Ghazala Hashmi
- State Corporation Commission Orders Three In-Person Hearings on NextEra-Dominion Merger
Commissioner Samuel Towell cites unprecedented public interest as the SCC adds regional witness sessions beginning November 5 in Richmond atop telephonic testimony days.
- In Rare Move, State Corporation Commission Orders Three In-Person Hearings for NextEra-Dominion Merger Case
Virginia State Corporation Commission members have ordered three opportunities for the public to have their say about the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger, the first to kick off Nov. 5. In this September 2, 2025 photo, commissions hear testimony in Richmond on a different case. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) The State Corporation Commission has ordered additional chances for the public to officially testify in the case to approve or reject the proposed $67 billion NextEra-Dominion merger , Virginia regulators said Thursday.
- Creigh Deeds Examines Data Center Job Promises Versus Expansion Scale
Virginia Senator Deeds presented questions during a hearing regarding proposed data center projects in the state. The inquiry focused on the balance between creating 2,500 jobs and approving 40 additional buildings. This line of questioning reflects the current discussion on economic development and associated demands. The session involved direct address to the chair about the […]
- Bill Stanley Senate Bill 106 Targeting Tianeptine Sales
The Virginia Senate approved Senate Bill 106 on a vote of 39 yeas to 0 nays, establishing civil penalties for the sale, giving, or distribution of tianeptine products. Sponsored by Senator Bill Stanley, the measure focuses on substances commonly associated with gas station sales and referred to informally as gas station heroin. The legislation aims […]
- Testimony Highlights Debate on Gun-Free Zones in Virginia Senate Hearing
James Hemmings presented testimony at a Virginia State Senate session addressing a bill related to constitutional carry. He indicated support for the legislation by raising questions about the effects of gun-free zone designations. Hemmings described how these zones might influence personal security in everyday settings. The remarks centered on experiences in Fairfax where restrictions through […]
- Ghazala Hashmi calls on regulators to extend review period for NextEra-Dominion Energy merger
In a letter sent to the State Corporation Commission this week, Ghazala Hashmi urged the commissioners to more closely scrutinize the planned merger of Dominion Energy, the commonwealth’s largest electric utility provider, and Florida-based NextEra Energy. If the merger materializes, it would create the largest utility company in the nation. What Dominion and NextEra Energy’s […]
- Mark Peake Questions Speed Camera Use in Localities
Senator Mark Peake spoke during a recent legislative session about the implementation of speed cameras in various Virginia localities. He referenced specific revenue figures such as eight million dollars collected in Suffolk over the course of one year. Peake posed questions regarding whether these cameras primarily serve public safety objectives or function as sources of […]
- Bill DeSteph Discusses Regulation Effects on Business Location Choices
Senator Bill DeSteph spoke in the Virginia Senate about the role of regulations in business decisions affecting the state. He referenced experiences from the 1990s and early periods when employers with over 600 employees considered locations in Virginia. The senator described how some of these companies ultimately selected other states for expansion. DeSteph pointed to […]
- Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi hits the road to hear from Virginians on Dominion-NextEra merger
With the clock ticking on the six-month window for the State Corporation Commission to decide whether Dominion Energy should be allowed to merge with the Florida-based NextEra Energy, Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi said this week she would host a statewide tour to meet with constituents, educate them on the case and hear their opinions. Last […]
- Danica Roem Discusses Costs Associated with Public Records Requests
Senator Danica Roem has addressed the topic of fees charged by local governments for public records in Virginia. Her remarks focused on specific examples of high costs for obtaining documents and footage. These include four thousand eight hundred dollars for emails and eight thousand eight hundred dollars for a school bus video. The discussion highlights […]
- Mark Peake Leads Virginia Senate Tongue-Twister Involving Brown-Belted Bumblebee
Senator Mark Peake led a tongue-twister challenge in the Virginia State Senate. The activity centered on repeating the phrase brown-belted bumblebee three times quickly. This occurred as part of the regular proceedings in the legislative chamber. The challenge involved multiple senators attempting the sequence. Senator Mark Peake presented it as a direct test for participants. […]
- Scott Surovell Advances School Food Waste Legislation
Senator Scott Surovell has put forward legislation that would require Virginia schools to adopt improved methods for managing food waste. The bill targets the incorporation of composting infrastructure particularly in new school buildings. This effort aims to address the volume of food waste generated in educational settings across various localities. During legislative proceedings the proposal […
- Spanberger takes unprecedented step to intervene in $67B Dominion-NextEra merger
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is stepping directly into the regulatory fight over the proposed $67 billion sale of Dominion Energy to Florida-based NextEra Energy, becoming the first Virginia governor to formally intervene in a case before the State Corporation Commission. Spanberger announced Thursday that she will seek intervenor status in the case, giving her administration the […]
- Lawmakers call for special session to debate Dominion-NextEra merger
As the State Corporation Commission prepares to begin a months-long review of the potential merger of Virginia’s largest electric utility company Dominion Energy and the Florida-based NextEra Energy, two Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Abigail Spanberger to host a special legislative session that would allow a vote to extend the review period. The […]
- Abigail Spanberger vetoes bills allowing public employees to collectively bargain working condition, wages
Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed collective bargaining legislation Thursday, drawing major criticism from some of the state’s largest unions and labor advocate groups. The governor previously expressed support for the bills that would allow more Virginia public workers to organize in unions and negotiate their working conditions and pay rates. Spanberger first sought amendments to Senate […]
- Abigail Spanberger ends agreement between state law enforcement agencies and ICE
Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday formally ended the 287(g) agreement signed by her predecessor, former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, that mandated state law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Youngkin’s mandate, known as Executive Order 47, was rescinded by Spanberger on her first day in office, but that action did […]
- Virginia Senate District 15 Special Election Looms as Battleground Against Democratic Power Grab
As Virginians prepare to celebrate the holidays, a critical special election in Senate District 15 threatens to reshape the state’s political landscape—and potentially hand Democrats the keys to a dangerous redistricting scheme that could entrench their power for years to come. With early voting kicking off tomorrow, December 27th, and Election Day set for January 6th, voters in this Richmond-area
- The Political Pendulum Swung Left
The political pendulum swings back and forth and Tuesday it swung hard infavor of the Democrat party. Democrats swept all three top spots inVirginia, aligning with a historical pattern dating back to 1976, where theCommonwealth votes for the opposition party to the party in the White House.This year was no exception but we take comfort […]
- Virginia’s early voting season begins Friday, ushering in pivotal election
Early voting begins Friday in Virginia’s high-stakes general election, opening a six-week window for voters to cast their ballots in races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, all 100 seats of the House of Delegates and some local offices. This year’s early voting period arrives with several notable changes to state election law, including a shorter registration deadline and new re
- Ghazala Hashmi Has Long History of Smearing Her State’s Voters As Racist and Fascist
Whether you’re a parent who objects to sexually explicit books being shown in your kids’ classrooms, an opponent of discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, or a rank-and-file Virginian, your state’s Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor thinks you’re a bigot.
- Abigail Spanberger Refuses to Condemn Antisemitism From the Democrat Party Leadership — It’s Not the First Time
RICHMOND, VA — In what is becoming an alarming pattern, Abigail Spanberger refuses to condemn radical antisemitism in the Democrat Party. This time, Spanberger refused to address antisemitic social media posts by state Del. Sam Rasoul, a Roanoke Democrat who heads the House Education Committee. Rasoul called Zionism “evil” and “a supremacist ideology created […]
- Democrat led Senate panel kills efforts to track English Learner funding
The Democrat led Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee has rejected a proposal to collect data on this issue.
- Virginia moves to enshrine baby killing into the constitution
Virginia Democrat lawmakers took a major step this week toward enshrining baby killing into the state constitution.
- Fairfax County convinces state legislators to delay FOIA Bill for further study
Fairfax County officials’ concerns convinced state legislators to examine more closely proposed changes to Virginia Freedom of Information Act rules that are intended to increase transparency in local government decision-making.
- Fairfax Casinos to be added to the list of eligible casinos in Virginia due to Democrat Leadership
After the House leadership moved a controversial bill for the development of a Casino and Entertainment Complex at Tysons Corner between House Committees, lawmakers made a decision on Wednesday.
- Virginia Democrats Shut Down after-school Counselors bill
A highly favored counselor bill from the Virginia Senate to make more volunteer after-school life counselors available died Tuesday in a 4-2 House subcommittee vote. Democrats on the House Education subcommittee expressed concern that the bill creates the potential for religious indoctrination and constitutional issues raised by the ACLU of Virginia. The subcommittee suggested Sen. […]
- Fairfax County Casino Bill to be heard by The House Appropriations Committee
The powerful House Committee on Appropriations has taken up the discussion of legislation allowing a vote on a Tysons Casino. Speaker Don Scott (D-88) directed House Committee on Local Government members yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), to forward the bill without action to the chamber’s Appropriations Committee. At that meeting there was no public testimony on the […]
- Virginia Democrats set to increase towing charges
Virginia towing rates could increase soon under legislation that is advancing to the governor’s desk. However, the decision on whether to raise the fees will be left to local governments.
- Senate Democrats reject qualified university and state board members
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today released the following statement after House and Senate Democrats rejected 13 qualified university and state board members.
- Doctors who provide abortion, transgender care could get legal protections under Virginia Democrat bill
Virginia moved closer Monday to shielding doctors from extradition if they provide abortions (killing babies) or gender-affirming healthcare (chemical castration) to out-of-state patients, advancing legislation that underscores the deepening divide over healthcare access and state sovereignty.
- Evaporative Technologies Company to Expand in Virginia
For Immediate Release: June 18, 2024 Contacts: Office of the Governor: Christian Martinez, Christian.