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Voyles: Not outsourcing Virginia’s lawmaking to California bureaucrats is a good thing
This week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced, and Attorney General Jason Miyares confirmed in an official opinion, that the commonwealth will no longer be legally bound to follow California’s electric vehicle mandate at the end of this year. Announcing the expiration of a regime where unelected bureaucrats in California dictate Virginia’s policy has inexplicably met some pushback — all of which is unfounded. In 2021, Virginia Democrats, then in control of the governorship and General Assembly, passed a law authorizing Virginia to adopt California’s costly and burdensome vehicle emission standards. These standards are set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), a group of unelected bureaucrats.
Virginia Beach Republican Party chairwoman indicted on felony wire communications charge
The chairwoman of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach was indicted this week on a felony charge of intercepting wire communications. Laura K. Hughes, an attorney and former Virginia Beach School Board member, was indicted Monday by a Virginia Beach grand jury, according to online court records. The crime carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Northampton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jack Thornton on Thursday confirmed that his office was asked to handle the case after Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin Stolle recused himself. Stolle is a longtime member of the local Republican Party.
Rozell: Sorry, Democrats, but Trump can win Virginia
Democrats might be tempted to consider the commonwealth friendly territory in this year’s presidential election. They have enjoyed a streak of success since 2008, winning the four intervening presidential elections, including two over this year’s Republican nominee and former president, Donald Trump — the most recent a 10-percentage-point victory in 2020. Democrats are energized in some spots across the state, but not by the top-of-the-ballot race. They’re waging difficult campaigns in two swing congressional districts — Virginia’s 7th and 10th — where Democratic incumbents Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton, respectively, are not seeking reelection.
Top GOP leaders in the 5th District urge Trump to reconsider McGuire endorsement
Top Republican officials in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District are asking former President Donald Trump to rethink his endorsement of Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland County, in the district’s GOP primary election and to instead consider backing the incumbent, Rep. Bob Good, R-Campbell County. “We the undersigned leaders of the 5th District Republican Congressional Committee strongly urge President Donald Trump to reconsider his endorsement of Congressman Bob Good’s opponent in the Republican Primary,” reads an open letter to the party’s presumptive presidential nominee that was signed by 25 party officials, including the vast majority of the district’s unit chairs and all of the district’s State Central Committee members.
Virginia Beach Republican Party chair indicted on charge of intercepting wire communications
The chairwoman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party has been indicted on a felony charge of intercepting wire communications, online court documents show. Laura Hughes was indicted by a grand jury on Monday with an offense date of Feb. 21. It’s unclear what the charges stem from.
Biden picks Virginia man to lead outreach to Republican voters
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign has chosen a Fauquier County man to lead its national initiative to reach out to Republican voters who are disenchanted with former President Donald Trump for the coming presidential election rematch in November. Austin Weatherford, a veteran of Republican congressional politics, will serve as “national Republican engagement director” for the reelection campaign of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Pittsylvania County data center project would be years in making, ‘in no way a done deal’
A massive data center proposed in Ringgold would be years in the making if it’s approved by the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. Matt Rowe, the economic development director for Pittsylvania County, said leaders asked him to find additional industrial opportunities. “My personal goal is always, do what we can to find ways to leverage the tax base,” Rowe told the Register & Bee in an interview Wednesday. Normally this kind of economic development project is kept under tight wraps with anyone with knowledge sworn to secrecy.
D.C. Circuit to hear battle over Virginia offshore wind
Critics of an offshore wind farm in Virginia are taking their fight against the project to a powerful federal appeals court. In a Wednesday filing, the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, Heartland Institute, and National Legal and Policy Center said they are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to reverse a May ruling that denied their bid to block a 176-turbine Dominion Energy wind project off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Cellphone ban in Chesapeake schools a success in first year, officials say
Students are less disruptive and paying more attention in class after the Chesapeake school division banned phones and personal devices this school year, officials said. The division revised its policy and regulations around the use of phones, tablets and other personal electronics last summer. Before the change, students were allowed to use them for classwork if teachers allowed them. The new rule requires devices to be off and put away — in a bag, locker or vehicle — during school hours.
Richmond housing authority CEO calls plan a ‘last chance’ opportunity to tackle evictions
The Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) presented its “Compassion Action” plan in what it says is a “last chance” effort to help residents to pay their rent on time. The RRHA’s CEO, Steven Nesmith, presented the new plan on Thursday, June 6. This comes after the RRHA previously announced in April that about 60% of families were behind on rent payments which totaled more than $3 million.