Election 2025, Raising the Minimum Wage, and Filling the SCC Seats
IN THE NEWS:
2025 Gubernatorial Election
With two years to go before the election of Virginia's next governor, the field seems largely set. Republicans are likely to nominate either Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears or Attorney General Jason Miyares. As for the Democrat, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is throwing his hat into the ring to challenge Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. But are our candidates forgetting that there's a whole 2024 election in the way?
Minimum Wage Increase?
House Bill Number One and Senate Bill Number One are both aimed at a top priority for the new Democratic majority -- raising the minimum wage from $12 an hour to $15 an hour. Members of the General Assembly will be hearing opposition from the business community. Democrats seemed poised to put a bill raising the minimum wage on the desk of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will have the power to amend or veto.
Open Seats on the SCC
The State Corporation Commission regulates everything from electricity and insurance to railroads and predatory lending. The commission has three members, although two seats are vacant, and Republicans and Democrats were unable to agree during the era of divided government. Now, Democrats will get to fill the seat--with no input from the Governor. So who's going to fill them?
TRIVIA: When was the last time Alexandria had an open seat for mayor?
At the Watercooler:
The lack of support for Trish White-Boyd's run from the Democrats
Interesting new Committee Chairs in the House of Delegates.