Pope & Schapiro: Crossover, casinos and skill games
Feb 07, 2025
With the General Assembly session now in its second half, arguments about casinos and skill games are heating up again.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Millions of dollars for Virginia clinics still in limbo following Trump’s funding freeze
Feb 06, 2025
Most people don’t think too much about how their local health clinic is funded, but recent shakeups in Washington D.C. may force Virginians to do just that. As part of President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze, Virginia’s federally qualified health centers are currently missing millions of dollars. Brad Kutner has more.
Virginia’s senior groups advocate in Richmond
Feb 06, 2025
Eastern Shore senior advocates Dianne Davis and Donna Smith arrive at the General Assembly Building to advocate. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Aging isn’t easy. About 200 senior citizens traveled to Richmond Wednesday to ask the legislature for funding on issues they say will improve their quality of life, but also the lives of those coming up behind them. Brad Kutner has more.
Virginia Democrats look to lift funding cap on school support staff
Feb 06, 2025
Senator Maimie Locke speaks with advocates who want to see the school support staff cap raised. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Back in 2008 when the country entered a recession, states like Virginia took austerity measures to help balance their books. But some of those cost-saving measures live on today, even as the Commonwealth collects billions in surplus funds. Brad Kutner has more on the bipartisan effort to see the school support staff cap removed.
The General Assembly is in a heated debate over immigration enforcement
Feb 06, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
Virginia’s Republican governor is clashing with Democrats who run the General Assembly over the budget. And as Michael Pope reports, one of the flashpoints is immigration enforcement.
Virginia lawmakers are already working to respond to funding decisions in Washington
Feb 06, 2025
As the new administration in Washington plans to slash the federal workforce and freeze federal funding, members of the General Assembly are trying to figure out how to respond. Michael Pope reports that the Speaker of the House of Delegates is taking action.
Financial aid advisors say FAFSA applications are going smoother this year
Feb 06, 2025
Kymn Brewer (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)
Students hoping to go to college this fall may want to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid – or FAFSA –application soon. Many schools and universities have deadlines in March for students to be eligible to get the most student assistance as possible. And, as Roxy Todd reports, parents have to complete the application too.
Virginia’s offshore wind industry faces new hurdles under Trump
Feb 06, 2025
(Credit: Dominion Energy)
President Donald Trump has long decried the use of wind power.
But billions of dollars have and will flow through Virginia as public-private partnerships help create the nation’s largest offshore wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Brad Kutner has more.
Bipartisan contraception coverage bill flies out of Virginia House
Feb 05, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
If Virginia’s House of Delegates gets its way, contraception might be cheaper in the Commonwealth, or at least easier to get. The effort got 70 votes to pass the chamber Tuesday, Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Legislation creating a marijuana marketplace continues to make progress, but will Youngkin sign it?
Feb 05, 2025
Last year, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have created a way for people to sell marijuana in Virginia. Now, as Michael Pope tells us, lawmakers are planning to send a similar bill to his desk again.
Virginia advocates debunk oyster month myth
Feb 05, 2025
Delegate Shelly Simonds eats an oyster shucked by the Eastern Shore’s own Revel Walker with Walker Seafood. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Virginia’s oyster industry has exploded in recent years thanks in part to environmental cleanup and other supports from the state’s General Assembly. Brad Kutner was on site for oyster day in Richmond Wednesday morning and filed this report.
It’s the halfway point of the General Assembly session; what’s happened so far and what lies ahead?
Feb 05, 2025
Speaker Don Scott speaks at a press conference on the Capitol steps, accusing Republicans of avoiding discussion of President Donald Trump. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Members of the General Assembly are halfway through their session, causing them to take stock of the situation and plan out a strategy for the remaining two weeks. Michael Pope reports.
A bill paving the way for a new casino in Fairfax County is moving on with an uncertain future
Feb 04, 2025
Senator Saddam Salim represents the part of Fairfax County where a developer wants to build a new casino. (Credit: Michael Pope)
A bill that might lead to a new casino in Fairfax County got over a major hurdle Tuesday. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia Senate allows Youngkin school accountability effort to move forward
Feb 04, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
The Senate of Virginia is rejecting an effort to hit the pause button on a major education initiative of the governor. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.
Former Afghan soldiers and their families in limbo after suspension on refugee programs
Feb 04, 2025
Azizgul Ahmadi (Credit: Heather Rousseau / The Roanoke Times)
Three-and-a-half years ago, the United States abruptly left Afghanistan, leaving thousands of Afghans who had served along the American military in limbo, and in danger. Some did get out, through the U.S. refugee resettlement program.
Now, that President Trump has suspended refugee resettlement programs, it’s left many of those still waiting to get out, and their families, with fewer options. Roxy Todd reports on how this has impacted one former Afghan solider, who lives in Blacksburg.
After years of trying, Roem’s FOIA fees limit bill is moving forward
Feb 03, 2025
Members of the House of Delegates are now considering a bill that would create new limits on how much government agencies can charge for a public records request. Michael Pope has the details.
Virginia’s legislative budget looks to tackle Helene relief quickly
Feb 03, 2025
High waters toppled campers and homes along the New River as Tropical Storm Helene swept through Virginia. This is located along Julia Simpkins road in Allisonia in Pulaski County, Sept. 30. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)
It’s been nearly four months since Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Southwest Virginia and state legislators are looking to get funds to those who need them most. Brad Kutner spoke with legislators in Richmond.
Bill protecting doctors that give gender-affirming care clears state Senate, veto likely awaits
Feb 03, 2025
Senator Ghazala Hashmi, a Democrat from Richmond, presents her bill protecting Virginia doctors from being extradited to other states for providing gender-affirming care that is legal in Virginia. (Credit: Michael Pope)
The state Senate has approved a bill protecting Virginia doctors who administer gender-affirming care. But as Michael Pope reports, the bill still may face a veto from the governor.
Full Virginia Senate to debate the state’s campaign finance laws today for first time in decades
Feb 03, 2025
Members of the Virginia Senate are about to debate campaign finance reform. Michael Pope has this preview.
Virginia Democrats offer $1 billion in rebates via new budget
Feb 02, 2025
Senate President Louise Lucas and Senators Creigh Deeds and Mamie Locke at the Senate’s budget presentation. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Democratic majorities in Virginia’s House and Senate released their budget proposals for the 2025 legislative session Sunday.
Brad Kutner has some of the highlights.
Virginia legislators look to extend the standard deduction
Jan 31, 2025
The Virginia House of Delegates during the 2024 legislative session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Tax legislation may not be the flashiest topic, but it touches just about everyone in Virginia. The state’s standard deduction is set to expire this year, and Brad Kutner spoke to Republican and Democratic lawmakers who want to make sure it doesn’t.
A bill that would change Virginia’s alcoholic beverage ratio for restaurants is moving forward
Jan 31, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are considering legislation that could change how the restaurant business works in Virginia. Michael Pope has the latest.
Pope & Schapiro: The plane crash, crossover, and Trump executive orders
Jan 31, 2025
The plane crash in Northern Virginia and the funeral of a former state senator have tempered the mood in Richmond.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
School testing scores improve little, but Youngkin says its coming
Jan 30, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin announces 2024 NAEP scores which changed little from the previous assessment under former Governor Ralph Northam. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Governor Glenn Youngkin painted a positive picture of stagnant school test scores Wednesday. The governor pointed to intense tutoring programs and more current testing to suggest a better path was possible, but others questioned his term-long strategy. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Bills collecting information on data centers are having no luck in Richmond
Jan 30, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
As data centers continue to expand across Virginia, some members of the General Assembly are trying to adapt. Michael Pope reports that they’re not having much luck.
What happens if Medicaid is cut? Virginia lawmakers aren’t waiting to find out
Jan 30, 2025
Democrats who run the General Assembly are worried that the Trump administration might cut Medicaid and take away health insurance for lower-income people in Virginia. Michael Pope is at the Capitol with the latest.
An effort to study Virginia’s yearly elections is still alive in Richmond
Jan 29, 2025
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell outlines his proposal to investigate getting rid of odd year elections in Virginia. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections? Michael Pope has the story.
Virginia districts face the prospect of ICE agents entering schools
Jan 29, 2025
The Migration Policy Institute estimates there are more than 730,000 school-aged children living in the U.S. without legal status, and the Trump administration has said federal agents may enter schools to take people into custody. Sandy Hausman reports on the response of some districts here in Virginia.
Virginia Democrats warn against Trump’s federal worker buyout as questions around funding freeze continue
Jan 29, 2025
Delegates Josh Thomas, David Bulova and Joshua Cole stand behind House Speaker Don Scott as they criticizes Trump’s now-dead federal funding freeze. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
A leaked copy of a buyout offer to federal workers shows they have a choice: leave by the end of the week with months of severance or potentially be fired without benefits later on. Brad Kutner reports on how Virginia lawmakers are responding to the news.
Virginia Senate Republicans lament death of tax cut efforts
Jan 29, 2025
Senators Ryan McDougle and Mark Obenshain speak to the press. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Virginia Senate Republicans told reporters Tuesday that citizens may face higher taxes if Democrats in the majority get their way. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol.
The effort to end food insecurity on Virginia campuses
Jan 29, 2025
Senator Danica Roem speaks at a press conference urging lawmakers to fund $500,000 in grants for the Hunger Free Campus Act. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Members of the General Assembly are considering an effort to crack down on food insecurity on college campuses in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Federal funding freeze has Virginia lawmakers on edge
Jan 28, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are about to start negotiating a budget. But as Michael Pope tells us, they’ll be doing it in an environment of uncertainty.
To protect poultry against avian flu, avoid contact with wild birds
Jan 28, 2025
Geese have begun migrating north. This flock is fueling up near the Duck Pond in Blacksburg. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)
Avian, or bird, flu, continues to spread across the United States, mostly at poultry and cattle farms. There have been at least 66 confirmed cases in humans, and one person died earlier this month.
Poultry farmers and people with backyard flocks can protect their animals, and themselves, by limiting exposure to wild birds, as Roxy Todd reports.
Virginia Democrats are rejecting Youngkin’s tax proposals… for now
Jan 28, 2025
Some of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed tax cuts hit some speed bumps this week. Michael Pope has this check on their status.
The General Assembly wants to seal convictions for some crimes to help people get a job
Jan 27, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are debating a bill that could help thousands of people get jobs. As Michael Pope reports, it would allow people convicted of some crimes to have their records sealed.
The Virginia Senate has passed several gun-related bills
Jan 27, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
Members of the General Assembly are once again debating firearms. Michael Pope is at the Capitol with the latest.
Virginia legislature kills bill to limit voice-activated purchases
Jan 27, 2025
Del. Holly Seibold speaks before the House subcommittee on Communications. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
That voice-activated device in your home is always listening, and for families with young children, it’s raising questions about how easy it is for those devices to make purchases. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond, where legislators were looking to rein in those devices.
The General Assembly is working on adding some protections for federal workers
Jan 24, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
Democrats in the General Assembly are planning for the potential impacts of the new administration in Washington. Michael Pope reports.
Some state lawmakers want to further expand collective bargaining rights for local employees
Jan 24, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are considering an effort to overturn Virginia’s ban on allowing government workers to engage in collective bargaining. Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: Change in Washington, revenge in Richmond
Jan 24, 2025
Changes in Washington and revenge in Richmond are among the headlines this week.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Some state lawmakers are again trying to remove a tax break for Confederate groups
Jan 23, 2025
A statue of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson stands in a prominent spot in Capitol Square. (Credit: Michael Pope)
The Civil War happened more than 160 years ago. But, as Michael Pope tells us, members of the General Assembly are still trying to untangle some of the vestiges of it.
Bipartisan effort aims to stabilize Virginia’s pharmacies
Jan 23, 2025
Delegate Otto Wachsmann, Senator Travis Hackworth, Delegates Katrina Callsen and Terry Kilgore, Senator Aaron Rouse and Delegate Joshua Cole gather with advocates for pharmacy reform. (Credit: Senator Aaron Rouse’s office)
Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, have been blamed for hurting the bottom line of privately owned pharmacies. And those in the industry say it’s forcing such small businesses to close their doors.
But what if the state made its own PBM?
Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
(Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Sen. Travis Hackworth as Sen. Danny Diggs.)
Lawmakers consider whether community health workers in Va. could bill to Medicaid
Jan 23, 2025
Grace Lowe is a community health worker in Galax. (Credit: Grace Lowe / Virginia Department of Health)
A person’s access to resources like housing, food, employment, and childcare, can have more impact on a person’s health than genetic factors. That’s according to the centers for disease control and prevention. Community health workers help connect people with more resources, and some legislators are looking at whether these workers could bill to Medicaid. Roxy Todd reports.
Legal notice requirements in Virginia’s local publications survive another year
Jan 22, 2025
A bipartisan pair of Virginia Delegates sought to roll back legal notice publishing requirements for localities this session. But both efforts are dead for the time being. Brad Kutner spoke with one local newspaper operator who says that’s a good thing.
Bipartisan legislators hope to reduce list of barrier crimes for school employees
Jan 22, 2025
Peer recovery specialist and formerly incarcerated community advocate D’Archie Lewis speaks before a Virginia House Education subcommittee. (Credit: House of Delegates video feed)
Virginia has long limited the ability of some formerly incarcerated people to hold certain jobs. But as the workforce shortage grows and those who once engaged in bad behavior mature, elected officials from both parties are looking to open up new pathways for employment. Brad Kutner has this report.
A bipartisan effort to study illegal cannabis products is moving forward
Jan 22, 2025
It’s legal to possess small amounts of marijuana in Virginia, although no one has a license to sell it. That’s created a booming industry of unregulated products – and, as Michael Pope tells us, worried lawmakers.
State lawmakers want to create a new rent relief program, but it comes with a hefty price tag
Jan 22, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
Members of the General Assembly are about to start trying to balance the books, and they are hearing from interest groups seeking money. Michael Pope reports on one group asking for help addressing housing insecurity.
Senate clears marriage, voting, abortion amendments; Right to Work amendment dumped
Jan 22, 2025
Sen. Mark Obenshain listens to Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy outline her opposition to his constitutional amendment adding Virginia’s right-to-work law added to the state constitution. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Members of the General Assembly are moving forward with three constitutional amendments proposed by Democrats.
But as Michael Pope tells us, they are rejecting an amendment supported by Republicans.
Senate clears marriage, voting, abortion amendments; Right to Work amendment dumped
Jan 22, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are moving forward with three constitutional amendments proposed by Democrats.
But as Michael Pope tells us, they are rejecting an amendment supported by Republicans.
Virginia’s “home school loophole” is up for debate at the General Assembly
Jan 21, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are debating what is required for parents who home school their children. Michael Pope reports.
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