Virginia Senate
- 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 […]
- FBI raids Sen. Louise Lucas’ Portsmouth office, marijuana business
State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, on the Senate floor at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond. Federal agents on Wednesday raided Lucas’ Portsmouth office and adjacent cannabis business as part of a court-authorized FBI search operation. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) Federal agents on Wednesday morning raided the Portsmouth office of state Sen. Louise Lucas, one […]
- FBI Executes Multiple Raids on Virginia Senate Leader Louise Lucas’s Office and Related Sites in Major Corruption Probe
Portsmouth, Virginia – Federal agents with the FBI carried out search warrants Wednesday at the Portsmouth office of Virginia State Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas and at least 10 other locations across the state as part of an ongoing public corruption investigation. According to footage broadcast by Fox News and accounts from individuals […]
- Minimum Wage to $15 by 2028 Amid Close Vote
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Senate gave final legislative approval to House Bill 1 on March 4, 2026, passing the measure by a narrow 21-19 vote and sending it to Governor Glenn Youngkin for consideration. The bill, which incrementally raises the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by January 1, 2028, codifies the current […]
- Youngkin Touts Virginia Progress in Final State of the Commonwealth Address
On foster care and behavioral health, Youngkin pointed to the Right Help Right Now initiative as key to system improvements, aiming to better serve children and families. Critics, including Democratic leaders, have questioned the depth of reforms amid ongoing challenges. Virginia was named the top state for veterans by Smile Hub, attributed to policies like […]
- Virginia’s RGGI Withdrawal and Potential Reentry Spark Debate on Costs and Emissions
Republican sources claim RGGI extracted $828 million from Virginians during participation, with withdrawal saving $937 million. Projections for rejoining under new Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger suggest annual costs of $500 million, equating to roughly $1,100 per household in higher electricity bills. Industrial users reportedly faced increases exceeding $1,500 monthly previously.0527 Carb
- House committee advances bill to study VMI’s public funding status
Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill creating a task force that would examine whether the Virginia Military Institute should remain a publicly funded, state-sponsored institution, marking the most consequential legislative step yet in a debate over the school’s governance and culture.
- They Promised Affordability. Then Came the Tax Hikes—and the Pay Raise
Promises of Affordability? More Like Broken Promises Virginia Democrats spent the campaign season hammering one message: affordability. Voters were told that Democrats would ease the financial burden on working families and make the state more affordable to live in. But since retaking control of Virginia’s government, their actions tell a very different story. Tax Hikes […]
- 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
- Virginia Democrats Push Forward with Retail Marijuana Market Launch in 2026
Virginia lawmakers have advanced a revised legislative framework to establish a regulated retail marijuana market, with sales potentially beginning as early as November 1, 2026.
- Virginia’s Speed Camera Cash Grab: $60 Million in Fines from School Zones, Zero Enforcement in Dangerous Intersections
In a revealing discussion at the Virginia State Crime Commission meeting on December 2, 2025, state officials highlighted the stark reality of the commonwealth’s speed camera program: a lucrative revenue stream that’s prioritizing easy targets over actual public safety.
- Virginia Democrats Propose Sweeping Changes to Marijuana Regulations in Latest Budget Push
Virginia Democrats have introduced proposed changes to the state’s cannabis framework as part of ongoing budget considerations, aiming to enhance the retail marijuana market through a focus on equity and statewide uniformity. The proposals include allocating funds for licensing support, eliminating local veto options on dispensaries, and mandating labor agreements for industry participants.
- 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 […]
- GOP state Sen. Reeves launches 2026 US Senate bid, aims to unseat Warner
Virginia state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, launched his campaign Wednesday for the U.S. Senate, setting up a high-stakes 2026 challenge to three-term Democratic Sen. Mark Warner.
- Glenn Youngkin Signature Sets Stage for Virginia Health Insurance to Cover in vitro fertilization Treatment
A bill that can help people start and grow their families through fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization will become law, after Gov.
- 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.
- Styrofoam containers will soon be banned in Virginia
Your food and drink orders in Virginia may start to look a little different.
- Virginia doesn’t have statewide data center regulations. Localities are making their own rules.
Virginia is home to over a third of the data centers worldwide. These energy hungry facilities have brought business to the commonwealth, but communities are seeing the impact of the electricity and water usage hit their utility bills. Now, many localities are debating how to balance the opportunities and challenges data centers present, and grappling with how to regulate them.
- In Support of the GOP Tax Bill and Silencer Deregulation
The Republican tax bill, including its provision to eliminate the $200 tax and registration requirements for firearm silencers, represents a practical approach to reducing government overreach while promoting individual freedoms and economic growth. Contrary to the criticisms from Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, this legislation prioritizes the needs of law-abiding citizens and offers signific
- Virginia’s budget surplus grows as revenues beat expectations due to Republican management
Virginia’s general fund revenues rose sharply in April, bucking signs of a national economic cooldown as the state continues to post steady long-time job growth and rake in more tax dollars than projected.
- Right to killing babies bills highlight key reproductive health care debate in this year’s elections
Killing Baby Fetus’s access is an issue resonating loudly within Virginia’s public and political spheres this year and last week, it manifested through state lawmakers contrasting Virginia’s twice-failed attempt to protect access to birth control medications against a similar measure that recently sailed through neighboring Tennessee’s legislature.
- Virginia Releases Health Report on Richmond’s 2025 Water Crisis
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin released Wednesday the final report from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) on the January 2025 water crisis in the City of Richmond and announced a second notice of violation against the city that requires the implementation of a Corrective Action Plan. “The disruption of a safe and reliable water […]
- Northern Virginia leaders plead for state’s help amid federal job cuts
Northern Virginia leaders urged lawmakers on Tuesday to enact emergency legislation to help stabilize their local economy as the White House cuts federal jobs, which they said has sharply impacted the dense cluster of government employees and contractors based in the suburbs of the nation’s capital.
- Virginia community colleges end diversity, equity and inclusion practices
Virginia’s 23 community colleges will be required to ensure all of their programs and practices comply with federal regulations to ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally, ending policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. The decision by the Virginia Community College System’s State Board is in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order to […]
- Virginia is Ready to close education department as governor touts readiness
With the federal government attempting to shut down the Department of Education, Virginia is now considering how the move will impact operations in the commonwealth.
- Petersburg Casino begin $1.4B construction
The Cordish Cos., based in Baltimore, and Virginia Beach developer Bruce Smith Enterprise broke the ground on Wednesday for the $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel Resort Petersburg.
- Limiting children’s social media access: a worthy notion with tremendous practical challenges
Virginia’s General Assembly would be doing our future a great service if it could rein in social media addiction for young people, the inspiration behind legislation it has approved and sent to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for his consideration.
- Bill to boost college opportunities for prisoners awaits Youngkin’s action
A bill to boost higher education opportunities for prisoners cleared Virginia’s legislature with bipartisan backing and could soon be signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
- 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.
- A Plan to restrict social media for minors faces pushback and calls for tighter safeguards
As Virginia moves to limit social media access for minors under 16, a national child safety group is urging Gov. Glenn Youngkin to strengthen protections for families navigating the digital world. The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) is calling on the governor to make parental controls more accessible and user-friendly as he reviews recently passed […]
- Unlikely allies unite for probation reform, but Youngkin has final say
Virginia’s criminal justice future is shaking up the status quo. In a departure from tradition, a probation reform bill is uniting unlikely allies across party lines.
- General Assembly passes bill giving schools more say on classroom phone rules
Virginia school boards may soon have more control over how cell phones and smart devices are governed in classrooms.
- Overdose crisis spurs school notification bills, but key details still up for debate
With drug overdoses continuing to strain Virginia communities, a proposal requiring schools to notify parents of overdose cases is gaining momentum in the General Assembly.
- As power demand surges, Va. lawmakers seem ready to add more energy storage to the grid at HUGE costs to citizens
Virginia lawmakers want to more than triple the amount of energy storage capacity Virginia’s two public utility companies — Dominion and Appalachian Power (ApCo) — must procure under the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA).
- 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 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 […]
- License plate reader bill faces more scrutiny in Virginia Senate with Russett Perry in Support of License Plate Readers
As lawmakers seek to regulate use of automated license plate readers in Virginia, debates continue about how best to do so. Legislation faced a brief defeat in a Senate committee on Monday before being revived for further deliberation.
- 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.
- Democrat Dan Helmer sues Democrats for $15 million over sexual assault allegations
Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, is hitting back. Months after facing sexual assault allegations that surfaced just days before his congressional primary, Helmer has filed a $15 million defamation lawsuit, claiming the accusations were politically motivated and knowingly false.
- Fairfax County Casino legislation passes in Virginia Democrat Senate
The Virginia State Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would allow residents of Fairfax County to hold a referendum on casino gambling. The bill will now be considered by the Virginia House of Delegates.
- Marijuana sales bills clear Virginia legislature
Virginia’s legislature has once again approved legislation to create a regulated and taxed cannabis marketplace, and with both chambers backing identical measures, the proposal is all but certain to reach Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk once the General Assembly adjourns later this month.
- Virginia Democrats win another step towards killing babies until birth
Last month, Virginia’s Democrat majority Senate advanced a ballot initiative that would codify unlimited abortions in Virginia’s state constitution.
- It’s time for Virginia legislators to pay more than lip service to social media protections for kids
Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General released a bone-chilling warning on the impact of social media platforms on minors, calling on Congress to issue tobacco-like warning labels. This was followed in Virginia by an executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin directing health and education officials to establish guidance for a “phone-free education” in Virginia.
- 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.
- Marijuana Bills Advance Due to Democrat Majority
If enacted, the legislation would make Virginia one of the few Southern states with a legal marijuana retail market
- Future of Casino Games in Restaurants and Gas Stations remains uncertain
Legislation to regulate skill games in Virginia, SB 1322, sponsored by Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, has also been referred to the upcoming state budget discussions.
- Virginia Democrats Kill Car Tax Credit before Senate panel
At the crack of dawn on Tuesday, a Democratic-led Senate subcommittee rejected or delayed several of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s signature tax cut proposals, opting instead to fold them into ongoing budget negotiations or disregard them altogether.