload for party caucuses. Finally, a complete list of returning members showing who was added to or removed from standing committees.

SOME DEMOCRATS SOUR ON REDISTRICTING AMENDMENT. NORTHAM SAYS IT'S NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION.

Virginia Democrats, splintered on how to approach political redistricting in 2021, are up against a tight deadline to coalesce, and the number of proposals is only growing. A proposed constitutional amendment that passed with bipartisan support last year is up for a second and final vote before the General Assembly, but some Democrats are distancing themselves from the measure and proposing alternate ways to secure a bipartisan process.

NORTHAM TOUTS HISTORIC EDUCATION SPENDING AS TEACHERS CALL FOR MORE

Keri Treadway has a routine. Before any students enter her kindergarten classroom in Richmond in the morning, Treadway sweeps up the pieces of plaster that have fallen onto the floor from the ceiling of a building that opened in 1911. In the fall and spring, she empties the dehumidifier in her classroom multiple times in an effort to control the humidity levels in a classroom that can reach 90 degrees.

ACLU OPPOSES VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION PLAN – FOR NOW

It was one of the biggest applause lines from the State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night, as Gov. Ralph Northam solidified a commitment to decriminalize marijuana in Virginia....But the nuances and specific text of the new measures drew increased scrutiny from the ACLU of Virginia, as two bills carrying the governor’s vision became public.

DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY BANS GUNS FROM VIRGINIA CAPITOL, LEGISLATORS' OFFICE

State lawmakers approved a new gun policy that will prohibit the public as well as its own members from carrying firearms inside the Capitol and a nearby office building where General Assembly members work. “Our goal has got to be to keep everybody safe,” said House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, the chairwoman of the Joint Senate and House Rules Committee, which approved the policy Friday.

VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS BAN GUNS AT STATE CAPITOL

Virginia lawmakers voted Friday to ban firearms at the state Capitol, the first in what’s expected to be many contentious gun votes in coming weeks. Newly empowered Democrats who made up a majority of a special rules committee voted to ban guns at the Capitol and a legislative office building despite bitter protests from Republicans, saying the move was needed to protect public safety.

GUNS BANNED IN VIRGINIA CAPITOL AS DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY TAKES FIRST ACTION ON FIREARMS

Newly empowered Virginia Democrats on Friday banned guns from the State Capitol, muscling through a sharp policy shift in a place where lawmakers often pack heat on the floor. The policy, adopted over vehement Republican objections, is a first strike for gun control by the House and Senate, both under Democratic control for the first time in decades.

DEMOCRATS BAR FIREARMS FROM STATE CAPITOL AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

The General Assembly’s new Democratic majority has adopted a policy to prohibit anyone — ostensibly including legislators — from carrying firearms either concealed or openly into the state Capitol and the Pocahontas Building where the legislature conducts much of its business.

VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS VOTE TO BAN GUNS IN STATE CAPITOL

The new Democratic majority in the General Assembly took a first, dramatic step on gun control Friday with a ban on firearms in the state Capitol. The ban, enacted by the Joint Rules Committee of the House of Delegates and state Senate, covers the legislators themselves, staff and members of the public visiting the building. It also covers the legislative office building next to Capitol Square.

LEGISLATION TO REPEAL SOME VIRGINIA RIGHT-TO-WORK PROTECTIONS INTRODUCED BY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, introduced legislation that would repeal some of the commonwealth’s right-to-work protections, which have been in effect for more than 70 years. Currently, Virginia’s right-to-work laws prohibit compulsory union dues for private sector workers who are not members of a union. Although Senate Bill 427 would not permit an employer to charge full dues for non-union workers, it would permit an employer to charge partial dues as a condition of employment.

TO COVER VIRGINIA STATEHOUSE, JOURNALISTS ARE ASKED THEIR RACE

Reporters descended on Richmond this week to cover the opening session of the General Assembly, led by its first woman speaker and including the most diverse membership in the body’s history. To get press identification cards that would grant them regular access to the Virginia State Capitol, journalists were asked their race, which the U.S. Congress does not ask for. Democrats coming into power say they’ve never heard of the requirement, and critics say it is a reminder of the state’s segregationist past.

COLLEGE EDUCATORS PUSH FOR BETTER PAY, AFFORDABLE TUITION AND PRESS PROTECTION

More than 30 educators and five students from colleges around Virginia visited almost 90 legislators’ offices this week to advocate for higher education initiatives. Higher Education Advocacy Day, held Thursday, included faculty from James Madison, George Mason, Virginia Commonwealth and Virginia Union universities, as well as community colleges around the state.

VIRGINIA LEGISLATORS WANT SCHOOLS TO EASE THE SUFFERING OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS

Near the end of every summer, as other students picked out colorful notebooks or first-day outfits, Kayden Satya Ortiz opened his laptop and typed out the same email. He sent the message to each of his teachers at Robinson Secondary School in Northern Virginia: I am transgender. I use he/him/his pronouns. Please put this in your records now.

BATTEN’S BILL WOULD REPEAL HISTORIC TRIANGLE TOURISM SALES TAX UNLESS VOTERS DECIDE TO KEEP IT

Del. Amanda Batten, R-Norge, has kicked off an effort to slap a sunset clause on the controversial Historic Triangle sales tax hike tied to regional tourism marketing. Batten’s bill, House Bill 1270, would set an expiration date for the 1% sales tax hike: July 1, 2026.

WAMPLER FILES LEGISLATION ON VARIETY OF ISSUES

Virginia Del. Will Wampler, R-Abingdon, filed legislation this week addressing a range of issues from economic development to ABC regulations, education and energy sector employment. “This session presents a situation where my role will have to be defensive, specifically in regards to legislation that is focused on eliminating the coal and natural gas industries in Virginia ..."

AUGUSTA LEGISLATORS FILE MORE THAN THREE DOZEN BILLS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Changing the definition of milk and a possible ordinance on cutting grass are just some of the issues addressed in the bills and resolutions filed for the General Assembly’s 2020 session by legislators representing Augusta County. More than three dozen bills and resolutions have been introduced by the four legislators whose districts include all or part of Augusta County

JUDGE TOSSES EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES AFTER MOTHER OF FORMER VIRGINIA STATE LAWMAKER DIES

A judge on Tuesday dismissed felony embezzlement charges against an 89-year-old Hampton woman who died nine days after being served with arrest papers at a nursing home. Anna S. Gear, the mother of the late former state lawmaker Thomas D. “Tom” Gear, R-Hampton, was accused of stealing more than $180,000 from the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary Unit 48 in Phoebus

JENNIFER LEWIS STEPS BACK FROM 2020 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION BUT ANNOUNCES 2022 CAMPAIGN

Democrat Jennifer Lewis announced on Friday that she won't run for Congress this year while simultaneously declaring her candidacy for 2022.

PAROLES ARE UP IN VIRGINIA, YET RARE

...The percentage of parole requests approved jumped from around 3% in 2014-16 to 13.5% in 2017, according to a Capital News Service analysis of Parole Board decisions. But parole is still pretty rare in Virginia. Between January and October of 2019, the Parole Board granted parole 5% of the time. Of more than 17,000 cases considered over the past six years, about 6% received parole.

SPANBERGER: CONGRESS MUST EXERCISE ITS WAR POWERS

The authority and responsibility to make war rests with Congress, Rep. Abigail Spanberger said Thursday as the U.S.-Iran crisis prompted the House to reaffirm its war powers. Spanberger, a Democrat representing Central Virginia’s 7th District, voted with a majority of her colleagues to assert that President Donald Trump must seek congressional approval before more military action against Iran.

PROPOSED HEMP PROCESSING PLANT IN HALIFAX VIEWED AS BOON TO DAN RIVER

The results of regional hemp production during the 2019 growing season was a mixed bag. One of the biggest problems was a dearth of nearby processing facilities, which has left many growers holding onto their dried hemp months after harvest, still waiting for a distant processing plant to have the room and need for their product.

A ‘PIGGY BANK’ FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Besides having a potent smell, the methane produced from manure on hog farms is more potent of a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2) is for the atmosphere. Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods announced one year ago that a 10-year project they’ve partnered together on will reduce the amount of methane released into the atmosphere from agriculture operations by capturing it from livestock waste and turning it into clean energy.

NORTHAM: PASSENGER RAIL TO BRISTOL ‘LOGICAL STEP,’ BUT NOT SOON

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said that Amtrak passenger service to the Twin City is a “logical step” but not anytime soon. Speaking with the Bristol Herald Courier editorial board Thursday, Northam outlined his efforts to improve and expand passenger rail service included in the new biennial budget. Northam is proposing a $3.7 billion plan that includes construction of a $1.9 billion rail bridge across the Potomac River to connect Arlington with Washington, D.C.

GAMING CONSULTANTS ASSESS HAMPTON’S ECONOMIC VIABILITY FOR A CASINO

When Virginia launched a study to determine the economic impact of casinos in five cities, Hampton didn’t make the short list. City officials did the next best thing — hired the same consultants to assess Hampton’s viability for a casino, which are decent, according to results.

RICHLANDS SETTLES ACLU LAWSUIT, CLEARS TAROT READINGS

Tarot card readings and fortune telling can now be done in Richlands. During its November of 2019 meeting, town council voted to approve a change to the zoning ordinance and allow fortune telling and tarot card reading as a permitted use. When it became a permitted use Town Manager Tim Taylor issued the business a permit.

GUN SUPPORTERS ASK AGAIN, BUT MAJORITY OF STAUNTON CITY COUNCIL OPPOSES 2A RESOLUTION

Some residents have demanded a Second Amendment sanctuary vote during the last two Staunton City Council public comment periods, but it has become clear that the measure would likely be voted down by council members. So far, five of seven council members have said they are not in favor of a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution.

FLOYD COUNTY RESIDENTS ORGANIZE MILITIA MUSTER IN RESPONSE TO POTENTIAL NEW STATE GUN LAWS

A call to action. “Our intent is to gather the public, the community, together in a form of education,” Floyd County Militia Muster Call co-organizer Hunter Crawford said Thursday. Crawford is helping organize the muster, set to take place at noon on Jan. 18 at Floyd Recreational Park.

WISE COUNTY GROUP PRESENTS MILITIA RESOLUTION TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

The Wise County Board of Supervisors kicked off 2020 with receipt of a militia rights resolution approved by Norton City Council Tuesday.

BELL'S BILL TOUGH TO NOT GET BEHIND

Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, may only represent a sliver of Rockingham County, but residents here should be applauding one of the many bills he prefiled ahead of the 2020 General Assembly — specifically one that would exempt vendors at farmers markets and roadside stands from paying meals taxes if their annual income from the sales do not exceed $2,500.

SCHAPIRO: DEMOCRATS LEARNING IT'S EASIER TO GROUSE THAN GOVERN

Virginia Democrats will require training wheels for awhile. Installing majorities on both sides of the state Capitol, completing their control of government, Democrats demonstrated a constant in politics: It is easier to grouse than to govern. For the past 20 years, except for a seven-year hiatus in the Virginia Senate, Democrats have been outnumbered, having their brains beat out by a disciplined Republican majority.

GRIFFITH: IS THE OFFICE OF HOUSE SPEAKER VACANT?

On Dec. 18, 2019, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi spoke on the floor of the House in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump. She told the House, “If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty.” Today, Speaker Pelosi is indeed derelict in her duty by holding onto the articles of impeachment when they should have been sent to the Senate last year.

Griffith represents the 9th Congressional District. He is a Republican from Salem.