The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Jan. 29, 2025:
Richmond DPU audits note $2M+ in extra parts, unsafe storage
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
Months before Richmond’s water plant failure, city audits detailed issues within DPU's warehouses — including a lack of written operating policies and insufficient oversight that potentially delayed critical repairs.
Audits of DPU’s main and wastewater treatment plant warehouses issued in late 2024 also found inadequate inventory oversight, and inaccurate and incomplete data that led to unaccounted-for inventory and “significant financial discrepancies.”
The audits found no written policies for the warehouses’ operations, inventory management and monitoring, tracking, stock levels, physical inventory count process, roles and responsibilities or documentation requirements. It was noted that each warehouse has a system to track inventory.
At the time, city auditors wrote that a lack of policies could drive staff confusion, inefficiencies, process inconsistencies and lead to “non-compliance with laws and regulations,” and “legal risks.”
Va. Democrats advance tax credit bills, kill Youngkin car tax proposal
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
The state House of Delegates and Senate budget committees, both controlled by Democrats, forwarded bills that would change Virginia’s standard deduction, add a child tax credit, and make a portion of the earned income tax credit refundable. Meanwhile, they voted down bills backed by the Republican governor, including eliminating taxes on tips and establishing a car tax rebate program.
“With what's coming from across the Potomac now, we don't know what kind of straits we're going to be in,” said Sen. Louise Lucas (D–Portsmouth), head of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. “People are talking about getting rid of the car tax and getting rid of the tax on tips. All that's popular and I agree with my constituents on it, but the rich need to pay their fair share. “
They also set the stage for friction between the two chambers, with the House tentatively passing more tax cuts than the Senate. The House proposals still need to clear the full chamber and then pass through the Senate — which has voted down similar bills on the earned income tax credit and child tax credit.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth:
- Updated: Virginia’s access to Medicaid cut after federal funding freeze (VPM News)
- Va. Senate blocks bill that would’ve given Richmond millions more in Rosie’s gambling revenue (The Richmonder)
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