Budget
- When Virginia’s congressional candidates don’t debate, voters get sound bites instead of substance
Basic civic literacy, which debates and candidate forums promote, is not even an afterthought for many political candidates in Virginia and other states, columnist Jim Spencer writes.
- Fairfax County Schools Warn Fiscal Year 2028 May Require Cuts Near $154 Million
Chief Financial Officer Leigh Burden cites a shrinking county transfer share, health care inflation, and biennium state aid as FCPS prepares reduction options.
- Loudoun Schools Prepare Artificial Intelligence Classroom Pilot as Device Costs Surge Past 70 Percent
Board members split over Gemini Notebook trials at seven middle and high schools while Chromebook and staff laptop prices jump on chip shortages.
- Tom Gordy Examines $60 Million Renovation Proposal for Prince William County Building
Prince William County Supervisor Tom Gordy has addressed an ongoing discussion regarding a potential $60 million renovation of a local building.
- Data shows 94,000 Virginians have dropped their Affordable Care Act insurance since last year
The U.S. House will begin debate in committee this week on a bill that would cut Medicaid spending.
- Speaker Details Honor Guard Uniform Costs in Virginia Senate Session
A speaker presented information to the Virginia State Senate regarding expenses tied to the Honor Guard program.
- Loudoun County Public Schools Details Transportation Operations and Future Needs
Loudoun County Public Schools operates a transportation department responsible for an average of sixty route changes per day.
- Arlington County Adopts $1.7 Billion Budget Amid Calls for Improved Fiscal Timelines
The Arlington County Board officially adopted a $1.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 on April 22, 2026, marking a modest 0.7 percent increase over the previous year.
- Henrico Advances $304 Million East End Water Main to Cut Reliance on Richmond
Utilities to file 50 percent design next week on a 13-mile western-to-eastern transmission main after the January 2025 Richmond plant failure; construction targeted for 2028–2031.
- Richmond Solar Deal for Nearly 40 City Buildings Heads to Full Council Amid $28M Exit-Fee Fight
Government Operations advanced a 25-year Secure Solar proposal with no recommendation after members demanded a fuller risk assessment before the Sept. 28 vote.
- Virginia health committee considers mandating licensed nurses in every school
A newly proposed legislative measure would require all school districts in Virginia to employ a licensed nurse in every school.
- The School Choice Programs have SAVED taxpayers up to $45 billion
Democrat legislators use fear tactics to claim that school choice would bankrupt their state.
- Few Va. universities have studied food insecurity among students, though 80% say it’s an issue
Most of Virginia’s public universities and colleges are aware of student food insecurity at their institutions, according to a November survey conducted by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
- Attorney General Jones Permanently Blocks Federal SNAP Penalties Targeting Virginia
A federal judge in Oregon made a multi-state injunction permanent, shielding Virginia from steep SNAP fines and clarifying food aid for certain lawful permanent residents.
- Franklin City School Board Examines Textbook Budget Stability
Members of the Franklin City School Board reviewed textbook funding patterns and resource implications during their July meeting.
- Average Residential Bills Toward $315 by 2039 as Data-Center Load Dominates
Unconstrained Demand cites Dominion figures taking typical residential bills from about $142.77 now to $315.25 by 2039 — primarily on data-center sector energy needs — while JLARC separately pegs $14–$37 monthly generation and transmission cost pressure by 2040.
- Lawmakers Eye Fix for 1% School Construction Sales Tax as 47 Localities Head to Voters
Newport News officials warn the 20-year sunset may not line up with bond issuance; Simonds and Rasoul open to more flexibility.
- Seven Rural Virginia Community Colleges Share $5.93 Million to Train Nurses and Behavioral Health Workers
Germanna, Laurel Ridge, Mountain Gateway, Patrick & Henry, Paul D. Camp, Rappahannock, and Virginia Highlands win Rural Health Transformation Fund awards.
- Survey Finds Majority of Virginia Families With Children Face Food Insecurity
State-commissioned poll fills gap left by ended USDA hunger survey; food banks report rising demand and thinner donations.
- Virginia’s Data-Center Boom Runs on Water and Diesel: Loudoun’s Billion Gallons and 8,910 Generators
Unconstrained Demand tallies Loudoun data centers above 1 billion gallons of water in 2023, statewide use above 2.1 billion, and 8,910 mostly Tier 2 diesel generators permitted for up to 500 hours a year.
- Abigail Spanberger Signs Executive Order 22 on Data Center Accountability and AI Task Force
Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Executive Order 22 and 2027 legislative slate target NDAs, local approval for large loads, noise and backup power, and an AI task force—without a statewide moratorium.
- Virginia education board approves new rules for local student assessments
Students in a classroom.
- Virginia Faces $1.7 Billion Highway Maintenance Funding Gap
Virginia transportation officials are confronting a projected $1.7 billion gap in highway maintenance as costs rise and older roads, bridges and drainage systems require more work.
- Spanberger presents slate of data center regulation proposals, puts first directives in motion
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 22 on Friday, Sept. 18 to kick off her data center regulation package.
- State Releases Draft Rules for Recreational Cannabis Market Opening in 2027
CCA outlines retail, microbusiness and cultivation fees; applications expected to open by Feb. 1 ahead of a July 1, 2027 launch.
- Jason Ballard House Bill 103 Seeks to Extend Vital Early Intervention Services for Virginia Infants and Toddlers
A bill introduced by Delegate Jason Ballard would extend Virginia’s Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers for children with disabilities.
- Virginia’s Democratic Trifecta Passes 49 Election Bills as Felony Voting Rights Head to November Ballot
Ballotpedia counts a 250 percent jump in election measures; ranked-choice voting is now permanent, Virginia joined the National Popular Vote compact, and automatic rights restoration awaits voters November 3.
- Petersburg Sets $60,000 Starting Teacher Pay After City Council Funds Salary Overhaul
FY2027 budget advances Phase I of a compensation study, with recurring city dollars aimed at filling vacancies and slowing exits to higher-paying neighbors.
- Virginia confronts $1.7 billion shortfall in highway maintenance funding
Construction work along the Dulles Connector in Northern Virginia, with roadwork equipment and activity visible along the roadway.
- If you enjoy Virginia’s wildlife, thank a hunter or angler
Cyrus Baird, seen here, is a lifelong Virginia hunter and conservationist who serves as a member of the Board of Wildlife Resources.
- Hampton Roads Voters Face November 1 Percent Sales Tax Votes for School Construction
Norfolk, Newport News, York, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and neighboring localities put new statewide school-construction sales-tax authority on the Nov. 3 ballot with sunsets near 2046.
- Could Virginia’s new law allowing 1% sales tax for school construction need a fix?
The historic facade of Virginia's new General Assembly Building in Richmond.
- Virginia Panel Advances Plan for a Licensed Nurse in Every School by 2028
School Health Services Committee backs a nurse-per-building or per-325-students rule with two-year hiring waivers; November 18 vote would send the proposal to the 2027 General Assembly.
- Line 514 Was Sold as Rusting Towers. Loudoun’s Data Center Alley Needs the Power Anyway.
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — Before the Golden-Mars 500-kilovolt project became the latest fight at the State Corporation Commission, another line
- Henrico Faces About $5 Million Power-Cost Jump as VEPGA Rates Rise 24.9%
County manager asks employees to conserve electricity after Dominion-territory localities lock in a steep contract-year increase.
- Opioid Abatement Authority Awards $12.3 Million to 18 State Agencies
Package continues 32 projects and adds 7 new ones spanning health, corrections, courts and public universities.
- Loudoun County Supervisors Advance 12-Month Pause on New Data Center Applications
Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors voted 7-1-1 to draft a temporary pause on new data-center applications while rewriting local rules, with a final vote expected in October.
- Tim Kaine and Jennifer McClellan Say Voters Could Move Congress to Revisit House Resolution 1 Healthcare Overhaul
U.S. Sen.
- Attorney General Jay Jones Asks Regulators to Reset Clock on Dominion-NextEra Merger
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones says the companies’ Sept. 14 supplemental filing is a different deal that should restart the SCC’s 180-day review, potentially pushing a decision into March 2027.
- Virginia Delegate Presses House for Car Tax Relief Amid Affordability Push
Delegate Terry Kilgore urges incremental repeal of the car tax during the 2026 legislative session, citing affordability goals and prior campaign commitments.
- Lynchburg City Council returns from its summer break to discuss the budget and meeting rules
The Lynchburg City Council will return from its seven-week break for a Tuesday work session and a general meeting.
- Roanoke City Schools Cut 148 Jobs After Budget Shortfall
The division eliminated 64 teaching posts and began the year with 127 vacancies while closing a $14 million gap.
- Richmond Secures 32.8 Million in State Funds for Water Plant Filter Upgrades
A regional water workgroup boosted the city's treatment-plant project by $12.8 million over the baseline grant.
- Report Says Hampton Roads Needs Thousands More Health Care Workers
Claude Moore Opportunities estimates shortages of more than 3,500 registered nurses plus therapists, aides and specialists.
- Fairfax Supervisors Restore High School Crossing Guard Funding After Rally
The board unanimously approved about $708,000 and 11 police posts for 10 high schools after parents and students pressed for action.
- Loudoun Supervisors Advance Proposed Yearlong Pause on New Data Centers
A temporary halt on new applications heads toward a final vote Oct. 13 as neighbors and electrical workers clash over growth.
- Fairfax County Proposes Restoring High School Crossing Guard Funding
Staff recommend about $708,000 to bring back 11 crossing-guard posts after student crashes and parent outcry.
- Virginia House Bill 47 Aims to Expand Tax Relief for Military and Foreign Service Retirees
House Bill 47, which seeks to broaden state income tax subtractions for retirement benefits earned by uniformed services and United States Foreign Service officers, has been left in the House Finance Committee as the 2026 legislative session progresses.
- Virginia Senate Pushes Forward House Bill 40 Banning Unserialized Firearms and Undetectable Plastic Guns
As the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session progresses, House Bill 40, which prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, transfer and possession of plastic firearms, advanced through key Senate committees this week.
- Rob Wittman, Running Again in Virginia First Congressional District, Supports Trump’s $1.5 Trillion Defense Spending Budget
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, is backing President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense spending budget, as the nation marks its eighth month in a war with Iran that Trump launched without congressional approval.