VIRGINIA POLITICS




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We Are All J6ers Now

There’s now a $1.8 billion federal fund for people who believe they were harmed by the “weaponization” of government over the last few years. According to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, there are “no limitations on the claims,” and the program isn’t just for...

RVA 5×5 | Is Targeted Tax Relief Just The First Step?

While running for Mayor in 2024, candidate Avula’s top priority in the “Thriving neighborhoods and affordable housing” section of his platform stated:  As Mayor, he will: Fight displacement of long-term residents and expand the supply of deeply affordable housing for...

Virginia Redistricting Vote Voided, Political Leaders Sound Off

Virginia political leaders are sharply divided following the Supreme Court of Virginia’s decision to strike down a voter-approved redistricting referendum, with Democrats condemning the ruling and Republicans defending it as a necessary enforcement of constitutional...

After Strong Turnout, Richmond Arts Park Enters Holding Pattern

Under the Manchester Bridge, what had been an idea for years turned into something tangible, at least for a day. Hundreds of people moved through the space as muralists painted, DJs played, and passersby stopped mid-bike ride or walk to figure out what was going on....

Tim Cywinski (VA-01) Makes His Case for Congress | Part 2

It’s now been about a month since I had this conversation with Tim Cywinski. It has remained relevant despite the century of news that has transpired since then. Donald Trump just announced he was going to wipe the 5000+ years-old Iranian civilization off the map. This is just one of a dozen (at least) horrifying, beyond career-ending idiotisms...

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Tim Cywinski.by Christian Detres_RVA Magazine 2026

Vote Yes. What’s Missing From the “Vote No” Argument

I had a friend ask me about redistricting. He was trying to figure out how to vote and admitted he did not really understand what was happening. He leans left, so the fact that he was unsure says something about how this issue is being presented right now.  Virginia Republicans have framed it in a way that leaves out key context, which has made a...

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Virginia-Redistricting_R-Anthony-Harris_RVA-Magazine-2026

Cannabis Justice Moves Forward in Virginia After Years of Debate

Virginia’s effort to revisit outdated cannabis convictions is moving forward again, though in a revised form that shifts how people access relief. Governor Abigail Spanberger’s amendments to SB 62 / HB 26 replace the bill’s original automatic resentencing framework with a petition-based process. The legislation is intended to give courts the...

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Cannabis Justice_Larry Farr_RVA Magazine 2026

New Bill to Allow Psilocybin Treatment, per FDA Approval

Lawmakers are clearing the way for use of the psychedelic mushroom compound psilocybin as a potential medical treatment, once a formulation is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Senate Bill 379 directs the state Board of Pharmacy to reschedule psilocybin consistent with the federal scheduling as soon as the FDA approves a formulation...

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Psilocybin-Vrginia_photo-Daniel-Neuhaus_RVA-Magazine-2026

Can Richmond Have Bars? New Virginia Law Eases Food-to-Alcohol Rules

Virginia lawmakers have approved changes to the state’s long-standing food-to-alcohol sales requirement for restaurants, easing restrictions that many operators have said no longer reflect how the industry works. The legislation, HB975, passed during the 2026 General Assembly session and modifies the food-to-beverage ratio for businesses with...

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Can Richmond Have Bars_New Virginia Law Eases Food-to-Alcohol Rules_RVA Magazine 2026

Virginia Lawmakers Clash Over $1.6B Data Center Tax Breaks

State lawmakers will soon return to the Capitol after ending the General Assembly session without a budget, in part due to some debate whether to continue current tax breaks for data centers. The Democratic-led Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee put forth a budget that would end the tax exemption for data centers by 2027, and free up...

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Virginia-Data-Center-tax-Breaks-by-Alexa-Barnes_photo-by-Kacy-Lee, VCU-Capital-News-Service_RVA-Magazine-2026

Key Gun Control Bills Advance in Virginia as Firearm Sales Surge

Early indicators suggest Virginians responded to a slate of proposed gun control legislation with a noticeable increase in firearm background checks. The bills mark one the most significant shifts in the state’s firearm laws in recent years, and build on previously adopted firearm regulations such as expanded background check...

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Gun control bills by Nathan Edwards_RVA Magazine 2026

Everything I Built for My Family Is Being Taken Away

Editor’s Note: RVA Magazine has been covering Virginia’s evolving hemp and cannabis regulations, including proposed changes to THC limits and retail licensing. The following is a guest opinion from a Virginia hemp business owner directly affected by SB 542. By Barbara Biddle Eight years ago, I made a leap of faith. I had no investors, no family...

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Barbara Biddle_RVA Magazine 2026

Where Virginia Democrats and Republicans Actually Agreed This Session

Democrats and Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly were divided along party lines this session, but came together over some key issues.  Out of nearly 2,400 bills introduced, 376 bills passed unanimously, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Most bills that passed unanimously or saw high levels of bipartisan cooperation...

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Virginia Lawmakers 2026 by Sara Matthews_RVA Magazine 2026