Wednesday - April 23, 2025
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Virginia Newsletter for Friday February 28, 2025 ( 27 items )  

AAFA Comments on H. 5019 - AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSUMER PFAS BAN ACT OF 2024
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The American Apparel and Footwear Association issued the following news release: * * * AAFA comments on H. 5019 - AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSUMER PFAS BAN ACT OF 2024 Honorable Members of the Rhode Island House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources: On behalf of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), I am providing comments on H. 5019 - AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSUMER PFAS BAN ACT OF 2024 as we are agai  more

AAFA Praises Introduction of Legislation to Renew Vital Haiti HOPE/HELP Trade Program
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The American Apparel and Footwear Association issued the following news release: * * * AAFA Praises Introduction of Legislation to Renew Vital Haiti HOPE/HELP Trade Program The American Apparel & Footwear Association released the following statement following introduction of legislation in the House and the Senate (H.R.1625 | S.742) that will renew the Haiti HOPE/HELP trade program for ten years. "We ask Congress to immediately take up and pass this measure,   more

AFP-Alaska: New Public Data Shows Alaska Retains Public Workers Better Than Most States
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 27 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release: * * * AFP-Alaska: New Public Data Shows Alaska Retains Public Workers Better Than Most States # Feb 27, 2025 by AFP ANCHORAGE, AK - Americans for Prosperity-Alaska (AFP-Alaska) firmly opposes defined benefit pensions in Alaska, which would saddle the state with sizeable debt. Main proponents of pensions for public sector workers claim that this will help increase our pub  more

AFP-UT Applauds Unanimous House Passage of REINS Bill
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 27 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release: * * * AFP-UT Applauds Unanimous House Passage of REINS Bill # Feb 27, 2025 by AFP SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Today the Utah state House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation that would prevent more government red tape, and Americans for Prosperity-Utah (AFP-UT) urged the state Senate and Governor Spencer Cox to move the bill forward. Similar to the REINS (Regulatio  more

Americans for Prosperity - Ohio (AFP-OH) Wraps up Successful Legislative Weeks, Advancing Key Reforms
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 27 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release: * * * Americans for Prosperity - Ohio (AFP-OH) Wraps up Successful Legislative Weeks, Advancing Key Reforms # Feb 27, 2025 by AFP COLUMBUS, OH --Since early last week, Americans for Prosperity-Ohio (AFP-OH) has made significant legislative progress, contributing to the advancement of four state Senate bills, a state House bill, and Medicaid legislation. AFP-OH State Dire  more

AT&T BellSouth Worker Slams CWA Local 3122 With Federal Charges for Imposing Illegal Discipline, Dues Demands
SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation posted the following news release: * * * AT&T BellSouth Worker Slams CWA Local 3122 With Federal Charges for Imposing Illegal Discipline, Dues Demands Post-strike, union tried to subject worker to internal union punishment despite her ending her formal union membership before the union-ordered strike Miami, FL (February 27, 2025) - An employee of AT&T BellSouth Telecommunications has hit the Communication  more

ATA Applauds Bipartisan Truck Parking Legislation
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 27 [Category: Transportation] -- The American Trucking Associations posted the following news release: * * * ATA Applauds Bipartisan Truck Parking Legislation Feb 27, 2025 Washington - Today, the American Trucking Associations commended Representatives Mike Bost (R-Illinois) and Angie Craig (D-Minnesota) for introducing the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act. The bipartisan legislation would authorize $755 million in competitive grant funding to expand commercial  more

AUSA Launches New Land Power Event in Europe
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 27 [Category: National Defense] -- The Association of the U.S. Army posted the following news: * * * AUSA Launches New Land Power Event in Europe Registration is open for a new Association of the U.S. Army event focused on land forces in Europe. A premier international symposium and exhibition dedicated to land forces in Europe, the 2025 LANDEURO Symposium and Exposition will take place July 16-17 in Wiesbaden, Germany, home of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The th  more

California's SB 26 Continues To Move Through The California Legislature
HERNDON, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The RV Industry Association issued the following news: * * * California's SB 26 Continues To Move Through The California Legislature California Senate Bill 26 - the clean-up legislation that would permit manufacturers to opt-in to the new streamlined procedures and incentivizes the seller of a vehicle that is the subject of a lemon law claim under AB 1755 to disclose the reasons for such claim to the potential buyer - continues to move through the California legi  more

Conservation International: Statement - Major Milestone in Biodiversity Funding Reached in Rome
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- Conservation International issued the following statement on Feb. 27, 2025: * * * STATEMENT: Major Milestone in Biodiversity Funding Reached in Rome ROME (Feb. 27, 2025) - Today, Conservation International's biodiversity policy lead, Jill Hepp, issued the following statement as parties adjourned from the second convening of the 16th United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity - known as COP16.2 - in Rome. N  more

Contribute to AASA's New Blog Series: 5 Years Later: Lessons, Innovation, and the Future of Public Education
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 27 [Category: Education] -- AASA, The School Superintendents Association, posted the following news release: * * * Contribute to AASA's New Blog Series: 5 Years Later: Lessons, Innovation, and the Future of Public Education AASA is introducing a new blog series, 5 Years Later: Lessons, Innovation, and the Future of Public Education to explore how PreK-12 education has evolved and what lessons we carry forward. This series will highlight the resilience, creativity, a  more

General Assembly Passes Legislation to Shield Virginians from Unfair Collection Practices, Governor Set to Weigh in
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 [Category: Medical] -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network posted the following news release: * * * General Assembly Passes Legislation to Shield Virginians from Unfair Collection Practices, Governor Set to Weigh in Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1725 with bipartisan support, advancing the effort to reform medical debt collection practices in the Commonwealth. The bill will now go to Governor Youngkin's desk, providing him the oppo  more

Humanities program sparks creativity, curiosity for middle schoolers
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- Virginia Tech posted the following news: * * * Humanities program sparks creativity, curiosity for middle schoolers More stories from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Ambient music poured through the speakers of a Moss Arts Center classroom as middle schoolers - some adorning cat ears - scribbled stories about magical creatures. Next door in Shanks Hall, students discussed the ethics of everyday life choices, like whether it is ever OK to eat  more

Ira Blader among 65 fellows elected to American Academy of Microbiology
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- Virginia Tech posted the following news: * * * Ira Blader among 65 fellows elected to American Academy of Microbiology More stories from the College of Science More stories from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine The American Academy of Microbiology has elected Ira Blader, head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, to its 2025 class of fellows, recognizing his si  more

Labor Secretary Should Strengthen Retail Workforce
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association issued the following news release: * * * Labor Secretary Should Strengthen Retail Workforce Evan Armstrong, vice president of workforce policy at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement about President Trump's nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the next Secretary of Labor: "As the voice for leading retailers in Washington, we welcome the opportunity to work with the Honorable Chave  more

Larissa LaCour named director of Executive Briefing Center in Arlington
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- Virginia Tech posted the following news: * * * Larissa LaCour named director of Executive Briefing Center in Arlington Larissa LaCour, who has guided the Executive Briefing Center at the Virginia Tech Research Center -- Arlington to multiple national recognitions since 2013, has been named director of the award-winning executive center and meeting venue. "Larissa's strategic vision and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in establishing the Execu  more

Latest Trump Administration RIFs and Attrition Plans Further Disrupt and Ignore Congress' Direction
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association issued the following statement on Feb. 27, 2025: * * * Latest Trump Administration RIFs and Attrition Plans Further Disrupt and Ignore Congress' Direction In response to the administration's memorandum regarding agency reductions in force and reorganization plans, NARFE National President William "Bill" Shackelford issued the following statement: "The administration's act first, think later mentali  more

Legislation to Limit Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening Reaches Governor Youngkin's Desk, Follows Recent ACS Report Indicating Cancer Rates Rising in Women
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 [Category: Medical] -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network posted the following news release: * * * Legislation to Limit Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening Reaches Governor Youngkin's Desk, Follows Recent ACS Report Indicating Cancer Rates Rising in Women Earlier this month, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1828, advancing the bipartisan proposal around breast cancer screening access to Governor Youngkin's desk. The vote came on the heels of a  more

North Dakota Awards Workforce Training, Renewable Energy Program
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The National Association of State Energy Officials issued the following news: * * * North Dakota Awards Workforce Training, Renewable Energy Program By Cassie Powers, NASEO On February 3, 2025, the North Dakota Department of Commerce (the State Energy Office) awarded over $420,000 in U.S. State Energy Program funds to Lake Region State College's Devils Lake Solar/Renewable Energy Initiative. The initiative is a collaboration between LRSC and NextEra Energy and  more

Ocean Springs Property Owners Appeal Dismissal of Lawsuit
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 26 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Institute for Justice posted the following news release: * * * Ocean Springs Property Owners Appeal Dismissal of Lawsuit GULFPORT, Miss.--Ocean Springs property owners, whose homes and businesses were labeled by the city as slum and blighted without their knowledge, today appealed the dismissal of their federal lawsuit. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Taylor McNeel granted the city's motion to dismiss but also rejected the city  more

One in 10 Americans is living with a rare disease
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- Virginia Tech posted the following news: * * * One in 10 Americans is living with a rare disease More stories from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences More stories from the College of Science More stories from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine More stories from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine More stories from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Rare Disease Day is observed on Feb. 28 -- always th  more

POOL & HOT TUB ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES 2024 DR. R. NEIL LOWRY GRANT RECIPIENT
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (formerly the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals) issued the following news release on Feb. 27, 2025: * * * POOL & HOT TUB ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES 2024 DR. R. NEIL LOWRY GRANT RECIPIENT Central Valley Health District to increase community awareness of aquatic health and safety (Alexandria, Va.) -- The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is pleased to a  more

Retailers Congratulate USTR Jamieson Greer
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association issued the following news release: * * * Retailers Congratulate USTR Jamieson Greer The Retail Industry Leaders Association released the following statement after Jamieson Greer's confirmation by the Senate: "The Retail Industry Leaders Association congratulates U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on his confirmation," said Blake Harden, RILA's Vice President, International Trade. "The nation's leading retailers lo  more

Trucking Industry Urges Whole-of-Government Response to Stop Cargo Thieves
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 27 [Category: Transportation] -- The American Trucking Associations posted the following news release: * * * Trucking Industry Urges Whole-of-Government Response to Stop Cargo Thieves Feb 27, 2025 Cargo theft has skyrocketed by 1,500% since 2021, costing the supply chain $35 billion annually and raising prices for consumers Washington - San Antonio trucking company owner and American Trucking Associations member Adam Blanchard was on Capitol Hill today to testif  more

Virginia Press Foundation Rebrands as Virginia Local News Project to Support Local News Statewide
GLEN ALLEN, Virginia, Feb. 28 -- The Virginia Press Foundation issued the following news: * * * Virginia Press Foundation rebrands as Virginia Local News Project to support local news statewide The Virginia Press Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Virginia Press Association, has officially rebranded as the Virginia Local News Project (VLNP). The new name, chosen to better reflect the organization's purpose and provide clarity of mission, is reinforced by a new vision: to sustain, support, a  more

Virginia Tech to lead $10 million critical mineral research coalition in Appalachia
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- Virginia Tech posted the following news: * * * Virginia Tech to lead $10 million critical mineral research coalition in Appalachia More stories from the College of Engineering Virginia Tech is spearheading a research coalition to reveal the untapped potential of the greater Appalachian Mountains region. This coalition aims to accelerate the identification and characterization of unconventional critical mineral resources throughout the area. It brings toget  more

West Virginia's Certificate of Need Law is A Barrier to Better Healthcare
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 [Category: Political] -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary: * * * West Virginia's Certificate of Need Law is A Barrier to Better Healthcare In West Virginia, Governor Patrick Morrisey is leading the charge to repeal the state's antiquated Certificate of Need law, a bureaucratic relic that stifles competition, increases costs, and limits access to care for West Virginians. SB 453, introduced by Senate President Randy Smith and Senate Minority Leader  more