Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 Presumption Legislation Updates
Legislation that proposes adding COVID-19 to the list of illnesses presumed to be incurred in the course of employment for multiple categories of first responders, health care workers, and school board employees is potentially headed towards a positive outcome for local governments. On September 3, SB 5066 (Saslaw) was considered by the Senate Finance and […]
Troubling “Tipping Fee” Language Included in Governor’s Proposed Budget
Troubling language has been introduced in the Governor’s proposed budget revisions that seeks to implement a new solid waste disposal fee, or a “tipping fee,” for each ton of solid waste received at a landfill. Budget Item 372 E proposes the following: E. The Secretary of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture […]
Governor’s Advisory Commission on Opioids and Addiction Discusses Progress and Challenges
The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Opioids and Addiction met September 14 and received updates on progress in combating addiction through improved access to treatment through the Medicaid program, as well as community efforts to enhance prevention, education, treatment, family support, and recovery. Commission members also received a briefing on the emerging issue of use of […]
Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Receives VRS Overview Report
As part of their September 15 meeting, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee received an investments and administrative overview presentation from Chief Investment Officer Ron Schmitz and Executive Director Patricia Bishop of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). The health and well-being of VRS is important to local governments as it administers retirement programs and other […]
Resilient Virginia Announces Fall 2020 Resiliency Academy Series
Resilient Virginia is excited to announce the Resiliency Academy Fall 2020 series, featuring four webinars highlighting the best resiliency planning tools available to help communities build the capacity to maintain critical functionality and vitality in the face of severe disturbances and chronic stressors. While environmental concerns have traditionally been the priority in sustainability planning, the […]
VACo Supportive of House Member Budget Amendments that Provide Additional Support and Flexibility to Local Governments
On August 25, the Virginia House of Delegates published member amendments to the Governor’s proposed budget for the 2020 special session of the General Assembly. In advance of the House Appropriations Committee meetings of August 27 and September 1 to hear presentations from non-committee members and committee members respectively, VACo sent a letter to the […]
Visit Appomattox County and the LOVEworks Sign
The LOVEwork is mounted on a cement slab with bricks which is representative of the image that is associated with Appomattox, the McLean House. It was in the here that Generals Lee and Grant laid the groundwork for peace and restoration. L – Constructed of brick from the “original” wall, dating back to the 1800s, […]
Introducing a New Associate Member – Binti
Introducing a New Associate Member – Cadence Group
Virginia General Assembly Special Session Update
The General Assembly convened in special session on Tuesday, August 18 in accordance with a proclamation issued by the Governor on July 17. The Governor’s proclamation specified that the scope of the special session would encompass legislation related to the pandemic and criminal justice reform, as well as revisions to the budget in accordance with […]
VACo opposes bill overriding local authority to extend land use approvals to July 1, 2022
SB 5106 (Lewis) extends by two years (to July 1, 2022) any local land use approvals, including rezonings and special use permits, which were valid as of July 1, 2020. The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 32 to 4 and is headed to the House for further consideration. If adopted, this measure […]
Workgroup on Children’s Residential Placements Begins Discussions
Legislation enacted in 2020 directed the convening of a workgroup to review the current process for approving residential psychiatric placements for children and barriers to timely approval of placements, and to make recommendations for ways to expedite the approval process. The workgroup held its first meeting on September 1, beginning with an overview of the […]
It’s Not Too Late to Respond to the 2020 Census
The Census Bureau has announced a revised timeline for completing the 2020 count, and the deadline for collecting responses is now September 30. Households can still respond online at https://2020census.gov/en.html or via phone or via mail. Census Bureau employees are in the process of visiting households that have not yet responded. You can track your […]
Conduent stands ready to assist VACo members
Conduent is a strong Fortune 1,000 company with significant expertise in Transportation solutions. As one of the leading providers for Public Safety, Electronic Tolling, Parking and Curbside Management as well as Transit, Conduent has the knowledge, experience and resources necessary to facilitate successful programs for its county clients. Conduent recently joined VACo as a Premier […]
Governor Introduces Proposed Amendments to Biennium Budget
Governor Northam invoked his medical training in his presentation to the “money committees” on August 18, suggesting that revisions to the biennium budget should adhere to the physician’s oath to “first, do no harm,” given the considerable uncertainty remaining with regard to the future course of the COVID-19 pandemic. He outlined four key principles guiding […]
Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 Presumption Legislation for First Responders Advances
On August 20, legislation that proposes adding COVID-19 to the list of illnesses presumed to be incurred in the course of employment for multiple categories of first responders and health care workers has been reported and referred from the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to Senate Finance with a substitute by a vote of 12-3. […]