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Energy demands, regulations and federal funding challenge Virginia Clean Economy Act
In July 2020, the Virginia Clean Economy Act went into effect, setting the commonwealth on a path towards zero-emissions in its energy production by 2050. The lofty goals were designed to combat climate change and prepare Virginia to fulfill future electricity demands. Now as the state grapples with energy needs that have expanded since the passage of the bill — and with looming changes to federal energy policy — there are questions about if, and how, the law should be changed.
Virginia senators seek injunction against seating 8 rejected BOV appointees
Nine Democratic state senators are asking a Fairfax County circuit judge to fast-track a preliminary injunction that would prevent three Virginia universities from installing rejected board of visitor appointees, the latest salvo in the senators’ war with the Republican Youngkin administration. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Virginia state senators filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against George Mason University Rector Charles Stimson, University of Virginia Rector Rachel W. Sheridan and Thomas E. Gottwald, who was previously president of Virginia Military Institute‘s board, from recognizing eight people whom Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed to the three schools’ boards but were rejected in June by a Senate committee.
Warner, Kaine say GOP budget bill would strip insurance from 323,000 Virginians
Virginia’s two Democratic senators voted against a Republican budget package that passed the Senate Tuesday morning in a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after an all-night session. The nearly 1,000-page legislation now returns to the House where its passage remains uncertain. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released a joint statement opposing the measure. “Today, Republicans jammed through a partisan megabill that slashes Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Americans rely on in order to pay for massive tax breaks to the very rich,” the senators said.
Virginia’s Republican statewide ticket rallies together
Hundreds of supporters packed into what became an uncomfortably warm, standing-room only event Tuesday night at the Volunteer Fire Department in Vienna to watch the Republican statewide ticket appear together for the first time. For an event billed as a unifying moment for the Republican nominees, who got off to a rocky start this year, the candidates did not themselves dwell for very long on their ticket-mates. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Attorney General Jason Miyares and conservative radio host John Reid, who are running for governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor, appeared on stage together for less than a minute at the end of the two-hour long rally.
Court rules talk-based conversion therapy is legal in Virginia
A Henrico County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday ordered that licensed counselors be allowed to engage underage clients in a controversial form of talk therapy about gender identity and sexual orientation that medical and mental health experts say can be harmful. The case underpinning the new consent decree with the Virginia Department of Health Professions stemmed from a 2020 state law banning “any practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” Last year, Front Royal-based counselors John and Janet Raymond challenged the ban.
GOP nominees share stage, but not unity
All three Republican statewide nominees appeared at the same event for the first time on Tuesday night in Vienna — but tensions appear to remain between gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears and lieutenant governor nominee John Reid. Reid said he is committed to helping Earle-Sears win in November, but she did not mention him during her speech and did not publicly interact with him after the event. While ignoring Reid, Earle-Sears advocated for attendees to support House of Delegates candidates and the Republican nominee for the Eleventh Congressional District’s election.
At Northern Va. rally, GOP statewide ticket shows unity after months of party turmoil
After months of infighting that exposed deep fractures within the Virginia GOP, the party’s three statewide candidates appeared together for the first time Tuesday evening, projecting a message of unity at a packed rally in Vienna. The event at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department drew more than 500 supporters and marked a public effort to move past a bitter dispute that erupted this spring when Gov. Glenn Youngkin privately asked John Reid, the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor, to withdraw from the race.
Trump nominates Gilbert for U.S. attorney job in Western Virginia
President Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, a former state prosecutor and speaker and minority leader of Virginia’s House of Delegates, to become the next U.S. attorney for the western half of the state. Trump selected Gilbert to serve, subject to Senate confirmation, for the next four years.
Grieving mother joins AG in challenging Virginia's early release policy
Virginia's enhanced earned sentence credits program is facing scrutiny as victims' families join Attorney General Jason Miyares in calling for reform, while supporters defend the initiative as an effective rehabilitation tool. Before 2020, offenders in Virginia were required to serve 85% of their sentences. However, a law passed by the General Assembly and signed by former Governor Ralph Northam changed this requirement, allowing inmates to earn up to 180 days off their sentence for each year served, effectively reducing their time to about 66% of the original sentence.
Virginia AG says enforcing Virginia’s ban on ‘ex-gay therapy’ for minors would violate religious freedoms
Virginia’s attorney general office says it won't enforce the state’s ban on so-called ‘ex-gay therapy’ for minors. The notice comes after a consent decree was announced between the state and a Front Royal County counselor who wanted to engage in the practice. “For five years, Virginia’s children struggling over gender confusion and sexuality have been left without professional help,” said Victoria Cobb with the Family Foundation of Virginia announcing a new agreement with the Virginia Attorney General’s office. It would block any enforcement of the Commonwealth’s five-year-old ban on so-called “ex-gay” therapy for minors.