INTRODUCING A NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER – AIS Network
Alternative Custody Workgroup Begins Discussions
A workgroup to study options to increase the use of alternative custody arrangements for individuals who are subject to an emergency custody order (ECO) or a temporary detention order (TDO) held its first meeting on June 16. The workgroup, which is led by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Secretary of Public […]
Children’s Services Act Workgroup on Special Education Refining Recommendations
A stakeholder workgroup tasked with examining the use of Children’s Services Act (CSA) funding to support special education needs met on June 21 to continue developing a set of recommendations in advance of a November 1 report deadline. The group was created by legislation that passed in 2021 and is charged with developing a detailed […]
Performance Audit of Virginia Department of Transportation Snow Removal
On June, 22 2022, the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) released a performance audit of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Snow Removal process. The report found that sufficient contractor resources are not available to assist the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for snow removal. This is problematic as without sufficient removal resources, major […]
Federal Legislation to Reauthorize Key Substance Use Disorder Programs Passes House
Legislation that would reauthorize several important federal funding sources to address substance use disorder has passed the House of Representatives as a component of a larger bill that addresses a number of mental health funding and policy issues. VACo has endorsed the Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, introduced by Representative Abigail Spanberger, in […]
Maximizing Your Cash In a Rising Rate Environment
Right now, short-term interest rates are on the rise with the Fed signaling a willingness to keep increases inching upward in attempts to stabilize inflation. In a rising-rate environment, all cash should be seen as a valuable asset in the marketplace. WATCH THE VIDEO
Governor Ceremonially Signs Budget Bills Following June 17 General Assembly Action on Gubernatorial Amendments
Governor Youngkin ceremonially signed the caboose and biennium budget bills on June 21, concluding a months-long process of negotiations to craft the spending packages. Prior to the Governor’s final action on the budgets, the General Assembly met on June 17 to consider the 38 amendments proposed by the Governor to the budget bills passed by […]
Governor Proposes Amendments to Caboose and Biennium Budget Bills
Governor Youngkin proposed three amendments to the FY 2022 “caboose” budget and 35 amendments to the 2022-2024 biennium budget on June 15, one day in advance of his June 16 deadline. The legislature is scheduled to return to Richmond on Friday, June 17 to consider the Governor’s recommendations. VACo will report on the outcome of […]
Visit Bedford County and the Bedford County Courthouse
Location: 123 East Main Street / Court Street Built: 1929 – 1930 Style: Classical Revival Architect: C H Hinnant Contractor: Fred O Fuqua Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick, stone and concrete Classical Revival style structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Bedford. […]
Agriculture was the talk of the Regions 6 & 9 Meeting
VACo’s Regional Meetings moved to Augusta County on June 9 as members from Regions 6 & 9 gathered at the spectacular Valley Pike Farm Market Depot. The location was an old and abandoned train depot that once served Fort Defiance, a few miles down the road. The owners of Valley Pike Farm worked with Shenandoah […]
Proposed Reapportionment and Bylaw Amendment
Pictured – New VACo Regional Map The VACo Bylaws provide for reapportionment every ten years beginning in 1991. The VACo President named a reapportionment committee in 2021 and the committee began the process when the census data was available. The committee presented its recommendations to the VACo Board of Directors at its meeting on June […]
Final Report on Orphan Drainage Outfalls Released
The Secretaries of Transportation and Natural Resources released the final report of the multi-year study on “orphan outfalls.” The main conclusion of the report is that the law prescribes that the entity responsible for maintenance is the owner of the land, or holder of a drainage easement, at the site of the outfall. The report […]
Behavioral Health Commission Discusses Funding, Mental Illness and Criminal Justice, and the Role of Private Hospitals
The Behavioral Health Commission’s June 14 meeting featured a series of briefings for members, including an overview of behavioral health-related items in the budget conference report recently passed by the General Assembly, an analysis of data regarding individuals with mental illness who are charged with assaults against law enforcement officers, and an update from the […]
State Revenues Continue Strength in May, Remain on Track for Significant FY 2022 Surplus as Federal Reserve Acts to Tame Inflation
Governor Youngkin announced this week that state General Fund (GF) revenues continued to perform well in May, placing the state in a strong position to end FY 2022 with a significant surplus. However, despite a strong labor market, the state faces some economic uncertainty given high levels of inflation, a situation which prompted the Federal […]
Virginia to expand quarantine of invasive spotted lantern fly to additional areas of the state
Per recently issued notice, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will expand the spotted lanternfly quarantine in early July to the following cities and counties: Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, Staunton, Waynesboro, Albemarle, Augusta, Carroll, Page, Prince William, Rockingham, Rockbridge, Shenandoah, and Wythe. The current quarantine rules only apply to […]
VACo Welcomes James Hutzler
RICHMOND (June 15, 2022)—The Virginia Association of Counties is pleased to announce that James Hutzler will join the team on July 1 as Government Relations Associate. Hutzler is currently serving as an adjunct professor at Rappahannock Community College teaching US Government & Politics and State & Local Politics. Hutzler is also pursuing his Master of […]