OFFICIALS: MEN DISCUSSED OPENING FIRE AT PRO-GUN RALLY IN RICHMOND

Three suspected white supremacists arrested in Maryland and Delaware this week had discussed opening fire from different positions at Monday’s planned pro-gun rally in Richmond, Va., in the hopes of causing chaos, law-enforcement officials said.

GUN SAFETY GROUPS CALL OFF MLK DAY EVENT, CITING POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE

Gun safety groups have called off their annual gathering on Capitol Square Monday, citing safety threats that have been “promoted and encouraged by gun extremists.”...The gun safety coalition, which had hosted the event for 28 years, had expected up to 500 people to attend this year, according to a permit issued by the state.

AHEAD OF TINDER BOX VIRGINIA GUN RALLY, TRUMP SAYS CONSTITUTION UNDER ATTACK

President Donald Trump took aim at Virginia Democrats and their push to stiffen the state’s gun laws, saying that the U.S. Constitution was under attack just as thousands of armed militia members began arriving in Richmond for a Monday gun rally.

VIRGINIA’S HIGHEST COURT UPHOLDS WEAPONS BAN AT GUN RALLY

Virginia’s highest court on Friday upheld a ban on firearms at an upcoming pro-gun rally in the state’s capital, an event that authorities feared could erupt in violence at the hands of armed extremists.

VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT REJECTS GUN GROUPS' BID TO OVERTURN NORTHAM'S GUN BAN AT CAPITOL SQUARE

Citing the “extraordinary” nature of an injunction, the “weighty issues” involved and a lack of sufficient information, the Virginia Supreme Court on Friday evening refused an emergency petition seeking to bar enforcement of Gov. Ralph Northam’s temporary gun ban on the grounds of the state Capitol.

VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS TEMPORARY BAN ON WEAPONS ON CAPITOL GROUNDS

The Virginia Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Ralph Northam's temporary ban on guns in Capitol Square, which went into effect Friday at 5 p.m. and will continue through a major gun rights rally scheduled for Monday. Concern about the rally, which organizers warn could attract tens of thousands of armed protesters, escalated in Richmond on Friday when President Trump drew attention to it on Twitter.

VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT DENIES APPEAL TO BLOCK CAPITOL GROUNDS GUN BAN

A second attempt by gun-rights groups to lift the firearms ban around Capitol Square for Monday’s rally was denied Friday. Gun Owners of America and the Virginia Citizens Defense League — the primary organizer of Monday’s rally that is expected to draw thousands of people to Richmond — filed a lawsuit Thursday saying Gov. Ralph Northam didn’t have the authority to ban guns on Capitol grounds

CITING MLK'S LEGACY, FILLER-CORN AND NORTHAM VOW 'HISTORIC PROGRESS' AT VIRGINIA UNION BREAKFAST

With a Democratic majority in the state legislature, Virginia politicians pledged Friday at a breakfast honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to deliver on reforms long sought by the African American community. Speaking at a yearly breakfast in honor of the late civil rights leader hosted by Virginia Union University, Gov. Ralph Northam and House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, said the General Assembly would approve giving localities authority over Confederate monuments, along with changes to the criminal justice system and school discipline

NC REPUBLICANS WRITE BACKING VIRGINIA GUN “SANCTUARY” EFFORT

Dozens of North Carolina Republican state legislators are expressing solidarity with local governments in Virginia that have spoken out formally in recent months for gun rights. About 50 members of the state House Republican Caucus -- including Speaker Tim Moore — signed a letter dated this week expressing support for leaders in Virginia cities and counties who have declared their jurisdictions “Second Amendment Sanctuaries.”

NORTHAM'S TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE SEEKS TO STABILIZE SHAKY REVENUE STREAM

The Northam administration has rolled out transportation legislation as the governor continues to build on major transportation policies accomplished during his two years as governor. House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, both Democrats from Fairfax, are carrying the legislation on behalf of Gov. Ralph Northam.

SENATE PASSES BILL ON HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

The state Senate passed a bill from Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, that would allow people over 30 to buy a very high deductible health insurance plan. The Senate voted 23-15 for S B 216 on Friday. The plans are authorized by the Affordable Care Act, and the goal is to get more young people insured.

PROPOSAL TO BAN DOMINION'S CONTRIBUTIONS AMONG ELECTORAL BILLS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE

With Democrats in control of the General Assembly, a Virginia senator hopes his proposed ban on Dominion Energy campaign contributions is among electoral measures that clear the legislature. The idea is among a handful aimed at changing election law in Virginia, including several that would expand voting access, make campaign finance more transparent and bring a growing Election Day trend to Virginia.

SECURITY DEPOSITS ARE THE BANE OF MANY RENTERS. LAWMAKERS WANT TO CHANGE THAT

A growing number of legislators are trying to eliminate a practice that has prevented many lower- and middle-income people from renting an apartment: the steep, all-cash security deposit....A member of the Virginia House of Delegates submitted a bill to give tenants options for how they pay deposits last week

EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON POTENTIAL LEGAL CHALLENGES OF PROPOSED MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION

Although decriminalizing marijuana possession could save people from serving jail time for a minor infraction, some people are worried about how it could affect the way police fight crime. Danville Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Newman points out current marijuana laws have sometimes paved the way for police to find evidence of other crimes.

AFTER YEARS OF ANTI-BIAS LAWS, ACTIVISTS SAY THE ERA IS STILL NECESSARY

Bias and discrimination due to a person’s sex is outlawed in the United States by a range of state and federal statutes: Title IX covers education or programs that receive federal money; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars employment discrimination; and the Equal Pay Act asserts men and women must get equal pay for equal work.

BILL INTRODUCED IN VIRGINA WOULD AWARD STATE’S ELECTORAL VOTES TO WINNER OF NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE

A Virginia bill proposed for the 2020 Session would have all of the Commonwealth’s electoral votes in a presidential election go to the winner of the nation’s popular vote. According to Virginia’s Legislative Information System, SB 399, also known as the “National Popular Vote Compact,” would enter the Commonwealth into an interstate agreement that would change the way the electoral votes are awarded to a candidate during a presidential election.

FAIRFAX HOPING FOR ADDED GENERAL DISTRICT JUDGE

After two legislative votes this month, it appears Fairfax County could finally get an additional general district judge in 2020. Judges there have argued for more than a year that their court deserves special attention. “We are the busiest court by far in the commonwealth of Virginia,” said Fairfax County General District Judge Manuel A. Capsalis, addressing delegates on Jan. 15.

BILL AUTHORIZING FRONT ROYAL TO CREATE IDA PROPOSED

As members of the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority stare down a dwindling budget, the town may soon have the power to create their own authority. Del. Chris Collins, R-Winchester, introduced a bill in Richmond that was referred to a committee on Thursday that would give the town the authority to create an Industrial Development Authority of its own

CARTER SAYS HE’LL SKIP MONDAY'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Del. Lee Carter says he won’t be in Richmond during the Monday, Jan. 20 pro-gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol because of death threats he’s received over his bill to make it legal for most state and local government employees, but not law enforcement officers, to go on strike.

VIRGINIA’S PUBLIC EMPLOYEES LAUNCH FIGHT FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Virginia is one of only three states that have a blanket ban on collective bargaining for all public sector employees. Teachers, firefighters and other public employees are asking the General Assembly to change that. The fight for public sector collective bargaining is being led by “Stronger Communities. A Better Bargain.” It’s a coalition of public sector unions, including everyone from the Virginia Education Association to the Communications Workers of America. The new coalition was announced at a press conference at the General Assembly building on Thursday.

STRIP SEARCHED: FROM A 1-YEAR-OLD TO 83, VIRGINIA PRISONS TELL VISITORS TO SUBMIT OR RISK PERMANENT BAN

When 83-year-old Bill Day was told to either submit to a strip search by the Virginia Department of Corrections officials or risk never seeing his step-grandson again, he says there really was no choice. “To me, standing naked in front of two guys was nothing compared to never being able to see him again,” Day said. DOC officials claim it does not permanently ban people from visiting prisoners, but an investigation by The Virginian-Pilot has uncovered five documents signed by DOC officials who referred to a permanent ban following a strip search refusal by a visitor.

VIRGINIA IS STILL NOT FULLY COMPLYING WITH FEDERAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AT FLUVANNA PRISON

Last fall, U.S. District Court Judge Norman Moon appeared frustrated with Virginia’s Department of Corrections. After inmates sued over their poor medical care at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, the department had agreed in 2016 to improve. Years later it still hadn’t fully complied, and Moon wondered what was taking so long.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY OLDER INMATES IN VIRGINIA'S PRISONS?

Virginia’s prison population more than doubled from 1990 to 2018, but the number of geriatric inmates increased nearly tenfold, from 882 to more than 8,000. By mid-2018, inmates 50 and older accounted for almost one in four state prisoners, greatly increasing health care and other costs of running the corrections system, according to a new report by the Virginia Department of Corrections.

KAINE SPEAKS TO UVA STUDENTS ABOUT WAR POWERS RESOLUTION

Senator Tim Kaine visited the University of Virginia Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy to discuss the War Powers Resolution. The junior senator from Virginia spoke to a full house of students and faculty about war powers and its history, and how we have gotten to where we are now.

SPANBERGER BILL AIMS TO SHED LIGHT ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING

Chances are you feel the pain when you fill a drug prescription. Prices are skyrocketing for many needed drugs. But there’s a mystery at play: What’s really driving up prices?

PAMUNKEY TRIBE PROPOSES CASINO IN SOUTH RICHMOND

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe plans to develop a casino resort in South Richmond, staking a second claim under a potential state law that would legalize casino gaming here and in Norfolk. The Pamunkey said Friday that they have either purchased or placed contracts on four properties

PAMUNKEY INDIAN TRIBE WANTS TO BUILD A CASINO RESORT IN RICHMOND — EVEN AS IT PLANS ONE IN NORFOLK

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is doubling down. The tribe announced Friday it plans to build a casino resort in Richmond, in addition to the proposed Norfolk casino that has been the subject of public debate and controversy for months.

VA. GUN SALES IN DECEMBER HIT 2ND-HIGHEST MONTHLY TOTAL SINCE 1990, FUELED BY FEAR OF GUN CONTROL

Virginia gun sales soared in December to the second-highest monthly total on record, fueled by the Democratic takeover of the General Assembly and growing fears of increased firearm restrictions backed by the governor and lawmaker allies, state gun dealers say.

JUDGE REFUSES TO TOSS OUT CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST FORMER NEWPORT NEWS AIRPORT DIRECTOR

The former top official at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport will have to stand trial for his role in using public funds to pay off the debt of a defunct airline that operated briefly at the facility, a federal judge ordered. U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson denied Ken Spirito’s motions asking him to dismiss federal corruption charges

UR CONFIRMS PART OF CAMPUS BUILT OVER GRAVES OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE

The University of Richmond has determined that enough evidence has been found to confirm that part of its campus is built over the graves of enslaved people. In a message to the university community, President Ronald Crutcher on Thursday said a recently completed study shows that university officials over the past century uncovered and disturbed burial remains

LOUDOUN SHERIFF WARNED OVER FACEBOOK BLOCKING

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia has sent Sheriff Michael L. Chapman a letter warning him about violating a critic’s constitutional rights by blocking him on Facebook. The alert was based on a precedent set in a lawsuit in Loudoun County, but a year later there continues to be disagreement over how to interpret the rules.

THE AR-15 A PORTSMOUTH COUNCILMAN WORE TO A MEETING THIS WEEK STUNNED TWO OF HIS PEERS. ONE WANTS AN APOLOGY.

Two of Nathan Clark’s peers on the Portsmouth City Council criticized his decision to wear an AR-15 into a public meeting — without telling them ahead of time — to show his enthusiasm for the Second Amendment. One asked him to apologize. “It was a disgrace, disheartening and an embarrassment,” Vice Mayor Lucas-Burke wrote to the council Thursday morning. “Most of us were blindsided by the display.”

VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE CHIEF RETHINKS JAIL TIME FOR PEOPLE STAYING IN TENTS OVERNIGHT ON THE BEACH

Police Chief Jim Cervera is walking back plans to ban tents on the beach overnight, saying he doesn’t want to jail homeless people, just discourage big groups.

PORTSMOUTH MAYOR JOHN ROWE SAYS HE WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION

Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe said he will not seek re-election this year so he can spend more time with his family. Rowe, who was elected to the job in 2016, is in his first term. Residents will choose a new mayor this fall. “I’m still having fun and enjoy doing what I do in public service but in another four years I’ll be 80½,” he said in an interview Friday.

DETAILS OF WATER AUTHORITY RESPONSE TO ALLEGED WRONGDOING

The James River Water Authority has strongly denied allegations of improper conduct during an archeological dig near the site where Louisa County hopes to draw its future public water supply. In a 35-page memo released on Jan. 15, the authority's counsel accused the whistleblower, Eric Mai, of misleading or false statements.

SCHAPIRO: LIKE REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS AFFIRM CONTROL WITH STAGECRAFT

As out-of-power Republicans see it, General Assembly Democrats are hitting the ground crawling. Todd Gilbert, House minority leader, grumbled Thursday — eight days into the 2020 session — that, at the same point in the previous 60-day session in 2018, delegates were acting on 34 bills.

HANER: LEGISLATIVE STAFFER FILES RETIREMENT MID-MEETING

"I am no longer with the Division of Legislative Services. If you need assistance, please contact…” That is the message you get back if you send an email today to one of the key players in all the energy debates down at the General Assembly, perhaps the key player during the actual session.

Haner is a lobbyist for the conservative Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. (VPAP has included this column in a rare exception to our policy of limiting op-eds to those that appear in print newspapers)