Posts Tagged General Assembly 2023
A bill protecting bus drivers advances to the Virginia Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 3, 2023
Mandatory minimum sentences have been controversial for years, and Democrats have tried to give judges more autonomy to make decisions about individual cases. But Michael Pope reports there’s at least one area where Democrats want mandatory minimum sentences.
State lawmakers say Virginia needs a unified approach to gambling regulation
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 2, 2023
Recent years have seen an explosion of legal gambling options in Virginia. And, as Michael Pope tells us, lawmakers are now talking about creating a gambling commission to oversee the industry.
Virginia abortion-rights opponents march for the first time post-Roe
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 1, 2023
Thousands of people standing in opposition to abortion rights gathered at the Capitol today. Michael Pope reports.
State lawmakers are scrambling to balance the budget following education accounting error
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 1, 2023
Senior members of the money committees and the House and Senate are working to fix a budgeting mistake that has lawmakers scrambling to balance the books. Michael Pope has the latest.
Bill requiring safe storage of firearms clears Senate, faces uphill battle in House
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 31, 2023
The recent shooting at a Newport News elementary school has some calling for safe storage requirements for firearms. Michael Pope reports on one piece of legislation at the General Assembly.
Also Tuesday, the Senate approved legislation banning the sale of assault-style weapons.
House Democrats blast into Youngkin administration over Department of Education error
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 31, 2023
Lawmakers are preparing to release budget details this weekend, although as Michael Pope reports, they’re having a hard time balancing the books, especially for schools.
The momentum around banning solitary confinement in Virginia continues to grow
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 27, 2023
Once again, lawmakers in Richmond are talking about banning the practice of holding incarcerated people in solitary confinement. But, as Michael Pope reports, this year the effort has new momentum.
Where will Virginia’s next casino project end up?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 27, 2023
Lawmakers are about to roll the dice on casinos, and a bill to allow for a referendum in Petersburg has already cleared an early hurdle. Michael Pope has the story.
State lawmakers consider regulations for payday lending apps
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 26, 2023
Opponents of payday lending are worried about a bill making its way through the House of Delegates. Michael Pope explains why.
It doesn’t look likely state lawmakers will expand ranked choice voting this year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 25, 2023
Lawmakers will be on the ballot this year and, as Michael Pope tells us, they’ll also be making decisions about how the ballot is organized.
State lawmakers are debating several bills related to public school libraries
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 24, 2023
Public school libraries are the focus of several bills in the General Assembly this year. Michael Pope reports.
Smart thermostat legislation cools in Virginia Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 23, 2023
Gun control legislation moves forward in Virginia Senate, faces tough odds in the House
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 23, 2023
Lawmakers in Richmond are not expected to pass any new legislation to crack down on gun violence this year. But, as Michael Pope tells us, that doesn’t mean they won’t try.
Senate committee strikes down several abortion-related bills
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 20, 2023
Governor Glenn Youngkin campaigned on a platform of limiting abortions with a 15-week ban. But Democrats in the Senate are rejecting any new restrictions. Michael Pope reports.
Efforts to roll back voting access have already been struck down
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 20, 2023
Virginia Senators defeat effort to further cut the grocery tax, House bills remain
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 18, 2023
Last year, members of the General Assembly got rid of the state portion of the grocery tax. Now, as Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are considering several bills to get rid of the rest of it.
Some lawmakers want to limit data center spread
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 17, 2023
Loudoun County is known throughout the world for its concentration of data centers, although as Michael Pope reports several lawmakers are trying to prevent them from spreading out into new areas.
Could Virginia drop voter drop boxes?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 17, 2023
In the last few years, Virginia has made many changes to how elections work. Michael Pope has this report on efforts to roll back some of those changes.
An effort to punish drug dealers in fatal overdose cases may already be over
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 16, 2023
The governor wants to crack down on dealers who supply drugs that result in fatal overdoses. But, Michael Pope reports some recovery advocates fear that might backfire.
An effort to ban solitary confinement in Virginia is moving forward
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 13, 2023
Lawmakers in Richmond are considering a bill that would prohibit people who are incarcerated from being held in solitary confinement. Michael Pope has the story.
Abortion will be a hot topic in Richmond this year, just don’t expect much to change
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 12, 2023
The 2023 General Assembly session is now underway
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 11, 2023
Lawmakers are back in Richmond for the 2023 General Assembly session. And as Michael Pope reports, sparks are already flying.
Changes to Virginia’s behavioral health system will be a major focus of this year’s session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 10, 2023
Lawmakers will return to Richmond Wednesday, where they will be debating hundreds of bills. As Michael Pope tells us, one issue that is likely to be central to the General Assembly session is transforming Virginia’s behavioral health system.
What impacts could special elections have on this year’s General Assembly session?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 9, 2023
Voters in three parts of Virginia will be heading to the polls Tuesday to select new members of the General Assembly. Michael Pope reports.
General Assembly may expand remedial reading program to middle schools
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 9, 2023
Kids who were in kindergarten when the pandemic hit will enter fourth grade next year, and many still struggle with reading. Sandy Hausman reports that lawmakers in Richmond will consider a bill to help those students catch up.
Virginia lawmaker calls for roll-back of electric car legislation over cobalt mining
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 9, 2023
A lawmaker from Virginia Beach is attacking the requirement that more electric cars be sold here because he says a component of their batteries is mined by slave labor. Sandy Hausman reports.
The governor wants to cut “unnecessary regulations,” but could that hurt housing development?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 5, 2023
Lawmakers are about to return to Richmond for the General Assembly session, and one of the items they’ll be talking about is expanding the stock of new housing. Michael Pope has this preview.
Youngkin touts tax plan, pushing for $1 billion in cuts
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 5, 2023

Governor Glenn Youngkin is pushing for an additional one billion dollars in tax relief. He touted his plan during a stop in Salem earlier today/Thursday. Nick Gilmore reports.
One Virginia lawmaker wants to raise jury pay
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 4, 2023
By law, employers in Virginia don’t have to pay workers if they are called to serve on a jury, and compensation to serve on one is low.
One lawmaker hopes to change that when the General Assembly convenes later this month. Sandy Hausman has that story.
Should Virginia localities be able to require a license to own pets?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 26, 2022
The Virginia General Assembly is about to go to the dogs. Michael Pope has this preview.
Youngkin proposes $500 million for economic development site readiness
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 5, 2022
Lawmakers are about to consider tripling the state budget line-item for prepping economic development sites. Michael Pope has those details.
State Senator Adam Ebbin to propose new gun control legislation
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on November 25, 2022
After two deadly shooting incidents in Virginia, State Senator Louise Lucas is attacking the governor and lieutenant governor for failing to support stronger gun controls in the Commonwealth.
Meanwhile, Senator Adam Ebbin is drafting legislation he’ll introduce when lawmakers meet in less than two months. Sandy Hausman has that story.
Abortion will be at the forefront of next year’s General Assembly session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on June 30, 2022
The recent Supreme Court decision on abortion is setting the stage for a General Assembly session where reproductive rights will be on the agenda. Michael Pope reports.