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Terry McAuliffe launches new ad hitting Youngkin over debates
Terry McAuliffe’s campaign launched a new digital ad today highlighting his opponent Glenn Youngkin’s recent statement on debates.
(Background on the debate planning conversation.)
“Glenn Youngkin doesn’t want you to know that he’s Donald Trump’s handpicked candidate,” the ad says. He doesn’t want you to know where he stands on abortion. That’s why he is refusing to debate Terry McAuliffe — but you have a right to know where Glenn Youngkin stands.”
Virginia GOP attacks Terry McAuliffe over debunked deficit claim – Washington Times
Virginia Republicans attacked Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe as dishonest Thursday, unveiling a digital ad saying that, if he will repeat debunked claims that he inherited a budget deficit as governor, then he will deceive again as he campaigns for his old job.
Dubbed “Big Things, Little Things,” the statewide GOP ad — obtained first by The Washington Times — uses Mr. McAuliffe’s own quote that people who lie about small things will lie about bigger things, too.
Republican Glenn Youngkin makes early-bird TV pitch in Virginia governor’s race – Washington Post
by Laura Vozzella
Republican Glenn Youngkin has bankrolled a $2 million radio and television blitz since securing his party’s nomination for Virginia governor in early May, an unusually early and aggressive start to advertising by a wealthy, self-funded candidate.
Youngkin has hit the airwaves ahead of his Democratic rival, former governor Terry McAuliffe, who was on TV and radio in the run-up to his party’s June 8 primary but has stuck to digital ads since then.
Biden Agrees to Bipartisan Group’s Infrastructure Plan – New York Times
The plan is expected to increase federal spending by nearly $600 billion but leave many of President Biden’s economic proposals, including investments in child care and much of his climate agenda, for a future bill.
Spanberger’s Statement on U.S. Senate Passing Growing Climate Solutions Act
U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger — Chair of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee — today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 92 to 8 to pass the Growing Climate Solutions Act, legislation led in the U.S. House by Spanberger and U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE-02)
“The Growing Climate Solutions Act is a tremendous opportunity to make carbon credits more accessible for farmers and producers in Central Virginia and across the country. Today, I am proud to see the Senate pass this legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support,” said Spanberger. “This bill is a terrific example of how Members on both sides of the aisle can find common ground on addressing the major climate challenges we face. Our bill would break down longstanding barriers for farmers, ranchers, and foresters — and it would reward them for embracing smart practices that are good for the land and good for their bottom lines. I would like to thank Senators Stabenow and Braun for their strong leadership on this issue, and I am confident that the House Agriculture Committee will move quickly to advance our legislation to the floor of the House.”
Virginia has more than a billion dollars in aid for people behind on rent. Here’s how to get it. – Virginia Mercury
by Ned Oliver
State and federal pandemic eviction protections come to an end next week, but there’s still help available to tenants who have fallen behind on their rent — hundreds of millions of dollars worth of help.
“It’s a huge sum of money,” said Martin Wegbreit, director of litigation at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, which represents tenant facing eviction. “My goodness, we should use it and take advantage of this pretty much unprecedented and unique opportunity.”
McAuliffe praises Biden’s plan to tackle gun violence
The following statement came from McAuliffe after Biden announced a new plan to combat the spike in gun violence across the country.
“I am calling on Glenn Youngkin today to join me in supporting President Biden’s aggressive new efforts to address rising crime rates across the nation and to support increased funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to take dangerous guns off our streets. This increased funding will allow the agency to dramatically ramp up inspections and enforcement to include revoking licenses of rogue gun dealers who violate the law.
“I applaud President Biden’s new efforts today announcing a comprehensive strategy encouraging localities to utilize American Rescue Plan funds — which my opponent opposes — to reduce violent crime and support our local law enforcement efforts. My number one priority as governor will be to keep Virginians safe and I have a bold plan to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who would do harm to others.
“Glenn Youngkin wants to make it easier for dangerous criminals to get guns. Virginians know the pain of gun violence all too well, and they need a governor who will support aggressive measures to address the rising gun crime rates. Glenn needs to speak up and say if he supports the measures announced today.”
Gov. Northam calls for Aug. 2 special session to fill judicial vacancies, allocate billions in federal funding – Wavy
The Virginia General Assembly will meet in person for the first time in over a year on Aug. 2 for a special session where lawmakers will appoint judges to fill vacancies and figure out how to allocate more than $4.3 billion in federal coronavirus relief aid.
The state legislature was expected to be called back into session in either late July or early August to fill certain judicial vacancies, address the state budget and decide on how to spend billons in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Mail Ballots After Election Day Tighten Margins – VPAP
Under a new Virginia law, mail ballots received by the Friday after Election Day can be counted if they are postmarked on or before the election. This change means that it’s possible that the results could change in an election where the Tuesday night results are close and enough ballots are processed by the Friday deadline.
It hasn’t happened yet, but here are the closest races so far since the law went into effect last year.
Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax defamation suit dismissal upheld by federal appeals court – Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Frank Green
The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of the defamation case filed by Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax against CBS.
Fairfax filed the defamation complaint in 2019 against CBS Corp. and CBS Broadcasting, alleging the network published false statements by two women who have accused him of sexual assault.
Former reporter running for House seat – Chesterfield Observer
by Jim McConnell
Chesterfield activist Caitlin Coakley is challenging 23-year incumbent Del. Lee Ware for the 65th District seat in the House of Delegates.
Coakley, a former newspaper reporter turned political advocate, is running on a platform that includes support for working families and small business, environmental justice and government accountability and transparency.
Majority of Republicans thinks critical race theory negatively affects society: poll – The Hill
BY DOMINICK MASTRANGELO
A majority of Republicans thinks implementing critical race theory in school curriculums across the country is a bad idea and hurts society, according to a new poll.
The Politico-Morning Consult poll published Wednesday found 54 percent of respondents who identified as Republicans said that they think critical race theory, an area of academia focused on the intersection of race and law, negatively affects society, compared to 13 percent of Democrats who agree.
Loudoun Co. School Board halts comment period on transgender policy following raucous crowd – WTOP
The Loudoun County School Board in Virginia abruptly cut off its public comment period Tuesday night, when a crowd commenting on a proposed policy that would expand transgender student rights became unruly.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said one person was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Another person has been cited for trespassing.
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