Government
- The Louise Lucas Dilemma in the Virginia Senate
by James C. Sherlock Real victims can be the result of scandals.
- Voting Rights and the Left of Virginia
By James C. Sherlock The author was drawn to Dick Sizemore-Hall’s mailing it in.
- Virginians who follow the law are being targeted by the government
Richmond’s criminals have won this year, as Democrats try to rewrite the history of gun rights by gutting them. by Victoria Manning Virginia Democrats passed far-left laws restricting citizens’ rights in the 2026 General Assembly, which concluded on 14 March. The Democrats have made Virginians less safe and criminals’ lives easier.
- Loudoun School Board Democrats Attempt Overreach in Heated SRO Expansion Debate
The Loudoun County School Board, comprising Chair April Chandler, Vice Chair Anne Donohue, Lauren Shernoff, Amy Riccardi, and other members representing the county’s nine districts and at-large seats, convened for what was billed as a business meeting under electronic participation rules. Overlays from the proceedings highlighted the core issue: the agenda allowed only for discussion
- Virginia Democrats pass the most extreme gun ban in America
by Bronson Winning Democrats in Richmond have advanced legislation that would eliminate the Second Amendment’s very essence. They did so without any restraint and with no regard for the Constitution.
- Republicans on House Rules Committee Delivers Win for Taxpayers by Defeating Costly Housing Task Force Bill
RICHMOND — The Virginia House Rules Committee’s Studies Subcommittee took a firm stand against government expansion on January 23, 2026, voting 5-0 to lay on the table HB 142, a bill that would have created the Access to Housing Task Force. This action, followed by the full committee leaving the measure in Rules on February
- Virginia Parents Stand Firm: Biological Sex Cannot Be Changed, Warn Against Harmful Gender Transitions
Biological sex is determined at conception by chromosomes—XX for females, XY for males—and cannot be altered by hormones, surgeries, or declarations. Medical professionals and recent international reviews confirm that so-called gender-affirming care for minors, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, leads to severe health risks such as infertility, bone density loss, cardiovascular iss
- Loudoun County School Board Hypocrisy Exposed: Kids at Risk While Officials Hide Behind Armed Guards
Parents point out that while middle and high schools already benefit from SROs through a longstanding partnership with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, elementary schools remain unprotected despite rising calls for service, including threat assessments. Calls to elementary schools have increased significantly in recent years, underscoring the need for on-site law enforcement.
- Mark Warner’s Term Limit Pledge from 1996 Contradicted by Fourth Senate Run
In July 1996, Warner, then a political newcomer challenging incumbent Republican Senator John Warner, appeared on a local television broadcast. Speaking directly to voters, he stated unequivocally, ‘If I’m elected to the U.S.
- Loudoun County Public Schools Faces Renewed Criticism Over Transparency Shortfalls
Loudoun County Public Schools has long been at the center of debates over accountability. Historical incidents, such as the 2021 mishandling of sexual assaults where the board voted against releasing an independent report, fuel skepticism.
- Vital Need for School Resource Officers in Rural Loudoun County Schools Amid Lengthy Police Response Times
Loudoun County, with its mix of suburban growth and vast rural expanses in districts like Blue Ridge, Catoctin, and Lovettsville, exemplifies the challenges faced by rural educators and families. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has long partnered with schools to place SROs in middle and high schools, where they not only provide security but also
- Loudoun County Sheriff’s Emphasis on Mentor-Trained SROs Highlights Path to Safer Schools
The undersheriff explained that the program thrives due to thorough vetting processes for personnel, ensuring only the most qualified individuals serve in these critical roles. Over the past three years, middle and high school SROs have been redirected more than 5,000 times to handle incidents at elementary schools, pulling them away from their primary assignments.
- Virginia Voters Must Vote No on Redistricting Amendment to Protect Fair Elections
The current system, born from voter-approved constitutional changes, was designed to end the practice of politicians choosing their voters rather than the other way around. Under this framework, a bipartisan commission handles redistricting, ensuring maps that promote competitive districts and represent the commonwealth’s diverse electorate.
- Loudoun School Board Conservative Pushes Back Against Rejection of Elementary School Resource Officers
The Loudoun County School Board, consisting of Chair April Chandler (Algonkian District), Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg District), Amy Riccardi (Sterling District), Ross Svenson, Jonathan Pepper, and representatives from the Ashburn, Blue Ridge, Catoctin, Dulles, Lovettsville, and Sugarland districts, voted 5-3-1 against the expansion of SROs to elementary schools. This decision came despite a proposa
- Mark Warner Faces Backlash for Breaking Two-Term Pledge as He Files for Fourth Senate Run
That campaign saw Warner challenge longtime Republican incumbent John Warner in a closely contested race. Despite a strong effort, Mark Warner fell short, losing by less than three percentage points.
- Parents Champion Fully Funded Plan for School Resource Officers in Loudoun County Elementary Schools
The proposal outlines a phased approach where each SRO would oversee three to four elementary schools, addressing the more than 5,000 instances over the past three years in which officers were pulled from middle and high schools to respond to elementary calls. These include threat assessments and other urgent matters, underscoring the need for dedicated
- Loudoun County Parents Demand Action After School Board Rejects Fully Funded SRO Proposal for Elementary Schools
The proposal, put forward by Sheriff Mike Chapman, aimed to assign each SRO to cover three to four elementary schools. Currently, SROs are stationed at all middle and high schools, but over the past three years, they have been pulled from those locations more than 5,000 times to handle calls at elementary schools.
- Loudoun County Faces New Push for 5-Cent Plastic Bag Tax Amid Fiscal Concerns by Marty Martinez
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, consisting of Chair Phyllis Randall, Vice Chair Mike Turner, and supervisors representing the Algonkian, Ashburn, Blue Ridge, Broad Run, Catoctin, Dulles, Leesburg, Loudoun Valley, and Sterling districts, recently heard public testimony highlighting the potential burdens of this policy. Speakers pointed out that Loudoun County has already collected substant
- Virginia Republicans Advocate for Shorter Early Voting to Cut Costs for Local Governments
The push comes amid ongoing discussions in legislative committees where delegates have highlighted how the cumulative length of early voting for primaries, generals, and other elections taxes resources. For instance, with 45 days of early voting before each major election, the total open polling period can stretch across months, requiring staffing, security, and facility maintenance
- Push for Armed School Resource Officers in Loudoun County Elementary Schools Gains Momentum Amid Safety Concerns
Sheriff Chapman has proposed a phased expansion of SROs into all elementary schools starting with the FY27 budget. This initiative comes after incidents such as a gas leak evacuation at an elementary school in the Catoctin district, where principals struggled to manage students in freezing temperatures without immediate on-site law enforcement support.
- The March RGGI carbon tax has risen 26% in one year
By Steve Haner, Virginia is now included in the RGGI map. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative held its first carbon allowance for 2026 on Wednesday.
- Loudoun County School Board Rejects SROs for Elementary Schools Amid Rising Safety Concerns
Parents and residents have expressed outrage, pointing to multiple incidents this school year where elementary schools were forced into lockdown. The sheriff’s office highlighted the need for SROs to deter potential threats and respond swiftly, emphasizing that elementary students are particularly vulnerable.
- Virginia HB 261: Expanding Newport News Tax Powers Raises Eyebrows Among Property Rights Advocates
Proponents argue that such flexibility could provide local governments with tools to incentivize development, particularly housing construction. By taxing land more heavily, the policy aims to discourage speculation and underutilization of urban parcels, pushing owners toward productive use.
- Republicans Highlight Fiscal Realities in Debate Over Richmond School Funding and Sales Tax Leakage
Virginia’s local sales tax system directs one percent of the six percent total sales tax to the locality where the purchase occurs. This revenue is crucial for funding essential services, including public schools, which rely heavily on local taxes for roughly half their budgets.
- Democrats Advance SB 58 to Extend Mail Ballot Deadlines Despite Integrity Risks
The push comes amid ongoing debates over election security in the commonwealth. Virginia has seen significant expansions in early voting and mail-in options in recent years, particularly following the 2020 election cycle where courts extended deadlines due to technical issues and pandemic concerns.
- Democrats Push Controversial Redistricting Amendment in Virginia Referendum
The amendment, passed by the House of Delegates and the Senate during the recent legislative session, seeks to alter the redistricting process established by voters in 2020. That year, Virginians overwhelmingly approved Amendment 52 with 67 percent support, creating the bipartisan Virginia Redistricting Commission to handle decennial map drawing and curb partisan gerrymandering.
- Virginia Democrats Kill Health Care Learning Lab Bill, Denying Innovation and Economic Growth
RICHMOND, VA – A forward-thinking bill aimed at spurring innovation in Virginia’s health care sector by temporarily easing regulatory barriers has been left to languish in committee, marking a setback for efforts to foster economic growth and improve patient access to cutting-edge treatments. House Bill 146, introduced by Delegate Wren Williams of the 47th District,
- Republicans Lead Charge Against Burdensome Fantasy Sports Tax in Virginia Conference Committee
RICHMOND, VA – As the Virginia General Assembly session pushes forward, House Bill 145, known as the Fantasy Contests Act, remains stalled in a conference committee following strong Republican resistance to its proposed 10 percent tax on fantasy sports operators. Introduced by Delegate Paul Krizek on January 5, 2026, the legislation seeks to regulate and
- Republicans in Virginia House Overwhelmingly Approves to Bolster Tribal Role in Protecting Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage
RICHMOND, VA – In a strong show of support for preserving Virginia’s cherished landscapes and honoring the state’s federally recognized tribes, the House of Delegates passed House Bill 134 on February 3, 2026, by a vote of 93-5. The measure, which updates the Virginia Conservation Easement Act, empowers these tribes to serve as direct holders
- Virginia’s RGGI Rejoin Plan: A Costly Carbon Tax in Disguise
RGGI, a cap-and-trade program involving several Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, requires power plants to purchase allowances for their carbon emissions through quarterly auctions. Proponents claim the proceeds fund clean energy and resiliency projects, but opponents point out the program’s regressive nature, hitting low-income households hardest through higher utility rates.
- Loudoun County Parents Rally for School Resource Officers in Elementary Schools Amid Safety Concerns
Sheriff Chapman announced his plan earlier this year at the State of Law Enforcement Forum, aiming to build on public safety successes by placing SROs in elementary schools for prevention and partnership. Data shows elementary schools requested SRO assistance 1,649 times last year alone, underscoring the need.
- Democrats Imposing Mandatory ‘Fair Housing and Appraisal Bias’ Training on Real Estate Professionals
In a move that expands government oversight into professional licensing, the Virginia Senate has advanced House Bill 170, requiring aspiring real estate appraisers to complete a specific two-hour course on fair housing and appraisal bias before obtaining their licenses.
- Virginia Democrats to Vote for Themselves 278% Pay Increase
by Scott Dreyer Recent days, the Democrat-led General Assembly voted to increase the salary of State Delegates and Senate to $50,000 per annum. Virginia has always had part-time lawmakers in its General Assembly.
- Democrats STOP New Legislation, Gender Transition Attempts on Minors as Child Abuse Stalls in House Committee
A significant legislative effort to protect Virginia’s children from what proponents view as harmful interventions took a setback this week when House Bill 158 was left in the Courts of Justice Committee.
- Republicans Approves Flexibility for IB Students in Advanced Diploma Graduation Requirements
The Virginia General Assembly has taken significant steps to recognize the demanding nature of the International Baccalaureate diploma program by incorporating provisions from House Bill 132 into House Bill 595, now awaiting the Governor’s action.
- Delegate Cornett’s HB130 Seeks Vital Workers’ Compensation Protections for Virginia Sheriffs and Deputies
Prefiled on January 2, 2026, and offered on January 14, the legislation aims to extend critical workers’ compensation presumptions for certain cancers to sheriffs and their deputy sheriffs, recognizing the occupational hazards these public servants face daily.
- Virginia Republican Senate Advances Key Legislation to Shield Homeowners and Farmers from Rampant Deer Damage
RICHMOND — In a move to safeguard property rights and support Virginia’s agricultural backbone, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee reported House Bill 129 with a substitute by a 13-2 vote on March 3, 2026. The legislation, sponsored by Delegate Mitchell Cornett, addresses the escalating issue of deer damage to residential plants and
- House Republicans Oppose Expansion of Felony Offenses in HB 438
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia House of Delegates passed HB 438 on February 17, 2026, by a vote of 63-33, advancing a measure that broadens the ability of courts to divert juveniles accused of serious delinquent acts from formal adjudication proceedings. The bill, patroned by Delegate LeVere Bolling, amends sections of the Code of Virginia
- Virginia Republicans Unanimously Passes HB433 to Strengthen Newborn Screening Protections
This landmark legislation, titled ‘Newborn screening; evaluation of disorders for inclusion, process for considering other disorders,’ establishes a clear and accountable process for the Department of Health to evaluate and potentially add new disorders to Virginia’s newborn screening program.
- Democrats Block Student with Disabilities Diplomas
As the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session progresses, House Bill 428 stands as a beacon of promise for students with disabilities navigating the challenges of high school graduation. The legislation seeks to establish an alternative pathway to the standard diploma, addressing a critical gap in the current system that often leaves capable students shortchanged due to rigid assessment requiremen
- Virginia HB51 Seeks Greater Local Control Over Election Timing, Falls Short in Committee
RICHMOND, Va. — A measure aimed at providing Virginia cities and towns with more flexibility in scheduling their local elections has met an early end in the House Privileges and Elections Committee during the 2026 General Assembly session. House Bill 51, introduced by Delegate Robert Bloxom representing the 100th District on the Eastern Shore, sought
- Virginia Child Psychiatrist Warns Legislature: Sexualized School Content Fueling Porn Addiction in Young Kids
Sheila Furey’s remarks underscore growing concerns among parents, educators, and medical professionals regarding the direction of public education in Virginia. ‘Highly sexualized content in schools has led to a dramatic increase in pornographic literature and addiction among young children,’ she stated emphatically.
- Automation Accelerates Job Losses in Retail Sector
Job cuts are happening across the nation, and automation stands out as a significant factor. Kiosks are replacing workers in retail establishments, fast-food restaurants, and service industries everywhere.
- Pro-Life Advocates Fill Virginia House of Delegates to Fight Against Radical Abortion Amendment
Delegate Delores Reyes, a Republican representing Loudoun County, took the floor in the House of Delegates chamber to warmly welcome the pro-life contingent, particularly highlighting visitors from her district.
- Winsome Earle-Sears Demonstrates True Leadership in Graceful Handover to Senator Ghazala Hashmi
Earle-Sears, the trailblazing Republican who made history as the first Black woman elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, took the podium to express deep appreciation to her dedicated staff.
- Fairfax County Prosecutor Allows Killers to Escape Justice through Insanity Defences
Insanity defenses are used in less than 1% of criminal cases and only 25% of the time. Insanity is a defense that is employed in less than 1% criminal cases, and successful in only 25% of the times.
- Boeing leaving Virginia?
Not exactly. Calm down. by Chris Saxman Boeing has relocated its Defense, Space & Security division headquarters from Arlington, Virginia to St.
- Virginia Dems lose support from the leftist media over gerrymandering
Virginia Democrats may have gone a little too far. It’s possible that their lopsided map of congressional districts, which was designed to create safe district for Dem candidates hand-picked by the party, is too bold to win over voters this April.
- Republicans Rally Against Democratic Bid to Override Voter-Approved Redistricting in Virginia Senate
Senator Christopher Head, a Republican representing parts of Fairfax and surrounding areas, took to the floor to lambast the proposal. He highlighted the irony of Democrats claiming to preserve democracy while seeking to redraw district lines in a manner that would ensure electoral outcomes favor one party.
- Senator Mark Peake Champions Parental Rights in Abortion Debate Amid Virginia Law Disparity
Virginia Code Section 54.1-2825 explicitly prohibits tattooing or body piercing on individuals under 18 without specific exceptions, underscoring the recognition that minors lack the maturity for permanent body alterations without parental involvement.