Wednesday's top political news stories
Here are the top stories in Virginia for Wednesday.
Welcome to Wednesday!
Virginia's Democratic donor division is apparent in House special election - Virginia Scope
Several Democratic politicians in Virginia have taken the Clean Virginia pledge, which says that the candidate has “taken a principled stance against accepting campaign contributions from regulated monopolies Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, including their top executives and lobbyists, and do not own stock in these companies.”
Michael Bills, a progressive mega-donor and the source of Clean Virginia’s funding will often contribute large sums personally, as will his wife, to candidates across the Commonwealth. With no clear ideological direction when looking at the candidates he has personally supported in the past, Bills’ main goal seems to be to take as much political power away from Dominion that he can. The stated mission of Clean Virginia is to help lead Virginia to a clean energy future, according to their website. While they donate to Democrats the majority of the time, Clean Virginia gave Republican state Senator Amanda Chase $5,000 in 2019.
Dominion donates $50,000 to Stoney's One Richmond PAC - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Chris Suarez
RICHMOND — After raising over $1 million this year for his successful re-election bid last month, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney received a $50,000 gift from Dominion Energy last week to his One Richmond PAC.
The end-of-year donation led to some criticism as Democratic leaders around Virginia refuse money from the utility monopoly. It also fed speculation about whether the cash could help launch a campaign for higher office soon — a notion the Democratic mayor has dismissed for the duration of his next four-year term.
First medical marijuana dispensary in Hampton Roads opens in Portsmouth - Virginian Pilot
by Noor Adatia
After several delays, Hampton Roads’ first medical marijuana dispensary opened Tuesday in Portsmouth.
According to the store’s website, Columbia Care opened Tuesday at 10 a.m. Located on Seaboard Court, the facility sells and produces CBD and THC-A oil-based products including capsules and creams.
Testing clinics fill up as COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Fredericksburg region Free Lance-Star
by Cathy Dyson
New cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 aren’t the only things on the rise in the Rappahannock Area Health District.
There’s been such a turnout at free virus testing clinics offered by local health officials that all the slots have been taken before the first nostril was swabbed. Typically, the health district brings enough staff and supplies to test about 200 people per site, and there had been ample slots left for people who showed up—and signed up—the day of the event, said Allison Balmes–John, district spokesperson.
VPAP Graphic: Some 1,238 people have offered their services as one of eight citizen members of Virginia's new Redistricting Commission. Those selected will serve alongside eight legislators. Next step: By January 1, legislative leaders will nominate at least 64 of the applicants for consideration by a panel of retired judges. By January 15, the judges must pick eight nominees who reflect the "racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity of the Commonwealth."
Princess Blanding, sister of Marcus-David Peters, announces run for governor - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Ali Rockett
Princess Blanding, the sister of Marcus-David Peters, who was fatally shot by Richmond police in May 2018, has officially announced a third-party bid for governor of Virginia.
Blanding launched her campaign Tuesday in a news release and video, embarking on a candidacy under the banner of the newly formed Liberation Party that will emphasize public safety and racial and economic justice, among other progressive reforms.
Lawmakers want fees waived if stimulus is paid via debit cards - Virginia Mercury
If Americans are going to receive the latest coronavirus stimulus payment through a government-provided debit card, they should not have to pay fees, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Leesburg, and other lawmakers said in a letter to the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service.
Congress has approved new stimulus payments of up to $600 per individual. Wexton and nine colleagues from the House Financial Services Committee wrote to the federal agencies, asking whether they plan to use debit cards to make the direct payments.