By PATRICK WILSON,
Richmond Times-Dispatch
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Virginia's 140 lawmakers, like local and many other government officials, must file an annual form that discloses their economic interests....The deadline for lawmakers to file their new annual form was Feb 1. But there's a glitch: The public can't get the forms until a few days after the lawmakers are scheduled to leave Richmond, March 10, the last day of the General Assembly session.
By PATRICK WILSON ,
Richmond Times-Dispatch
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Republicans in the legislature have been furious at Del. Mark Levine, D-Alexandria, over an email he sent to constituents Sunday about the school shooting in Florida with the headline, “How the GOP Makes it Easy to Commit Mass Murder.”
By ALAN SUDERMAN ,
Associated Press
Customers of Virginia's largest electric utility will see a short-term reduction in their bills but could eventually see significant new charges — potentially $120 a year or more for the average customer — under legislation advancing in the General Assembly.
Lawmakers are set to vote next week on a major overhaul of how the state regulates Dominion Energy, Virginia's most politically influential corporation. The legislation makes it easier to get approval for renewable energy projects and grid upgrades while giving Dominion new ways to account for various costs.
By LIA TABACKMAN AND DEANNA DAVISON,
Capital News Service
In Fall 2010, Virginia Commonwealth University increased annual tuition by almost 24 percent, tacking $1,700 on to each in-state student’s bill in one fell swoop.
While that jump may seem like an outlier, tuition increases have been the norm at the state’s institutions of higher education during the past decade.
By IRENA SCHUNN,
VCU Capital News Service
A Senate committee Thursday unanimously approved a bill to prohibit “lunch shaming” – the practice of singling out students who owe the school cafeteria money or cannot pay for their lunch.
The Senate Education and Health Committee voted 15-0 in favor of House Bill 50, which would bar schools from giving students a hand stamp or wristband when their lunch account is empty, or ask students to do chores or throw away their meal if they cannot pay. The bill specifies that any concerns regarding students’ lunch debt must be taken up directly with their parents or guardians.
By JUSTIN MATTINGLY,
Richmond Times-Dispatch
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Barbara Larrimore wondered why her oldest son only had 15 minutes of recess. She wanted him to have more, so in fall 2016, the mother of three started advocating for more recess.
“We need to address the whole child,” said Larrimore, of Lake Ridge. “This is just common sense.”
Now, less than two years later, two bills that would permit Virginia school boards to increase recess times in elementary schools are making their way through the General Assembly with little opposition.
Daily News Record
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Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, announced Friday that Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam signed his FFA license plate bill into law.
House Bill 761 would allow people to buy a special license plate that says “We are the birthplace of the FFA.” The youth organization was founded in Virginia in 1927.
Inside NOVA
Arlington’s elected School Board is another legislative step closer to being absolutely, positively, for-sure legal under state law.
The state Senate Committee on Education and Health voted 15-0 on Feb. 22 in support of a bill patroned by Del. Patrick Hope (D-47th) adding sections to the Code of Virginia permitting the county to have an elected School Board.
By TREVOR BARATKO,
Loudoun Times
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Dogs will soon be legal inside Virginia wineries and breweries as long as they're not around food production.
Legislation proposed by Del. John Bell (D-87th) of Loudoun that allows dogs at wineries, breweries and distilleries has passed both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate unanimously approved the measure Friday, while the House of Delegates passed the bill 97-2 in January.
By LOGAN BOGERT,
Capital News Service
A bill to allow teenagers to join volunteer fire and rescue squads may save many operations around Virginia that have seen an increasein service calls but a decrease in volunteers.
Volunteers make up more than 65 percent of Virginia’s firefighting services – but according to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, “retention and recruitment of new members has never been more challenging.”
By EVANNE ARMOUR,
WRIC-TV
Virginia veterans’ wallets could soon get a little lighter.
Right now, veterans can have two ID cards — a $10 Veteran Identification Card, which provides proof of veteran status for discounts from retailers and restaurants, and the standard driver’s license.
By DAVE RESS,
Daily Press
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A bill that aims to bring horse racing back to New Kent County’s Colonial Downs is working its way through the General Assembly.
