Key Dates for the 2024 General Assembly
As part of its organizational work on the first day of the 2024 session, the General Assembly adopted a procedural resolution on January 10 that sets out important dates and deadlines for the 2024 legislative session. January 10: General Assembly convened at noon. Bills that were “prefiled” were due to be submitted by 10:00 a.m. […]
VACo opposes legislation giving local land use authority to SCC for the siting of utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects
HB 636 (Sullivan) and SB 567 (Deeds) propose giving the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) the authority to override local comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances for the siting of utility-scale solar, wind and battery storage facilities. The legislation sets up the process for applicants to essentially bypass local planning commissions and boards of supervisors when seeking […]
2024 General Assembly Convenes Today – Look for Capitol Contact on Tuesdays and Thursdays
The 2024 General Assembly session convenes today as legislators deliberate on many issues of critical importance to local government, including the state budget, taxes, education funding, economic development, public safety, broadband, and other policy matters. VACo will continually provide updates during the session through Capitol Contact. Capitol Contact will be published every Tuesday and Thursday. In […]
VACo Analysis of Governor’s Introduced Budget
On December 20, Governor Youngkin presented his budget proposals for the upcoming 2024-2026 biennium, as well as amendments to the current biennium budget in the “caboose” budget bill. The Governor described his proposal as the “Unleashing Opportunity” budget, making a case that tax reform and investments in business recruitment and workforce readiness are necessary to […]
Visit King George County and the King George County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO CREDIT: Mojo Hand Location: 9383 Kings Highway / Rectory LaneBuilt: 1922 – 1923Style: Classical RevivalArchitect: E G Heflin of FredericksburgContractor: Unknown Description: The building faces south and is a one story red colored brick and concrete structure. The south front has a central portico with four white colored columns rising to a pediment with […]
VACo requests feedback on bill to mandate public hearings to fill interim board positions
The 2024 Virginia General Assembly will be considering legislation to require local governing bodies and elected school boards, when making an interim appointment to fill a vacancy in membership, to both publish notice and hold a public hearing on the appointment. HB 69 (Bulova) also specifies that at such meeting, “… the body or board […]
Governor’s Introduced Budget May Impact State Funding for the Virginia Preschool Initiative for Certain Localities
Governor Youngkin’s introduced budget makes several changes to how the state shares the costs of slots in the Virginia Preschool Infinitive (VPI). One such change eliminates the current cap of 0.5 on the Composite Index of Local Ability to Pay (LCI) for these programs. This has the potential to negatively alter existing funding for 27 […]
Governor’s Introduced Budget Addresses OEMS Funding Issue
As part of Governor Youngkin’s introduced budget, additional state General Funds will be used to address funding shortfalls through the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). According to the Chair of the State EMS Advisory Board, the Governor has directed the $8 million surplus that the Virginia Department of Health returned to the General Fund […]
VRS Political Subdivision Valuations Reports with New Contribution Rates To Be Posted
VACo recently received important information from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) regarding the actuarial valuation reports for all political subdivision employers. As previously reported, these reports are important as they contain the include the retirement contribution rate along with rates for group life insurance and the health insurance credit. According to VRS: VRS this month […]
Governor Unveils Biennium Budget Proposal
On December 20, Governor Youngkin presented his budget proposals for the upcoming 2024-2026 biennium, as well as amendments to the current biennium budget in the “caboose” budget bill. The Governor described his proposal as the “Unleashing Opportunity” budget, making a case that tax reform and investments in business recruitment and workforce readiness are necessary to […]
Changes adopted by the CTB to the SMART SCALE program outlined and explained
Earlier this year, the Virginia Secretary of Transportation directed the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI) to conduct a full review of the SMART SCALE process in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). VACo was invited and has participated on the Technical Advisory Committee […]
Visit James City County and the James City County Historic Courthouse
Location: 101 Duke of Gloucester Street / Palace Green StreetBuilt: 1770 – 1771Style: GeorgianArchitect: Robert SmithContractor: Unknown Description: The building faces south and is a one story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds with Market Square on the north side in Colonial Williamsburg in the center of city. The south […]
Legislators Review Findings of Study on State Psychiatric Hospitals
Staff to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) presented findings and recommendations to JLARC members on December 11, and provided a follow-up briefing to members of the Behavioral Health Commission two days later. Behavioral Health Commission members reviewed the study’s recommendations dealing with legislative or budget actions by the General Assembly and agreed […]
State EMS Advisory Board Workgroup Tasked with Making Recommendations to Release OEMS Funding Convenes
On Wednesday, December 13, the workgroup tasked by the State EMS Advisory Board Chair Kevin Dillard with addressing funding restructuring needs and pending payment issues met for the first time. As previously reported, the need for this workgroup stems from unanticipated budgeting shortfalls at the Office of Emergency Medical Services. The official minutes are pending, […]
VACo Supports Early Childhood Care and Education Effort
On Monday, December 4, VACo staff participated in the formal kick off of the “Gotta Have Childcare” campaign, which is aimed at preventing the loss of childcare options for families that were significantly expanded through federal funding as well as improving the overall health of Virginia’s early childhood system. This was shortly followed by an […]
Behavioral Health Commission Discusses Criminal Justice Diversion, Recommendations for 2024
The Behavioral Health Commission met on December 5 to receive a briefing from its staff on a study of a potential new process to divert certain individuals from the criminal justice system into court-ordered mental health treatment, and to finalize legislative and budgetary proposals for the upcoming session resulting from studies considered during earlier meetings. […]