State and National Government
State lawmakers have passed a bill that would bar Virginia from entering into a regional greenhouse gas initiative without a two-thirds vote by both houses of the General Assembly. It comes as the Northam administration prepares to do just that, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports.
A bill is progressing through the General Assembly that would require most doctors to provide upon request an estimate of charges for health care services they — and others — provide you. Supporters say it will provide patients information they need, but doctors say it is unreasonable to ask them to produce estimates for outside providers like x-ray physicians. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
While nothing is final until Governor Northam’s signature appears, it now looks like Virginia will soon be able to process this year’s tax returns and start issuing refunds. It’s called tax conformity, matching Virginia’s tax code to the federal one that took effect last year, and a compromise between legislative leaders and Governor Northam would permit it to take effect soon. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Embattled Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has lost several staff members after two women accused him of sexual assault and much of the state’s political establishment called for him to resign.Two of his three state staffers resigned as well the director and the fundraiser of his political action committee. Their departures were first reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Fairfax spokesman Lauren Burke said in a statement that the Democratic lieutenant governor “wishes them well.”The duties of Virginia’s lieutenant governor are largely ceremonial and part time, but the office is often a springboard for a gubernatorial run. Two women came forward last week with allegations that Fairfax sexually assaulted them, prompting widespread calls for his resignation. Fairfax has denied the allegations and said he won’t step down.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) —Historians say Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam wrongly used the term “indentured servants” when referring to the first Africans to arrive in what is now Virginia. Scholars say they were enslaved. During an interview Sunday on CBS, Northam said the “first indentured servants from Africa” arrived in 1619. Interviewer Gayle King interjected, saying, “also known as slavery.” Northam replied “yes.” Davidson College professor Michael Guasco confirms that some historians did use the term in the 1970s to 1990s to describe the small group of Africans who arrived because a few of them became free decades later. But he says historians have since confirmed through records that these first Africans in Virginia arrived as slaves and that most remained enslaved. Northam said in a statement Monday that a historian recently advised him to use the “indentured servant” term. He said he’s “still learning and committed to getting it right.”
Governor Northam resurfaced for an interview with CBS where he addressed his confusing statements regarding that racist photo in his 1984 medical school yearbook. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
(from Virginia AP) After ignoring calls for his own resignation, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is declining to weigh in on whether the state’s embattled lieutenant governor or its attorney general should step down.
Northam said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that it’s up to Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring to make their own decisions. All three Democrats are embroiled in controversies involving race or sex.
Northam said he supports Fairfax’s call for an investigation into allegations of sexual assault by two women. Fairfax has vehemently denied the allegations. Herring admitted to wearing blackface in college. Northam said of Herring, that, “just like me, he has grown.”
The governor has ignored calls to resign since a racist photo from his 1984 medical school yearbook surfaced. He denies being in the photo. But he admitted to wearing blackface in 1984.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia’s embattled lieutenant governor is urging authorities to investigate sexual assault allegations made against him, but he is not heeding calls to resign and it’s unclear what comes next for the once-rising star of the state Democratic Party. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax on Saturday issued a statement repeating his strong denials that he had ever sexually assaulted anyone. He also made clear he does not intend to immediately resign.
At least one state lawmaker is calling for impeachment proceedings to begin, but there’s little sign of a broad appetite for impeachment. Lawmakers are set to finish this year’s legislative session by the end of the month. If an impeachment hearing does occur, though, an attorney for one of Fairfax’s accusers says her client is willing to testify that Fairfax raped her while they were college students in 2000.