Posts Tagged Governor Ralph Northam

Last Northam budget proposal includes tax relief, pay raises

A $2.6 billion surplus, rosy economic outlook, and federal relief funds created some options for Virginia’s state budget. Jahd Khalil breaks down the big picture of what’s in store.

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With Medicaid funding returning to normal, what’s in store for the next budget?

The pandemic has been a watershed moment in public health. That’s been especially apparent when it comes to Medicaid, which insures half a million people in Virginia. Reporter Jahd Khalil has a preview of what could be in store for the state’s Medicaid budget. 

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Mattaponi and Pamunkey fulfill 1677 treaty obligations at governor’s mansion

Governor Ralph Northam receives tributes under the 1677 Treaty of Middle Plantation at the Governor’s Mansion on Wednesday November 24, 2021. (Credit: Jahd Khalil / RADIO IQ)

Each year the Pamunkey and Mattaponi Tribes fulfill a legal obligation that has become a Thanksgiving fixture in Virginia. Jahd Khalil has more.

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Northam Proposal Would See All Virginia Households Connected to Broadband by 2024

Governor Ralph Northam proposed a historic investment in the state’s continued efforts to get Virginians connected to broadband Friday. Nick Gilmore has details.

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Rebuild VA Program Aims to Get Small Businesses Back on Their Feet

Governor Ralph Northam presents small business owners with checks from Rebuild Virginia, a grant program that has awarded $120 million to 3,000 small businesses across Virginia. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Governor Ralph Northam is hoping a grant program for small businesses will help them stay open and reorient themselves coming out of the pandemic. Michael Pope reports.

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Report: OSIG investigation not thorough, investigator biased

Although no one interfered with an Office of the State Inspector General investigation of the Virginia Parole Board, its lead investigator on a contentious parole decision displayed bias and OSIG’s investigation was not adequately thorough, a law firm tasked with looking into OSIG’s investigation said in a report Monday. Jahd Khalil has details.

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Northam: Virginia on Track to See COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted on June 15th

Some changes related to pandemic restrictions in Virginia are on the horizon. Nick Gilmore reports.

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General Assembly Passes Northam Amendment, Marijuana to Be Legalized July 1st

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The Democrat-controlled Virginia General Assembly voted Wednesday to accept Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposed changes to a marijuana legalization bill that will allow limited possession and cultivation of the drug beginning in July. Michael Pope has details.

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Lawmakers to Vote on Amendment Allowing Magistrates to Carry Firearms in State Buildings

This week, lawmakers will be considering an amendment to a bill they sent to Governor Ralph Northam earlier this year that bans guns at state buildings. The governor’s amendment creates an exemption for magistrates. Michael Pope reports.

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Sunsetting Coal Tax Credits: Where Will That Money Go Now?

The coal industry in Virginia is shrinking, and coal tax credits are on their way out. Michael Pope has this report on where the money that once helped subsidize the industry will go next.

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Full Speed Ahead on Major Initiative to Cut Down on I-95 Congestion, Expand Amtrak Access

Governor Ralph Northam before Tuesday’s announcement (Credit: Michael Pope)

Railroads once dominated transportation in Virginia until the invention of the automobile. Now, rail is making a comeback. Michael Pope has the story.

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Examining Next Steps for Legislation Passed During 2021 Session

The General Assembly session may be over for 2021. But, the process isn’t. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam: Some COVID-19 Restrictions to Be Relaxed Monday

The number of new COVID-19 infections is trending down, and vaccination numbers are going up. And, Governor Ralph Northam says that’s cause to relax some safety restrictions. Nick Gilmore has details.

You can find more details about the relaxed restrictions here.

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State Call Center for COVID-19 Vaccination Registration and Information Now Live

Credit: CDC

Governor Ralph Northam delivered some good news during an update on Virginia’s continued COVID-19 response Wednesday: case numbers are trending down and vaccinations are up. The state has a few new tools as well. Nick Gilmore reports.

You can reach the call center at 877-VAX-IN-VA. And the online portal is accessible here.

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Right to Appeal or Court Packing? A Look at the Move to Expand Virginia’s Court of Appeals

Virginia’s Court of Appeals currently has 11 members. Some lawmakers, including Governor Ralph Northam, want to expand that number to 15. (Credit: Court of Appeals of Virginia website)

Lawmakers are about to consider a proposal to expand the appeals court in Virginia. Michael Pope explains why.

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Northam Outlines Proposals for Two-Year Budget, Kicking off the Third Budget Process This Year

Lawmakers at the General Assembly will take a look at the state’s budget next month — and they got a proposed blueprint from the governor Wednesday. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam Considers Bill Limiting Some Use of Military Equipment by Police

Governor Ralph Northam is now considering dozens of bills lawmakers sent him during a special session on coronavirus and criminal justice reform. Michael Pope reports about one bill that could limit what kind of military equipment is available to police.

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Criminal Cases in Virginia Will Work Differently Beginning Next Year

Starting next summer, the criminal justice system in Virginia will see a major change in how criminal trials work and what kind of plea deals are offered. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia Takes on Race-Motivated 911 Calls

Calling 911 on someone because they are Black is about to become a felony in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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COVID-19 Prompts Cuts to Education in Revised Northam Budget

governor-northam-official-photo_800Governor Northam’s revised budget bill proposes cuts for education and a boost to Medicaid spending. But, the loss for schools isn’t necessarily a gain for healthcare. Cat Modlin-Jackson reports.

Here’s the full report from the Commonwealth Institute.

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Voting in a Pandemic: The Debate Over Next Month’s Local Elections

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Next month, voters across Virginia will be heading to the polls to vote in local elections. That’s despite efforts to move those elections to June or November. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam Lays Out Blueprint for Loosening Restrictions as Deaths from COVID-19 Surpass 400

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During a news conference Friday, Governor Northam offered the first details on a blueprint for how he plans to reopen Virginia. Nick Gilmore has details.

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Barring Executive Action, Local Elections in Virginia Will Go Forward in May

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Dozens of elections across Virginia are scheduled to take place a few days from now. As Michael Pope reports, efforts to move those elections have failed.

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State Lawmakers to Tackle Definition of “Environmental Justice” Wednesday

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When lawmakers assemble in Richmond Wednesday, they’ll be considering an amendment from the governor to define environmental justice. Michael Pope reports.

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Some State Democrats Want May Elections to Take Place in June Instead of November

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Lawmakers are about to return to Richmond for a General Assembly with social distancing. One issue that could become a flashpoint is what happens to local elections. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam Wants to Speed Up Timeline for Predatory Lending Protections

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Lawmakers are about to consider a significant change to legislation aimed at cracking down on predatory lending. As Michael Pope reports, an amendment from the governor will speed up the timeline.

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Advocates Say They Want More Protections for Immigrants With Driver Privilege Cards

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Next week, lawmakers will be considering an amendment to a bill allowing driver’s privilege cards for undocumented immigrants. Michael Pope has the story.

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Northam Extends Executive Order Closing Entertainment and Recreational Businesses By Two Weeks

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During a press conference Wednesday, Governor Ralph Northam said social distancing is working, and because of that, the state is flattening the curve of COVID-19. But, as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the governor is continuing an executive order closing many businesses across the Commonwealth.

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Northam Signs Several Gun-Control Measures Into Law

governor-northam-official-photo_800New gun-safety laws will be radically changing Virginia’s approach starting July 1st. Michael Pope reports.

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COVID-19 Pandemic Shedding New Light on Collective Bargaining Debate

virginia_flag_map_0Governor Ralph Northam is now considering a huge number of bills on his desk, even as he navigates the state’s response to coronavirus. Michael Pope has this report about one issue that’s being hotly debated now.

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Virginia Minimum Wage: Should it Extend to Farm Workers?

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Governor Ralph Northam is now considering hundreds of bills the General Assembly sent him last month, including one that raises the minimum wage. Michael Pope reports that the governor is being urged to get rid of an exemption for one category of worker.

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Should Northam Reconsider Renewable Energy Legislation in Light of Pandemic?

General Assembly 2020Governor Ralph Northam is now considering hundreds of bills that were passed by lawmakers before the health and economic crisis. Michael Pope reports on one bill that some are asking the governor to rethink.

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Monday: Virginia Tops 1,000 COVID-19 Cases, Northam Issues “Stay at Home” Order

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Governor Ralph Northam ordered all Virginians to stay at home as COVID-19 cases passed the 1,000 mark Monday. Mallory Noe-Payne has further details.

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New Local Government Exchange Program Pairs Communities Across the State

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Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, left, chats with Norton Mayor Joseph Fawbush at the Executive Mansion. The two cities have been paired as part of Gov. Ralph Northam’s Local Government Exchange Program. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Governor Ralph Northam is launching an effort aimed at forging new lines of communication across local governments in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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Governor Northam Weighs In On Paid Sick Days Debate

governor-northam-official-photo_800Lawmakers are debating a proposal to require businesses offer paid sick days to their employees. But, Democrats are divided over which businesses would be required to do that. Michael Pope has details.

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Following a Big Night for Democrats, Governor Northam Looks Ahead

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Governor Ralph Northam addresses members of his cabinet following Tuesday’s statehouse elections. He outlined some of his key priorities for the General Assembly, which Democrats now control for the first time in decades. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / RADIO IQ)

Now that Democrats have unified power in Virginia, they’re looking forward to their legislative agenda. Governor Ralph Northam laid out his priorities at a cabinet meeting Wednesday. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

The Democratic governor believes his party’s gains on Election Night were largely powered by voters who want common-sense gun laws.

Northam said he plans to push the same gun safety laws he proposed during a special session of the General Assembly earlier this year – a direct response to a May mass shooting in Virginia Beach. Here he is talking about some of those proposals:

Republicans dismissed that special session almost immediately – without deliberating gun safety proposals from Northam and other lawmakers.

The true test for how progressive this new agenda will be comes in January — when the first Democratic-led General Assembly in decades convenes in Richmond.

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Northam Blasts Trump After Mass Shootings

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Following an event marking the 75th birthday of Smokey Bear, Governor Northam blasted President Trump and state lawmakers who failed to act during a special legislative session on gun control. (Credit: RADIO IQ)

In the wake of two mass shootings over the weekend, Governor Northam is blaming Donald Trump and calling on voters to reject gun violence on November 5th. Sandy Hausman has the story.

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Some Virginia Districts Are Turning to Virtual Solutions to Teacher Shortage

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Schools across Virginia are having a hard time finding teachers. And, the lack of teachers in Virginia is causing some schools to take drastic measures. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam Outlines School Readiness Proposal

governor-northam-official-photo_800Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is hoping to get his hands on new funding streams for early childhood education. Michael Pope reports.

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Trump and Other Leaders Celebrate 400th Anniversary of American Democracy at Jamestown

StateSeal00Citing what he called “four incredible centuries of history, “President Donald Trump closed out Tuesday’s ceremony in Jamestown, celebrating in the same place where the legislative body first met. Jeff Bossert reports.

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Virginia is for Outdoor Lovers Too

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You’ve heard that Virginia is for lovers, but state officials are hoping you’ll also soon think of the Commonwealth as a home for outdoor lovers too. Nick Gilmore explains.

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Analysts: Accepting PAC Money from the Governor Could Have Mixed Results

StateSeal00Under normal circumstances, candidates would welcome money from the governor to help finance their campaigns. But this year, it’s a little different. Michael Pope is following the money.

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Virginia Governor Announces Special Session on Gun Control

StateSeal00Governor Ralph Northam announced Tuesday he will summon lawmakers back to the state Capitol to consider a package of gun-control legislation, saying last week’s deadly mass shooting in Virginia Beach calls for “votes and laws, not thoughts and prayers.” Mallory Noe-Payne has further details.

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What Impacts Could the Special Session Have In November?

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Lawmakers will be returning to Richmond for a special session on guns. But will anything happen? Michael Pope reports.

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Governor Northam’s Mandatory Minimums Decision Continues to Spark Controversy

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Governor Ralph Northam made headlines last week when he vetoed a bill that would have established a minimum two month prison sentence for third-time domestic abusers.

In a statement sent out Monday, Republicans say the governor’s veto undercuts protections for people trapped in abusive relationships. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Northam Working to Increase Affordable Housing Options, GOP Support Remains Unclear

virginia_flag_map_0Lawmakers are returning to Richmond Wednesday, where they’ll be considering a proposal from the governor to invest more money into affordable housing. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam Renews Push for a Virginia Hands-Free Law

governor-northam-official-photo_800Drivers in Virginia may soon be subject to a strict new law preventing them from holding their cell phones. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam Vetoes Two Immigration-Related Bills

governor-northam-official-photo_800Immigration is once again in the spotlight here in Virginia, where the issue has become a dividing line between the parties. Michael Pope reports.

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Where Does Lottery Money Go in Governor Northam’s Budget?

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Money from gambling may be making its way into the classrooms. Or maybe not. Michael Pope explains.

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Controversial Cell Tower Bill Rests in Governor Northam’s Hands

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Local governments are pressing the governor’s office to make significant changes to a bill governing where and when cell towers can be constructed. Michael Pope has that story.

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