Sources from Clean Virginia's orbit say they have no involvement in House leadership battle
The latest in Virginia politics.
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Wednesday’s schedule for the General Assembly’s veto session
8:00 a.m. Joint Commission on Health Care; House Committee Room, Pocahontas Building
9:00 a.m. Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee; Shared Committee Room B, Pocahontas Building
9:30 a.m. House Health, Welfare and Institutions; House Committee Room, Pocahontas Building
9:30 a.m. House Republican Caucus; House Room 1, The Capitol
10:00 a.m. Senate Committee on Rules; Senate Room A, Pocahontas Building
10:00 a.m. House Democratic Caucus; House Room 2, The Capitol
11:00 a.m. Senate Democratic Caucus; Senate Room 1, The Capitol
11:15 a.m. Senate Republican Caucus; Senate Room 2, The Capitol
12:00 p.m. House 2022 Reconvened Regular Session; House Chamber, The Capitol
12:00 p.m. Senate 2022 Reconvened Regular Session; Senate Chamber, The Capitol
The governor’s public schedule has not been released yet.
The Rundown
Youngkin announces funding after signing bill requiring detailed floor plans for school buildings
The House Democratic leadership battle continues and Clean Virginia claims no involvement
Emails from the campaign trail (Kiggans and Vega)
The House Democratic leadership battle continues and Clean Virginia claims no involvement
The battle for Democratic leadership in the House of Delegates continues one day before the caucus is supposed to meet and take a vote on removing Leader Eileen Filler-Corn and Caucus Chair Charniele Herring.
For context in this update: Democrats in Virginia are largely split into two teams: Dominion Energy and Clean Virginia.
Dominion has historically been one of the most powerful donors in Virginia for both parties. Clean Virginia has become the most prominent Democratic donor in the commonwealth in recent years as they try to squash some of Dominion’s influence over politicians on the left side of the aisle.
When the news broke that some delegates are trying to overthrow current leadership in the House, speculation began circulating that Clean Virginia was behind the push. Several sources from within the Clean Virginia orbit have denied any involvement, however.
Additionally, Del. Don Scott, the Democrat leading the charge to take over as Democratic House leader, is a huge Dominion guy. In the entirety of his political career, Dominion has given him $124,500, making them his largest donor by far. His second-largest donor has given him $10,000.
The current House Democratic leader, former Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, is also a friend of Dominion. She is not as financially reliant on the utility company, however, because she is a strong fundraiser with many relationships with prominent donors.
In 2021, however, Dominion donated $425,000 to the House Democratic Caucus. This topic could lead to some issues if the Democrats seeking to overthrow leadership succeed.
While Scott is a Dominion guy historically, his nomination for chair of the caucus is Del. Sally Hudson — a huge Clean Virginia person and strong advocate of banning contributions to politicians from Dominion. Hudson has received $195,000 from Clean Virginia and associated donors since she got into politics in 2018. That is more than half of her total money raised as a politician, which is $376,259.
Scott did not respond to a question from Virginia Scope Monday night when asked if he would continue to allow the same fundraising methods if he becomes the caucus leader.
This continues to be a developing situation.
Youngkin announces funding after signing bill requiring detailed floor plans for school buildings
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Monday the availability of $6.5 million through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to assist public schools in the development of digital floor plans. The governor also signed Del. Robert Bell’s (R) HB 741, which requires local school boards to create detailed and accurate floor plans for each of their public school buildings.
The Digital Mapping Program for Virginia K–12 Schools will fund up to $3,500 per public school to create a common operation picture through digital maps for school administrators and first responders to use during emergencies.
“This legislation and the Digital Mapping Program for Virginia K–12 Schools will help ensure the safety of all students, staff, and visitors who enter our schools,” Youngkin said in a statement Monday. “It will likewise promote the safety of the brave men and women who keep our children safe.”
The floor plans can be kept hidden from the public, the legislation states.
“Each child deserves to feel welcome and secure in school,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “This new legislation is an important step towards ensuring every parent can trust their child is in a safe learning environment.”
Emails from the campaign trail
VA-02 Republican candidate Jen Kiggans:
Remember when government officials were working overtime to convince us that inflation was transitory and that we wouldn’t be feeling financial pain much longer? Those days came and went and inflation has continued to rise at record rates…! As we move through tax season, I want to know how you are doing? Leaders in Washington need to do a better job of understanding how their failures impact everyday Americans. The Biden Administration’s failed fiscal policy is making it so that working families, living paycheck to paycheck, now will have to pay an additional estimated $5,200 annually. *Don’t forget* that $5,200 is on top of the additional estimated $3,500 from last year’s increase! Bottom line… Americans simply cannot afford more of the same failed policy from Democrats in Congress. We look forward to hearing from you!
Team Kiggans
VA-07 Republican candidate Yesli Vega:
Hey there, The VA-07 primary is coming quick - on June 21, to be exact. Can you make a donation to my campaign to help me get through the primary election to the finish line? I want what’s best for the District. And honestly, I am the best candidate for the job. As a military wife, mother of two, sheriff's deputy, and conservative, I will ALWAYS put Virginia first.
DONATE $21 FOR JUNE 21
RUSH $21 FOR JUNE 21
GIVE $21 FOR JUNE 21
CHIP IN $21 FOR JUNE 21
Virginia’s 7th Congressional District is one of the MOST WATCHED races in the country. If we’re going to FLIP IT RED and TAKE BACK THE HOUSE, we need your help to do so. Please consider rushing a contribution today. With your help, we’ll make it to victory!
God Bless, Yesli VegaFellow Conservative, We are way behind. Chip in now to help me catch up. > DONATE NOW. My Radical Left opponent, Abigail Spanberger, relied on her dark money allies and raked in $1 million. If this isn’t a sign that she is attempting to buy back her seat, I don’t know what is. She has lied for years claiming that she is moderate, but whenever her party is pushing for Radical legislation in Congress, she is one of the first people in line to support it. We must stop her now. Think about it this way, ever since the Radical Left took control, we have seen: record-high inflation rates, the cost of living going through the roof, and out-of-control crime in our communities. And this is all thanks to the policies promoted by Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Abigail Spanberger. I need you with me; together, we can fire all three of them and get our country back on track.
God Bless, Yesli Vega
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