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No shortage of opinions on Youngkin’s EV decision
In the week following Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s decision to scrap electric vehicle regulations designed by a California environmental board, there were no shortage of opinions on the topic. “It’s literally dangerous, we are going backward by doing that,” said Arif Sikder, an associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. “If other states decided to do the same thing, it’s going to cause more danger for public health [and] global warming.” Youngkin unveiled the decision on June 6 at a Chester car dealership, just one day after the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board met. With it, he is reversing guidelines that the General Assembly adopted in 2021.
Glenn Youngkin Hears the Clock Ticking
Interested in hearing about Glenn Youngkin’s political ambitions beyond Virginia? Good luck getting him to talk. “My future is going to be defined,” he told me here recently, “by continuing to stay focused on being the best governor I could possibly be.” After last fall’s state legislative elections ended in a whimper for Virginia Republicans, Youngkin has faded somewhat from a national media conversation that now revolves almost exclusively around the presidential race. Virginia bars governors from serving consecutive terms. Youngkin’s ends in January 2026, and he hears the clock ticking. “We just have a tremendous sense of urgency on everything that we’re working on,” Youngkin says … For now, Youngkin says, he’s keeping the focus on his day job, helping Donald Trump and other Republicans win in 2024 and continuing to sell conservatism with a smile, all while staying true to his brand.
Virginia Senate to convene Tuesday to discuss military tuition program
The Virginia Senate will reconvene Tuesday to address recent changes to a state program that covers higher education costs for some military families, Senate Democrats announced in a release. In the recently approved budget, lawmakers scaled back the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program to lighten the cost burden on state colleges and universities after program participation increased exponentially over the last four years.
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.
Richmond registrar violated city policies on nepotism, internal investigation finds
Richmond Registrar Keith Balmer and Deputy Registrar Jerry Richardson violated city policies on ethics and employing family members, an internal investigation by the city’s Department of Human Resources has concluded. The violations require “immediate departmental restructuring” within the Richmond Office of Elections, investigators said in the probe’s findings, which were submitted Tuesday to the Richmond Electoral Board and the Virginia Department of Elections.
Cannabist Co. opening 11th Va. dispensary in eastern Henrico
The Cannabist Company will open its 11th Virginia dispensary in eastern Henrico County, the group announced this week. The store will be called Cannabist Richmond and will be available to medically approved patients. Cannabist Richmond will open at 4320 S. Laburnum Ave. in the Laburnum Park shopping center near Interstate 64. “The company’s commitment to patient access, education and community engagement remains at the forefront of its expansion efforts,” said Jesse Channon, its president.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin visits Suffolk, touts signing of 31 mental health-related bills
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin paid a visit to Hampton Roads Thursday, promoting 31 bills recently signed into law, all with the goal of improving mental health care. He touted the 31 bipartisan bills during a ceremony at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board facility in Suffolk. Among them is the newly-signed “Irvo’s Law,” named after Irvo Otieno, 28, who died in custody last March after a mental health crisis. Otieno’s mother, Caroline Ouko joined the ceremony Thursday, saying Gov. Youngkin “kept his promise” in establishing legislation after her son’s death.
Trump backs Hogan in Md., teases Va. Gov. Youngkin as potential running mate
Donald Trump said he will support longtime critic Republican Larry Hogan in the Maryland Senate race, putting to rest speculation that the former president would attack Hogan — and delighting Democrats eager to keep the must-win seat in their hands. When asked about Hogan, Trump told Fox News on Thursday that Republicans have “got to take the majority” and that he would “like to see him win. … When asked in the same Fox interview with Aishah Hasnie about Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), Trump said he “could consider” making Youngkin his running mate — though it was in breezy comments that he contradicted ...
Loudoun approves first all-affordable multifamily via fast-track pilot
Loudoun County on Wednesday approved rezoning for a 100% affordable multifamily project, part of a pilot program aimed at fast-tracking review of applications that promise attainable homes. The project calls for 80 below-market rate attached units on 3.1-acres in Sterling. The property is near the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Magnolia Road adjacent to Northrop Grumman’s campus.
Warren County Democrats Host Sen. Kaine, 6th District Candidate at Pre-Primary Event
You may be a minority in your home community, but in statewide and national elections every vote is very important. That was one of the messages conveyed by Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine during a luncheon gathering ...