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Roanoke equity board meets in ‘stealth mode’
Members of Roanoke’s Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board are wondering how to continue their work when such concepts are under scrutiny from the federal government. Information about and documents relating to the equity board are gone from the city website, replaced by an error message. . . . Nonetheless, Roanoke’s equity board — comprised of volunteer citizen members who have a constitutional right to assemble — met Thursday night at the Melrose branch library, joined briefly by Mayor Joe Cobb, as well as the elephant in the room.
Too much fluoride? It just might be what RVA needs
Sometimes, getting lost in the shuffle isn't such a bad thing. Early last week, with the news cycle consumed by D.C. dumpster fires and the Virginia GOP's political cannibalism, City Hall's latest blunder largely went unnoticed: Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities, while installing a new fluoride pump at the city’s beleaguered water treatment plant, accidentally dumped too much of the cavity-fighting, dentist-recommended mineral into the public drinking water on April 23. And then didn’t tell anyone — for five days.
Schapiro: A little word from yesterday has big meaning today
Tim Kaine, Virginia’s Minnesota-born, Kansas-raised junior U.S. senator, rarely passes on an opportunity to share his adoptive state’s story with others. That’s because the Democrat believes that there are lessons for the nation — good and bad — that spring from the state where it was born. In a speech at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and in an op-ed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, both pegged to the fast-approaching 250th anniversary of American independence, Kaine focused on Virginia’s motto, one as old as the republic: Sic Semper Tyrannis — Latin for “Thus always to tyrants” or “Ever thus to tyrants.” Kaine implied that its spirit should guide public and political resistance to President Donald Trump.
Aborted landings due to Army helicopter near Reagan airport ‘unacceptable,’ top official says
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday that it is “unacceptable” that two commercial aircraft had to abort landings at a Washington airport this week because of an Army Black Hawk helicopter that was flying to the Pentagon. In addition to the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigating what happened Thursday afternoon at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Duffy said he plans to talk to the Department of Defense to determine why rules were “disregarded.”
Davidson: Cancer will stop a staunch congressional friend of federal employees
Rep. Gerry Connolly is a consistent man. Every two years since 2017, at the beginning of each Congress, the Virginia Democrat has introduced legislation promoting pay raises for federal employees. The legislation never passed, but the bills demonstrated and symbolized Connolly’s unwavering commitment to federal employees, while providing them fuel for political action. As actions against federal employees by Republicans and President Donald Trump grew, so did Connolly’s vociferous opposition. Now, feds and Connolly’s constituents won’t have him fighting for them for much longer.
Youngkin vetoes contraception, Confederate tax bills again
Gov. Glenn Youngkin added to his record score of vetoes Friday, killing 38 more bills and bringing his total to 437 for his term. His vetoes included the General Assembly’s second effort to guarantee a right to contraception (House Bill 1716 and Senate Bill 1105) as well as the legislature’s replay of a measure to end a tax break for Confederate organizations (House Bill 1699). Youngkin vetoed the bills after the General Assembly rejected his proposed changes to those measures.
Youngkin cuts $900 million from amended Virginia budget ahead of economic uncertainty
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said on Friday that he would trim Virginia’s budget by $900 million in light of next year’s tax revenue projections, which could decrease as the White House’s reshaping of federal spending spurs economic uncertainty in the state. At a news conference, Youngkin announced he had signed the bipartisan budget bill adopted in February by the Virginia General Assembly but vetoed 37 line items, winnowing state spending to create a rainy day cushion.
Youngkin carves out $900 million from budget as Virginia prepares for Trump-era uncertainty
What began as a session focused on how to spend Virginia’s projected multi-billion surplus has ended with Gov. Glenn Youngkin yanking nearly $900 million out of the state budget — bracing for the economic aftershocks of President Donald Trump’s new administration. At the start of the 2025 legislative session both Youngkin and members of Virginia’s General Assembly had their eyes on how best to use the windfall. But after Trump took office in late January, Youngkin announced Friday that he was setting aside a $900 million cushion to prepare for potential federal impacts.
Youngkin trims $900 million from Virginia budget to hedge Trump actions
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) will use his line-item veto to cut some $900 million out of the state budget approved this year by the Virginia General Assembly and keep that money in reserve against any downturns caused by President Donald Trump’s reductions of the federal workforce, cuts to federal spending and increases in trade tariffs. Most of Youngkin’s cuts will come from one-time capital improvement projects at the state’s colleges and universities, but he said they can be restored next year if the fiscal climate permits. He said construction had not begun on any of the projects.
Becca Glover replaces head of Youngkin’s PAC amid GOP scandal
Becca Glover, the former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Youngkin, has taken over as executive director of the governor's PAC. It comes less than 24 hours after multiple outlets reported that Matt Moran, who has long held the role, was stepping down following a scandal that has been rocking the Virginia GOP this past week. Youngkin said Glover, who left the administration last January, will lead the Spirit of Virginia PAC in a Friday press briefing. ... It's unclear if the role is a permanent change, as some outlets reported that Moran was only "temporarily" removing himself from Youngkin's PAC.