Politics
- Virginia Budget Balloons with Unprecedented $577 Million Childcare Subsidy Expansion
The Virginia state budget has officially ballooned with a staggering $137.6 million increase in childcare subsidy funding. This massive allocation brings the total taxpayer support for childcare to an unprecedented $577 million over the current biennium. Prior to fiscal year 2024, no state general fund support was ever provided for childcare in Virginia, as the […]
- Virginia marijuana budget language triggers legal confusion, political fallout
Virginia’s decision to revive legal cannabis sales through the state budget instead of standalone legislation has triggered several days of confusion over the commonwealth’s marijuana laws, with lawmakers, local prosecutors, Virginia State Police and legislative officials offering differing interpretations of when key provisions take effect. Much of the confusion focused on two issues: whether Vi
- Virginia’s $17 Million Eviction Program Expansion Sparks Fiscal Concerns
The Virginia state budget recently advanced a massive expansion of taxpayer-funded housing subsidies, raising concerns among fiscal conservatives about runaway spending. Lawmakers allocated an astonishing $17 million for eviction prevention assistance over the biennium, vastly expanding the state’s footprint in private housing matters. This hefty appropriation represents a drastic expansion from t
- Four Virginia counties will pump almost 20 million gallons of water a day to Amazon.
How you look at something – the frame you use and your perspective – often influences what you see. This holds true with the issue of data centers and water use. Amazon recently reported that it withdrew a total of 2.5 billion gallons of water for data center cooling operations in 2025. That seems like […]
- Democrats challenge Beyer in Va.’s 8th Congressional District, marred by federal layoffs
Everyone in Northern Virginia knows someone who was “DOGEd,” either laid off or otherwise impacted by sweeping cuts initiated through President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Virginia is home to nearly 200,000 federal workers; over 20,000 of them lost their jobs last year. The pain of those losses runs […]
- Hindu Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill celebrates America 250. Bipartisan support from Congressional Reps against rising Hinduphobia and Hate
Draws Bipartisan support from Congressional Reps Against Rising Hinduphobia CoHNA event brings together lawmakers, community members and scholars, Hindu youth, and allies Washington DC, July 3, 2026: The Coalition of Hindus of North America’s (CoHNA) 5th Day of Advocacy, hosted by Capitol Hill, featured bipartisan concern about rising Hinduphobia as well as the voices of […]
- Senator Advocates for Data Centers to Meet Tax Obligations in Virginia Budget Talks
Senator Louise Lucas addressed Virginia budget negotiations by stating that data centers must pay their fair share of taxes. She noted that the state will have a budget by June 30 and pointed to the need for businesses including data centers that employ workers to contribute through a tax on computer equipment. These remarks focus […]
- Hindu Art at the Met Gala? It was a Whole Minute!
The theme of this year’s Met Gala was “Fashion Is Art.” It was fascinating to see Hindu artistic tradition make its way onto those iconic steps, from the visual worlds of Raja Ravi Varma and Pichwai to Kalamkari and other Hindu traditions. You probably did too if you grew up with any of these! Raja […]
- Glenn Youngkin Discusses Party Shifts at Global Conference
Former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin participated in a panel at the Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles. During the discussion he addressed the current state of the Democratic Party. Youngkin shared observations on policy decisions that he believes are influencing state-level governance. The session covered topics related to U.S. politics ahead of the […]
- Kratom product sales to be regulated in Virginia
Del. Joshua Cole, D-Fredericksburg, never expected social media posts about a recreational drug would inspire a new consumer protection law, which he sponsored and was approved by Gov. Abigail Spanberger last month. Spanberger ceremonially signed Cole’s House Bill 360 on Tuesday, which creates new safeguards for the sale of kratom, a legal substance often used […]
- Debate Emerges Over Off-the-Record Meetings in Virginia
Virginia Democrats are considering allowing secret meetings out of the public eye. This consideration has led to a debate on whether transparency in state government might be affected. The discussion focuses on the implications for open proceedings. The topic involves the nature of off-the-record political meetings. One aspect highlighted is that gatherings involving more than […]
- Virginia revenue forecast jumps by $1.5 billion as budget talks continue
Virginia’s revenue outlook has improved by $1.5 billion over the next three fiscal years, giving lawmakers more breathing room as negotiations over a stalled state budget are set to continue in Richmond later this month. Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday afternoon released the updated revenue forecast she ordered last month, telling top legislative budget writers […]
- Is Dominion’s plan to merge with NextEra good or bad for Virginians?
Man, even the Pope doesn’t like data centers. In his new encyclical on artificial intelligence, Pope Leo XIV laid out the dangers of the mad rush to replace humans with AI. Amid the concerns for the dignity and future of humanity, he took a moment to mention the environmental damage involved: Current AI systems require […]
- Legislative Remarks on Judicial Balance in Virginia
William Stanley spoke about the influence of politics on the scales of justice during a public address. He described situations in which fairness in legal matters may be affected by external pressures. The comments focused on the role of prosecutors and the need for greater accountability in the system. The remarks included references to Eastern […]
- Virginia Senator Ryan McDougle Discusses Concerns Over Ballot Language and Policy Costs
Senator Ryan McDougle delivered comments in the Virginia Senate regarding aspects of the legislative process that he characterized as involving trickery. His remarks centered on the use of ballot language that may not fully convey the details of measures to voters. The senator outlined how such language can affect public understanding during elections. Attention was […]
- Virginia revenues surge despite job losses amid budget standoff
Virginia’s economy is showing increasing signs of strain from slower job growth, rising inflation and weakening consumer confidence, even as state revenues continue exceeding expectations and giving lawmakers more room to negotiate a stalled state budget, Virginia Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles said Tuesday. Presenting the administration’s latest economic and revenue update to the Senate […]
- Prince William Supervisor Yesli Vega Alleges Backroom Politics in Union Vote
Vega stated that respect must be earned and criticized what she perceived as efforts to exclude her from key discussions. She expressed disbelief at the governing body’s handling, saying elements left her ‘in complete and no idea the conniving.’ Pointing to the unionization drive led by SEIU Virginia 512, which recently urged workers to vote […]
- SEIU Union Funds Fuel Expensive Virginia Redistricting Referendum That Was Later Struck Down
In early April 2026, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Virginia State Council announced a $500,000 contribution from member dues to Virginians for Fair Elections, the primary committee supporting a “Yes” vote on a controversial constitutional amendment for temporary legislative redistricting of congressional districts. The donation, highlighted in campaign finance disclosures on VPA
- Public health officials warn of rise in measles, as Virginia. hantavirus patient under monitor
A digitally colorized, thin-section transmission electron microscopic image of a single measles virus particle, or virion. (Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Invention Public Image Library) As the weather warms and travelers prepare to embark on summer vacations, public health officials are warning about an expected uptick in measles cases, which were already climbing. […]
- Democrats fail to pass budget
This post was originally published on this site. In politics, there are some days when whole months can happen. The General Assembly reconvened on Wednesday, April 22, and it was one such day. It never stops. What is the common factor? I think it’s Democrats who make bad decisions. You would think that a $50-million […]
- Virginia Supreme Court Prepares to Hear Challenge to Narrowly Passed Redistricting Amendment
The amendment stems from Democratic efforts in the General Assembly to revisit congressional maps drawn in 2021 by the state Supreme Court. Those maps, created after a 2020 voter-approved measure established an independent commission, resulted in a configuration reflecting Virginia’s competitive politics, approximately 7 Democratic-leaning districts to 4 Republican-leaning ones. Proponents of the
- Tazewell Circuit Court Blocks Certification of Virginia’s Redistricting Referendum, Ruling Process Unconstitutional
TAZEWELL, Va. — In a dramatic late-day ruling issued Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Tazewell Circuit Court blocked certification of results from Tuesday’s special election on a controversial constitutional amendment aimed at allowing the Virginia General Assembly to redraw congressional districts before the next federal census. Chief Judge Jack Hurley reaffirmed earlier findings that both…
- Early voting underway for Virginians to weigh in on congressional redistricting plan
This post was originally published on this site.Virginians can now begin voting on whether the state should temporarily redraw its congressional districts as part of a rare springtime special election. The step, tied to a proposed constitutional amendment, comes after Virginia’s General Assembly approved the measure, followed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s signing. Former President Barack […]
- 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 […]
- Tom Dannan Controversy Brews in Fairfax’s Braddock School Board Race Amid ICE Ties and Democratic Endorsements
At the center of the storm is Democratic-endorsed candidate Tom Dannen, whose professional ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have raised eyebrows among voters
- Senate Republican Caucus Celebrates Court Victory Protecting Virginia Voters and the Redistricting Commission
In October 2025, House Speaker Don Scott reconvened the 2024 Special Session—originally called by Governor Youngkin solely for budget purposes
- Washington County Sets April Special Election on School Sales Tax Amid Holston Merger Fears
Supervisors vote 5-2 for an April 6 referendum after a packed hearing; superintendent cites $200 million facilities needs while Damascus residents link the tax to Holston High consolidation fears.
- Tensions Flare at Loudoun County Board Meeting: Supervisors Saines and TeKrony Clash Over Procedural Briefing
A routine Loudoun County Board of Supervisors meeting devolved into a heated verbal exchange on Tuesday, as Democratic Supervisors Koran T. Saines and Laura A. TeKrony sparred over procedural matters, including questions about staff briefings and speaking order.
- Virginia Senate Republicans Call Out Democrats for Attack on Right To Work
RICHMOND, VA – Democrats spent all year promising they would not touch right to work and that they would protect the money in Virginians’ pockets. Now one of their first priorities is dismantling Virginia’s right to work laws and pushing mandatory collective bargaining, even though Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger promised she would not sign a repeal. “Democrats […]
- A Virginia political scribe recalls the dark ages of covering campaigns and elections before VPAP
The Virginia Public Access Project websites homepage. (Photo courtesy VPAP) We Virginians are about to elect our 75th governor, the first woman to hold the office. For those not yet up to speed, you can learn quite a lot about Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in very short order. For instance, in two […]
- 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
- Virginia eyes transgender athlete restrictions amid national legal battle
Virginia is advancing toward banning transgenders from competing on women’s sports teams, even as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to take up two cases that could set a national precedent.
- Headlines from across the state: Youngkin directs National Guard to help with immigration enforcement; more . . .
Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Virginia. Some content may be behind a metered paywall: Politics: Amtrak Virginia ridership increased exponentially this year. But is future growth in jeopardy? — Virginia Mercury. (See Cardinal’s previous report on how ridership on the Roanoke route increased faster than any other Virginia […]
- Open letter to Earle-Sears reflects Va. voters’ shifting sentiments on reproductive health care
As Virginia weighs whether or not to enshrine abortion, the act of killing babies in its constitution, the issue is playing a significant role in the upcoming elections for governor and motivating voters across party lines — including some who say it’s reshaping how they plan to vote this fall.
- NPR CEO Katherine Maher Who Said Once ‘America is Addicted to White Supremacy’ Now Says NPR needs federal funding to support ‘Rural Communities.’
Maher asked Republicans to provide examples of left-wing bias. They delivered
- Fairfax County Board seat to be filled by a former school board member
The race to replace Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw on the Board of Supervisors began quietly. With the odds stacked in favour of him moving to Congress the race has begun to take place.
- United behind Spanberger, Va.’s Democratic Party reminds voters of Republicans’ three-way primary
Monday marked the first day that Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates could deliver their collection of petition signatures to the state’s Board of Elections, which officially puts them on the ballot. With former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger as the Democratic nominee for governor, the Democratic Party of Virginia is reminding voters that Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, once the […]
- Democrats seize on enthusiasm gap in 2025 Virginia House races
Stephen Miller-Pitts is making his second bid to unseat Republican Del. Carrie Coyner in the 75th House District, which includes parts of Chesterfield and Prince George counties and the city of Hopewell. The combat veteran, educator, service-disabled small business owner and community activist previously ran against Coyner in 2023, losing by just five percentage points. […]
- Congressional Democrats including Suhas Subramanyam Unanimously Vote Against Protection of Women and Girls in Sports
In a highly contentious Senate vote earlier this week, all present Congressional Democrats stood united in opposition to the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a Republican-led bill aimed at barring transgender women and girls from participating in federally funded school athletic programs designated for female athletes.