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Youngkin administration touts Virginia economy as Senate Democrats, GOP spar over ‘Big, Beautiful’ budget cuts
Members of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration offered an optimistic view of the commonwealth’s finances Wednesday morning, but senators from both parties disputed what future cuts could lead to next year. Youngkin’s Secretary of Finance Stephen Cummings told the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday [that] Virginia collected over $1.5 billion in additional revenues last month, a sign that the Commonwealth’s economy remains healthy. ... But Democratic Senator Barbara Favola expressed concerns about how state revenues could be impacted once President Donald Trump’s budget bill gets passed and cuts to assistance programs kick in.
Democrats to launch ‘Worst of Winsome’ tour in Charlottesville
If being behind in the polls and fundraising weren't bad enough for Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears' campaign for governor, a new "Worst of Winsome" tour launches this Friday and will be criss-crossing the commonwealth for days. The Virginia Democratic Party will be launching the tour Friday in Charlottesville. A coinciding website, www.worstofwinsome.com, has already gone live. ... The tour is not directly connected to the campaign of Earle-Sears' Democratic opponent, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th. Amjad said the project is a product of the state Democratic Party.
Virginia Rep. Griffith on deportations: ‘I’m fine with people who want to share the American dream’
Debate has been tense about which undocumented immigrants should be prioritized for deportation, even within Republican circles. News Channel 11 spoke with Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith in Bristol on Wednesday, and while the discussion centered around the federal spending bill, the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the Ninth District Republican said he believes broad-based raids on farms, clothing factories and hotels could take a back seat, at least for now. After a directive to back off raids on farms and hotels late last week, Homeland Security is reported to have reverted to the previous order early this week.
Rep. Griffith supports ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ says pros outweigh cons
Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-9th) told News Channel 11 he’s solidly behind the federal spending “Big, Beautiful Bill” — despite a few concerns — and believes it could unleash economic growth in Southwest Virginia due to some of its regulatory and energy-related components. From the potential for energy and data center jobs coming to the area to eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and accelerating business depreciation, Griffith said the pros outweigh the cons of higher debts and deficits on a measure that’s passed the House and is being debated in the Senate.
Virginia advocates, officials push for worker protections from heat
With summer officially kicking off on Friday, elected officials and worker advocates are pushing for more state legislation aimed to support people who have to work outside in the hot temperatures. ... “This is an urgent issue because this affects mainly low wage workers who often don’t have a choice but to go to work … under these extreme heat conditions to be able to make a living,” said Ramón Zepeda Ramos, Economic Justice Organizer of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
Ohio-based hospital chain with facilities in Virginia said to profiteer from massive charity-care program
Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health describes itself as a “ministry” that seeks to serve “the poor, dying and underserved.” However, it’s one of two Ohio “nonprofit” hospital systems to face scrutiny from Congress over the huge amounts it’s raking in from a federal program meant to subsidize care for the poor.
On Juneteenth, Williamsburg Schoolhouse to Find New Life
The building with a forgotten past sat on the campus of William & Mary for nearly a century. It served as the home of the military science department at the college in Williamsburg, Va., and before that, a women’s dormitory. But its story is even older. In 2020, researchers discovered that it was not just a facet of the historic campus, but a rare artifact in the history of Black life in colonial America. About 250 years ago, the unassuming structure housed the Williamsburg Bray School, making it the oldest known building where enslaved and free Black children were formally educated. Since the discovery, the Bray School has been fully restored. It will open to the public on Thursday — Juneteenth — in Colonial Williamsburg ...
Early findings from state studies reveal growing pharmacy and transportation challenges in Virginia
Pharmacy closures and transportation barriers are making it harder for Virginians, especially those in rural communities, to access health care. On Wednesday, staff with the Joint Commission on Health Care presented preliminary findings from two studies that could shape policy discussions in next year’s General Assembly session. The studies focused on pharmacy deserts and the challenges Virginians face getting to medical appointments. Researchers drew on state data as well as on insights from interviews with pharmacists and community leaders.
Youngkin advocates ‘commonsense’ in November following Virginia primaries
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) highlighted the impending elections across Virginia, urging voters to support “our Commonsense Team” this November. Virginia’s primary election day on Tuesday saw the Democratic Party select its candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Following the Republican Party’s surprise victory in the 2021 elections, Youngkin said that “the teams are now set” before Election Day on Nov. 4, stressing that “the future of Virginia is on the line.”
Sparks fly and Trump talk heats up after Virginia primary
Political fireworks erupted across the state after Virginia’s high-stakes Tuesday primaries, with top candidates wasting no time going on offense slamming their opponents, invoking President Donald Trump, and setting the tone for what’s expected to be a bruising general election. Democratic nominee for Attorney General Jay Jones lit the match Tuesday night, telling supporters that Trump is still pulling strings in Virginia politics.