General Assembly

Manassas

Maldonado Seeks New Guardrails on Artificial Intelligence

By Potomac Local News
Virginia Delegate Michelle Maldonado (D) addressed the crowd, announcing her plans to introduce legislation to prevent domestic violence. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

“Lawmakers have begun pre-filing bills ahead of the Jan. 14 General Assembly session, with early proposals—largely from Democratic legislators—focused on tightening rules around AI and protecting minors. Dels. Cliff Hayes of Chesapeake and Michelle Maldonado of Manassas are among those backing new restrictions as artificial intelligence becomes more widely used.”

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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]

The pilot funding request was approved unanimously by the MCPS School Board on May 13 and needed to be formally approved by City Council. The Board requested $2 million from its fund balance be used to get the program off the ground.

Council’s approval of this funding went hand-in-hand with its approval of the Board’s purchase of 8700 Centreville Road, where the program would be housed along with the district’s Central Office staff and operations.

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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]

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.

Each lawmaker was asked what they considered the biggest accomplishment of the session. Delegate Bobby Orrock pointed to increased education funding and roughly $1 billion in tax rebates coming back to Virginia families. Senator Tara Durant also highlighted education, calling the $222 million investment to eliminate the K-12 support cap “a real game-changer.” She also noted new funding for math instruction—a personal priority she’s worked on for years.

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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. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 40 Senators who serve 4-year terms.

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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

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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