Posts Tagged Special Session
Equity Programs Debate Leads to Fireworks in the House of Delegates
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 9, 2021
Legislators were in Richmond Monday to make a final decision on $3 billion of federal relief money. But, a debate over equity programs in public schools produced the bigger fireworks. Michael Pope reports.
Lawmakers Going Behind Closed Doors to Come Together on State Budget
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 5, 2021
Many lawmakers were hoping for a lightning fast special session this week. But, now members of the House and Senate are haggling over the details. Michael Pope reports.
House OK’s State Budget, But Virginia Senate Adds a Few Amendments
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 4, 2021
The House of Delegates is moving forward with a massive spending plan to appropriate billions of dollars of stimulus cash. Michael Pope has details.
Members of the Virginia Senate say the stimulus spending plan the governor sent them isn’t good enough, and they’re suggesting a change that would help sheriff’s deputies. Reporter Michael Pope has more on their proposed amendments.
Lawmakers Working to Iron Out Wrinkles in Eviction Protections
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 3, 2021
Lawmakers are back in Richmond trying to figure out how to spend billions of dollars in federal stimulus money. Michael Pope reports the spending bill is also expected to have language aimed at helping guard against evictions.
State Democrats Pushing for a Speedy Special Session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 2, 2021
Democrats who are in charge of the General Assembly are hoping to oversee a swift special session to spend billions of dollars in federal stimulus money. Michael Pope reports.
As State Lawmakers Consider Budget Amendments, Debate Over VMI Investigation Ensues
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on November 9, 2020
Members of the House of Delegates sparred Monday over a proposal from Governor Northam to fund an investigation into accounts of systemic racism at Virginia Military Institute. Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.
Differences Over Conviction Expungement Continue to Divide General Assembly
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 21, 2020
Lawmakers are mostly done with their special session, although they left some business unfinished. Michael Pope reports on one criminal justice reform that has yet to be resolved.
Special Session Begins to Wrap Up: What Did Lawmakers Accomplish?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 19, 2020
Governor Ralph Northam is now considering several dozen bills lawmakers sent during a two-month special session. Michael Pope reports.
Who Should Be Able to Serve on New Redistricting Commission?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 9, 2020
Voters are considering a constitutional amendment that would create a new commission to draw political boundaries. But just who is expected to serve on this commission? Michael Pope reports.
General Assembly Working Out Differences Over Conviction Expungement
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 8, 2020
Leaders in the House and Senate are trying to work out their differences on expunging old convictions. Michael Pope reports.
State Lawmakers Are Working to Give Prosecutors More Options
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 6, 2020
Lawmakers are wrapping up their special session on the budget and criminal justice reform. And, they’re about to send a bill to the governor that could transform how cases are handled in your local courthouse. Michael Pope reports.
A Closer Look at Closed-Door Conference Committees
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 6, 2020
Lawmakers are trying to wrap up their special session in Richmond, although they’ll need to resolve several major differences between the House version of bills and the Senate version of bills. And, they’ll be resolving their differences in private. Michael Pope reports.
A Look at the Policing Reforms Moving Forward at the General Assembly
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 2, 2020
Lawmakers in Richmond are moving forward with a sweeping package of new laws aimed at reforming how policing works in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Effort Banning Police Use of Chokeholds Fails in Richmond
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on October 2, 2020
Lawmakers in Richmond may be close to wrapping up their special session. And, they’re coming to a resolution on the issue of chokeholds. Michael Pope reports.
Pretext Stops Related to the Smell of Marijuana May Soon Be a Thing of the Past
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 30, 2020
The Virginia Senate is about to consider a bill that could dramatically reduce the number of people who are stopped and searched by police officers. Michael Pope reports.
Funding Dispute Could Delay Sentencing Reform Legislation
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 29, 2020
Sentencing reform is coming to Virginia, although Democrats in the House and Senate are divided on when Virginia can afford to make it happen. Michael Pope reports.
MRAPs Have Become a Sticking Point in Military Equipment Use Debate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 18, 2020
Lawmakers are debating a ban on some kinds of military equipment for law enforcement agencies across Virginia. As Michael Pope reports, the House and Senate are taking different approaches.
Virginia House and Senate at Odds Over Special Session’s Next Steps
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 17, 2020
House Democrats and Senate Democrats are at an impasse, and leaders in both chambers are trying to figure out what to do next in the special session. Michael Pope reports.
Lessons Learned During the 1986 Special Session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 17, 2020
Faced with a global pandemic and undeniable evidence of police brutality, lawmakers are working their way through a hectic special session – but it’s not entirely without precedent. Cat Modlin-Jackson has this look back at a time when the legislature got together to solve a different kind of crisis.
Virginia Senate Committee Kills Paid Quarantine Leave Bill
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 16, 2020
Lawmakers are rejecting an effort to require businesses offer paid quarantine leave. Michael Pope reports.
State Lawmakers Working to Balance the Budget… Again
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 15, 2020
Lawmakers are trying to budget the state out of the red ink created by slumping revenues tied to the economic crisis. Michael Pope reports.
Senate Democrats Split Over State Inspections of ICE Facilities
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 11, 2020
Members of the Virginia state Senate are considering a bill that would allow state inspectors access to detention centers holding people accused of violating immigration laws. But, Senate Democrats are divided about how to handle the situation. Michael Pope reports.
Bill Blocking Police Use of Military Equipment Moves to House of Delegates
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 10, 2020
The Virginia Senate has approved a landmark bill approving policing reform. The vote came after a debate over the use of military equipment. Michael Pope has details.
Advocates Say There’s Adequate Funding to Reinstate Healthcare Spending
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 10, 2020
Faced with uncertainty about the costs of the coronavirus, lawmakers hit pause on plans to spend more money on Medicaid coverage earlier this year. But, in spite of an expected revenue shortfall, policy experts say there’s plenty of money left for healthcare spending. Cat Modlin-Jackson reports.
Marcus Alert Legislation On its Way to the Virginia Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 9, 2020
Wednesday, House lawmakers advanced a bill that would establish the Marcus Alert system. Cat Modlin-Jackson has this story about the evolving proposal, named for an unarmed Black man killed by a Richmond police officer in 2018.
Democratic Senators Block Republican Effort to Prevent Police from Unionizing
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 9, 2020
Members of the General Assembly are about to move forward with landmark legislation to reform policing in Virginia. But, Republican efforts to reduce the influence of police unions have been unsuccessful. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia Senate Shelves COVID Workers Comp Bill for Now
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 9, 2020
Should workers who get COVID-19 be eligible for workers’ compensation? As Michael Pope reports, lawmakers aren’t sure.
Bill Allowing Localities to Immediately Remove War Memorials Moves to State Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 8, 2020
As the nation attempts to reckon with systemic racism, lawmakers in Virginia are moving to speed up the process of taking down Confederate monuments. Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.
Paid Sick Days Proposal is Dead, but Virginia House Moving Forward With Quarantine Leave
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 8, 2020
Efforts to require paid sick days during the pandemic have already fallen apart in the Senate. But, efforts are moving forward in the House for a quarantine leave. Michael Pope reports.
Bill Adding Civil Penalty for Emergency Order Violations Passes State Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 4, 2020
What happens if someone violates the governor’s executive order on the pandemic? Michael Pope reports.
Several Measures Move Forward, But Qualified Immunity Bill Dies in House
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 4, 2020
A suite of policing reform bills moved out of the state House Friday. But, a measure allowing civilians to sue on-duty officers for misconduct wasn’t one of them. Cat Modlin-Jackson reports.
New Poll: Broad Support for Paid Sick Day Policy Among Virginians
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 4, 2020
A new poll shows widespread support for paid sick days. Michael Pope reports.
You can find more information on the poll here.
Criminal Justice Reforms: Just How Much Power Should Civilian Review Boards Have?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 3, 2020
Should citizen review boards be able to crack down on bad cops? Michael Pope reports lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow that kind of power.
State Lawmakers Want to Ensure a Tuition Freeze Still Happens
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 3, 2020
Earlier this year, lawmakers set aside millions of dollars to freeze tuition rates. They shifted course and unallotted that money when COVID-19 cast a shadow of economic doubt, but now, a move to restore those funds has bipartisan support. Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.
Virginia Senate Strikes Down COVID-19 Business Immunity Bill
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 2, 2020
Credit: CDC
Should corporations be immune from lawsuits if customers contract COVID-19? Michael Pope reports.
Some State Lawmakers Worry Pandemic Could Stymie Civic Education Effort
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 1, 2020
The pandemic has played havoc with many aspects of education. Efforts to get high school students to register to vote are still moving forward, even though many schools are virtual. Michael Pope reports.
Criminal Justice Reforms: House Committee Revives Effort to End Qualified Immunity
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 1, 2020
Delegate Jeff Bourne (D-Richmond)
The state’s special session over police reform took a turn Tuesday after members of the House Appropriations Committee revived a bill allowing citizens to sue law-enforcement officers for misconduct. Cat Modlin-Jackson reports the latest on the controversial move to end qualified immunity.
Budget Restraints Halt Some Policing Reforms in Richmond
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 31, 2020
Lawmakers are focused on reworking the budget and reforming police practices, but these issues aren’t mutually exclusive. Monday, members of the House budget committee weighed the costs of some of the criminal justice measures moving through their chamber. Cat Modlin-Jackson reports.
Criminal Justice Reforms: Bill to Limit Pretextual Stops Advances in House and Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 31, 2020
Credit: NPR
Lawmakers are moving forward with efforts to crack down on a controversial practice of pretextual policing. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia Crime Commission Recommends Conviction Expungement System
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 31, 2020
Virginia is one of the few states where it’s almost impossible for someone to get rid of a conviction. But, that might be about to change. Michael Pope has the story.
Voting in a Pandemic: Drop Box Funding Passes In Virginia House and Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 28, 2020
Lawmakers in Richmond are considering a plan to spend $2 million to help voters cast ballots during the pandemic. But, critics say they are opening the door to vote harvesting and election fraud. Michael Pope has details.
State Lawmakers Working to Publicize Virginia Parole Board Votes
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 27, 2020
Lawmakers in Richmond are debating ways to shed more sunlight on the actions of the Virginia Parole Board. Michael Pope has the story.
Voting in a Pandemic: Drop Boxes Legislation Moves Forward in Virginia Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 27, 2020
Lawmakers in Richmond are considering a plan to fund drop boxes for ballots across Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia Senate Moves Forward Bill Removing Mandatory Minimums Related to Police Assault
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 26, 2020
Mandatory minimum sentences have been controversial in Virginia since the 1990s, when many new mandatory minimums were added to the code. Now lawmakers are moving in the other direction. Michael Pope has details.
Guzman Bill Providing Paid Quarantine Leave Moves to House Appropriations Committee
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 26, 2020
Delegate Elizabeth Guzmán
Public health officials have recommended self-isolation for people who’ve come down with or come into contact with COVID-19. For many caregivers and workers, staying home means losing days or weeks of wages. Cat Modlin-Jackson has details.
Committee Kills Vaccine Opt-Out Legislation
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 25, 2020
Credit: CDC
What happens when a vaccine for COVID-19 comes online? Tuesday, Republican lawmakers pushed legislation that would’ve limited mandates on immunizations. Cat Modlin-Jackson has this report.
COVID-Altered Budget: Can State Lawmakers Squeeze in Funding for Clerk Positions?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 24, 2020
Some of Virginia’s understaffed courts won big earlier this year when legislators approved funding for new district clerk positions. But their gain was lost to pandemic budget freezes, leaving court administrators to struggle under the weight of a workload that’s only grown because of COVID-19. Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.
Voting in a Pandemic: State Lawmakers Working to Establish Protections for November Election
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 24, 2020
With a little more than two months to go before the nation’s first pandemic presidential election, lawmakers in Virginia’s General Assembly are fast tracking a measure to establish socially-distant election protocols. Monday, members of the House of Delegates pushed full speed ahead. Cat Modlin-Jackson reports.
Legislating in the Era of COVID: Zoom Meetings and Electronic Votes
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 24, 2020
Republican Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment says the Senate has never voted on anything virtually, and he warns it will be a “dangerous precedent” to start voting via Zoom during Monday’s Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee meeting.
Members of the Virginia Senate are joining the era of Zoom, voting electronically during a special session. Michael Pope reports.
ICE Facilities Could Be Subject to Virginia Regulators Under Boysko Legislation
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 21, 2020
State Senator Jennifer Boysko (Credit: Senate of Virginia)
State regulators may be on their way to inspect detention centers holding people accused of violating immigration laws.
Michael Pope reports.
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From NPR News- Israeli police shoot and kill a man at Jerusalem's holiest site April 1, 2023The slain man was 26-year-old Mohammed Alasibi from Hura, a Bedouin Arab village in southern Israel. The shooting raises fears of further violence during heightened tensions at the holy site.
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- Death toll rises to 21 after tornadoes sweep across the South and the Midwest April 1, 2023The powerful storm system spread destruction in several states. In Illinois, one person died and 28 were hurt after a theater roof caved in during a concert.
- Israeli police shoot and kill a man at Jerusalem's holiest site April 1, 2023
- From BBC News
- Dover ferry queues: Extra overnight English Channel crossings laid on to clear backlog April 1, 2023The additional services will run overnight, with the port saying the queues should be cleared by midday.
- Three British men are being held by Taliban in Afghanistan April 1, 2023Two of the men were arrested on 11 January, a humanitarian organisation has confirmed.
- Two Iranian women arrested for not covering hair after man attacks them with yoghurt April 1, 2023The women seem to have been attacked for not wearing the hijab properly in public, which is illegal.
- Russia assumes UN Security Council presidency despite Ukrainian anger April 1, 2023Ukraine's foreign minister said Russia leading the UN Security Council is "the worst joke ever".
- Judy Blume worried about intolerance and book banning in the US April 1, 2023Judy Blume says banning books "has become political... it's worse than it was in the 80s".
- Dover ferry queues: Extra overnight English Channel crossings laid on to clear backlog April 1, 2023
Virginia Public Radio 