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Va. teacher salaries increase, but there is much left to do
Virginia’s leaders don’t strive for a middling commitment to economic development, transportation, law enforcement or any other government responsibility that shapes the state’s quality of life. But the middle is precisely where the commonwealth lands in a new national ranking of teacher salaries — signaling a need to expand major initiatives in recent years to boost classroom pay. Average teacher salaries in Virginia increased 5.1% in 2023-24 and 3% in 2024-25, but the average pay in the state last year — $66,327 — still ranks 26th in the nation ...
Martinsville administration defends city bank card charges
A city council meeting last week has resulted in the disclosure of bank card expenses from city officials showing thousands of dollars in travel, hotel stays, food, and conferences, including trips to Las Vegas and luxury resorts. Bank card statements, downloaded by the Martinsville Bulletin from a publicly available folder on the city of Martinsville’s OneDrive SharePoint server, contain redacted monthly statements from Bank of America from January 2024 through March of this year. City Councilman Aaron Rawls requested the statements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and shared them with the Bulletin.
Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has diversified, bolstered Southwest Virginia's economy
Businesses assisted by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority had an $8.4 billion direct impact on Southwest Virginia’s economy in 2024 and were responsible for over 28,000 jobs. Those were among the findings of a new study by Chmura Economics & Analytics, commissioned by VCEDA. The authority, which is based in Lebanon, Virginia, was created in 1988 by the Virginia General Assembly to enhance and diversify the economic base of Southwest Virginia’s coal-producing region as coal’s impact diminished.
Richmond City Council dismisses head of city’s top watchdog office, texts show
Richmond’s top watchdog — Inspector General Jim Osuna — has been relieved of his duties, according to texts exchanged between Osuna and 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell. The inspector general's office reports to the Council and conducts internal investigations into allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in city government. For example, Osuna recently spearheaded the probe of the city's Office of Elections, and identified fraudulent use of city funds by former Registrar Keith Balmer, who later resigned. The revelation comes after City Council met at 4 p.m. Monday for a closed session to discuss “consideration of the performance of a Council appointee.” A person familiar with the situation told The Times-Dispatch that the group agreed not to move forward with Osuna.
223 Richmond taxpayers were sent inflated car tax bills
When Bill Gay received the personal property tax bill for his 2004 BMW convertible, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Last year, the 21-year-old car had been assessed at $2,350, Gay told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Monday evening. This year’s assessment? $43,793. . . . Gay is among multiple Richmond residents who own older vehicles and suddenly find themselves facing surging assessments. Some of those residents have contacted the city’s Department of Finance to have their bills adjusted. Others haven’t yet been able to get in touch with anyone who can help. But they all have one thing in common: nobody has explained to them what, exactly, led to the absurd hikes.
Fall election will help determine the fate of constitutional amendments
Changing the Virginia Constitution is difficult by design. A proposed amendment must twice pass the General Assembly — doing so in consecutive terms — before voters decide if it will be enshrined in the commonwealth’s governing document. Lawmakers began that process in January by advancing three amendments mostly along party lines, with the Democratic majority approving measures that Republicans largely opposed. The fate of those proposals hinge on November’s election, lending greater weight to the decisions voters will make this fall.
Plastic recycling company coming to Pittsylvania County, bringing 28 new jobs
A start-up plastic recycling company is coming to Pittsylvania County and bringing 28 new jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday morning. Green Recycle USA will invest $4.3 million to launch in an existing warehouse in Pittsylvania County, a news release reported. ... The company plans to collect industrial plastic waste and through a recycling process and convert it into raw material. That will be used to make new products to be sold to be used in things packaging materials for automotive parts, construction materials and consumer goods. “We are proud to welcome Green Recycle to the commonwealth,” Youngkin said.
Bowser cautions as council members look to renegotiate ‘delicate’ RFK Stadium site deal
The $1 billion in public funds attached to a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site worries detractors like D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, as does the $1 per year rent payment that the Washington Commanders would pay. “My initial sense is that the deal is very, very, very favorable to the Commanders,” Mr. Mendelson said last week. “It’s nice to be supportive of the Commanders, but this is a taxpayer expense.” Without lawmakers like Mr. Mendelson on board, the fate of the NFL franchise’s move back to the District remains up in the air.
Virginia House Speaker Scott joins national Democratic campaign board
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, is joining the board of directors of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), the national party’s state-level strategy arm, just as Virginia enters one of its most consequential election years in recent memory. The DLCC will draw on Scott’s experience — alongside that of six other new board members from around the country — to help shape its plans to support state legislative races this year and beyond.
Manassas GOP Calls for Action on Jail’s Immigration Policy Ahead of Meeting
The Manassas City Republican Committee is calling on residents to fill the room at the next Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail Board meeting, pushing for the jail to renew its 287(g) immigration enforcement partnership with federal authorities. . . . The city’s Republican committee says the jail’s decision to end the 287(g) program in 2020 amounts to a “sanctuary” policy, a claim they say was confirmed by Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office. The group is calling for full cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to process all undocumented immigrants charged with crimes.