Politics

(The Center Square) – Virginia lawmakers will return to Richmond on April 4 for a special session to finish work on the state budget, tax policy, funding to construct an NFL stadium and other bills that weren’t completed during the regular session.

“Between high gas prices and rising inflation, Virginians are more squeezed than ever and the General Assembly can deliver much needed tax relief to struggling Virginia families,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. “Together, we can produce the biggest tax cut in the history of the Commonwealth at a time when Virginians need it the most and also make record investments in our education, law enforcement and behavioral health system, among other important priorities. Let’s get back to work.”

Fairfax County Democrats say it’s time to hold a Special Election for members of the Virginia House of Delegates.

At its March 22nd general body meeting, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee members voted 86% in favor of a resolution calling for special elections for the House of Delegates in 2022.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation that prohibits a truck modification called the “Carolina Squat,” which elevates the front end of trucks or other vehicles and lowers the back end.

Senate Bill 777, sponsored by Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, requires the front bumper be no more than 4 inches higher than the rear bumper. The height differences between front and back bumpers with the Carolina squat modification vary among vehicles.

Gov. Glen Youngkin’s mask choice executive order took effect Monday, January 24, giving parents the option to send their children to school without a facemask. Afterward, many parents who sent their child to school without a mask said their children were segregated from their classmates, sat along in the backs of classrooms, or removed from classrooms altogether, forced to spend the day in administrative offices, and denied a proper education.

The Prince William County School Board voted unanimously to sue Youngkin, joining multiple Northern Virginia school divisions who chose to ignore the executive order from the newly-inaugurated Republican governor.

On Thursday, March 17, during his 28th annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete, held online, Connolly announced he would seek reelection to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. 

The 11th District no longer includes Prince William County following the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision to draw new political maps for federal and state offices. The newly-drawn 11th District lies within the boundaries of Fairfax County, where Connolly served as Board of County Supervisors Chairman and includes Tysons, Fairfax City, Chantilly, and Reston. 

Some voting precincts in Stafford County have changed, and some new ones created.

At the March 15, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board adopted voted to create new election district boundaries, voting precincts, and polling locations. 

By Tyler Arnold

(The Center Square) – Virginia legislation that would establish a funding stream to build a new NFL stadium for the Washington Commanders will be pushed to a special session, but a resolution to enshrine felon voting rights in the constitution is dead.

(The Center Square) – Legislation that would allow public sector workers to speak against policy proposals in public hearings passed both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly and will be sent to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk.

House Bill 384, sponsored by Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, passed with bipartisan support: 72-27 in the House and 26-14 in the Senate. The governor is expected to sign the legislation.