A force for centrism and pragmatism. While Virginia increasingly emulates the hyper-polarized politics of Washington, D.C., a new group has entered the fray. Unite Virginia, an arm of Unite America, held a “Unity breakfast” yesterday in Richmond to honor four Republican and Democratic legislators for their bipartisanship. Unite America, launched in 2013, says it is building a movement to “elect common-sense, independent candidates” to serve people, not party bosses or special interests, reports The Virginia Mercury. The organization will make endorsements and contribute to Virginia General Assembly campaigns this year.
Giant solar project approved in Charles City County. sPower’s proposed solar mega-project in Spotsylvania County remains mired in controversy, but the solar developer has had better luck in Charles City County. The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve a special-use permit for the $415 million project. The solar farm will be built on 1,400 acres. Utah-based sPower will put an additional 800 acres at the site into conservation. The permit requires that the solar farm install a 100- to 300-foot vegetated barrier around the perimeter, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
CNU proposes tuition freeze. Christopher Newport University joins Virginia Commonwealth University in proposing to freeze its tuition next year. President Paul Trible cited the $57.5 million the General Assembly approved this year to incentivize public colleges and universities to hold back tuition hikes, which have increased relentlessly over the past two decades. At CNU, the cost has nearly doubled since the 2008-09 school year, from $7,550 to $14,754 this year, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
