Elizabeth Beyer
5.5K posts
@bethabeyer
Virginia politics @CardinalNewsVA. Formerly @USATODAY, @WiStateJournal & @LaCrosseTribune. Send tips and jokes: [email protected]
Asked, "Anything, Mr. Speaker?" @SpeakerDonScott said, "nope." Meeting also involved data center representatives. Big budget impasse over the tax exemption for the industry. insideclimatenews.org/news/12032026/…
Just very briefly caught up with Senator @SenLouiseLucas. She says she is committed to a special session. She quickly got in the elevator and didn’t stop for questions.
According to the General Assembly's own rules, there must be 48 hours between the release of the budget and a vote on it. That means if Democrats do not get help from Republicans to waive that requirement (which requires two-thirds of members in each chamber) and the budget is not released today, the Democratic-controlled General Assembly will have no way to pass a budget before the scheduled end of the session on Saturday.
Richmond media is trying to make this more than it is bc they don't have any drama to report on. "Spanberger added that data centers should pay their fair share and mentioned they should pay for the electricity they use."
Breaking: House Appropriations Committee Chair Luke Torian says budget conferees HAVE NOT met yet to try and reach a budget agreement. Torian says they did meet with @GovernorVA recently for breakfast, but that was not to hash out budget differences. Torian says he’s ready to meet and is just waiting on @SenLouiseLucas. He says the data center tax exemption is the biggest difference right now. Session ends Saturday.
One imperiled lawmaker says the former governor is “missing in action” as Democrats use redistricting to eliminate red House seats. on.wsj.com/4lfhOWf
The General Assembly session is like summer camp. When it begins, you’re excited to see your friends and have some fun. After a few weeks, everyone starts to get on everyone else’s nerves because they’ve spent too much time together.
New Federal Fallout pod on Virginia Supreme Court decision Kicking the can down the road one more time But eventually need a final ruling if the referendum passes Plus early voting starts tomorrow But will voters be paying attention with everything going on in the world
