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Va. GOP House incumbent Kim Taylor outraised opponent in reporting period
The latest campaign finance reports show Republican House of Delegates incumbent Kim Taylor raised more money in the most recent recording period than Democratic challenger Kimberly Pope Adams, but Pope Adams’ cash-on-hand amount remains almost three times that of Taylor’s. ... Taylor and Pope Adams are vying for the 82nd House District seat that stretches from eastern Dinwiddie County to Surry County, and includes all of the city of Petersburg. It is a rerun of the tightly fought 2023 race that saw Taylor win re-election by a whisker-thin 53 votes over Pope Adams after a recount.
$2.2M Spent By Democrats In 11th District Congressional Primary
Democratic Party candidates who ran in the June 28 firehouse primary in the 11th District congressional race reported spending more than $2.2 million on their campaigns. That's about $339,000 more than they raised in political donations, according to the latest financial filings with the Federal Election Commission. Nine Democratic candidates reported receiving a combined $1,949,763.60 in donations for the primary, but spent a total of $2,288,768.21.
State Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Dulles Greenway Rate Hikes
The Supreme Court of Virginia today upheld the State Corporation Commission’s denial of rate increases sought by the owners of the Dulles Greenway last year. The company applied to raise tolls on two-axle vehicles on the highway to $8.10 during rush hour and $6.40 in off-peak hours. Currently, the toll is $5.80 in peak hours and $5.25 in off-peak hours. The SCC in September denied the request, finding that the higher rates would “materially discourage use of the Greenway” and were “contrary to the public interest” in violation of a state law enacted by the General Assembly.
Elections agency stays mum on campaign finance audit
No one involved in Virginia’s first campaign finance audit, released earlier this month, has yet to declare the process a success. Some of the seven local candidates included in the audit say they were not given the courtesy to review any deficiencies before the report was released to the public. The law’s patron is reserving judgment until he learns more from the Department of Elections, which paid $122,000 to a Maryland-based consulting firm hired to conduct the audits.
Tweak campaign finance law to boost accountability in Va.
For years, Virginia has largely operated under the premise that everyone who runs for public office in the state is a fine, upstanding citizen who meticulously and accurately reports all campaign contributions and explains precisely where the money went. It’s Virginia, after all, where honor and integrity course through the veins of our distinguished, selfless leaders. Well, maybe. But a bit of salient advice from the late Ronald Reagan also pops to mind: “Trust but verify.” Three years ago, the General Assembly wisely passed a bill to add a layer of verification to all that trust. From now on, all candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general will have their campaign finances reports audited by an independent firm ...
Virginia takes steps to bring advanced nuclear reactor to Wise County
As Virginia wrestles with high energy demands and deadlines to switch to zero-carbon emission energy production, Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week announced funding to take the first steps towards building an advanced nuclear reactor in the southwest region of the state. Wise County is the focus of a combined grant of $197,500 to search for private investment and federal funding to prepare the area for an advanced nuclear reactor. The area will be studied to find what kind of advanced nuclear reactor would best serve the region, how it would be funded, and if it could be used for research and power at the University of Virginia Wise.
Prince Edward County has to pay back state after missing deadline
Back in January 2020, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) agreed to give Prince Edward County $650,000. This was to be used to build a new access road to the Prince Edward County Business Park. There was one stipulation, however. In order for the money in this program to remain a grant, the CTB requires counties to show investment within a specific timeline. “In our case, we have to document $3.25 million worth of investment in the park,” Prince Edward County Administrator Doug Stanley said. Speaking to the board of supervisors during their Tuesday, July 8 meeting, Stanley said the county had been given five years by the CTB to produce that $3.25 million in investment. That time is up and the county has not met the requirement.
McClellan wants answers on ICE raids in Chesterfield
A Virginia congresswoman is asking the Trump Administration to explain why Immigration & Customs Enforcement officers showed up unannounced at the courthouse in Chesterfield County and detained 15 people who were there on court business. In a July 16 letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, accused the administration of “eroding trust in law enforcement and the judicial system” by going after people complying with the law rather than breaking it.
Warner: Trump’s foreign aid cuts hand China global influence ‘for pennies on the dollar’
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) sharply criticized the Trump administration’s successful effort to cut $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, warning that the reductions will damage America’s global influence and national security interests. Speaking to Virginia media Thursday (July 17), Senator Warner said the Senate’s late-night passage of what’s known as a rescission package represents a dangerous retreat from decades of American leadership worldwide. The legislation strips about $8 billion from foreign assistance programs and more than $1 billion from public broadcasting.
Youngkin and Framatome leaders officially open $50 million Lynchburg expansion
Framatome celebrated the opening of its $50 million expansion in Lynchburg Thursday, a development that promises to bring 500 new jobs to the area. Governor Glenn Youngkin and Framatome leaders spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Governor Youngkin emphasized the significance of such expansions for the state's economic growth.