The first television ad in the gubernatorial race and Glenn Youngkin announces his candidacy
Here are the top stories in Virginia politics.
Welcome to Wednesday!
Republican candidate for Governor Pete Snyder launches the first television ad of the 2021 gubernatorial race
Pete Snyder announced his candidacy for Governor on Tuesday, and launched a $130,000 ad buy with Fox News as he vies for the Republican nomination to run for Governor.
In the ad, Snyder focuses on students getting back to school. “We’re nearly a year into this pandemic and the career politicians in Richmond have done more to rename our schools than open them,” Snyder says in the ad. “As governor, I’ll take on the special interests, get our kids back in the classrooms and bring strong, decisive leadership to the state capitol.”
Snyder is competing with Del. Kirk Cox (Colonial Heights), Senator Amanda Chase (Chesterfield), Glenn Youngkin, and Sergio de la Pena for the nomination.
View the ad from Snyder below:
House of Delegates passes emergency vaccination legislation - Virginia Scope
The House of Delegates passed emergency legislation on Tuesday night that would increase the medical staff available to provide COVID-19 vaccinations. The bill would also require data collection and reporting by vaccinators to help track how vaccines are being distributed between communities.
HB 2333, sponsored by Delegate Lamont Bagby (D-Henrico), is considered emergency legislation and was advanced from committee to final full-floor passage in one day – a task that typically takes several days to complete.
The bill received unanimous support in the House.
“The House vaccinator bill will expand the number of healthcare professionals eligible to administer COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax). “This legislation will significantly expand the Commonwealth’s capacity to get shots in arms as an increased supply of vaccines are provided by federal authorities. This is a critical step as the General Assembly works with Governor Northam to keep Virginia healthy and turn the corner on this pandemic.”
Governor Ralph Northam is set to provide a COVID-19 update today at 2 p.m.
According to a source close to Governor Northam, the latest numbers show that Virginia has administered close to 7,000 doses per 100,000 people. In addition, Virginia has administered 51% of the doses they have received, the national average is 53%. The Governor also set a goal in early January to administer 25,000 vaccines a day, the new data shows that Virginia has administered over 30,000 shots in each of the last four days, surpassing the goal.
Commentary: Tom Barbour is running to be Richmond’s next Commonwealth’s Attorney - Virginia Scope
“I’ve eaten lunch with Taliban commanders who I know are trying to kill me.”
Attorney Thomas P. Barbour, Jr. is gamely entertaining a hypothetical scenario in which he is Richmond’s Commonwealth’s Attorney and protesters are holding a demonstration outside of his Church Hill home. “I’m going to go out there and talk with folks, or at least listen to them. I think that people deserve to be heard, even if they show up at your house.”
More News
Carroll Foy promises to seek increase in Virginia unemployment benefits
State vaccination event closes early in Chesterfield, people turned away
Biden administration unveils boost to state COVID-19 vaccine shipments
HOME settles federal lawsuit with Richmond landlord who discriminated against families with childen
Law aiming to help schools and local governments access solar sails through House
Campaign updates:
Kirk Cox for Governor Releases New Campaign Video
The Kirk Cox for Governor campaign released a video Tuesday.
Kirk Cox welcomes Pete Snyder to 2021 Republican nomination contest
“I’d like to welcome Pete to the 2021 gubernatorial race. I know Pete has long wanted to get back into the public arena after his 2013 campaign for Lt. Governor. It is my firm belief that competition is a good thing, foundational to the success of our representative democracy. I look forward to a robust discussion in which Virginia Republicans can choose the candidate capable of unifying the party and providing the experience we desperately need in order to fight back, lead forward, and win in 2021.”
Republican LG candidate Tim Hugo Calls On The Northam Administration To Expand Public-Private Partnerships To Distribute Available Vaccines
“Under the Democrats’ watch both locally and statewide, Virginia has failed miserably to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday’s reports showing that we are now the worst state in the nation in terms of vaccine administration should trouble all Virginians. With our neighbors in West Virginia ranking near the top in terms of vaccine administration, this is clearly a failure on the part of the Northam Administration. Governor Northam's complete failure in effectively distributing the vaccine has resulted in our most vulnerable populations continued exposure to the coronavirus. The Northam Administration had months to plan for the distribution of the vaccine and it owes all Virginians an explanation beyond ‘the data is lagging.’
“With reports now indicating that the Northam Administration has cut off hospitals’ supply of the vaccine, many elderly Virginians are having their appointments cancelled. It appears that vaccine distribution will now be in the hands of local health departments. While I appreciate the work that these agencies are trying to achieve, this approach creates even more logistical nightmares. It is clear that this is not a medical issue but one of logistics. I call on the Northam Administration to immediately bring together top logistic experts and business people who are used to handling situations such as this.
“Working together through public-private partnerships we can quickly turn this around. I stand ready to help in any way I can and to identify and reach experts in the field of logistics to help the people of this great Commonwealth. What we are witnessing is a failure of leadership and this failure is being used as an excuse to keep our children out of school even longer. The Governor and the Democrats need to accept responsibility for their failures and look to the private sector to get these vaccines administered. The longer Virginians languish without access to the vaccine, the longer our children, our economy, and our citizens suffer.”
Democratic LG candidate Andria McClellan announced the endorsement of 11 Hampton Roads leaders.
"In a region as interconnected as Hampton Roads, we know that working together must be a priority. Time and time again, Andria has been at the forefront of regional efforts to advance our shared progressive values, like transit access, affordable housing and economic development," said Portsmouth Councilwoman Lisa Lucas-Burke. "I know that her collaborative leadership style will serve her well as our next and first female Lieutenant Governor."
"As a doctor, business owner and former teacher, I'm endorsing Andria McClellan because she's a servant leader. It does not matter how big or small the project is, Andria works hard to get it done because it benefits her community," said Dr. Patricia King, Chesapeake School Board Member. "I know she'll bring that same passion to her work as our next Lieutenant Governor."
Additional endorsers include:
Sheriff Joe Baron (Norfolk);
James City County Commissioner Ruth Larson;
Virginia Beach Councilman Guy Tower;
Norfolk Councilman Paul Riddick;
Ben Davenport, former Virginia Beach Councilman;
Clerk George Schaefer, Norfolk Circuit Court;
Louisa Strayhorn, former Virginia Beach Councilwoman, School Board member and Director of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance; and
Dr. Noelle Gabriel, Norfolk School Board member.
Tiffany Boyle, Commissioner of Revenue for the City of Newport News
The Virginia Senate passed several pieces of legislation on Tuesday. Here are some highlights:
SB 1291 Va. Water Protection Permit; withdrawal of surface water or ground water, plans for water auditing.
Introduced by: T. Montgomery "Monty" Mason
Requires that any application for a permit to withdraw surface water or ground water include a water auditing plan and a leak detection and repair plan that comply with regulations adopted by the State Water Control Board pursuant to the provisions of the bill. The provisions of the bill shall not become effective until 30 days after the adoption by the Board of such regulations.
SB 1121 Birth certificates; amendment of a certificate shall be evaluated by the State Registrar.
Introduced by: Mamie E. Locke
Creates a new process for the amendment of birth certificates other than an amendment to show paternity if paternity is not shown on the birth certificate. The bill requires the State Registrar of Vital Records to amend a birth certificate upon receipt of an application, a sworn affidavit testifying to the corrected information, and such other evidence as may be required by regulations of the Board of Health and provides that regulations of the Board specifying the minimum evidence required for an amendment to a birth certificate shall not require a copy of a court order or a federal census transcript as evidence.
SB 1220 State facilities; admission of certain aliens.
Introduced by: Barbara A. Favola
Repeals the requirements that (i) the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services determine the nationality of each person admitted to a state facility and, if the person is an alien, notify the United States immigration officer in charge of the district in which the state facility is located and (ii) upon request of the United States immigration officer in charge of the district in which a state facility to which a person who is an alien is admitted is located or the judge or special justice who certified or ordered the admission of such alien, the clerk of the court furnish a certified copy of records pertaining to the case of the admitted alien.
SB 1256 Criminal Justice Services Board and Committee on Training; membership.
Introduced by: David W. Marsden
Requires the social justice organization represented by a member of the Criminal Justice Services Board and a member of the Committee on Training be engaged in advancing inclusion and human rights. The bill contains a technical amendment to compulsory in-service training for law-enforcement officers.
SB 1322 Public schools; seizure management and action plans, biennial training, effective date.
Introduced by: Bill DeSteph
Provides for the submission and utilization of seizure management and action plans for students with a seizure disorder. The bill requires that school nurses and certain school division employees biennially complete Board of Education-approved training in the treatment of students with seizure disorders. The bill provides immunity from civil liability for acts or omissions related to providing for the care of a student under a seizure management and action plan.
SB 1343 Virginia Freedom of Information Act; proprietary records and trade secrets.
Introduced by: Jill Holtzman Vogel
Excludes from the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act proprietary information, voluntarily provided by a private business under a promise of confidentiality from a public body, used by the public body for a carbon sequestration agreement. The bill requires the private business to specify the records for which protection is sought before submitting them to the public body and to state the reasons why protection is necessary.