Republicans killed a bill that would have banned campaign funds for personal use
Youngkin provides an update on his administration’s efforts to increase vaccination rates in Virginia
“I want you to know, we are going to be okay.” - President Joe Biden 3.1.2022
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The rundown
House Republicans killed legislation for a second time that would have banned campaign funds from being used personally
Youngkin provides an update on his administration’s efforts to increase vaccination rates in Virginia
Virginia’s members of Congress and congressional candidates responded to Biden’s SOTU
Political headlines from around Virginia
The House of Delegates voted again Wednesday to kill a bill that would have banned the use of campaign funds for personal expenses in Virginia. The bill from Sen. John Bell (D) would have prohibited any person from converting contributions to a candidate or a candidate's campaign committee for personal use.
Under this legislation, campaign funds would have been considered converted to personal use if the contribution is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense that would exist irrespective of the person's seeking, holding, or maintaining public office. It excludes from "personal use" the ordinary and accepted expenses related to campaigning for or holding elective office, including the use of campaign funds to pay for the candidate's child care expenses that are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity.
The bill passed the state Senate on a 37-3 vote, but it failed in the House Privileges and Elections subcommittee on a 5-3 vote Wednesday morning. Republican Del. Mike Cherry introduced matching legislation and the same subcommittee killed the bill earlier this session.
Clean Virginia, a group that says they are fighting against corruption in Virginia politics commented on the failed legislation.
“There is nothing currently stopping a political candidate in Virginia from using unlimited campaign funds, for which there is no cap in Virginia, to purchase a vacation house or a swanky country club membership,” said Brennan Gilmore, the executive director of Clean Virginia. “It’s no wonder that public trust in our elected officials is at an all-time low. This legalization of grift is deeply embarrassing for Virginia — nearly every other state and the federal government ban the personal use of campaign funds.”
Republican Delegates O'Quinn, Bloxom, Williams, Taylor, and Wachsman killed the legislation both times.
Youngkin gives details on his administration’s efforts to increase vaccination rates
Governor Youngkin updated his administation’’s Covid-19 action plan Tuesday and announced the following initiatives that are underway to increase vaccination rates across Virginia:
The Virginia Department of Health conducted research about marketing messages that resonate with Virginians who have not yet received the vaccine. Earlier this month, they produced a video series highlighting the stories of rural Virginians and other target demographics who advocate for the vaccine in their communities and are sharing those videos in communities across the Commonwealth.
Launched Vaccine Communications on Hesitancy Education Workgroup (VCHEW) to identify barriers and solutions in populations with lower vaccination rates.
Partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to promote testing, vaccination and address vaccine hesitancy in Black young adults and their surrounding communities.
Partnered with faith-based organizations throughout the Commonwealth to promote vaccination and address vaccine hesitancy in surrounding communities.
Supported the development and launch of tele-town halls focused on providing schools and parents information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Engaging local health district representatives and pediatrician partners as subject matter experts to specifically address hesitations from parents of young children about COVID-19 vaccines. So far, 17 health districts have expressed their interest in supporting tele-town halls for their school communities and event scheduling is underway.
Conducted school-based vaccination clinics in target areas to support access to the COVID-19 vaccine for children who do not have regular health care providers. These were done in collaboration between the VDOE, VDH, and local health districts.
Spanish language marketing campaigns to promote vaccination, boosters, pediatric vaccination, and other COVID-19 public health guidance, which parallel the concurrent English-language campaigns.
In collaboration with the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Medicaid managed care organizations, working on incentive and other programs to identify unvaccinated populations and plan vaccination events and targeted communications to encourage vaccination and address vaccine hesitancy.
Since January 1, 2022, VDH has conducted 15 Pharmacy Clinics focused on areas with low vaccination rates. There are more than 200 mobile events scheduled for first, second, and booster doses through March 2022, according to the governor’s announcement.
Virginia’s members of Congress and congressional candidates respond to State of the Union
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D):
“Americans are comeback people, and few people know that better than Joe Biden. Tonight, he laid out a unifying framework for our comeback from an immensely challenging two years, and set a clear vision for how we can rebuild our economy, defend democracy, and address the urgent health needs of our communities. America has shown remarkable resilience in the face of heartbreaking circumstances, and I’m committed to doing all I can to rebuild toward a brighter, more prosperous future.”
U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D):
“Tonight, President Biden spoke not just to Congress or to the American people, but to the world. I was pleased to hear the message of strength that for weeks has helped to rally our NATO allies around democracy and in support of the Ukrainian people. I was also encouraged to hear the President outline a plan to further cement our post-COVID economic recovery and address the complex financial challenges facing Americans. I look forward to continuing to work in Congress alongside the Biden administration to strengthen our supply chains, foster U.S. innovation, and lower costs for hardworking Virginia families – from health care and prescription drugs, to childcare and housing.”
Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07):
“Tonight, the country heard President Biden’s call to advance an agenda of unity and affirm U.S. leadership on the world stage. We demonstrate this leadership not only by standing with our allies and standing up to autocracies and war criminals, but by showing strength at home. That includes keeping our communities safe, funding our police, and securing our borders.
“That’s also why I was encouraged to hear President Biden directly address the economic concerns of Virginia families and families across our country. We still have much work ahead in addressing supply chain challenges, rising grocery bills, and high gas prices. I will continue to press this administration to respond to these concerns as we rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Perhaps the most exciting part of tonight’s speech was the recognition of Seventh District resident Joshua Davis, one of the bravest Virginians I know. Joshua and his family have been strong advocates for those with diabetes in Virginia and across the country. Last month, I was honored to introduce Joshua to the President during an event in Culpeper. His attendance at tonight’s speech was an opportunity to stress the importance — for our families, our neighbors, and our communities — of getting prescription drug-focused legislation done.
“And finally, President Biden’s address provided hope that the United States and our allies can keep rallying together in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As we build global support for the Ukrainian people, I have been proud to see Democrats and Republicans stand united in condemning Putin. But going forward, we need to do more. As the war continues, we must continue supporting our Ukrainian allies who are bravely fighting for their freedom by providing the arms, technical equipment, and humanitarian support they need. We must also ensure that Putin, his inner circle, and his oligarch cronies face unrelenting economic, social, and worldwide consequences. We must take a step beyond sanctioning them and begin seizing their assets throughout the world, creating crushing consequences for Putin and all who enable him.”
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA02):
House Education & Labor Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA03):
“Tonight, President Biden laid out a path for how we continue to build back a better America— one where we can continue to lower costs for all Americans and secure democracy across the world.
“As President Biden noted, the American Rescue Plan, which Congress passed last March, provided historic relief that helped reopen classrooms safely, supported workers who lost their jobs, and ensured struggling Americans could get back on their feet. The return on these investments is clear in our economic recovery. Last year, the U.S. economy had the strongest year of growth since 1984 and created 6.7 million jobs —more than any other year on record. Moreover, we witnessed the largest reduction in childhood poverty ever recorded in a single year. Simply put, over the past year, congressional Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration have finally put our country on the road to recovery.
“Regrettably, many Americans continue to face rising costs as the world grapples with the economic fallout from the pandemic. President Biden is right: we can overcome these challenges with sustained investments in America’s students, workers, and families. It is imperative that the Senate takes up legislation the House has already passed, including the America COMPETES Act, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, andlegislation to raise the federal minimum wage. The Senate must also pass the Build Back Better Act, which includes critical investments to end child hunger, expand the Pell Grant, strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions, increase apprenticeship opportunities, and lower the cost of child care and prescription drugs.
“President Biden also highlighted his work to unify our allies against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the work being done to weaken Russia economically and diplomatically. This crisis has underscored the importance of rapidly transitioning to clean domestic energy. This transition will not only help us mitigate climate change and create jobs here in the United States, but it will also prevent senseless suffering at the hands of Russian oligarchs and protect Americans from price gouging from corporate polluters.
“To that end, I look forward to continuing to work with the Biden-Harris Administration and my colleagues in both chambers to enact legislation that will lower costs for Americans and secure a brighter future for our communities.”
Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06):
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10):
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA01):
VA-07 GOP candidate Derrick Anderson:
“The speech we heard tonight on Capitol Hill illustrated exactly why we need a change in leadership in Washington. Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Abigail Spanberger all support the radical policies that have caused rampant inflation and raised the cost of living for average Virginians. My campaign has provided an alternate vision, where conservative policies will keep the cost of living and price of goods low. We need to fix our broken immigration system, secure our border, and make America a leader in the world. I served my country overseas as a Green Beret and I know what it will take to make America a leader again.”
VA-07 GOP candidate Crystal Vanuch:
VA-02 GOP candidate Jen Kiggans:
“After watching Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, it’s clear the left won’t fix the disaster they’ve created. They want to act like their failed policies don’t exist. Joe Biden and the Democrats don’t have a plan to fix their mess. I do. Send me to Washington, and I will help get America back on track.
In Washington, I will:
Stop divisive curricula in our schools
Implement a plan to stop the crisis at the border
Hold China accountable
Help reduce the cost of living
Show strength in our foreign policy
Protect life
Essentially everything Joe Biden and Elaine Luria have failed to do!
I have a plan, and we need real leaders now more than ever…”
From the ERA to abortion: five cases in which Va.’s new AG changed the state’s legal position - Virginia Mercury
by Ned Oliver
Attorney General Jason Miyares is the first Republican to hold the office in nearly a decade. So his office says it’s natural to expect the state’s legal position to change after so eight years under the control of Democrat Mark Herring.
Asked for a complete accounting of cases in which Miyares directed the state to change sides or withdraw, Miyares’s spokeswoman, Victoria LaCivita, listed five:
Arlington suspends substitute teacher who backed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Washington Post
by Hannah Natanson
Arlington Public Schools has suspended a substitute teacher who, during a Spanish class, expressed approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine and urged students to read Russian-run propaganda outlets.
The substitute, John Stanton, 65, made the comments during an eighth-grade Spanish lesson on Friday at Swanson Middle School. Stanton said in an interview Tuesday that he spoke about Russia and Ukraine for the first 10 minutes of a 90-minute class and that he hoped to offer students an opposing viewpoint that he said is rarely heard.
More Virginia Political News
Misinformation, unanswered questions plague debate over bill to close police records
Warner backs Youngkin's call for state to divest Russian investments
Senate panel holds line on tax policies as final negotiations loom
Bill to protect Virginians from ‘cyber flashers’ is nearly law
