Climate Denialism, Primary Excitement, and Abortion in the South
IN THE NEWS:
The new six-week ban on abortion in Florida will change the dynamics of abortion across the South. Advocates on both sides agree this means more people will come to Virginia to seek services that are not available in other states. But can Virginia handle the need?
Governor Glenn Youngkin is vetoing to a bill that would have expanded the availability of instructional materials about climate change in public schools. He says the bill is redundant because schools already teach about climate change and buying new materials would be an unfunded mandate.
The retirement of incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton is attracting the largest number of candidates in any race this year. So far, 13 Democrats are running in the Democratic primary and more might enter the race before the deadline this week. The list includes a former Speaker of the House of Delegates, three incumbent delegates and two incumbent senators. Because the election cycle differs from Virginia's state elections, many of these candidates have nothing to lose by throwing their hats into the ring.
At the Watercooler:
A meeting in Portsmouth to plan for the fallout of the bridge collapse in Maryland; how will local, state, and federal officials deal with the diverted sea traffic that will come to Virginia in the next few years?
Michael was on the Friday Power Lunch podcast to talk about how the sausage gets made in Virginia politics, taking lessons from the book Notes from the Sausage Factory