The Floyd County Republican says Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears “refused to shake my hand and yelled something . . before leaving and slamming my door.”
Politics
General Assembly money committees ready to fund new inland port in Southwest Virginia
The House and Senate budget committees include differing amounts for the facility. The House budget also includes money for widening I-81 in the Roanoke Valley and renovating a building at Catawba Hospital.
Senate panel advances bill to consolidate workforce development programs
Virginia currently has six cabinet secretaries, 12 state agencies and 35 different programs dealing with workforce development. A bipartisan proposal seeks to consolidate services under a centralized Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
House committee passes transgender bill requiring students to list their biological sex on sports eligibility forms; skips Del. March’s bill
Senate passes Suetterlein bill on special elections. Senate panel backs Hackworth bill on methane. House panel advances O’Quinn bill on nuclear education fund and Ballard bill on gangs.
Boones Mill residents sue D.C. ABC station, employees and Franklin County activist after their house was shown in TV report on racism
The suit also names the Franklin County branch of Black Lives Matter as a defendant.
Youngkin’s job approval remains at 50%
Half of Virginia voters give the governor a thumbs-up, according to a new Wason Center poll. Fifty-nine percent still prefer that the governor not run for president in 2024.
House panel unanimously backs Catawba transformation project
The measure from Del. Sam Rasoul would turn the mental hospital in Roanoke County into a facility for substance use disorder treatment and addiction recovery.
From the classroom to council: How Ridgeway became home to one of the youngest politicians in Virginia — and the nation
Maeve McCulloch was appointed at age 18 to the council in the Henry County town. In November, she was elected to a full term as a write-in candidate.
House panel to consider transforming Catawba Hospital into substance use treatment center
A new study by the state backs the proposal by Del. Sam Rasoul to turn the Catawba Hospital into a state-of-the-art campus for substance use disorder treatment and addiction recovery. The Roanoke Valley has been hit particularly hard by addiction.
House passes Del. McNamara’s tax relief bills
The House passed bills to lower the top income tax rate and business taxes. Meanwhile, a Senate panel approved a bill by state Sen. David Suetterlein to prevent political leaders from manipulating the timing of special elections.