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VPAP Visual Lobbyists in Virginia: 2024-25
The latest lobbying year in Virginia has just ended. See information on the lobbyists who registered in Virginia from May 2024 through April 2025, including the number of clients they represented, their years of experience and more.
Infighting in Virginia Beach Republican Party leads to chair ousted in secret vote
Leaders of the Virginia GOP’s 2nd Congressional District Committee ousted Laura Hughes, chairwoman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party, late Wednesday night. The vote by secret ballot came after a four-hour meeting at the Chesapeake GOP office. Not all of the district committee members attended; instead five sent proxies to vote on their behalf, which drew criticism from more than 50 Hughes’ supporters who waited outside.
Spanberger says she would not sign a full repeal of right-to-work law
Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, says she would not sign a full repeal of Virginia's right-to-work law, under which union membership may not be a condition of employment. In a television interview with WRIC Channel 8 on Thursday, Spanberger noted that no member of the General Assembly "even submitted a bill to repeal the right to work," this year, but then said, "I support labor, I support our strong Virginia economy, but no — I don't support a full repeal of our current right-to-work statute."
Kaine visits Danville amid uncertainty facing Southside economy
Senator Tim Kaine [D-VA] visited with business leaders at the Institute of Advanced Learning and Research in Danville on Tuesday, April 22, to discuss the economy, and hear concerns or questions businesses had specifically related to tariffs being threatened or imposed by the Trump administration – and, in some cases, the potential loss of anticipated federal funding. Some Danville manufacturers export goods outside of the country, and/or import materials from various nations around the world to use in their production processes. The threat of tariffs has caused no small amount of concern locally, and nationally ...
OSHA investigating Alexandria’s Parks and Rec department
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the safety conditions of the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. A safety complaint preceded the investigation that sent a handful of OSHA officials to RPCA’s administrative office on March 10. The initial OSHA complaint accused RPCA of falsifying a safety investigation, mishandling two near-accidents and stonewalling employee safety concerns, residents close to the situation said.
Williamsburg-area school board halts middle school renaming
The Williamsburg-James City County School Board has tabled talks on renaming James Blair Middle School, but some board members say they hoped the issue would continue to encourage conversation. Tuesday’s decision to table came several months after a grassroots group called the school’s name into question, pointing out that Blair, a Scottish minister who founded William & Mary, was an enslaver who also advocated for slavery.
Spotsylvania school board chair issues ‘first warning’ about decorum during public comment
Spotsylvania County School Board Chair Megan Jackson issued a warning to public speakers via email earlier this week, stating that the board will strictly adhere to a recently-revised policy regarding decorum at meetings. “Due to increasing disruptive behaviors, we are reminding the community of our school board policy BDDH,” Jackson wrote in an email to parents. “This notice shall serve as an official first warning. If a second warning is warranted at a school board meeting, [the] violator will be told to leave immediately.”
From ‘tariffs’ to hiring freeze, GOP-led Lynchburg council discusses ways to reduce taxes
Lynchburg Republicans on city council are flexing their political muscle as they move toward adopting a budget for fiscal year 2026, with many of their proposals mirroring what President Donald Trump introduced in his first 100 days in office. From local forms of so-called tariffs to attacking the city bureaucracy to taking steps similar to Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, Republicans, who have a 6-1 majority on council, are identifying ways to scale back government in the Hill City and creatively fund the remaining operations.
Allen: I was a GOP governor. I’m supporting a lawsuit against Trump’s tariffs.
Some might be surprised that I, a Republican, am challenging President Donald Trump’s tariffs plan. But my opposition to tax increases is not new. In fact, that conviction is why I strongly disagree, as a matter of constitutional principle, with the president’s “emergency” declaration to impose near universal import taxes on products from allies and adversaries alike. The Constitution is clear that taxes are the purview of Congress, not a tool to be implemented by presidential proclamation.
Virginia to rein in medical debt collectors after Youngkin signature
Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democrats who control the General Assembly to put new restrictions on debt collectors seeking money for hospitals and doctors. Debt collectors seeking to cash in on patients who owe money to hospitals and doctors often engage in behavior critics call predatory. That's why Jay Speer at the Virginia Poverty Law Center worked with lawmakers to create new restrictions on debt collectors.