Government + Politics
Virginia’s new corrections ombudsman to prioritize Red Onion prison probe
Virginia’s top investigatory body is turning its attention to Red Onion State Prison following alarming reports of self-harm and poor conditions at the supermax facility in Wise County. Andrea Sapone, the state’s new corrections ombudsman, announced Monday that her office will prioritize an investigation into living conditions and the health and safety of incarcerated individuals […]
‘Momnibus’ package aims to close maternal health gaps across Virginia
Virginia lawmakers are gearing up for a renewed push to tackle maternal health disparities in the 2025 session, with a slate of bills and budget amendments focused on improving outcomes for parents across the state. A key proposal is a bipartisan effort to mandate unconscious bias training for nursing license renewals, which previously passed the […]
Youngkin pitches tax relief for tipped workers in budget plan
Gov. Glenn Youngkin served more than pancakes and coffee at McLean’s Restaurant in Richmond Monday morning. He also unveiled another key part of his budget proposal: eliminating state taxes on tipped employees. Describing the measure as a “foundational piece” of his budget, which he is expected to present before a joint meeting of the legislature’s […]
New Virginia investigator to streamline complaint filing for incarcerated people and their families
Virginia’s new corrections ombudsman, Andrea Sapone, is hitting the ground running, pledging to investigate allegations of mistreatment and address health and safety concerns raised by incarcerated people and their families. Hired in late September by the Office of the State Inspector General, Sapone said her office has already begun tracking letters and emails from those […]
Cifers triumphs in multi-round vote to represent GOP in state Senate District 10 special election
Luther Cifers, a businessman from Prince Edward County, emerged victorious in the Republican nomination contest for Virginia’s 10th Senate District during a mass meeting at the Goochland Rec Center. The meeting, which drew hundreds of Republican voters, began Friday evening and stretched into the early hours of Saturday as participants navigated a lengthy multi-ballot process […]
‘Meet people where they are’: Special teams aid Va.’s efforts to expand mental health care services
Editor’s note: The Mercury is not identifying the name of Asheley Tuck’s son to protect the child’s identity. Tuck’s statements were substantiated through interviews with mental health professionals with knowledge of her family’s situation. With books, toys and artwork strewn about, Asheley Tuck’s son’s room is the typical sort one might expect from an 11-year-old […]
Youngkin wants to restrict funding for localities that don’t comply with immigration enforcement
Ahead of his annual budget presentation to lawmakers next week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday announced a proposal to block state funding from any locality implementing a “sanctuary city” policy and “refusing to comply with federal law to deport” undocumented immigrants who have committed a crime. The term sanctuary city refers to localities that choose […]
Republicans to choose Senate District 10 nominee to succeed McGuire
Republicans in Virginia’s 10th state Senate District will convene for a mass meeting on Friday to select their nominee in an upcoming special election. The vacancy was prompted by the resignation of Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, who is set to leave his post after being elected to Congress. The meeting will take place at the […]
Youngkin seeks additional $290 million boost for school construction
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday announced that he is asking the legislature for an additional $290 million to support school construction and modernization efforts across Virginia. This latest investment would bring the total funding for the current biennium to $700 million and raise the state’s overall contribution under Youngkin’s administration to nearly $2 billion. Youngkin’s […]
States go after ‘claim sharks’ that charge vets for help with disability claims
For-profit consultants across the country make millions each year by charging military veterans for help in filing their disability claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The practice exists in a legal loophole: It’s illegal under federal law for companies that aren’t accredited by the VA to charge veterans fees for helping file their […]
National Democratic group boosts Srinivasan, Singh in upcoming Virginia special elections
With a Republican-controlled White House, U.S. House and Senate on the horizon, some special elections in Virginia next month are the first opportunity for voters to challenge or reinforce Democratic majorities in the state legislature. That’s why the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is putting a spotlight on Senate District 32 and House District 26. After […]
Why Sen. Sturtevant wants to stop big investment firms from buying homes in Virginia
Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, has been frustrated by large investment firms purchasing homes in Virginia. Both in posts on social media and in a Zoom call open to the public and press on Wednesday, he outlined some policy proposals that he hopes can help with affordable housing. First, he laid out his legislative efforts to […]