This is the Virginia Scope daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.
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Today’s Sponsor: VECF
Child care is an issue that transcends party lines, with strong support from Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike. A recent poll from VECF not only shows overwhelming support for policies that increase access to affordable, quality child care (9 in 10 voters support), it shows measurable electoral lift for candidates who advocate for this issue. Read more: https://vecf.org/new-bipartisan-poll/
Democrats release new ad attacking Sears over DOGE
The Democratic Party of Virginia released a new ad on Tuesday attacking Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Sears over President Trump’s cuts to the federal workforce. This is the first digital ad released by DPVA for the gubernatorial election.
Freedom Virginia Announces 2025 Affordability Scorecard, Names Boysko and Sewell Legislators of the Year
This session, Freedom Virginia tracked votes on bills that they say would “ensure hardworking Virginians can get ahead in a more fair and affordable economy.”
The legislation would have impacted areas including health care, paid leave, labor and consumer protection, taxes, child care and housing.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, were selected as Freedom Virginia’s Legislators of the Year.
“Immense progress was made this year to ensure a fair and affordable economy in Virginia,” said Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “Now more than ever with the Trump-Musk administration’s chaos harming our economy and workforce, Virginians need to know their legislators are fighting for them. We’re thankful that so many legislators prioritized affordability this session, and we will continue to ensure hardworking people can get ahead in Virginia.”
“The 2025 General Assembly session began in a time of uncertainty, and these legislators met the moment and showed hardworking Virginia families their priorities lie with them,” said Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Ryan O’Toole. “Every day, the need for a more fair and affordable economy that works for regular people, not billionaires and elite special interests, becomes greater. We’re grateful to these legislators for their partnership, and we’re excited to educate the public in the coming weeks about the pro-middle class actions the General Assembly took this year.”
Today’s Secondary Sponsor: Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Bridging the gap between hospital and home, Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center provides warm and loving care in a home-like center. For Short Term Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, or Respite Care, the team at Colonial Heights will make you feel at home! For more information: https://colonialheightshc.com/
Police group urges Youngkin to veto bill regulating use of automatic license plate readers in Virginia - WRIC
by Tyler Englander
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is urging Gov. Glenn Youngkin to veto a bill meant to regulate the use of automatic license plate readers in Virginia.
Currently, there are no state laws regulating when law enforcement can access the data from automatic license plate readers and how long they can keep it. “We would rather start over with a new bill than to try to make this one work,” said Dana Schrad, the group’s Executive Director.
Virginia AG Miyares joins 39 states in fight against pharmacy benefit managers' conflict of interest - 13 News Now
by Taylor Brokesh
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joined 38 other AGs in calling on Congress to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies.
“PBMs were originally created to streamline prescription drug access and reduce costs for patients, but they’ve become powerful gatekeepers, operating without transparency or accountability. When the same companies that negotiate drug prices also own the pharmacies dispensing those drugs, it creates a clear conflict of interest—one that exploits consumers and jeopardizes independent pharmacies,” Miyares said in the announcement. “It’s time for Congress to help restore balance to the prescription drug marketplace. Virginians, and Americans, deserve better, and I’m fighting to ensure they get it.”
Virginia lawmakers look to expand controversial health system mergers to address rural health crisis - Radio IQ
by Brad Kutner
As healthcare gets more costly, and hospitals close in rural regions, states have moved to allow controversial, anti-competitive mergers of existing healthcare systems.
Virginia is one of 18 states that allows such mergers, and a bipartisan effort that sailed through the 2025 session could see those mergers become more frequent.
This is the Virginia Scope daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.
This is the Virginia Scope daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.
