Congress Nearing Possible Deal on New Coronavirus Relief Package
Congress appears to be nearing a deal on a new coronavirus relief package and could vote on it as early as the end of the week. According to the National Association of Counties (NACo), Congressional leaders have been hard at work putting together a new coronavirus relief package that will include nearly $900 billion in […]
JLARC Releases December VRS Oversight Report
Members of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) were briefed by Commission staff on December 14 on the Commission’s annual oversight report on the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). The VRS Oversight Act requires JLARC to oversee VRS on a continuing basis, report on investments and other topics, conduct actuarial analysis every four years, […]
January 9 Set as Deadline for Counties to Comment on Proposed Permanent Workplace Regulations for COVID-19
On July 15, 2020 Virginia adopted an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, 16VAC25-220. With the temporary standard expiring on January 27, 2021, the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board is scheduled to vote on a proposed permanent standard at its January 12, 2021 electronic meeting. The deadline […]
VACo Joins the Virginia Faces of Transit Coalition
VACo recently joined the Virginia Faces of Transit Coalition, which is an effort organized by the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) to promote the benefits of transit during this time of ridership declines due to COVID-19. The coalition aims to convince decision makers to maintain financial support of transit due to its nature as an essential […]
Broadband Funding Opportunities and Updates
The next meeting of the Commonwealth Connect Coalition is scheduled for December 17. Topics of discussion will include a preview of the 2021 General Assembly Session, and the potential results of two broadband funding sources. At the federal level, the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) $16 billion phase I auction round concluded this week and […]
Visit Pittsylvania County and the Smith Mountain Dam and Visitors Center
The Visitor’s Center at Smith Mountain is open to the public with a view overlooking the dam. Exhibits tell the history of the dam and how power is generated at the unique two-lake complex. The Center is open Tuesday through Saturday each week, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibits and the overlook area close at 4:30 […]
Introducing a New Associate Member – AllPaid
Rethinking Manufactured Housing in Richmond
Richmond-based nonprofit project: Homes received $500,000 in funding from Virginia Housing’s new Innovative Demonstrations Program. The nonprofit’s mission is to challenge the misconceptions of what defines affordable housing through production and preservation of high-quality affordable homes, large-scale home repairs and improved accessibility and energy efficiency for existing homes. The proposal: Bermuda Estates With help from […]
FOIA Council endorses legislative proposals for 2021 session
The FOIA Council met on December 2, 2020 to consider the work of its three subcommittees which studied Phishing, Electronic Meetings and Disclosure of Criminal Incident Information. The committee endorsed legislative proposals in all three areas of study. The Phishing legislation will likely be carried by Delegate Heretick who has been championing this matter. The Electronic […]
Legal Issues with Green Energy – Utility-Scale Solar
VACo Director of Local Government Policy Joe Lerch was a panelist and presenter with Joey Chen, Advisor to the Chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission, to speak about legal issues regarding the siting of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Projects (USSE). The webinar is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Planning Collaboration and was held on December 3, […]
Webinar: An Introduction to Energy Storage for Virginia Localities
PUBLIC SAFETY PHOTO SPEED MONITORING DEVICES
The Virginia Legislature enacted HB 1442 (Jones) during the 2020 General Assembly, authorizing state and local law-enforcement agencies to operate photo speed monitoring devices in or around school crossing zones and highway work zones, which are often dangerous areas for both pedestrians and drivers. VACo has joined with Conduent, a new Premier Partner. Conduent is […]
VACo Releases 2021 Legislative Program
After months of steering committee meetings, lively debate and participation through the Association’s legislative process, VACo adopted its 2021 Legislative Program. The Legislative Program is organized according to VACo’s Steering Committees. VACo’s 2021 Legislative Program addresses priorities in the realms of Economic Development and Planning, Education, Environment and Agriculture, Finance, General Government, Health and Human […]
Special Session Budget Finalized; Preparations for 2021 Budget Cycle Underway
Governor Northam approved the revised biennium budget this week, completing the final piece of legislative business from the 2020 Special Session. The Governor had proposed ten amendments to the budget conference report passed by the legislature on October 16. The legislature considered these amendments on November 9. Of particular interest to local governments, the Governor […]
Visit Tazewell County and the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine
The Pocahontas Exhibition Mine is the only of its kind in Virginia. Located in the town of Pocahontas in Tazewell County, the mine takes visitors underground to see how coal was produced in the 19th century. The 13-foot coal seam was first mined in 1882 and an operation remained there for 73 years. Pocahontas coal […]