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Washington County supervisors approve solar framework regulations
Washington County, Virginia officials on Tuesday approved a revised ordinance governing any future solar operations there. ... The ordinance incorporates state law language which provides “any locality may grant a special exception permit” and include in its zoning ordinance “reasonable regulations and provisions for a special exception for any solar photovoltaic (electric energy) project or energy storage project ... Expanding the solar ordinance comes as a Texas-based company, Catalyst Energy Partners, is seeking a special exception permit from the Washington County Planning Commission.
Virginia House and Senate will take up military tuition benefit on different days
For much of the past week, some Virginia political leaders have been conveying a message that the General Assembly will undo a recent policy change that angered military families. But it became clear Thursday that the state Senate and House of Delegates haven’t agreed yet on a way out of the controversy surrounding the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. The program waives college tuition expenses for spouses and children of military members who were killed or severely disabled as a result of their service. Senate leaders announced their chamber will return to Richmond on June 18, which is 10 days before the June 28 date the House had already selected. That schedule raises numerous logistical questions about what might happen if the two legislative chambers meet on different days to try to pass different bills on the same topic.
In Arlington’s race to become carbon neutral, some residents seeking green upgrades feel left behind
Arlington is rolling out a series of green initiatives, pouring millions into revamping its public infrastructure. However, climate activists caution that the county’s current strategy might fall short of achieving its goal of countywide carbon neutrality by 2050, as it addresses only a tiny fraction of the county’s overall emissions.
Va. Senate to return next week to address military education benefits
The Virginia Senate will return to special session on Tuesday — 10 days earlier than previously announced — to consider a new legislative proposal that would exempt some military families from pending changes in eligibility for educational benefits at public colleges and universities under a state program that waives tuition for survivors and dependents of military veterans either killed or almost fully disabled on active duty. The surprise announcement by the Senate Democratic Caucus on Thursday sets up a potential confrontation with Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other members of the General Assembly, including some Democrats ...
Yancey: 3 questions that Tuesday’s primaries will answer
Elections don’t just tell us who has won and who has lost. They also help us answer questions. Here are some questions that Tuesday’s primaries across Virginia will help answer — at least for a while. What kind of Republican Party do Republicans want? The marquee race is the 5th District Republican primary, where state Sen. John McGuire of Goochland County is challenging Rep. Bob Good of Campbell County. Much of this race has been around who is the stronger supporter of former President Donald Trump. Trump himself has endorsed McGuire and called Good “bad for Virginia.”
Clary: Who’s the fairest ‘liberal’ of all? It’s not Good, or McGuire
I started this summer as I normally do — binge-watching a classic American program while chipping away at other projects. “How I Met Your Mother” was the sitcom of choice. ... I didn’t expect to confront the harsh reality of political grandstanding in today’s partisan climate. But, alas, here we are. ... What does any of this have to do with “How I Met Your Mother”? Virtually nothing. It was the ads that brought me to this point. They were everywhere.
Decision to ditch the Virginia School Boards Association sparks public protest
On May 20th, the Orange County Board of Education met, and without notifying the public or allowing the community to comment, voted to leave the Virginia School Boards Association. Member Darlene Dawson said she had attended a VSBA event and was not happy. “They lobby for many things that I, on principle, stand against,” she explains. “If you try to disagree with them they will shut you down. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve listened to recordings where they mock our governor and anyone who holds a conservative viewpoint, which I’ve been very clear that I do.”
Spotsylvania supervisors elect to opt out of Regional Transportation Authority
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night to approve a resolution allowing the county to opt out of a Regional Transportation Authority. The supervisors voted 5-1 to approve the resolution with only Battlefield District representative Chris Yakabouski voting against it. “I think we need to move something forward, and I would challenge my board in the most respectful way of, it not this, then what?” Yakabouski said. “How are we going to do these things?” An RTA would involve Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, and Stafford counties and the city of Fredericksburg.
Alumna launches GoFundMe in response to University of Lynchburg’s academic and staff cuts
The University of Lynchburg recently announced plans to cut 17 academic programs and eliminate 80 jobs, a decision that has not been well received by the university community. The cuts have sparked significant outrage, particularly among alumni and staff. Barbara Yauss, a 2020 alumna, has responded by launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise over $270,000. Her goal is to donate the funds to the university on the condition that the president and vice president step down.
Virginia Hasn’t Backed a Republican for President in Two Decades. Is It About to Flip?
Whether Virginia backs Donald Trump or Joe Biden shouldn’t even be a discussion. The state hasn’t backed a Republican for president since George W. Bush in 2004. But early polls showing Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, cutting into the Democratic president’s lead have served as a wake-up call for Virginia Democrats, who acknowledge headwinds with voters dissatisfied with Biden’s leadership. Republicans say that if Virginia is even remotely on the table for Trump, Biden is in serious trouble in traditional battleground states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.