by Danielle Finley, Associate Director of Political Engagement
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines. In this Issue: 1. Virginia intelligence community warns proposed casino in Tysons poses national security risk 2. Warner, Kaine urge Virginia disaster relief as shutdown threat looms 3. Loudoun Not Included in Federal Transmission Priorities 4. Virginia lawmakers renew push for legal cannabis marketplace 5. DOJ prosecutor running for Democratic lieutenant governor nomination
As the Virginia General Assembly prepares to convene in January, dozens of former members of the national intelligence and security community are already raising concerns about any proposed plan to build a casino in Fairfax County. While it has yet to be introduced in the upcoming session, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County, tells WUSA he plans to continue the fight to have a referendum to build a casino in the Tysons Corner area.
Warner, Kaine urge Virginia disaster relief as shutdown threat looms
By DAVE RESS AND MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Thinking of a corner of Virginia whose ups and downs he has come to know well for more than three decades, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner started his week on a high note. But with the collapse of a temporary budget deal that promised help to areas ravaged by Hurricane Helene, it appeared to end with gloom. On Thursday evening, a second temporary measure to avert a government shutdown starting Saturday morning failed in the House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., fell 115 votes short of the two-thirds vote he needed to suspend the rules and pass the measure, which had the support of President-elect Donald Trump. Outgoing Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, was one of the 38 Republicans who voted against Trump and Johnson.
After being added to a preliminary list of areas being considered for federal prioritization for transmission line projects, Loudoun was not included in the shortlist announced Monday. The U.S. Secretary of Energy has been working this year to update its list of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, which provides an expedited permitting and construction process for transmission lines. A NIETC designation allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue permits for siting transmission lines even if state authorities have denied an application.
Virginia lawmakers are preparing to reintroduce bipartisan legislation aimed at creating a regulated and taxed adult-use cannabis marketplace in the state. The renewed push comes after Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a similar proposal earlier this year. Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, are once again spearheading the effort, planning to bring forward the same proposal that previously passed both chambers of the General Assembly with bipartisan support.
DOJ prosecutor running for Democratic lieutenant governor nomination
By ANNA BRYSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Victor Salgado, an Arlington County attorney and law professor, is joining a crowded field of Democrats vying for the lieutenant governor nomination in 2025. Salgado resigned from his job as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this month so he could run for lieutenant governor. He is the fifth candidate for the Democratic nomination, running against outgoing Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney; Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield; Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach; and Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef.