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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

VA: Budget Policy & Priorities

Drug prices in the United States are, on average, almost three times higher than in 33 other countries. The gap widens to more than four times higher for brand-name drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

Advocates urge VA governor to sign prescription-drug affordability bill

With the approval of the Virginia General Assembly, a bill reducing prescription drug prices is sitting on Gov. Glenn Youngkin's desk. The bill …

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More than 876,000 Virginians use SNAP/EBT benefits, costing the state almost $150 million per month. (Adobe Stock)
VA group helps SNAP/EBT users afford fresh foods

During National Nutrition Month, groups like Virginia Fresh Match are providing people with healthy fresh food options. Since 2009, the coalition of …

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As of June 2023, the World Resources Institute estimates there are 2,277 electric school buses on order, delivered, and operating in the U.S. (Adobe Stock
VA school districts, parents working to get electric school buses

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

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A Virginia worker who takes a month of unpaid leave loses more than $3,700 in income. (Adobe Stock)
VA lawmakers pass minimum wage increase, paid family leave

Virginia lawmakers have approved several bills in the final weeks of their session, including a minimum wage hike. The current minimum wage is $12 …

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The Annie E. Casey Foundation reported neglect is a growing reason Virginia children end up in foster care. Some experts feel the system ends up punishing families for food insecurity or financial hardship. (Adobe Stock)
Legislation addresses long-standing VA foster care legal issues

Virginia's General Assembly is taking up a bill to address outcomes for kids in foster care. Previous legislation either failed to pass or was …

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On average, school divisions across the country receive 14% more per student than those in Virginia, or about $1,900 more per student than Virginia. (Adobe Stock)
VA child advocates calling for increased school funding

Virginia child advocates are calling on state lawmakers to improve school funding. The concern grew when several bills focused on building up school …

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While Virginia is proposing an assault weapons ban in public spaces, other states have gone further. Currently, 10 states and Washington, D.C., ban the manufacture, sale and transfer of assault weapons. A 2023 Fox News poll found 61% of people favor a national assault weapons ban. (Adobe Stock)
VA General Assembly looks to pass gun safety legislation

Virginia's Senate recently passed a series of gun safety bills, which now head to the House. Among them are measures to ban assault weapons in …

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A 2020 Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action report finds transportation sources are responsible for 190 air pollution-related premature deaths annually in the state. (Adobe Stock)
VA adopts rule to sell only 'clean' cars starting in 2035

Virginia has adopted a new rule advancing clean car use. The Advanced Clean Cars II Rule requires carmakers to only sell zero-emission vehicles by 20…

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found between January 2022 and January 2023, more than 4,200 drugs had prices rising 46% higher than the rate of inflation. (Adobe Stock)
AARP VA calls on General Assembly for legislative changes

As the General Assembly session begins, AARP Virginia is calling on lawmakers to tackle key reforms. In particular, they're looking to establish a …

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The American Civil Liberties Union reported on average, 700 kids are removed from parents' custody per day in the United States, and 200,000 enter the foster care system each year. (Adobe Stock)
Family Preservation Project helps keep VA families together

Virginia legal advocates are partnering on a program to keep families together. The Family Preservation Project is a collaboration between the …

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Part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's budget proposal calls for a $24 billion public school investment. This is coupled with an almost $1 billion increase to support teachers, students and parents, up from the previous budget. (Adobe Stock)
Advocates: Proposed VA budget doesn’t meet community needs

Virginia advocates feel Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed budget isn't meeting community needs. Youngkin's 2024-2026 budget is built around numerous …

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Between 2012 and 2021, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found almost 2,000 people nationally were killed in crashes involving deer, including 35 in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)
VA undertakes pilot program to reduce wildlife collisions

A Virginia pilot program aims to reduce wildlife collisions with cars. The program stems from a $350 million federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot …

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