Politics

Reimbursement could be up to $1,000 per animal and $25 per fowl, according to the bill.

The Department of Government Efficiency says an Internal Revenue Service office lease in Roanoke will be canceled. The building’s property manager says the federal government initially said that but later walked it back.

The county electoral board will recommend the closure of one precinct to the board of supervisors, and a pause on the closure of the second precinct, later this month.

Advocates say the bill is necessary for proper access to essential services within mental health and substance use disorder care.

Walt Bailey, a volunteer fire department chief in Phenix, predicts that unless fire and EMS departments begin to see increased funding from the state, volunteer departments will begin to close in rural areas. Volunteers make up about 70% of the fire departments across Virginia.

Although the four lawmakers — two Republicans and two Democrats — have expressed their differences on the House and Senate floors, and did so again during Thursday’s luncheon, there were also notes of bipartisanship and unity.

The Virginia Poverty Law Center and Voices for Virginia’s Children have worked with former foster students to bring bills to Richmond in recent years. Several have been made into law.

Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, recently announced he’s retiring after about 24 years in the House of Delegates.

Supporters say energy storage facilities can help smooth out the highs and lows of electricity demand and could potentially reduce the need for new power plants.