Hit the links this weekend
A Saturday morning update on Virginia politics
Happy Saturday if today is a weekend for you! If not, I feel you. In case you missed it: Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris will be in Virginia this week to fundraise for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe.
This adds to a list of star-studded appearances on the campaign trail in Virginia’s gubernatorial race that already includes President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton, former Ambassador Nikki Haley, and former Vice President Mike Pence.
McAuliffe calls on nursing homes, assisted living facilities to require employee COVID-19 be vaccinated
Terry McAuliffe, Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia, on Friday called on nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other residential facilities serving seniors in Virginia to require their staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 during a campaign event in Loudoun County.
The nominee for governor made the announcement before more than 65 people at the Ashby Ponds Senior Living Community in Ashburn. “This is all about safety,” McAuliffe said.
With election wins, Va. Republicans could pass laws restricting abortion. The Race for lieutenant governor is key. - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Patrick Wilson
If Republicans are successful in the fall election, they could pass new laws restricting abortion in Virginia, something groups opposed to abortion would welcome, while Democrats are raising alarm.
Reproductive rights are especially relevant in the race for lieutenant governor, where the winner - either Republican Winsome Sears or Democrat Hala Ayala - would break potential tie votes on the issue in the closely divided state Senate.
Campaign funds can be used for child care, Virginia AG says - Virginia Mercury
by Graham Moomaw
Attorney General Mark Herring says political candidates in Virginia can use campaign funds to pay campaign-related child care expenses, an opinion that puts the state in alignment with federal election rules but has little immediate impact due to the state’s anything-goes campaign finance system.
“Virginia’s campaign finance statutes allow for the use of campaign funds for child care expenses if those expenses are the direct result of campaign activity,” Herring wrote in an opinion sent Friday to almost a dozen state lawmakers seeking clarity on the issue. “Such an expense is no different from paying for services such as those of campaign staff because without it, the individual would be prevented from expressly advocating for their election to elected office and for the defeat of their opponent.”
The links:
‘The room just exploded’ Pentagon survivor recalls the attack
Lee statue base reassembled after failed time capsule search
Virginia's Dept. of Elections commissioner explains why 114,000 voters were removed from rolls
Local Virginia House candidate faces $224,000 in federal tax liens
New fall testing in Virginia public schools will measure unfinished learning
Qualified patients line up at marijuana dispensary, whole flower cannabis now available in Virginia
Incumbent protection takes center stage at Virginia redistricting commission
Attacks' legacy of fear, insecurity still ripples for Laufer
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National:
The World Trade Towers Collapsed on Will Jimeno. How Did He Survive?
U.S. reflects upon, and mourns, 20-year anniversary of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks
How 9/11 shaped Joe Biden’s approach to the politics of national tragedy
Analysis suggests no evidence of explosives in target of U.S. drone strike
Newsom slams Elder for 'extension of the Big Lie' ahead of California recall
U.S. pulls missile defenses in Saudi Arabia amid Yemen attacks
Federal workers’ vaccine mandate prompts confusion as the government struggles to return to offices
Democrats fight California recall but say party must do better: ‘Don’t just sit there’
Biden to GOP governors planning vaccine mandate lawsuits: 'Have at it'