VISUALIZATION: LEGISLATIVE PECKING ORDER

The organization of the 2020 General Assembly created an opportunity for more senior legislators to gain seats on powerful committees that set the rules, write the state budget and preside over business-related measures. Freshman usually settle for other committees.

VIRGINIA AG SPEAKS AT CANNABIS CONFERENCE AMID PUSH FOR MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who is pushing to decriminalize marijuana in the Commonwealth, spoke at the Virginia 2020 Cannabis Conference in Richmond Sunday. Herring said that he supports decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, taking action to address past convictions and moving towards legal and regulated adult use.

2020′S GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION IS OFF TO A CONTENTIOUS START

After a fractious start — with delayed rules, intense feelings over a Capitol gun ban and an unprecedented holdup over timelines for bills and budget amendments — the question for the 2020 General Assembly session is: collaboration or conflict? Feelings aren’t running as hot as in 1998, when three Republicans who would have made for a tied 50-50 House of Delegates weren’t immediately seated,

RURAL VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS ONCE BACKED BY NRA FEEL THE PRESSURE FROM GUN RIGHTS GROUPS

Several months after a gunman killed 32 people at Virginia Tech in 2007, a bill to require background checks on all firearm purchases at gun shows didn’t make it out of a committee in the Virginia State Senate. Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, cast a vote against it.

VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON SEVERAL GUN BILLS MONDAY

Virginia’s Senate Judiciary Committee is set to take up a slew of gun bills, which have been Democratic priorities for years, on the fourth day of the 2020 General Assembly session. Those bills tackle everything from universal background checks on gun purchases, to the one handgun a month and "red flag" laws as well as restricting firearms in certain public spaces.

CULPEPER RALLY ROUSES HUNDREDS FOR GUN RIGHTS

If a Culpeper rally offers a taste, Virginia lawmakers are in for quite a show of force when gun-rights advocates descend on Richmond next week. Despite a light drizzle, nearly 500 men, women and children turned out for three hours Saturday to hear a dozen speakers defend the Second Amendment and attack Gov. Ralph Northam and Democratic legislators proposing background checks and red-flag restrictions.

BILL WOULD LET HENRY COUNTY CITIZENS VOTE ON MARTINSVILLE'S REVERSION

State lawmakers will consider whether to give Henry County and Martinsville residents the opportunity to vote on reversion during the 2020 legislative session. Del. Danny Marshall (R-Danville) has introduced three bills in the General Assembly concerning Martinsville’s ability to surrender its city charter and become a town within the county. Martinsville City Council voted unanimously in December to start the reversion process to address what officials say is an unsustainable financial situation.

AFTER ARENA FAILURES, HAMPTON ROADS CITIES MAY TAKE A REGIONAL APPROACH

Talk of a new Hampton Roads arena larger than existing facilities like Scope and Hampton Coliseum has been percolating for years. For a while, it seemed like an 18,000-seat arena at Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront was imminent, but in 2018 the development deal fell apart at the last minute. But new legislation proposed in the General Assembly could set the stage for another run at a major arena, in Norfolk or elsewhere. And this time, cities could work together instead of competing.

LEGISLATION WOULD BUILD ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTO VIRGINIA LAW

Two years after Virginia established its first formal advisory body on environmental justice, legislators will weigh several bills proposing to weave the principle into the daily workings of state governance.

BILL WOULD PROTECT STUDENT JOURNALISM FROM CENSORSHIP

Kate Karstens knew she’d nailed the story when the Yale-bound son of a school board member confessed to skipping class more than two dozen times — without consequences. It was 2016, near the end of her junior year, and Karstens had spent weeks reporting an article about chronic absenteeism at George Mason High School in Northern Virginia, tracing administrators’ failure to punish offenders.

ORROCK INTRODUCES AFFORDABLE HOUSING LEGISLATION

Local Del. Bobby Orrock has introduced a bill that would give localities the ability to create affordable housing zoning districts. Orrock, R–Caroline, has also introduced a joint resolution that, if approved, would direct the Virginia Housing Commission to come up with a statewide common definition of “affordable housing.”

ABSENTEE VOTING FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STARTS THIS WEEK

Registered voters may now request an absentee ballot for the March 3, 2020 Virginia Democratic Presidential Primary be mailed to them. You can do this by going online to this link or find the form to fill out and mail to their local voter registration office here.

VIRGINIANS SEEKING HELP FOR STUDENT LOANS HAD AVERAGE DEBT OF NEARLY $72,000

In its first year, the state’s student loan advocacy office — tasked with helping borrowers navigate an often confusing system — heard from 146 Virginians who were struggling to understand their loans or repayment plans. Their average debt? Nearly $72,000. Their average age was 46 years old,

FORGET LANDFILLS, COMPANY SAYS IT CAN MAKE TRASH DISAPPEAR BY HEATING IT TO 18,000 DEGREES

Imagine all the region’s trash was heated at temperatures double the surface of the sun, producing energy for the grid, few carbon emissions and no ash. Recycling would be sorted out beforehand and turned into new products or sent back to manufacturers. And the 150-megawatt plant itself would run on its own energy.

BANKRUPT COAL COMPANY BLACKJEWEL ACCUSES FORMER CEO OF FRAUD

The coal mogul who once controlled dozens of Blackjewel mines nationwide before being ousted by a bankruptcy judge could face an investigation into allegations of fraud, court documents filed Thursday reveal.

SENTARA RMH RESTRUCTURING DOCTOR COMPENSATION, CLOSES TWO RURAL CLINICS

Doctors at Harrisonburg’s hospital could be facing pay cuts in 2020 as a result of Sentara Healthcare restructuring its compensation program for physicians at its hospitals. Doctors at the hospital are paid according to rates set in contracts between Sentara and provider groups. A representative for Sentara confirmed in a statement to The Citizen that the company is restructuring the reimbursements through what it calls a “simplified and flexible Provider Compensation Plan.”

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT VIRGINIA’S $3.7 BILLION RAIL PLAN

Virginia closed 2019 with a bold pledge to significantly grow passenger rail service in the commonwealth this decade by building a new rail bridge over the Potomac River, adding new rail track in the Washington-to-Richmond corridor and buying hundreds of miles of passenger right of way from CSX. The $3.7 billion plan, announced Dec. 19, will put Virginia in control of rail service increases, allow Amtrak to double the number of trains operating in the state and expand Virginia Railway Express service to the nation’s capital beyond peak rush hour within a decade.

ALBEMARLE LOOKS FOR PUBLIC'S INPUT ON FUTURE OF COURT SQUARE, INCLUDING CONFEDERATE SOLDIER STATUE

Albemarle County is starting a community engagement process to help better tell the history of the county’s property in Court Square. The county’s Circuit Court and General District Court buildings sit on Albemarle land that was never annexed by the city of Charlottesville. The land also is home to multiple historic markers and a monument to city and county Confederate soldiers.

EDA CLAIMS TOWN OWES $8.7 MILLION FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT

As the Front Royal Economic Development Authority faces a dire budget, it is counting on coming to terms with the town and recovering more than $8.7 million it spent on the new Front Royal Police Department building. During its first meeting of the year on Friday, EDA members looked at a budget prepared by EDA Treasurer Marjorie Martin and the stark picture it painted.

WARREN CITIZENS ASK TO FORM MILITIA-TYPE GROUP

Citizens have asked the Board of Supervisors to approve a resolution establishing a militia or similar armed organization bearing a different name, continuing the statewide trend of gun owner reaction to the General Assembly's consideration of a package of gun control proposals. Sam Haun presented a proposed resolution to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, saying that “the reason that we brought this before you is because it is a constitutional right for us as citizens to have a militia.”

NO EXCUSES: PASS REDISTRICTING AMENDMENT

Last year, after nearly a decade of battling in court over Republican gerrymandering following the 2010 Census, the Virginia General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment that creates the Virginia Redistricting Commission. This commission would, as far as humanly possible, take the politics out of the process of drawing new legislative and congressional districts.

SEPARATION OF POWERS AT ISSUE IN VIRGINIA

A distinguished University of Virginia law professor makes a serious claim: Virginia legislators are circumventing not only the intent of statute, but the state Constitution itself, by appointing themselves to policy boards in the executive branch of government. Douglas Laycock says the practice is “Unconstitutional, Period” in the title of his treatise. He delivers some cogent arguments.

NORTHAM CHARTS HIS COURSE FORWARD

“The social, commercial and industrial state of the commonwealth has almost wholly changed in the last 35 years,” Virginia Gov. Andrew Jackson Montague told the General Assembly in 1902. “And must be met with courage, energy and intelligence, or we must fatally lag behind in the march of progress and civilization.”

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PROPOSAL HAS PROMISE

While a proposal to decriminalize cannabis captured the lion’s share of attention, Gov. Ralph Northam’s ambitious proposal to reform Virginia’s approach to criminal justice represents a sweeping effort that would transform the commonwealth.

MAKING "HERSTORY" IN VIRGINIA

Virginia made “herstory” when the General Assembly convened Wednesday. A record number of women now serve in the assembly, making up nearly 30% of the body. Twenty-nine of the House of Delegates’ 100 members are women, while females account for 11 of the state Senate’s 40 members.

A HEALTHY REPUBLIC ALWAYS IS CHANGING, EVOLVING

Last week, history again was made in the Virginia Capitol. The building, designed by Thomas Jefferson and modeled after the ancient Roman temple of Maison Carrée in Nimes, France, has seen a lot of history since construction was finished in 1788. In the old chamber of the House of Delegates, Virginia’s elected leaders voted to secede from the Union in 1861

LUCYK: WHY LEGISLATORS SHOULDN’T FEAR THE SUPREME COURT ON REDISTRICTING

There has been a growing conversation about the possibility of amending the Constitution of Virginia to form a redistricting commission to give citizens a voice, for the first time, in this important process. While there is merit in debating what to enshrine in this fundamental document, it is also important to be factual.

Lucyk is a former Chief Staff Attorney for the Supreme Court of Virginia (2002-2013), Trial Section Chief of the Office of Virginia’s Attorney General (1984-2002) and Managing Attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center

TATE: DEMOCRATS SHOULD RESPECT THE MOVEMENT THEY BUILT AND PASS REDISTRICTING REFORM

With the General Assembly now meeting, Democrats find themselves in control of all statewide offices, the state Senate and the House of Delegates. In the House, specifically, Democrats have a majority that they managed to win without losing a single seat gained in the blue wave of 2017. At the congressional level, Republicans held eight out of the 11 House of Representatives seats at the start of the decade; Democrats now hold seven of those 11 seats. Virginia has turned blue.

R. Grant Tate is the founder and CEO of The Bridge Ltd., a Charlottesville-based consulting firm. He also serves on the board of OneVirginia2021, a nonpartisan redistricting reform coalition.

VAN VALKENBURG: VIRGINIA MUST PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS

In 1965, Lyndon Johnson declared the passage of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) “a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory that has ever been won on the battlefield.” For, as he noted when introducing the bill, “It is wrong — deadly wrong — to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country.”

Schuyler T. Van Valkenburg, a Democrat, represents Henrico in the Virginia House of Delegates.

DESCANO: THE ONLY FAIR WAY TO HANDLE MARIJUANA

As Fairfax County’s commonwealth’s attorney, I’m committed to creating a safe and just Fairfax County. That means dedicating the resources of our criminal-justice system to diligently providing fair and equal treatment under the law to all of our citizenry while prioritizing the safety of our entire community. ... That’s why, after careful and deliberate consideration, I’ve directed my office to no longer prosecute adults for simple possession of marijuana.

Steve Descano, a Democrat, is the Fairfax County commonwealth’s attorney.

DURKIN: BUSINESSES CONCERNED ABOUT PROPOSALS TO REPEAL RIGHT-TO-WORK, INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE

As a new majority prepares to take its place in both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate for the 2020 General Assembly legislative session, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce has been watching closely to see how the region’s business community may be affected by changing legislative priorities and a shift of political power toward northern Virginia.

Durkin is Vice President of Public Policy for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

CRISLIP AND HARRIS: HOW YOU PAY RENT SHOULDN'T LIMIT WHERE IT CAN TAKE YOU

Quality housing that is affordable is important for a functioning economy, stable workforce and thriving families. In Virginia, 235,000 modest-income families need affordable housing, but only about 94,500 units are available within that price range. Many of our citizens are cost burdened, paying up to or more than 50% of their monthly income toward rent.

Heather Mullins Crislip is president and CEO of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia. Greta Harris is president and CEO of the Better Housing Coalition.

JONES AND PILLION: SCHOOLS MATTER FOR EVERY COMMUNITY

No matter where you travel across the commonwealth, from Bristol to Norfolk, the most important investment we can make for our communities is in our public schools. It’s where we give our children the tools and guidance to forge their path in life and where our businesses find their workforce to grow their company and, in turn, our economy.

Del. Jerrauld “Jay” Jones, D-Norfolk, represents the 89th House District. Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington County, represents the 4th Senate District.

JENG & EDMONDSON: FOCUS ON IMPROVING VIRGINIA’S PUBLIC HEALTH

The new Democratic majority in the Virginia General Assembly offers an opportunity to engage on more fundamental health issues and to create a public health system that is more evidenced-based, equal and effective. It is time to enact public health reforms and provisions that will improve the health of residents in Virginia,

Anna Jeng, Sc.D. is a professor in the School of Community and Environmental Health at Old Dominion University. Jim Edmondson is a partner in an affordable housing development company in McLean. Both serve on the Virginia Board of Health.

HOLTON: INVESTING IN VIRGINIA'S TALENT PIPELINE

Last month I presided over George Mason University’s winter graduation, where I had the privilege of shaking hands with and congratulating thousands of students receiving degrees. These graduates are on their way to great jobs and leadership opportunities as writers, scientists, teachers, analysts, engineers, artists, and in various business and government roles.

Anne Holton is the interim president of George Mason University and the former Virginia Secretary of Education.

MORSE: VIRGINIA’S SHIFTING POLITICAL LANDSCAPE MAKES PROGRESS TRICKY

I would only do this to a friend — meaning just grab something off Facebook and stick it in the newspaper — and here goes: “I think the biggest question is how much Virginia's historic political culture … deliberate, resistant to change, fundamentally conservative (but not always in a right-wing way) will yield to the new realities of party control, urban dominance, contraction of the rural electoral base, etc. … the traditional culture, for better or worse, is still stronger than many political ‘observers’ think.”

Gordon C. Morse began his writing career with the Daily Press editorial page in 1983, then moved across the water to write opinion for The Virginian-Pilot. He later joined the administration of Gerald L. Baliles as the governor's speechwriter