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Charlottesville lawyers reaffirm oath to courts, constitutions and rule of law
On a day when hundreds of others were protesting the Trump administration with shouts and placards in front of the Albemarle County Office Building, a group of lawyers assembled inside the Charlottesville Courthouse for a quieter statement of principles. Last Thursday, roughly 30 lawyers reaffirmed their oath to uphold the founding documents of the state and country. . . . Dugger said she got the blessing of the Virginia Supreme Court to participate in the reaffirmation ceremony, part of National Law Day of Action, a series of similar events around the county organized by Lawyers for Good Government Foundation, a nonprofit organization representing more than 125,000 lawyers and advocates dedicated to protecting human rights and providing equal justice under law.
The future of Metro is the bus—and Virginia is on board
The D.C. public transportation system is set to expand dramatically over the next 20 years. But aside from the long-delayed Purple Line, new train tracks aren’t part of the plan. Leaders in and around the Metro system are putting their energy behind the less-loved side of transit: the bus. In June, Metro rolls out its new “Better Bus Network,” remaking the existing system with fewer stops and promises of faster service. Northern Virginia leaders just proposed 28 new bus routes, five of which are already in the works.
Powers, Spanberger oppose state forcing solar projects on localities
Bedford County resident Joy Powers, who is running as a Democrat for Virginia’s House 51st district, in a news release Monday said she joins gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger to “firmly reject the idea that Virginia Democrats support mandating solar projects on unwilling localities.” The release said Powers, who is running against Del. Eric Zehr, R-Campbell, makes the comments in response to recent public debate over solar zoning, stating she calls for “facts over fear, and leadership over political drama.” The district includes portions of Bedford, Campbell and Pittsylvania counties.
Max: Medicine tariffs would put Virginia patients in jeopardy
The Trump administration recently imposed a new round of tariffs targeting imported goods from the European Union, China and dozens of other countries in its ongoing effort to boost domestic manufacturing. The White House announced that tariffs on pharmaceutical products will be next. That means millions of Virginians, many of whom are already struggling to afford their health care costs, may soon face higher drug prices.
Wittman: Cuts to federal share of Medicaid costs ‘a no-go’
Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, is drawing the line on potential cuts to federal spending on Medicaid, calling proposals to reduce the federal match rate or impose a per-capita cap on spending "an absolute no-go" and "a non-starter." Wittman said in an interview that he has expressed his concerns about the proposals to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. Both are courting moderate Republicans in political swing districts to back those options in order to meet an $880 billion target for cuts in federal spending under the jurisdiction of the House Energy & Commerce Committee.
Effects of Trump’s trade war loom over the Port of Virginia
Local experts and officials don’t have a clear picture of how the Trump administration’s tariff policy will affect the Port of Virginia and the many thousands of jobs connected to it, but ports across the country are bracing for a significant slowdown in traffic. However severe those impacts are, they will be felt between May and July, according to Vinod Agarwal, a professor of economics at Old Dominion University and deputy director for ODU’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy.
Youngkin defends Trump even as he’s forced to fix the president’s mess
Virginia lawmakers approved a state budget this spring that invested in the commonwealth’s future. Though the Democratic-led General Assembly’s vision differed from that of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the two sides were able to reach agreement on a plan that, all told, moved Virginia forward. Some of those plans are on hold, thanks entirely to the economic turmoil needlessly caused by President Donald Trump. A grim economic forecast and the possibility of a self-inflicted recession prompted Youngkin to set aside $900 million in the state budget to insulate the commonwealth from damage.
Data center could be coming to Charles City County
For years, business leaders in the Hampton Roads and Richmond regions have been leading efforts to become a technology-focused “megaregion” known as the Interstate 64 Innovation Corridor. Now, a massive data center being proposed for Charles City County could, if approved, further position those areas as the next Global Internet Hub.
New Richmond billboard attacks Stoney for water crisis
A new billboard along Interstate 195 in Richmond features an attack on former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney for the water crisis that left much of the city without drinking water for six days in January. The ad quotes the Virginia Department of Health, which described the Jan. 6 meltdown of Richmond’s water treatment plant during a winter storm-related power outage as “completely avoidable.” Stoney, who left office at the end of last year before the water crisis occurred, served in the position for two terms, or eight years. He is one of six Democrats seeking the party's nomination for lieutenant governor in a June 17 primary.
Loudoun County schools investigating student for asking why a female was using boys’ locker room
A pro-family, pro-faith legal group is representing a student who is being investigated by Loudoun County Public Schools for asking why a female student was in the boys’ locker room. The Founding Freedoms Law Center said Monday that its client, a high school sophomore, is facing a Title IX investigation for sexual harassment in Loudoun County. Title IX bars discrimination in education based on sex.