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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Thursday, January 27, 2022
Democrats in Virginia’s Senate deals blow to major campaign promise from new Attorney General
Reported by VPM News’ Ben Paviour
On Wednesday, a senate committee rejected a proposal which would have broadened the attorney general’s power.
Attorney General Jason Miyares’ proposal would have allowed the attorney general to take up local sex crime cases involving minors, even if the local commonwealth’s attorney opposed the intervention. Prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys, who are normally at odds in legislative battles, were united in their opposition to this bill. One Commonwealth’s Attorney argued that it would be an overreach of power. The proposal is still alive in the House of Delegates. If it survives in that chamber, but it would be brought up again in the same Senate committee where it was voted down.
Virginia man pleads guilty to charges related to Capitol Insurrection
Reported by WHRO’s Ryan Murphy
A Newport News man photographed inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6th pleaded guilty yesterday to misdemeanor trespassing charges. Robert Packer, 57, was arrested a week after the January 6th riot. Court documents say Packer was identified by someone who knew him as a regular customer at a convenience store near Newport News. He faces up to six months in jail for the trespassing charges and will be sentenced in April. Packer joins nearly 200 others who have pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to the Capitol riot.
What’s happening with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative?
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has faced criticism from Democrats and environmentalists for wanting Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, also known as RGGI. The program puts a cap on carbon emissions for its 11 member states. Power companies buy allowances for their emissions through auctions - in Virginia, proceeds from those auctions go into a fund for energy efficiency and flood resiliency projects statewide. Legal experts say it’s not as easy as filing an executive order to get out of RGGI. Joining the initiative is based in state law, so a full repeal would have to come from lawmakers.
Bill to Extending Oyster Harvesting Season Heads to state Senate
Reported by VPM News Intern Meghan McIntyre
Virginia’s oyster harvesting season currently lasts from October 1st to March 1st. But a bill is heading to the Senate floor that would give a state commission power to extend the season by a month, specifically for workers who use patent tongs. These devices are large, claw-like machines that extract oysters. Patent tongs often produce greater yields compared to other harvesting methods, like hand tongs. If approved, this extension could provide additional income for workers in the industry, who often miss days of work because of bad weather.
This reporting was done in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.
In Other News:
Youngkin says he intends to replace Virginia’s top election official – Virginia Mercury
Veteran judge serving Chesterfield and Colonial Heights loses reappointment after concerns raised about her professionalism – Richmond Times-Dispatch
Eunice Wilder, longtime Richmond treasurer and ex-wife of Doug Wilder, dies at 83 – Richmond Times-Dispatch
In Case You Missed It:
Charlottesville and statewide school construction funding bills clear Virginia Senate – The Daily Progress
In joint letter, Stoney and Jones urge AG's Office not to stall housing investigation into Southwood – Richmond Times-Dispatch
Petersburg City Council Member won’t seek reelection, ending 12 year tenure – The Progress-Index
