Lawmakers Vote Down Key Pillars Of Youngkin's Education Plan And More Virginia Headlines

Staff Report, Virginia Mercury

February 4, 2022

• Democratic lawmakers in the Virginia Senate voted down key elements of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s education plan, including bills that would have made it easier to open charter schools, required police officers in every school and banned teaching of “divisive concepts.”—Associated Press

• Youngkin’s tax cut package suffered another blow when a Senate panel voted to defer his proposal to double the standard deduction. Lawmakers say the proposal requires a year of study, but suggested they could be open to a one-time refund.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• During an appearance at an Alexandria grocery store, Youngkin touted his plan to eliminate the state’s 1.5 percent grocery tax, said his office is responding to people who email his education tip line, reiterated his support for bringing a new Washington Commanders stadium to the state, and said he’s optimistic he will prevail in a series of mask mandate lawsuits.—Washington Post

• Virginia lawmakers once again voted down legislation that would create independent oversight of the state prison system, which is subject to hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits every year.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• Legislation raising jury pay in circuit courts around the state from $30 to $100 per day is advancing.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• Bath County is the only county in the state with no daycare centers, an extreme example of the shortage of childcare options in some rural localities.—Cardinal News

• “A former Washington Commanders employee told U.S. representatives on Wednesday that team owner Dan Snyder made unwanted advances toward her at a social event, but she resisted with the help of Snyder’s lawyer.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• A fringe GOP candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Roanoke, went to a butterfly sanctuary along the U.S. border in Texas, where she told workers she was investigating illegal immigration. The claims and subsequent harassment stem from far-right conspiracies that recently forced the center to close to the public indefinitely.—Washington Post

• “Kings Dominion may be joining Busch Gardens Williamsburg as a part of SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. after the company made a reported $3.4 billion bid to acquire Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.”—Virginia Gazette

• In a Valentine’s Day promotion targeting jilted lovers, the Virginia Aquarium is offering to name a rat after your ex and feed it to either a reptile or a vulture. The service costs $20. “We want to lift your jilted heart with a little untraditional, lighthearted holiday fun in the form of enrichment with our animals.”—Virginian-Pilot

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

SUBSCRIBE

This story was originally published by the Virginia Mercury. For more stories from the Virginia Mercury, visit Virginia Mercury.com.