Monday, February 24, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1803, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Marbury v. Madison. The decision, written by Chief Justice John Marshall of Virginia, established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to determine whether laws passed by Congress were constitutional.

State lawmakers worked into the weekend to pass a flurry of bills and budget amendments. Be sure to check out Top Stories for details—and an update on the issue that may pull them back to Richmond later this year.

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Two Virginia Beach Officers Killed

Mourners left flowers and candles outside the Virginia Beach Police Department’s Fourth Precinct as a memorial for the two officers who were killed over the weekend during a routine traffic stop.

The officers, 25-year-old Cameron Girvin and 30-year-old Christopher Reese, pulled a car over for expired plates late Friday. The driver got out of the vehicle, engaged with the officers, pulled out a gun, and shot each man, then shot each again while they were on the ground.

“What I can tell you from the video is after he executed our officers, he calmly walked away,” Police Chief Paul Neudigate said. Officers found the suspect, 42-year-old John McCoy III, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound nearby.

Neither police officer fired a weapon during the incident, which marked the first time in more than 16 years that a city police officer has been killed in the line of duty.

Legislators Pass Budget Amendments

Lawmakers sent Gov. Glenn Youngkin several amendments to the state’s two-year budget. The proposals would provide a tax rebate ($200 for individuals, $400 for joint filers), a one-time bonus for state employees, and more money for public education.

The budget deal that passed would also set aside $100 million for flood mitigation and recovery in areas such as Southwest Virginia, which has endured two rounds of flooding over the last six months.

The amendments passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Democrat-controlled legislature: 81-18 in the House and 27-3 in the Senate. “We did some positive things,” Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle said. “There is tax relief for Virginians who pay taxes, over a billion dollars coming back to them.”

Youngkin had proposed more targeted relief, such as eliminating taxes on tips and providing a car tax rebate. He must decide whether to accept, amend, or veto the proposals.

The Legislature Rests for Now

The General Assembly passed nearly 1,900 bills and resolutions during its 45-day session, including proposals to eliminate a tax exemption for the Daughters of the Confederacy, spend more on maternal health, and provide more benefits to mothers on Medicaid.

Lawmakers also passed bills to limit social media use by children under 16, raise the minimum wage, help students with disabilities, and make it easier to get a teaching license, among other things.

State Senator Creigh Deeds, a Democrat, said the session was also notable for what it didn’t accomplish: regulation of data centers. “They bring an incredible amount of local tax revenue, you know, they support an awful lot of growth where they occur, but they also increase demand for electric power,” he said.

The session may not be finished for 2025. “I believe absolutely we’re going to have to come back” for discussions about federal job and spending cuts, Democratic Speaker of the House Don Scott said.

Lawmakers have the option to call a special session later this year.

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➤ Washington, D.C.: President Trump named Gov. Glenn Youngkin to co-chair the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group of state leaders that meet to discuss federal and state collaboration. Youngkin’s term as governor ends next January. (Details)

➤ Richmond: According to its auditor’s office, the city handed over $1.45 million to 15 charitable groups that don’t meet its application requirements. Meanwhile, dozens of organizations that did meet standards were denied. (More)

➤ Mediterranean Sea: The commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman, Captain Dave Snowden, was relieved of duty after the aircraft carrier collided with a civilian vessel. The Norfolk-based carrier will remain on station with Capt. Christopher Hill temporarily assuming command. (Details)

➤ Dumfries: The town is developing revitalization plans that would put a waterfront district on the harbor of Quantico Creek near Possum Point. “Some mixed-use development, along with a boardwalk. You put some restaurants there, and you build our own little waterfront community,” Mayor Derrick Wood said. (More)

➤ Blacksburg: Virginia Tech set a new record with 57,622 applications submitted for the fall freshman class, up 10.2% from last year. Early application students who have been accepted have until May 1 to decide whether to become a Hokie. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Virginia State Police provided a detailed list of the drugs and weapons they have seized this month while working with local and national authorities to investigate human trafficking, internet-based child exploitation, and homicides. (The List)

➤ UVA’s women won their sixth straight swimming and diving ACC championship. Gretchen Walsh led the way with five gold medals and was named the most valuable woman swimmer at the meet. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech beat Cal 87-84 in the women’s basketball team’s regular season home finale. (Details)

➤ The University of Richmond women’s basketball team won its 14th straight, beating crosstown rival VCU 68-55. (More)

➤ George Mason, which started the day in second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference, dropped its second straight women’s basketball game, losing 83-69 on the road at Saint Joseph’s. (Details)

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➤ Four Commonwealth-based companies made Forbes’ annual list of the 100 best large employers, according to employee surveys. They include Navy Federal Credit Union at No. 5, UVA at No. 39, Capital One at No. 91, and Rolls-Royce Holdings at No. 94. (The List)

➤ The state legislature passed a bill that would make Virginia the second state to give prospective CPAs a way to obtain a license without first earning 150 hours in college credits. The bill now goes to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for consideration. (More)

➤ Nodal Exchange, a marketplace for trading future power contracts, announced it will expand its Vienna location and add more than 30 jobs. (Details)

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➤ The spotted lanternfly infestation has spread to 17 more Virginia counties. Experts advise looking for and destroying the insect’s egg masses before they can hatch this spring. (Details)

➤ The Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation will host the You Are Worth It All Teen Festival in Richmond on April 12 to promote mental health awareness. (Sign Up)

➤ February is Library Lovers Month. See how the Commonwealth’s 94 public library systems are celebrating! (Details)

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