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Kirk Cox releases a new video about ‘corporate cancel culture’
Here’s How Gubernatorial Candidate Glenn Youngkin Pledges to Fight Back Against Big Tech – Townhall
“A handful of California mega corporations are deciding who can say what, promoting positions that they agree with, and canceling conservative opinions and religious beliefs,” Youngkin says during the ad, while his face and voice are distorted. The ad then reads “Content Warning: Big tech has canceled this communication.” The ad continues with an assurance from Youngkin that “as governor, I’ll fine big tech companies that silence Virginians, and I will never apologize for standing up for the first amendment.”
The ad also contains a flurry of messages which conservative users may have been all too familiar with, that comments and content can’t be posted, as well as the warning of “sensitive content: some people may find offensive.”
‘Mama McClellan’ makes her presence felt on daughter’s gubernatorial campaign, but only when asked – Progress Index
by Bill Atkinson
Lois McClellan might be 88 years old and need help rising from chairs … but say something to the contrary about any of her three daughters, and you definitely will get a rise out of her.
Especially her “baby,” who is one of several candidates running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in a June 8 primary.
Paul Galanti Endorses Kirk Cox for Governor
Paul Galanti, an American Prisoner of War during the Vietnam war, endorsed Kirk Cox for Governor today. Galanti is a decorated veteran, and received the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, nine combat Air Medals, and two Purple Hearts.
“Kirk’s commitment to Virginia’s veterans is unmatched. While in our General Assembly, he introduced over one hundred bills supporting our veteran community. Kirk is a stand-up guy who cares about the Commonwealth, and he’s someone we can trust to get our state back on track. I am honored to endorse him in this race for Governor,” said Galanti.
Virginia AG, NAACP to launch effort to overhaul investigations of police shootings – Washington Post
Virginia’s attorney general and the state’s NAACP announced Wednesday that they are launching a collaborative effort to bring more transparency, impartiality and public confidence to the way police shootings are investigated across the commonwealth.
Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D) said the exact form of the overhauls will be hammered out in the coming months. He has long been a supporter of police shootings being probed by independent, unaffiliated agencies.
General Assembly approves $250K for a limited investigation into the parole board
Democrats in both chambers voted in favor of a $250,000 budget amendment that will allow a law firm to look into the parole board scandal that has been plaguing the executive branch this last year.
Republicans, who have been using the scandal as a talking point for months, are not happy about the amendment, calling it an attempt to cover up what happened. They don’t think it goes far enough so they tried to push for a bipartisan committee with subpoena power to investigate the scandal but Democrats stopped that from happening.
The Democratic Party of Virginia released a new video highlighting the lack of a debate in the Republican gubernatorial nomination process
Democratic LG candidate Andria McClellan released a plan to expand access to high speed internet
Councilmember Andria McClellan has released the following statement on the occasion of her Internet access policy rollout:
“It is time Virginia made universal access to affordable, high speed internet and digital training a priority, not just to address the current inequities marginalized communities face due to limited internet access and lack of digital literacy, but to set our commonwealth up for a bigger, bolder, more innovative future in which we can attract more business, increase quality of life and provide a link to the future for our children.”
The McClellan campaign says she would use her role as lieutenant governor to:
- Support the expansion of a statewide broadband team to include administration representatives from Commerce, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Housing, Emergency Management, Education, Health, Agriculture, Diversity and Transportation.
- Provide access to state databases to ease and expedite the verification process of the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a device.
- Expand Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grants to ensure all unserved rural communities are connected to broadband, utilizing updated mapping data to confirm broadband connectivity through a statewide speed test initiative, and funding new technologies (e.g. Low Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites) and expanded partnerships.
- Connect all Virginia students and eliminate the “homework gap” and the growing digital divide, ensuring all students have access to affordable, high-speed internet; appropriate devices and digital-literacy skills.
- Invest in digital training at all levels, from K-12 to higher ed to senior centers, through partnerships with community organizations and public-private partnerships.
- Support the creation of additional data centers in economically distressed locations such as the Central Appalachian Mountains.
- Expand digital training opportunities with the Virginia Department of Small Business to ensure small businesses have the ability to create an online presence and the necessary skills and connectivity to sell their goods and services online.
- Codify Virginia’s telehealth regulations to allow for telehealth visits post-COVID and outside of a state of emergency.
More News:
- Does Pete Snyder really oppose gun control?
- Aird bill eliminating use of facial-recognition technology by police now set to become law
- Audio: VA GOP Governor Candidate Amanda Chase Says “I reject the notion that there is racism…if anything, I would argue that we have reverse racism that’s going on in America right now.”
- Future of Virginia’s 113-year-old electric chair and lethal injection gurney in limbo
- General Assembly kills UVA Wise coal tax credit funding plan
- Va. Senate narrowly OKs allowing Prince William to create its own health department
- Warner Visits Blue Ridge, Talks About Workforce
Governor Northam Celebrates Progress During 2021 General Assembly Session
Governor Ralph Northam issued the following statement upon the adjournment of the 2021 reconvened session of the General Assembly yesterday.
“Today, we concluded a legislative session that will be regarded as one of the most consequential policy-reforming periods in modern Virginia history.
“We approved a state budget that will help Virginians get through the pandemic while laying a foundation for a strong economic recovery. We have directed resources to provide grants for small businesses and built up a robust process to protect renters from eviction. And we have come together to support our schools and safely return students and teachers to the classroom.
“We made history as the first state in the South to legalize the simple possession of marijuana. I am pleased that the General Assembly accepted my proposal to make this change on July 1, 2021 nearly three years earlier than planned. Marijuana laws were explicitly designed to target communities of color, and Black Virginians are disproportionately likely to be stopped, charged, and convicted. Today, Virginia took a critical step to right these wrongs and restore justice to those harmed by decades of over-criminalization.
“I am grateful to Lieutenant Governor Fairfax for his tie-breaking vote, and to the legislators, all of the advocates, and the members of my team who have worked to ensure that our framework for legalization focuses on public health, public safety, and equity. This includes a plan to seal certain crimes from an individual’s record automatically, so those with past convictions can get a clean slate and move on with their lives.
“We joined 22 other states and put an end to the inhumane practice of capital punishment. Virginia has executed more people than any other state—and now we are charting a more equitable way forward for our Commonwealth. And we took action to establish a constitutional amendment that would make the process of restoring political rights to individuals upon completion of their sentence one that is automatic.
“We passed the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which restores and builds on key provisions of the 1965 federal Voting Rights Act that was gutted by the United States Supreme Court. Voting is fundamental to our democracy, and this legislation is a model for how states can ensure the integrity of elections and protect the sacred right to vote.
“As this historic session comes to an end, I am heartened by all that we have done together to advance our priorities and make Virginia stronger, fairer, and more equitable. But we must also remember that there is still important work ahead of us to implement these new laws, continue expanding vaccination efforts, and strengthen our economy.
“When I took office, I shared a vision of a Commonwealth that is open and welcoming, one that takes care of people in need, and where every person has the opportunity to build the life they want. I am proud of how far we have come—there is every reason to have hope and optimism for our future and I look forward to building on our progress in the weeks and months to come.”