Category: General Assembly
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The Governor Flexes Her Muscles
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Governor Spanberger has issued her first veto. To add some drama, it was of a high-priority bill sponsored by one of the top Democrats in the Senate. Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), the Senate Majority Leader, introduced legislation that would have authorized a referendum in Fairfax County on the establishment of a casino at…
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The Institutionalization of Corruption in the Virginia General Assembly
by James C. Sherlock A late friend, who was on the local bar association’s ethics committee, offered wise overarching advice to attorneys. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Fairness is often defined as impartial and just treatment or behavior without favoritism or discrimination. In this case, we are not talking about political favoritism,…
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The Virginia Senate’s Louise Lucas Dilemma
by James C. Sherlock Scandals can have real victims. This one certainly does. The victims are poor people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people who citizens think and hope are cared for by our Medicaid dollars under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A politically powerful member of the Virginia Senate has failed them in her…
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Virginia Democrats Pass the Most Extreme Gun Ban in America
Democrats in Richmond successfully passed legislation in March to ban Virginians from owning everyday firearms. by Bronson Winslow Without restraint or even the slightest hint of accountability to the Constitution, Democrats in Richmond advanced legislation to gut the very essence of the Second Amendment. In March, the legislature, dominated by a Democratic majority, sent SB 749 and HB…
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Building a Better Virginia
“Power of the Pen” details bills on energy, healthcare, the economy, and more that conservatives can get behind. by Lynn Taylor Every April, Virginia observes a particular kind of anniversary — not just of battles, but of decisions. It was in April 1865 that General Lee signed the surrender at Appomattox, bringing the bloodiest chapter…
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Waging War on Law-Abiding Virginians
Criminals are the winners in Richmond this year as Democrats gut gun rights and attempt to rewrite history. by Victoria Manning The 2026 Virginia General Assembly session concluded on March 14th, and Virginia Democrats have passed sweeping far-left legislation restricting citizen rights. Democrats have made life easier for criminals and less safe for Virginians. They’ve…
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The Bill Promising “Lower Power Bills” Got Changed on Final Day
by Steve Haner Remember the highly hyped bill at the General Assembly that was going to lower most electric bills by shafting Virginia’s data center industry? It underwent a late transformation, and the promise of big financial relief is fading. It was always unrealistic. Under a rewritten version of Senate Bill 253, approved as a…
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A Dangerous Mission Creep for Virginia’s Public Schools
by Derrick A. Max Virginia parents should be alarmed that the Virginia General Assembly just passed House Bill 355 which mandates annual mental health screenings for all public school students in grades 6 through 12. While framed as a compassionate response to a very real “mental health crisis,” it represents a fundamental shift in the mission of public education: from academic instruction to clinical surveillance. By…
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Pray for Sun; Solar Is the Only New Power We Get
by Steve Haner The 2026 General Assembly has decided Virginia’s future energy eggs will come from a basket made of sunbeams. A series of approved bills are intended to accelerate the proliferation of solar panels on rural fields, rooftops, urban parking decks and apartment balconies, even if local objections need to be disregarded. Giving the…
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Is it time for Virginia to cut back on studies and commissions? Lawmakers are weighing it.
Virginia lawmakers consider limiting state studies and commissions following similar actions in other states to streamline government, reduce bureaucracy, centralize oversight and cut regulatory barriers. by Nathaniel Cline The Virginia government is sponsoring around 200 interim studies and commissions created through various actions by the state legislature and governor’s office, and that number is expected to grow…
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Is a Casino the Answer to Fairfax County’s Genteel Decline?
by Chap Petersen A few things are certain in life. Death, taxes and UVA losing to Duke in the ACC men’s basketball final. (No, I’m not bitter). Another one is well-funded interests getting their way in the Virginia General Assembly. A mere decade ago, our battle was with Dominion Power who sought to avoid customer…
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Betrayal 2 – The Virginia General Assembly
by James C. Sherlock People, including our elected representatives in the General Assembly of Virginia, might not know that the Commonwealth is subject to a permanent federal court injunction requiring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The “Commonwealth of Virginia” is enjoined, not just the executive branch. The author herein informs the…
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Assembly Found Nine Ways To Make Electricity More Expensive
by Steve Haner The 2026 General Assembly has passed at least nine separate new laws that will increase the cost of your electricity. Not one of the bills creates a single megawatt of additional energy for our use. Most of the bills create new ways for the utilities to take money from all their ratepayers and…
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March RGGI Carbon Tax Jumped 26% in One Year
by Steve Haner The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) held its first carbon allowance auction of 2026 Wednesday and the price came in at just under $25 per ton of emissions, 26% higher than a year ago. There should be no doubt now about predictions that imposing this carbon tax on Virginia electricity plants will…
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Dems to Vote Selves 278% Pay Raise
by Scott Dreyer The Democrat-led General Assembly voted in recent days to raise the salary for State Delegates and Senators to $50,000 per year. Virginia has always had a General Assembly made of part-time legislators. The idea was for them to have their primary jobs back at home, and their service in the legislature in…