Politics

The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill on Thursday which would provide paid leave to essential workers.

House Bill 2137, introduced by Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Woodbridge, would require essential businesses to offer paid leave to their workers, according to the bill. Employees must be offered a minimum of one paid hour off for every 30 hours they’ve worked, although the bill does not prevent employers from offering additional paid time off. A qualifying employee must work at least 20 hours a week.

A judge in Virginia ordered a permanent ban on accepting ballots without postmarks after Election Day.

In a consent order dated January 13, 2021, signed by Judge William W. Eldridge IV, Presiding Judge of the Frederick County Circuit Court, the Virginia Board of Elections agreed to revise their regulations to bring them into compliance with Virginia law.

This week, efforts to curb indoor smoking in Virginia took a major step towards becoming law when the House of Delegates approved House Bill 1842 on a 72 to 27 bipartisan vote.  The measure introduced by Delegate Mark L. Keam (D-Fairfax) now heads to the State Senate for its consideration.

“As Virginians continue to shelter at home due to COVID, I hear from constituents who live in apartments or condos concerned that their neighbors who smoke are making things even worse for their physical and mental health,” said Del. Keam. “My bill offers new tools for property owners to tackle this public health issue by requiring smoking residents to stop second-hand toxins from spreading on their premises and harming neighbors.”

A 7 a.m. subcommittee discussion on the finer points of election administration isn’t normally the type of Virginia General Assembly meeting that leads to anger and hurt feelings.