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GOP presents plan to seize legislative majorities in Virginia and New Jersey this November
The Republican State Leadership Committee is looking to make key expenditures in this year’s New Jersey and Virginia state legislature races. Republicans are wary of how well Democrats tend to over-perform in off-year elections, but they have a strategy to “defy” expectations in November. In a memo, the RSLC said the races “present significant challenges for Republicans, reminiscent of the complex political landscape of 2017, the last odd-year election Republicans had full control of Washington.”
Del. Hope touts experience for 1st District House seat, but challenger says that’s not enough
The familiar political conflict of experience and new blood dominated a debate between Democratic contenders for the 1st District House of Delegates seat. Incumbent Del. Patrick Hope worked to fend off criticisms by challenger Arjoon Srikanth in the Tuesday (May 13) forum, sponsored by the Arlington County Civic Federation. The third contender in the June 17 Democratic primary, Sean Epstein, was unable to attend, federation president John Ford said.
Republicans prioritize data centers in attempt to flip House seat in Prince William County
With just a little more than a month left in their primary election campaigns, Sahar Smith and Gregory Lee Gorham are focusing their campaigns on data centers and taxes in an attempt to represent Republicans come November and flip Prince William County-based House District 21, one of the few Virginia House of Delegates swing districts in the region. ... State Del. Joshua Thomas currently represents this district and is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for his second term.
Supporters of Loudoun County theater teacher ask Virginia attorney general to investigate his removal
Supporters of Rock Ridge High School theater teacher Tony Cimino-Johnson are asking the Office of the Virginia Attorney General to investigate why he was placed on leave from his job by Loudoun County Public Schools April 1, and to investigate alleged wrongdoing by LCPS. In a May 12 letter to Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares, a Republican, supporters say Cimino-Johnson's removal from class was retaliation for actions he has taken. Cimino-Johnson has taught at the school in Loudoun Valley Estates since 2014.
Youngkin calls for transformation of child welfare system
Until she was 18, Katie Jones got to see her mom only once a week, for a one-hour session with her five brothers and sisters, monitored by a social worker. “Every week I used to say ‘when do I get to see my mom,’” she said Thursday at an event where Gov. Glenn Youngkin launched a push to transform the state's foster care system. Those hours were always filled with tears, and they always ended the same way: “I’d have to say ‘Bye mom,’ and go back to my foster family,” said Jones, who grew up in Chesapeake. “I love my mom unconditionally and she loves me unconditionally.”
Sparks fly during Hopewell City Council meeting over recent city terminations
Tensions flared at Tuesday evening’s Hopewell City Council meeting, as protesters were escorted out by sheriff’s deputies and one councilman voluntarily left. The contention stems from the terminations of former city clerk Brittani Williams and former city manager Dr. Concetta Manker, from a 4 to 3 council vote on May 1. Two rallies were held ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting featuring local and national activists.
Hotline between military and air traffic controllers in Washington hasn’t worked for more than three years
A hotline between military and civilian air traffic controllers in Washington, D.C., that hasn’t worked for more than three years may have contributed to another near miss shortly after the U.S. Army resumed flying helicopters in the area for the first time since January’s deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter, Sen. Ted Cruz said at a hearing Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration official in charge of air traffic controllers, Frank McIntosh, confirmed the agency didn’t even know the hotline hadn’t been working since March 2022 until after the latest near miss.
Yancey: 5 things the Virginia committee investigating impact of federal cuts didn’t hear (but maybe should have)
When the House of Delegates “emergency committee” on federal government cuts met in Wytheville earlier this week, legislators didn’t hear a lot of specifics. Impacts on international tourism? Too soon to tell, said Virginia tourism chief Rita McClenny. Impacts on agriculture? Too soon to tell, said Jason Grant of the Center for Agricultural Trade at Virginia Tech. Impacts of tariffs on economic development? Too soon to tell, said Virginia economic development chief Jason El-Koubi.
D.C. region sees slight decline in homelessness, though Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William numbers continue to rise
While an annual point-in-time count showed the D.C. region has seen a slight decline in homelessness, Arlington’s count increased by 12%. The point-in-time count from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is an annual snapshot tallying people experiencing homelessness around the region. While the region saw an overall decrease in homelessness — from 9,774 last year to 9,659 this year — Arlington was one of four jurisdictions to see an increase in its homelessness count.
Youngkin defies House on vetoes, but court fight unlikely
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is defying the House of Delegates over his vetoes of three provisions in the state budget, but a battle is unlikely in state courts over the limits of his constitutional authority. After House Clerk Paul Nardo declined to recognize three of the governor's 37 line-item budget vetoes, Youngkin made clear on Thursday that he will not abide by the clerk's decision. He said his administration will not carry out the General Assembly directives, including proposals to help nursing homes hire more staff and expand access to weight loss drugs under the state's Medicaid program.