Category: Money in politics
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Jay Jones—Corporate Defender, Public Pretender
Democrat Jay Jones’s record reveals a champion for large, well-connected entities at the expense of everyday citizens. by Jacob Grandstaff Virginia Democrat Attorney General candidate Jay Jones presents himself as a defender of the working poor, but his career and political history tell a different story—a lawyer and legislator who consistently prioritizes corporate giants over…
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More Eye-Popping Late Donations from Dominion, Clean Virginia
By Steve Haner Dominion Energy Virginia has contributed another $1 million plus to Virginia state-level politicians in large, late pre-primary donations, with the largest amounts given to Shannon Taylor’s run for Attorney General and Levar Stoney’s campaign for lieutenant governor. This close to the vote, state law requires rapid reporting on late large checks. According…
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Are Virginia’s Historic Landscapes the Next Frontier for Big Tech?
Data centers continue to bolster communities in Virginia, but without proper regulation, Virginians on the ground will be the biggest losers. by Bronson Winslow Data centers, driven by Big Tech’s eastward expansion, have popped up like 7-Elevens across Virgini a— reshaping rolling hills and historic communities in the name of progress. The aggressive transformation, primarily…
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The Case of the Disappearing VPAP Data
By Steve Haner Revised June 5 The pro-green energy activist group Clean Virginia has announced a live television attack advertisement in opposition to Shannon Taylor, one of two Democratic candidates seeking the nomination for Attorney General. The ad (see it here) was authorized by the other candidate, Jay Jones. Taylor, currently Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney, accepted…
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A Champion of the People… or the Elites?
by Jacob Grandstaff Democrat AG candidate Jay Jones pretends to support social justice while cozying up to fat-cat elitists who exploit the poor. In the race for Virginia’s Attorney General, Democrat candidate Jay Jones pitches himself as a defender of justice, but his record paints a different picture — one of a politician rolling out…
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The Clean Virginia Pecksniffs (Look It Up) are Back
by Steve Haner The following popped up in my inbox about two weeks ago when I was badly distracted by the canals and stroopwafels and bicycle frenzy of Amsterdam. But it would be wrong to just delete it without having a bit of fun. The italicized text below is from our friends at Clean Virginia.…
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When Did Democrats Begin to Resemble the Rockettes?
Virginia Democrats long defended and preserved the state’s “right-to-work” law. They’re shifting in unison. by Gordon C. Morse Join a labor union, if you like. Or do not join a labor union, if you like. Your choice. Virginia law says that no one can force you to financially support a union as a condition of…
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Atlantic Park Part 8: Surf Park Muni Bonds Add to Project Risk
By James C. Sherlock The surf park jumps right out at you. It is meant to. It will be the first surf pool in the mid-Atlantic region. The other components of Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park will depend upon it to create buzz and draw visitors. A developer group led by Venture Realty Group initially planned…
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Atlantic Park Part 7: The Quest for Surf Park Financing
Commentary by James C. Sherlock A last-minute search for surf park financing delayed project construction for a year. Neither bankers nor the City of Virginia Beach wanted any part of it. The developer missed a funding deadline. The city forgave it, but the pressure was on. So, with city backing: The journey was so complex…
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Atlantic Park Part 6: Vote for Change
by James C. Sherlock Updated Sept. 14 at 11:14 AM and September 18 at 4:40 PM If an infrastructure project is assessed to be a potential commercial success, that judgement is based on a business plan. Inevitably, because they are very good at what they do, the developers of Atlantic Park had one that would…
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Atlantic Park Part 3: The Deal of the Century
By James C. Sherlock Updated September 18, 2024 at 10:07 AM and 3:27 PM Atlantic Park is due to open on nearly 13 acres of city land near the Virginia Beach oceanfront in May of 2025. The new entertainment district is the largest public-private partnership project in the history of the Commonwealth’s biggest city. It…
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Atlantic Park Part 1: Prologue
Updated September 18 at 10 AM and 3:16 PM By James C. Sherlock Atlantic Park is under construction as a massive new entertainment district near the oceanfront in Virginia Beach’s resort area. The centerpiece, a surf park, will be surrounded a 3,500-seat concert hall, shops, restaurants, offices, and apartments. If it succeeds, Atlantic Park will…
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Dominion, Clean VA Spend $23M Buying Influence
By Steve Haner Dominion Energy Virginia has increased its donations to Virginia state politicians six-fold in just four years. The other major donors in the energy regulation arena, Clean Virginia Fund and its founder, have done much the same. They are donating five times more in the 2023 election cycle than they did in the…
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The Latest Campaign Finance Reports for State Senate Races
by Jeanine Martin October finance reports are available at VPAP.org. Below is the amount of money raised in the most competitive Senate districts from October 1st to the 26th. Once again, Democrats, the party of the rich, have raised more money than Republicans in almost every race. But the energy we’re seeing around the commonwealth…
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Loudoun Dems Reject Former House Speaker’s Donation
from The Republican Standard Democrats in Loudoun have rejected the donation of one of their declared 2024 Congressional candidates. In a move that raised eyebrows, the Loudoun County Democratic Committee (LCDC) Officers hastily decided to donate $1,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for their Israel/Gaza Relief Fund, following the receipt of a…