State and National Government
In a recent interview after the unveiling of an historic highway marker, a Virginia State Delegate talked plans to build a new history museum in Botetourt County. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story:
Del. Sam Rasoul
Roanoke Delegate Sam Rasoul says turning a good idea into a Virginia law is rarely easy — and for most people, the process is almost always difficult to understand. That’s why he likes to host sessions each year to help citizens learn more about it. Rasoul says even as a delegate, it took him a while to fully understand how a proposal can eventually become Virginia law. So he likes to conduct a workshops called “You Write the Bill” which take interested citizens through the process, including writing legislation, lobbying plans and how bills make their way through the General Assembly. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
This year’s “You Write the Bill” session begins at 5:30 Thursday afternoon at the Gainsboro Library in Roanoke.
New model policies from the Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin take aim at Virginia’s current guidelines regarding the treatment of transgender students in its public schools. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with details:
Photo: Mark Warner Facebook page.
Virginia’s Senior Democratic Senator says he would stand behind a bill that would expedite the permitting process for energy projects – especially green ones – while also supporting a related measure regarding transparency. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
6th District Democratic Congressional candidate Jennifer Lewis is taking on her second bid to defeat Republican incumbent Ben Cline. She was live this morning on WFIR – following Cline on Wednesday. Hear the complete conversation with Jennifer Lewis below – or watch it on on the WFIR News Facebook.
(note) a spokesperson for Congressman Cline says he could not attend the Staunton candidate forum Jennifer Lewis referred to due to a late vote in Washington.
At least one recent survey shows the percentage of those who list inflation as their main concern right now has dropped, but Republicans like incumbent 6th District Congressman Ben Cline says its still a winning issue at the ballot box. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Hear the full length conversation with Rep. Ben Cline below:
During his speech yesterday, Liberty University’s high-profile guest speaker drew comparisons between the Trump administration and the current one. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with that story:
Senator Mark Warner in Roanoke several months ago concerning the Wiley Drive bridge replacement
A joint statement today from U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine about $135 million dollars in federal funding for Virginia as part of pending government funding bills for Fiscal Year 2023. Included is $2.5 million dollars to replace the Wiley Drive low water bridge on the Roanoke River Greenway. $2 million would fund a study on where new passenger rail platforms should be located in the New River Valley. More than $400,000 is earmarked to help Roanoke’s Local Office on Aging upgrade its senior transportation system.
Photo: Mark Warner Facebook page.
Today, on the 21st anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation.
On the national security threats facing our country: “The stunning thing to me is, here we are 20 years later and the attack on the symbol of our democracy is not coming from terrorists but it came from literally insurgents attacking the Capitol on January 6th. So, I believe we are stronger. I believe our Intelligence Community has performed remarkably. I think the threat of terror has diminished, but I still think we have new challenges in terms of nation and state challenges, Russia and longer term a technology competition with China.
On the Intelligence Committee request for a damage assessment of the classified documents potentially mishandled by former President Trump: “The vice chairman and I have asked for a briefing of the damages that could have arisen from mishandling of this information. And I believe it’s our congressional duty to have that oversight. Remember, what’s at stake here is the fact that if some of these documents involved human intelligence, and that information got out, people will die. If there’s intelligence that has been shared with us by allies and that is mishandled, all of that could be in jeopardy.”