Gov. Ralph Northam is proposing tax cuts he says will benefit working-class Virginians, especially those who’ve struggled financially during the pandemic. Northam’s plan, announced Tuesday, would eliminate Virginia’s controversial grocery tax, provide a one-time rebate to everyone who files state income taxes ($250 for individuals and $500 per married couple) and provide a tax break […]
Sophisticated Cyberattack Hits Virginia General Assembly
An “extremely sophisticated” ransomware attack has crippled the IT agency serving the Virginia General Assembly and shuttered the computer systems for Virginia’s legislative agencies. The cyberattack has left officials in Richmond scrambling. Gov. Northam has directed executive branch agencies to assist the IT agency, officially known as the Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS). Ransomware […]
Putting Out Fire With a Hammer
A Republican Party content to dialogue with evil will never stop what is coming. Kudos to Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares, who is already hammering hard against an astounding $36,000 FOIA request in Loudoun County: The parent, Michelle Mege, was informed $36,000 would be the tab for the county to respond to her Freedom of Information Act […]
Northam Proposes $27 Million Center to Study Gun Violence
Ralph Northam’s final budget as governor includes $27.4 million to establish a Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention within the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The outgoing governor said that the center would collect data on gun violence to curb crime. As you’d imagine, Bacon’s Rebellion had a different take: Setting aside the obvious politics […]
School Library Controversy Rocks Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Public Schools district leadership is expected to decide the fate of six books in its libraries later this month. The announcement comes after parents have fiercely argued over the books at multiple school board meetings. WTOP explains: WAVY-TV reports that school board member Victoria Manning prompted the books to be reviewed when she […]
While You Weren’t Looking, California Took Control of Virginia’s Auto Sales
Even though it’s more than 3,000 miles away, California will begin playing an outsized role in dictating Virginia’s automobile sales. Thanks to the geniuses in Sacramento, it’s possible that dealers may not sell new internal combustion engines after 2035. Steve Haner explains: The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board, acting not with discretion but on orders […]
Hostility and Hate Leads to Small Town Police Crisis
Resentment and even hatred of police officers have led to staffing shortages in departments nationwide. With anti-police radicals enabled by one of the two major political parties, enthusiasm for joining the police force has hit rock bottom, even in rural areas. As Bacon’s Rebellion reports: The Town of Leesburg had a population of 49,157 as […]
Another Recount Ends – Solidifying GOP Gains
The results are finally official in the 91st District Virginia House of Delegates race. This week, a Hampton Circuit Court certified that Republican A.C. Cordoza beat incumbent Del. Martha Mugler (D-Hampton) by 64 votes out of more than 27,000. Per WAVY.com: Lawyers for both candidates gave arguments for all of the ballots before judges resolved […]
School System Settles Suit Over Treatment of Disabled Students – But Questions Remain
Fairfax County Public Schools have settled a lawsuit with disability rights organizations and families over the district’s harsh punishments like physical restraints and seclusion used on special-ed students. Many consider those implements and techniques overly harsh for the school setting and counterproductive. Per WTOP: But some parents who belong to the Fairfax County Special Education […]
Gerrymandering Reform Project Reviewed Virginia’s New Maps. Here’s What They Found.
The Princeton Gerrymandering Project has reviewed Virginia’s newly proposed legislative and congressional maps. (Virginia Scope) They scored the congressional draft as an “A” overall and in Partisan Fairness, with “Cs” in Competitiveness and Geography. “It has five pretty safe D seats, 2 very safe R seats, 2 lean R seats, and 2 lean D seats (for a […]