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Digital dashboard dives into rural demographics, housing, health and more
Looking for the median age of residents where you live? Or are you interested in the availability of broadband in your area? Maybe you want to dig deeper into the housing shortage, or you’re curious about the financial stability of your city and how it compares to other localities. Perhaps you’re interested in health care and want to know the number of primary care physicians in your city or county. You can quickly and easily find the answers to these and many other questions in one place: the new Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard, recently developed by the Virginia Rural Center.
Proposed cuts to clean energy tax credits could hurt Virginia projects, advocates say
Environmental groups in Virginia are worried some clean energy projects may be at risk of losing important tax credits if federal energy credits remain on the chopping block as part of President Donald Trump’s massive tax cut bill. The bill is “a disaster for Hampton Roads” and could be a “serious blow” to jobs and economic development, said Blair St. Ledger-Olson, director of advocacy and campaigns for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.
Trump budget request would slash Va. housing programs, advocates say
President Donald Trump‘s budget request for the next fiscal year would cut $1.9 billion of various housing and community development funds Virginia receives, the Virginia Housing Alliance says. Trump’s budget proposes eliminating several rent assistance programs for low-income Americans, including the Housing Choice Vouchers that make up the difference between market rent and the amount voucher holders pay, about 30% of their income. Virginia landlords received more than $554 million through these vouchers in fiscal year 2024.
Virginia Tech approves budget amid turbulent times for higher education
Amid uncertain times for research funding, Virginia Tech leadership approved a budget for the next school year that is mostly unaffected by federal changes, officials said. “The recommended internal budget for all operations is $2.5 billion,” university documents said. “This is an increase of $174.2 million, approximately 7.6 percent, over the adjusted FY25 budget.” The university board of visitors approved the proposed budget during a quarterly meeting inside the Classroom Building on Tuesday afternoon.
The late Congressman Gerry Connolly gets one more legislative victory
... Congressman Gerry Connolly is having one final victory in the House of Representatives this week with the approval of the Gerry Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act. The bill was renamed for the late congressman the day he died last month, and it has bipartisan support including from Republican Congressman James Comer of Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
Recipients describe ‘devastating’ impact of proposed food-benefit cuts
Sen. Tim Kaine wanted to hear the personal stories of those who would be affected by proposed federal cuts to food benefits — and he certainly got his wish during a Monday session at the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. About a dozen people from the Fredericksburg region gathered at a roundtable that included the U.S. senator and Del. Joshua Cole, who represents Fredericksburg and surrounding counties in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Lawmakers criticize cuts to veterans affairs at Norfolk State University hearing
Congressman Bobby Scott and representatives in the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee addressed concerns about the Trump administration’s cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at a hearing at Norfolk State University. The cuts were described by the lawmakers as "devastating" to the quality of life for veterans and their families. “This system is failing us," said Virginia State Delegate Jackie Glass. Lawmakers at this hearing Tuesday argued that existing and proposed cuts to the V.A. limit the federal department's ability to provide military veterans with what they “rightfully deserve” in health care and benefits.
Veterans Affairs workers decry effects of budget cuts
Democratic congressional leaders, including Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News), on Tuesday morning heard accounts from local leaders and experts on the effects to veterans from Trump administration’s policies. The testimony at the event at Norfolk State University centered on the staffing levels at the recently opened North Battlefield VA Outpatient Clinic, cuts to Veterans Affairs, and uncertainty in veterans’ health care and benefits. The VA has plans to lay off as many as 80,000 staff by the end of the year.
Staffing at the Chesapeake VA highlighted in House testimony at Norfolk State
Lawmakers were told the North Battlefield VA Outpatient clinic in Chesapeake remains understaffed, months after it opened in April. Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Susan Hippen told the panel of Democratic House lawmakers that she lives less than 10 minutes away from the clinic but still has to travel to the VA hospital in Hampton for much of her care. ... Hippen described the clinic as a “ghost town.”
McClellan urges constituents to ‘speak up’ to save democracy
Several times during Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s town hall meeting June 2 at Virginia State University, the same question was asked but in different ways: “What can Democrats do to keep Donald Trump and the Republicans in check?” Most of the time, McClellan, D-Virginia, responded with the same answer. Claiming she did not want to get political in a meeting designed to inform constituents about passed and proposed legislation, McClellan said the best thing to do was “mitigate the harm” during the next four years, then go back to the ballot box and vote in the next round of leadership.