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Governor Youngkin passes on retail marijuana market

Earlier this week, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a plan from Virginia Democrats for a retail marijuana market. It comes years after the state decriminalized the substance, allowing an illicit market to flourish. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

1s
Mar 29
As Youngkin arena deal crumbles, the state’s budget hangs in the balance

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s hopes for a sports arena in northern Virginia may be dead, but politics in Virginia live on. Among deals that still need to happen between the Republican governor and his Democratic counterparts is the state’s budget. Brad Kutner has more.

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Mar 29
Cocktails to go will soon become permanent in Virginia

Governor Glenn Youngkin is putting his signature on a bill legalizing cocktails to go. Michael Pope has the story.

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Mar 29
Pope & Schapiro: Death of an arena

The death of a sports arena deal in northern Virginia grabbed most of the headlines this week. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss that and all the happenings in state politics and government.

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Mar 29
Millions in federal dollars announced to address Virginia’s abandoned coal mines

A top official at the U.S. Department of the Interior was in Richmond Thursday to announce millions of dollars to help reclaim abandoned coal mines from Wise to Chesterfield Counties. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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Mar 28
Tribal leaders discuss consequences of Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act 100 years later

Last week, as part of its Indigenous Perspectives Exhibit, the Library of Virginia asked four leaders from Tribes in Virginia to discuss the consequences to their cultures of the Racial Integrity Act put in place to preserve white supremacy in the state 100 years ago. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

1s
Mar 28
Youngkin takes action on several gun-related bills

Governor Glenn Youngkin took action on over three dozen gun bills earlier this week. The actions will stop many new gun laws from going into effect, but efforts he agreed with are ok with Second Amendment activists. Brad Kutner has more.

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Mar 27
Bipartisan bill to address ‘abuse-to-prison-pipeline’ awaits Youngkin’s signature

Combating human trafficking has been a priority for Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares. And while the administration has been dinging Democrats for not supporting GOP-backed bills, at least one measure to address the issue passed with unanimous support. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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Mar 26
The governor’s proposed digital sales tax may apply to businesses too

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a proposal from the General Assembly that would increase taxes on businesses. Michael Pope has the report.

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Mar 26
New school funding sales tax ballot initiative likely coming to a Virginia locality near you

While the Virginia legislature and Governor Glenn Youngkin continue to bicker over future school funding, one bill aimed at giving localities more authority to raise funds for school construction is likely to be signed in the coming weeks. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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Mar 25
After lots of debate this session, the governor will soon weigh in on skill games

Governor Glenn Youngkin is about to make one of the most anticipated decisions of the General Assembly session this year. As Michael Pope reports, the fate of skill games rests in the balance.

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Mar 25
The deadline for congressional hopefuls is fast approaching

Virginia’s congressional races are heating up in anticipation of the June 18th primary. Michael Pope tells us that the final deadline for candidates is early next month.

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Mar 22
Pope & Schapiro: The session is over, but there’s still a lot going on in Richmond

The General Assembly session is over, but there is still plenty of action going on in Richmond. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – talk about the week that was – from gubernatorial vetoes to the latest on budget deliberations.

1s
Mar 22
Youngkin’s latest vetoes limit police recruitment, strike at criminal justice reform

Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed just under two dozen bills earlier this week, many of them related to criminal justice reforms. Brad Kutner has more details on one effort that police chiefs said would have increased both the ranks and quality of officers in diverse parts of the state.

1s
Mar 21
Governor Youngkin weighs invasive plants legislation

Governor Glenn Youngkin is giving his veto pen a workout, rejecting 60 bills this week. Michael Pope reports on one vetoed measure that would’ve cracked down on invasive plant species.

1s
Mar 21
The governor touted 30,000 jobs with arena proposal, but is that accurate?

Governor Glenn Youngkin says an arena proposal in Alexandria would create 30,000 jobs. Michael Pope takes a look at that claim.

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Mar 20
Could a rail crew bill overcome a gubernatorial veto?

Governor Glenn Youngkin is pulling out his veto pen again. This time, Michael Pope tells us about his rejection of a bill on railroad safety.

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Mar 19
Governor Youngkin says no to composting bill

Governor Glenn Youngkin is vetoing legislation that might have increased composting. Michael Pope reports.

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Mar 18
New Census data: exurban Virginia is growing

The latest round of data from the Census Bureau shows that exurban Richmond continues to grow while other parts of Virginia are losing population. Michael Pope has the breakdown.

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Mar 18
The session is over, but there are big disagreements on the state budget

Members of the General Assembly may have concluded their session. But as Michael Pope reports, the fight over the budget isn’t over.

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Mar 15
TikTok ban sails through Congress but stumbled in Richmond

An effort to rein in the Chinese-owned social media giant TikTok is a rare moment of bipartisanship in DC, but similar efforts stumbled during this recent Virginia legislative session. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

1s
Mar 15
Pope & Schapiro: Bills hit the governor’s desk and the governor hits the airwaves

The General Assembly has passed its bills.  Now we wait to see what the governor signs and vetoes. Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

1s
Mar 15
Youngkin doubles down on axing RGGI

Governor Glenn Youngkin again railed against a multistate compact aimed at reducing the impact of climate change. Brad Kutner has more from the governor’s appearance Thursday at a diner just south of Richmond.

1s
Mar 14
Bill reining in junk fees died late at the General Assembly this year

Advocates for a bill to crack down on junk fees are disappointed that the bill failed at the last minute as the General Assembly session ended. Michael Pope has the story.

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Mar 14
General Assembly and Governor Youngkin clash over contraception coverage

The General Assembly voted to make sure health insurance plans cover contraception. But Governor Glenn Youngkin wants an exemption for those with certain objections. Michael Pope explains.

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Mar 13
Richmond employees nearing completion of union contract, one of the first in Virginia

City employees in Richmond are on the verge of becoming one of the first public workplaces in the state to form a union, negotiate a contract, and start seeing the benefits. It’s a journey that became possible after state lawmakers reversed a decades-long ban on collective bargaining for local government employees back in 2020. Mallory […]

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Mar 13
Legacy admissions are now a thing of the past in Virginia

Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed a bill to prohibit legacy admissions to public colleges and universities. Michael Pope reports.

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Mar 12
Teen plaintiffs ask Virginia Court of Appeals to allow climate change suit

A group of Virginia teens argued for their right to a livable environment at the Virginia Court of Appeals Tuesday morning. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

1s
Mar 12
Youngkin pleases 2A advocates with early veto of new gun laws

Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed eight bills late Friday night. Among them was an effort that would have clarified how to remove guns from those convicted of domestic abuse. Advocates on both sides of the issue were surprised by the action. Brad Kutner has more.

1s
Mar 12
Governor Youngkin vetoes ERIC rejoin effort

Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued his first vetoes of the year. One of them rejects an effort to make sure Virginia’s voter rolls are accurate. Michael Pope reports.

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Mar 11