A day of counting
The latest in Virginia politics.
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A day of counting
Vote counting in VA-04 is set to begin at 10 am and likely take several hours as I am hearing that somewhere between 25-30K votes were cast during the primary yesterday. I will provide any pertinent updates throughout the day along with an announcement once a winner is determined.
Brandon Hutchins Launches Campaign for House District 96
Navy veteran and Healthcare Administrator, Brandon Hutchins (D), announced his bid for a newly-created Virginia Beach seat in the House of Delegates on Tuesday.
“After much prayer and consideration, I am announcing that I am running for Delegate in the 96th House District,” Hutchins said in a press release. “This decision was not made lightly, but I understand what is at stake in Virginia in 2023. My family and I have been fortunate to live, work, open a business, and raise our kids here in Virginia Beach. I am excited to represent our community in the Virginia House of Delegates. I am committed to fighting for women’s reproductive freedom, quality public education, health equity, a thriving economy, and our environment.”
Hutchins was a citizen commissioner on Virginia’s failed Redistricting Commission.
Susan Hippen is also seeking the Democratic nomination in this district.
According to an analysis from VPAP, Democrat Terry McAuliffe won this district by 8 points in 2021.
VEA Fund Endorses Aaron Rouse for Virginia Senate in Special Election
The Virginia Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education is endorsing Democrat Aaron Rouse as he is running in the SD-07 special election to replace Congresswoman-elect Jen Kiggans in the state Senate.
“As a member of City Council in Virginia Beach, Aaron Rouse has always been a strong supporter of public schools, students, and educators,” said Dr. James J. Fedderman, VEA president and chair of the VEA Fund. “Now, Virginia Beach families have the opportunity to elect him to the Virginia Senate, where we look forward to his continued leadership on issues like investing in our schools, keeping students safe, and providing living wages for education professionals.”
Rouse is running against Kevin Adams for the seat. The special election is on Jan. 10.
Virginia's Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is Back to Deter Drunk Driving This Holiday Season
Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI enforcement and public education campaign is back on Virginia’s roads this holiday season to close out its 21st year of deterring drunk driving. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, formerly known as Checkpoint Strikeforce, combines law enforcement efforts with research-based outreach to remind Virginians to plan for a safe ride home after drinking.
Virginia State Police personnel will work through the holiday as part of Operation CARE – the Crash Awareness Reduction Effort. CARE is a nationwide, state-sponsored traffic safety program that aims to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by impaired driving, speeding, and failing to use occupant restraints. Virginia State Police’s participation in the program will begin Friday, December 23 and run through Monday, January 2 at midnight.
In addition, 120 Virginia law enforcement agencies will participate in the holiday wave of Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign from Wednesday, December 14 through New Year’s Day. Law enforcement officers will conduct 536 individual saturation patrols and 95 sobriety checkpoints across the Commonwealth.
Restaurateur who defied covid rules presses his fight ‘till the end’ - WaPo
By Tim Carman
On the morning of Dec. 2, as agents with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Commission boxed up bottles from the bar at Gourmeltz in Fredericksburg, Va., owner Matt Strickland took out his phone and began recording. He pointed his camera at the ABC agents, along with the Virginia state troopers who accompanied them, and accused them all of supporting tyranny. He questioned their loyalty to country and the constitution. He questioned their manhood.
“What you’re doing right now is government overreach. What you’re doing right now is supporting a tyrannical government,” Strickland told the officers as he panned his phone around the room. “The Constitution means more to me than my self-preservation. If any of you guys had the b---- to stand up and say that, and fight for that, this would not be going on right now.”
6 big issues Virginia lawmakers will take up in January General Assembly session - 13 News Now
by Preston Steger
Virginia lawmakers will reconvene in January for the 2023 General Assembly session, where several hot-button issues affecting the lives of Virginians are on the table.
The session starts on Jan. 11 and is expected to last 30 days, unless lawmakers agree to extend the duration. Republicans have a 52-seat majority in the House of Delegates, while Democrats have a 21-seat majority in the Virginia Senate.
Legislative commission objects to withdrawal from regional carbon market - Virginia Mercury
BY: CHARLIE PAULLIN
A legislative oversight commission voted 5-4 Monday to object to actions taken by Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration earlier this month to repeal regulations governing Virginia’s participation in a regional carbon market. All Democrats on the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules voted in favor of the objection, while all Republicans voted against it.
The commission is charged with reviewing proposed regulations to see if they are consistent with the law. Its objection will be filed with the Virginia registrar and the State Air Pollution Control Board. The vote followed action by the State Air Pollution Control Board Dec. 7 to start the process of withdrawing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multistate carbon market that requires power producers to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit.
Virginia minimum wage set to increase Jan. 1, 2023 - WRIC
by: Allie Barefoot
Virginia is one of 25 states that will see an increase in minimum wage starting next year. Under current Virginia law, the rate will increase to $12 per hour. The current minimum wage rate is $11, which will last until Jan. 1, 2023. After that, the minimum wage rises yearly until it hits $15 an hour in 2026. Following 2026, the minimum wage will be adjusted annually to compensate for inflation.
According to the Code of Virginia, the new minimum wage rate will affect residents in the service industry, such as companions, cooks, waiters, butlers, maids, valets, and chauffeurs. It will also affect any individual employed by an employer, which includes home care providers.