General Assembly

Manassas

Alternative Education Program Funding Approved for Manassas City Schools

By Caitlyn Meisner
Manassas City Councilor Theresa Coates-Ellis at the July 28, 2025, meeting discussing the MCPS alternative education program funding request. [Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

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Manassas

Manassas Sets 2025 Legislative Agenda, Renews Push for Local Sales Tax Referendum for Schools

By Uriah Kiser

The Manassas City Council is preparing to present a new set of legislative priorities to state lawmakers during its annual Legislative Breakfast, scheduled for July 15, 2025, at the Manassas Museum.

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Fredericksburg

Big Wins and Budget Warnings: Lawmakers Talk Session Highlights in Downtown Fredericksburg

By Potomac Local News
Attendees pack The 718 Venue in downtown Fredericksburg for a legislative recap on May 6, 2025, featuring local lawmakers who shared highlights and takeaways from this year’s General Assembly session. The event was co-sponsored by the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Greater Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, Fredericksburg Area Builders Association, and Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors. [Photo: Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce]

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Local legislators shared their biggest takeaways from this year’s General Assembly session during a packed legislative recap hosted at the 718 Venue on Caroline Street.

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Fredericksburg

Legislation Update: What Your State Senators Are Working on This Session

By Kelly Sienkowski
Virignia State Capitol

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes.

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Originals

Subcommittee Rejects Bill to Regulate Data Centers Near Schools, Parks

By Uriah Kiser
Village Place Technology Park in Gainesville, approved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2022

The Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee rejected a bill that sought to regulate the siting of data centers near schools, parks, and residential areas. Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) presented HB1984, which would have required local government approval for data center developments only if they were located at least a quarter mile away from such properties. The subcommittee voted 8-0 to “lay the bill on the table,” effectively killing it.

The vote dealt a setback to those advocating for tighter regulation of Virginia’s rapidly growing data center industry. Data centers, which house servers and infrastructure critical for cloud computing and internet services, have been a source of contention due to their noise, construction impacts, and potential encroachment on residential and community spaces.

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Originals

Virginia House Subcommittee Votes Down Bill Addressing Homelessness in Vehicles

By Uriah Kiser

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Originals

Dumfries Charter Amendments Advance

By Uriah Kiser
Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

On January 24, 2025, the Virginia House of Delegates Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee reviewed several critical bills advanced. A charter amendment for the Town of Dumfries was unanimous, while a proposal to protect unhoused individuals seeking shelter in vehicles was rejected.

Delegate Candi Mundon King (D-Stafford, Woodbridge) introduced House Bill 2352, which proposes significant updates to the charter of Dumfries in Prince William County. The bill seeks to modernize the town’s governance structure and clarify its administrative framework. After receiving an 8–0 recommendation from the subcommittee, the committee voted 19–0 to report the bill to the full House of Delegates.

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News

Contraception protections advance in Virginia amid renewed debate

By Uriah Kiser

With contraception rights under scrutiny nationwide, Virginia Democrats are doubling down on efforts to safeguard access, even as they brace for potential pushback from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Mercury reports.

House Bill 1716, introduced by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, passed the House of Delegates on Thursday, while a companion bill from Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, cleared the Senate Education and Health Committee.

Last year, similar bills passed both chambers with bipartisan support but were ultimately vetoed by Youngkin.

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News

Three Constitutional Amendments Move Forward in Virginia Senate

By The Center Square
Virignia State Capitol

Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday. These amendments address abortion rights, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated felons.

The resolutions on abortion and voting rights passed along party lines, while the marriage equality resolution received bipartisan support with a 24-15 vote. Democrats currently hold a 21-19 majority in the Senate for the four-year terms through December 2027.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin cannot veto constitutional amendments. The process requires these amendments to be approved twice over two years, with a legislative election in between. If approved again, the proposed amendments will appear on the 2026 ballot for voters’ consideration.

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