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VPAP Visual Record Vetoes in 2024
With the final vetoes complete as of last Friday, Governor Glenn Youngkin has set a new record for bills vetoed in a single year, axing a total of 201 bills. This year alone, Youngkin has killed more legislation than any recent governor of Virginia has in their full four-year term.
Richmond registrar broke city code when signing nearly $1M in contracts, officials say
Richmond General Registrar Keith Balmer violated Richmond procurement code on at least three occasions between September and February when he signed contracts with third-party vendors without seeking mandatory review and approval from other city officials, records obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch show. The revelations come on the heels of the suspension of Balmer’s city-issued purchasing card due to alleged misuse as well as claims of nepotistic hiring practices in the Richmond Office of Elections.
Advocates: Youngkin’s veto won’t deter fight for right to contraception legislation
The sponsors of Virginia’s Right to Contraception Act are vowing to continue to fight for the legislation even after Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s veto Friday. “I’m here to say that the fight isn’t over,” said state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi (D-Chesterfield). Hashmi was joined by House sponsor Del. Marcia Price (D-Newport News), Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), [and] Lara Bury and Penny Blue — both from Red, Wine and Blue, a women’s rights advocacy group. “This bill would have simply protected the rights of contraception in Virginia if the Supreme Court were to take away that right like they did with the Dobbs’ decision and abortion,” explained Price.
Westbrook and Allen: Our boys were found innocent. So why are they still in prison?
Another year has come and gone and we’re approaching another presidential election season without our sons. They were found not guilty by a federal jury of their peers, but still sentenced to life in prison. It has been nearly 23 years since we’ve last had our boys, Terence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne, at our dinner table. We’ve since had four presidential administrations, countless promises of criminal justice reform, and still no end in sight for the injustice they are experiencing. We are calling on the Biden Administration to grant them clemency — and asking that you do, too.
In the face of a lawsuit and veto, Virginia Beach’s election system still up in the air
A Circuit Court judge Monday denied a request that would have prevented district-based elections of Virginia Beach City Council members this fall and will issue an opinion soon on whether a lawsuit against the city’s voting system can move forward. The 2024 election will continue as planned under the current ward-based system, said Deputy City Attorney Chris Boynton. Former Norfolk Judge Charles Poston presided over a hearing Monday on a lawsuit brought by former Councilman Linwood Branch and several other residents who contend that the city “illegally manipulated the Virginia Beach electoral system by eliminating three at-large seats that are expressly established under the City Charter,” and deprived the rights of voters. On Friday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have aligned Virginia Beach’s city charter with its district-based election system, citing the pending lawsuit.
Danville taking inventory of water service lines under EPA mandate
Danville Utilities is taking an inventory of public and private water service lines as part of an EPA mandate to remove lead from water systems across the country. All water service lines, public and private, that are found to have lead will have to be replaced in 10 years, according to the EPA mandate, said Danville Utilities Director Jason Grey. Danville Utilities is currently compiling an inventory for public lines — those leading from the water main to a property’s water meter — by going through its records, Grey said.
Backed by rival GOP factions, veterans in Virginia’s 7th District primary look similar on paper
Save for the facial hair, it would have been hard to tell Derrick Anderson and Cameron Hamilton apart. Sitting side by side at a candidate forum here earlier this month, the front-runners in one of Virginia’s most competitive GOP primaries both highlighted their time serving in elite military units and then in the federal government. Both pledged to go hard on China and campus protesters while pitching themselves as Republicans’ best chance to flip this battleground seat.
U.S. Supreme Court denies appeal of Mountain Valley Pipeline case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to weigh in on the much-litigated question of whether the Mountain Valley Pipeline can take private land for its bitterly fought project. Without comment, the high court denied a request from six property owners that it hear their challenge of the company’s use of eminent domain to forcefully acquire easements through their land for the natural gas pipeline.
DOD contract fuels $41.2M expansion of Orange County rocket factory
Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies has entered into an agreement with Orange County to fund a $41.2 million expansion and modernization of the company’s Aerojet Rocketdyne facility there. The effort is intended to increase solid rocket motor production while growing the company’s presence in the commonwealth, according to a joint statement from Orange County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and L3Harris.
Youngkin’s plan to vacate James Monroe Building on hold
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s plan to move state employees out of the aging James Monroe Building and into various existing offices across the city has been put on hold. The state will consider erecting a new office building — which Youngkin’s administration has said is not needed, as downtown office space remains available and employees work hybrid schedules. But state lawmakers disagreed, and ultimately won, saying the state government should invest in the city of Richmond and study the situation more.