GENERAL ASSEMBLY

By MARK BOWES, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Localities in Virginia must each fund at least one prosecutor position for every 75 body-worn cameras deployed by their police departments, under language adopted by legislators in the state's revised budget.

By KATHERINE HAFNER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

A recent change to the way Virginia defines illegal gambling could allow prosecutors to go after more computer gaming shops. The bill, which unanimously passed both houses of the General Assembly this session, "clarifies the existing code for prosecution of illegal gambling by specifically declaring illegal the so called 'sham sweepstakes' machines," Sen. Bryce Reeves said in a statement Tuesday.

By MALLORY NOE-PAYNE, WVTF

Lawmakers are giving almost $60 million more to Virginia’s public colleges over the next two years. Peter Blake, director of the State Council of Higher Education says it’s a substantial investment that comes with a catch. “To the extent that an institution chooses not to increase tuition and educational and general fees then they would be able to access the money that has been set aside for that purpose,” explains Blake.

By OWEN FITZGERALD, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

A bipartisan group of Virginia lawmakers is demanding that the General Assembly record and archive its subcommittee meetings — a critical part of the legislative process and the only proceedings not yet video-recorded by the state. The demand was contained in a letter drafted by Del. Mark Levine, D-Alexandria, and Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, co-founders of the Virginia Transparency Caucus. It was signed by 68 of the 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates and 29 of the 40 state senators.

By JACOB FENSTON, WAMU

Roughly 60 times a year, Alexandria’s antiquated sewer system — among the oldest in the nation — fills to capacity and discharges into the Potomac River. The city is working on a project to fix the problem, and has just secured $25 million from the state to help pay for it, under the budget just passed by the Virginia General Assembly. Currently, sewage discharges add up to about 140 million gallons a year; when the project is complete in 2025, that number will be reduced by an estimated 96 percent. The system will go from 60 overflows a year now, to fewer than four.

By MECHELLE HANKERSON, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Commonwealth University will get the the first shot to buy state-owned land it and the city of Richmond have been eyeing for a new ballpark, but they’ll have to show lawmakers a plan first. The site in north Richmond is currently a warehouse for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and is across from The Diamond, home to the Richmond Flying Squirrels. VCU and the Squirrels have discussed the possibility of a $55 million joint ballpark since at least 2016.

By JAYLA MARIE MCNEILL, VCU Capital News Service

The General Assembly's 2019 session was a disappointment for LGBTQ advocates as most legislation on health care, marriage and legal protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity failed. But activists are not giving up. "I would encourage people not to be discouraged because we are going to be back next year," said Bill Harrison, president of Diversity Richmond, which supports cultural, health and other programs for the LGBTQ community.

By JENNA PORTNOY, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Jay Timmons, his husband, Rick Olson, and their 3-year-old son, Jacob — born with the help of a surrogate — are not the typical nuclear family celebrated by Virginia Republicans, particularly by the conservative base. But their struggle to secure legal rights as Jacob’s parents — which included a costly, year-long legal battle — inspired the GOP-controlled Virginia legislature last week to pass legislation that will make it easier for gay, straight or single parents to have children using donated embryos.

By MICHAEL POPE, WVTF

Republican Delegate Terry Kilgore wanted Virginia to be on the vanguard of telemedicine, allowing a host of new smartphone apps to be able to allow Virginia patients to log on and get a prescription from doctors in Connecticut or California. Lawmakers rejected that idea, but Kilgore is undeterred.

By JOSHUA WEINSTEIN, Southside Daily

The November 2018 elections in Virginia Beach included accusations of fraud against congressional staff, as well as the state’s first ever simultaneous recount of multiple races. Out of that tumult, state lawmakers have taken to steps to legislate away some of the problems that came out of the last election cycle.

By NATHANIEL CLINE, Loudoun Times

Loudoun's first state park, slated for northwestern Loudoun, is included in the upcoming state budget, as is funding for a regional science center. The Times-Mirror confirmed the budget updates with lawmakers and county officials over the weekend.