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‘Lagging’ forecast for Virginia’s economy as feds point to shrinking GDP
More economic data from the federal government and local economists indicates Virginia may be part of a slowing economy. The US Commerce Department said on Wednesday in an advance estimate that the gross domestic product decreased by 0.3%, mostly driven by an increase in imports and a decrease in government spending. The numbers are for the national economy at large and not Virginia specifically, which has recently seen mixed economic indicators. But the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center said earlier this week in a forecast that it saw the commonwealth’s economy “lagging” in 2025.
Richmond mayor slashes city credit card use after scandals
Mayor Avula announced Wednesday that he's cracking down on how government employees use city-issued credit cards following some questionable purchases. Avula has previously acknowledged wanting to rebuild the fractured public trust in City Hall, which has stemmed partly from how taxpayer dollars are spent. In a release, Avula said the number of city-issued credit cards (known as p-cards) will drop from 320 to about 60 by next Friday. The only allowable purchases, per Avula, are those needed for public health and safety reasons.
Youngkin aide defends against Reid extortion claim
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s top political aide said Wednesday that the campaign manager for GOP lieutenant governor nominee John Reid privately acknowledged he was aware of a social media account containing racy images that led Youngkin to urge Reid to leave the race — but which Reid has said he knew nothing about. Youngkin political adviser Matthew Moran included the statement in an affidavit responding to Reid’s accusation that Moran’s actions amounted to extortion, the latest escalation in the unusual spat between the state’s leading Republican and one of his party’s major nominees in an election year.
Yancey: Is it over? 8 more things to know about the John Reid controversy.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin blinked. Then Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears blinked. That’s my read on the past 48 hours in Virginia politics as the controversy over Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid may now have reached its end point with Reid still very much on the party’s ticket. In case you’ve been blissfully out in the woods without Wi-Fi for the past week, here’s the briefest of recaps: Last Thursday, Youngkin became aware of a social media account with Reid’s longtime screen name that since at least 2014 has been posting photos of nude male models. On Friday, Youngkin told Reid he should drop out of the race.
Virginia gas plant progresses despite opposition
In response to increasing energy demand because of extreme weather and the rapid growth of data centers, Dominion Energy plans to build a natural gas plant in Chesterfield, Va. But the nearby community, which was home to a coal plant for almost 80 years and currently lives near two existing gas plants, has resisted the project for months, citing concerns about air quality. Still, Dominion Energy is one step closer to building the new plant after applying in early March for a Certificate of Public Convenience from the State Corporation Commission, which evaluates utility projects’ costs and rationales for increasing rates. Dominion expects to go before the commission in November.
Top Youngkin strategist breaks silence, denies Reid’s extortion claims as GOP feud continues
Matt Moran, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s top political strategist and head of the Spirit of Virginia PAC, broke his silence Wednesday evening, rejecting accusations that he tried to pressure GOP lieutenant governor nominee John Reid out of the race and declaring that “facts matter.” Less than two hours before Reid was set to appear solo at a GOP rally in Henrico County after Youngkin canceled the event originally scheduled for the entire statewide Republican slate, Moran took to social media to push back on what he called “unfounded” claims and released a sworn affidavit along with a pointed legal letter from his attorney.
Virginia congressmen dispute future cuts to Medicaid
Two members of Virginia’s congressional delegation discussed future Medicaid cuts this week. As rumors of over $800 million in cuts swirl, Republican Morgan Griffith downplayed concerns, while Democrat Don Beyer warned of people losing their health care. Virginia’s 9th District Republican Congressman Griffith said rumors of big cuts to Medicaid were overblown. Instead, he told a crowd in Abingdon recently that upcoming changes to the program that serves nearly two million Virginians would target “increases on growth,” remove the undocumented from the rolls and block what he said was an expected $1.4 billion in future spending on “transgender surgeries for minors.”
Rappahannock Area United Way to Close
Shock. Remorse. Respect. Well wishes. These were just some of the responses from local community leaders to the Rappahannock United Way’s announcement on Wednesday that it would cease operations on June 30. Several local leaders said that they were stunned by the news and shared reactions similar to that of Brisben Center CEO David Cooper. “I was shocked by the news that the Rappahannock United Way was closing at the end of June,” Cooper told the Advance over the phone. The organization’s “impact on the Brisben Center has been significant over the years ..."
‘Forever chemicals’ in sludge fertilizer resisted in Va., Md.
The glass of water that Jennifer Campagne draws from her kitchen faucet looks clear and clean. But ever since she had her household well tested and found “forever chemicals” in it, she’s leery of using it, even to make coffee. Campagne lives in a small cinderblock cottage in Hague, Va., on the overwhelmingly rural Northern Neck between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. There are no nearby military bases, fire houses, factories or other likely sources of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, detected in her well. There is, though, a farm field about 30 yards from her home where “biosolids,” or treated sewage sludge, has been spread as fertilizer for corn and soybeans.
National ranking shows despite hike, Virginia teachers’ pay is stagnant compared to other states
From last year to now, Virginia raised teacher pay by an average of $3,000. Still, the commonwealth’s average pay rate for educators remains stagnant compared to other states, according to the latest salary report published by the National Education Association. The commonwealth dropped by one spot to 26th, paying teachers an average of $66,327, an increase from a year ago. Virginia’s average teacher pay is $5,703 below the national average of $72,030, the NEA report states. Education leaders and lawmakers in the commonwealth said inflation and investments are some of the factors contributing to mixed results in the national salary report.