AGP Executive Report

Virginia Budget: The General Assembly approved a two-year state budget and averted a shutdown, with a major deal on data center taxes that adds a new electricity consumption fee while keeping existing sales tax exemptions. Cannabis Policy: Virginia leaders also announced an agreement to set up a legal, regulated adult-use retail cannabis market with sales starting July 1, 2027. Gun Laws: New gun laws are being challenged as some local prosecutors say they won’t enforce parts of the assault-style firearm and public-carry rules. Northern Virginia Transit: Lawmakers are weighing consolidating Northern Virginia transit agencies to cut costs and improve service for riders. Local Impact: Richmond’s future gets a budget boost with $15 million aimed at helping demolish the Coliseum. Community & Health: In Roanoke, Miss Virginia delegates are getting CPR training with Carilion and the American Heart Association. Tech & Research: Jefferson Lab in Newport News broke ground on a data center to support DOE AI-for-science work.

State Budget Deal: Virginia lawmakers cleared a two-year, $205B budget after months of gridlock, including a new electricity-use fee on data centers ($0.011 per kilowatt-hour, capped at $600M a year) while keeping existing sales tax breaks, plus 4% teacher raises and 3.5% pay bumps for state employees; Gov. Abigail Spanberger has the final say. Local Impact: Richmond is set to receive $15M for demolition of the Richmond Coliseum, alongside other major water and sewer investments. Energy & Growth Tensions: Campbell County residents are pushing back on the Valley Link transmission project, saying it could hurt property values and add to already-heavy development pressure tied to data centers. Public Safety Training: In Blacksburg, nearly 500 first responders trained for high-stakes rescue scenarios as the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads expanded its mission and name. Health Care Pressure: A new report warns rural maternity units are disappearing, with Medicaid coverage gaps and reimbursement issues cited as key drivers. Gun Violence Oversight: Attorney General Jay Jones outlined next steps for Virginia’s new firearm industry accountability law, effective July 1. Community Events: Richmond’s Multicultural Festival 2026 is planned for June 27 at Richmond Raceway, highlighting immigrant community life with food, music, and resources.

U.S.-Japan Defense: The USS George Washington carrier strike group joined Japanese warships in the Philippine Sea as Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 kicked off, underscoring allied deterrence amid tensions across the Indo-Pacific. Virginia Energy & Business: Lightshift Energy, a Virginia-based developer, says it will bring grid-scale battery storage to six Massachusetts towns under 20-year deals, promising major savings by shaving peak-demand costs. Tech Partnerships: CGI and NetApp expanded their global alliance, with NetApp Keystone set to power CGI block storage for hybrid cloud and AI modernization. AI Power Grid Rules: The U.S. energy regulator is moving to speed data-center grid hookups and shift costs to operators, a major policy shift with ripple effects for Virginia’s tech and utility planning. Virginia Politics: Early voting is underway for Virginia’s U.S. Senate primary, with Republican Kim Farington pitching herself as a “Virginia’s CPA” focused on federal fiscal accountability. Local Governance: Verona’s council vacancy process is in motion after a resignation, with another seat potentially opening depending on timing. Education & Workforce: A Virginia teacher of the year highlighted classroom strategies for tackling the opioid crisis, while a separate report spotlights flexible high school learning models. International Trade Tensions: China announced sanctions on U.S. military-related firms after U.S. actions targeting Chinese tech companies.

Virginia Budget Talks: The Virginia Senate’s latest budget proposal keeps a sales tax break for data centers and adds a tiered impact tax aimed at diesel backup generators, a key sticking point as lawmakers try to finish negotiations before June 30. Data Center Noise Fight: In Northern Virginia, residents say the low-frequency hum is so hard to escape that some are sealing windows with mattresses and using other household barriers, testing whether local noise rules can handle industrial drone. Rural Health Watch: A new state report says 13 of Virginia’s 36 rural hospitals are at risk of closing, raising alarms about longer travel times and reduced emergency and inpatient care. Juneteenth Community: A Shenandoah County NAACP chapter held a Juneteenth picnic focused on freedom, civic engagement, and moving beyond the Civil War. Animal Welfare: Two baby giraffe calves missing from Natural Bridge Zoo in 2025 have been found safe and placed at a specialized care facility. Education Data: Arlington County reports only 12 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students enrolled in 2025-26, the smallest share among ethnic groups. Public Safety/Privacy: Virginia residents are also watching broader data-breach fallout as states report identity risks tied to government vendor systems.

AI Policy: Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing a bill to give the public a direct stake in AI, proposing a sovereign wealth fund funded by a one-time 50% tax on the largest AI companies’ stock—aiming for nearly $7 trillion for payments and programs. Immigration Story: An Afghan former U.S. interpreter, Abdulhaq Sodais, finally reached the U.S. after 13 years waiting, even as policy shifts repeatedly disrupted pathways for Afghans who helped the U.S. Virginia Crime & Public Safety: Virginia Democrats’ move to stop funding Operation Ceasefire drew criticism from former AG Jason Miyares, who says the anti-crime effort cut murder and violent crime in targeted cities. Space & Tech: An Arizona startup is racing to rescue NASA’s Swift observatory as atmospheric drag and solar activity threaten to burn it up. Local Health Alert: A confirmed measles case in a Maryland resident who passed through Dulles and a D.C. urgent care has prompted exposure notices for travelers and patients. Virginia Data Centers: Residents near a Sterling data center say backup generators create constant high-pitched noise, disrupting sleep and driving legal complaints. Sports: The NFL plans a practice squad for up to 12 game officials under its new collective bargaining agreement.

Virginia Budget: Lawmakers reached a two-year, $207B budget compromise after delays, including a deal that keeps a data-center tax break but adds an estimated $1.2B in energy taxes to the General Fund; the General Assembly is set to vote Monday on the plan running July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. Reproductive Health: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed new laws in Lorton expanding contraception access, including the Right to Contraception Act and the Contraception Equity Act requiring coverage for birth control, with an emphasis on lowering costs and protecting reproductive freedom. Juneteenth & Freedom: A Juneteenth celebration at Bridgewater’s Oakdale Park highlighted the long fight for freedom ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, while Spanberger also hosted the first-ever Juneteenth event for state employees. AG & Public Health: Attorney General Jay Jones praised new resources for the OAG in the 2026-2028 budget conference report, including funding tied to implementing new laws. Local Wildlife: Virginia’s missing giraffe calves linked to the Natural Bridge Zoo were found and relocated for specialized care, with the criminal investigation still ongoing.

Virginia Budget Deal: Virginia lawmakers reached a budget agreement ahead of the June 30 deadline, including a compromise on data center taxation that keeps incentives but adds a new tax on electricity use, plus funding for an inland port in Washington County and expansions tied to Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Data Centers Backlash: A growing fight over data centers is spreading from local zoning battles to state policy, with communities weighing jobs and connectivity against power, water, pollution, and quality-of-life impacts. Agrivoltaics Law: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation defining agrivoltaics in Virginia code, aiming to protect farmers by requiring projects to prioritize agricultural productivity and keep farm operations flexible. Federal Courts/DOJ: The Justice Department pushed back on a judge’s request for sworn statements about a proposed $1.8 billion “weaponization” fund, arguing it’s unnecessary and raising separation-of-powers concerns. National Mall Reflecting Pool: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s algae-and-paint controversy continues after a $1.7 million no-bid contract tied to a Trump donor drew fresh scrutiny.

U.S. Immigration Enforcement: ICE says it’s arresting “criminal illegal aliens” convicted of child sexual abuse, rape, and other violent crimes, including a Prince William County case. Federal Courts/Politics: In an Alexandria, Va. lawsuit over a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” compensation fund, the Justice Department rebuffed a judge’s request for senior officials to declare the program is dead. Virginia Health & Research: Virginia Tech researchers are studying whether obesity accelerates brain aging and memory decline, supported by a $410,000 National Institute on Aging grant. Virginia Policy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger urged voluntary water conservation as drought worsens across the state. Local Governance/Data Centers: Buckingham residents renewed opposition to the Valley Link Project, pushing supervisors to draft a rejection letter. Aviation Safety: FAA and EASA agreed to streamline approvals and boost coordination on advanced aviation tech. Arts & Sports: Red Wing Roots Music Festival returns to Mount Solon; UVA strength coach Mike Curtis is leaving after 17 years.

Data Centers & Water Use: A new Richmond-area analysis says local governments have allocated at least 19.6 million gallons a day to Amazon for data-center cooling, raising fresh questions about how much water the “invisible backbone” of AI is taking from Virginia communities. State Budget & Policy: Virginia lawmakers are still locked in budget talks as data-center tax breaks and new industry fees remain points of friction, with early voting underway for the Aug. 4 primaries. Local Governance: In Florida, DeSoto County staff described a data-center review as “aggressive,” prioritizing approvals and sidestepping normal comment timelines—an example critics say could echo elsewhere. Health & Consumer Life: Sleep experts say morning aches often come from poor sleep posture, and Virginia researchers warn weight-loss injection drugs may affect muscle mass. National Spotlight: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation is again drawing outrage after paint and algae issues returned within days.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: Days after a $14.7M renovation and “American flag blue” repaint, algae and peeling blue material are back at the bottom of the pool, with crews vacuuming and officials facing fresh questions about whether the coating is failing. Virginia Politics & Governance: A Democratic feud is spilling into public view after Gov. Abigail Spanberger reportedly removed some senators’ bills from a ceremonial signing, tied to the party’s ongoing data center fight. Data Centers & Power: NVIDIA is backing a new FERC push to speed large-load grid connections, as utilities and regulators grapple with surging demand from AI and data centers. Virginia Elections: Early voting for the Aug. 4 primaries is underway, with Juneteenth affecting when some registrar offices open. Community & Education: Fairfax County students at Stone Middle School used a civics “museum” project instead of a traditional test, linking current events to the Constitution and branches of government. Local Travel/Infrastructure: Overnight I-95 northbound paving begins next week near Exit 143 in Stafford, bringing nightly lane closures and ramp impacts.

Virginia Energy & Land Use: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Virginia’s first agrivoltaics law, creating an official definition for pairing solar generation with active farming so land stays in production while energy projects move forward. Local Government: Accomack County is starting the process to update its zoning rules to match new state requirements for solar and battery storage, including treating some ground-mounted solar as conditional uses and allowing certain battery storage as by-right accessory uses. Public Health & Agriculture: Virginia’s state veterinarian issued guidance after confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, urging close observation of livestock and pets as officials rely on surveillance and the sterile insect technique to prevent spread. Community & Development: Google held a public open house in Botetourt County on its proposed data center, where residents packed the meeting and raised concerns about water, noise, and environmental impacts. Courts: A judge ruled the Natural Bridge Zoo case will be split into three separate trials, with dates and order to be set after Aug. 3 motions. Federal Politics: Top Democrats are investigating a contractor tied to the Jan. 6 Ellipse rally as it lands major federal contracts for the 250th anniversary.

State Budget & Economy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger says May revenues were nearly flat, down 0.1% year over year, but up 6.5% fiscal-to-date and 2.9% ahead of forecast. Workforce & Education: Spanberger signed bills creating Virginia’s first State Internship Coordinator to expand paid internship opportunities across state agencies. Energy Policy: The governor launched statewide public input for the 2026 Virginia Energy Plan, aiming to tackle high bills, grid reliability, and resilience as demand grows. Business & Jobs: Roanoke is set to land RINGANA’s first U.S. headquarters and production site, a $85 million investment creating 435 jobs. Public Safety: Virginia State Police shared scam-avoidance tips ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, urging people to verify requests independently and avoid sharing personal info. Health & Community: Men’s Health Month efforts are underway in southwest Virginia’s Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO districts, pushing screenings and prevention. Local Tech/Infrastructure: UVA’s planned Fontaine Data Center is expanding to a $102 million, three-floor project as power demand strains existing capacity. Cannabis: Spanberger and lawmakers unveiled a revised retail weed framework, with recreational sales proposed to begin July 1, 2027.

Virginia Cannabis Deal: Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Senate Majority Whip Lashrecse Aird and Del. Paul Krizek reached an agreement to create a legal, regulated adult-use retail cannabis market, with sales set to begin July 1, 2027 and the Cannabis Control Authority overseeing licensing, testing and enforcement. Budget & Data Centers: Virginia lawmakers and the governor are still negotiating the budget as they debate whether to keep a costly sales tax exemption for data center equipment, with the fight tied to revenue growth and who should “pay their fair share.” Courts & Consumer Protection: A federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that nonparty executives can’t force arbitration against the Commonwealth in a solar consumer-deception case, saying there’s no contract between the parties. Public Safety & Politics: The Senate again failed to advance a war powers resolution to halt U.S. strikes on Iran, falling short 48-47. Local Sports: William Campbell won the Class 1 state softball title, beating Buffalo Gap 10-4.

Dominion-NextEra Watch: Virginia lawmakers are pressing the Energy Commission of Virginia on NextEra’s $66.8B bid for Richmond-based Dominion, with concerns that a tight review timeline could rush safeguards. Road Closures: VDOT crews will run overnight full directional closures on I-464 north in Chesapeake (1–4 a.m.) starting June 17 for flyover ramp and bridge work, with signed detours in place. Public Safety: The FBI says it stopped a planned attack tied to the White House UFC event, alleging explosive drones and snipers; multiple suspects are in custody. Budget Crunch: With a June 30 shutdown deadline looming, the Virginia House canceled a Thursday budget session as negotiators remain stuck—especially over data center tax exemptions. Local Housing: Albemarle County supervisors will consider using remaining Affordable Housing Investment Fund money for an employer-assisted housing pilot for county staff. Business in Richmond: New River Electrical opened a Richmond office to expand Central Virginia infrastructure work and create local jobs. Community & Education: Radford University’s CEHD earned full CAEP accreditation with no improvement areas.

Virginia Politics & Budget: A new feud is boiling over in Richmond as Sen. L. Louise Lucas calls Gov. Abigail Spanberger “a diva” over data center tax breaks, with Democrats split on whether to study or end the incentives as the June 30 budget deadline looms. Gun Law Confusion: Another flashpoint: lawmakers are trading barbs after a modern semiautomatic “assault weapons” ban passed in Virginia, with critics saying supporters misunderstood what federal law allows. Local Government: Danville City Council meets Tuesday to consider its FY2027 budget, including a personal property tax cut, ending the vehicle license fee, and new casino-revenue and economic development moves. Courts & Contracts: A Virginia radiology group is suing Mary Washington Healthcare, alleging a “retaliatory campaign” after contract negotiations over overnight on-site coverage broke down. Science & Conservation: Virginia Tech researchers helped successfully rear and release hellbender salamanders after stream damage, offering hope for North America’s largest salamanders. Public Safety: The FBI says it disrupted an alleged explosive-drone plot targeting the White House UFC Freedom 250 event, with multiple people in custody.

Data Centers & Local Politics: Fauquier County’s Gigaland data center fight is back in focus as developers pitch a revised plan and set aside $10 million in grants for local nonprofits, after earlier resistance over size and power needs. State Government & Energy: Virginia is set to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) on July 1, reviving the debate over power costs versus emissions and consumer benefits. Federal Courts & Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a Trump administration appeal over whether certain convicted immigrants can be held for long periods without bond hearings. Virginia Lawmakers & Oversight: Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas addressed an FBI raid tied to her private business, saying no charges or arrests were made as the data-center budget standoff nears a possible shutdown. Community & Safety: The YMCA of the Chesapeake says it reached 600+ children and families with water-safety education during National Water Safety Month. Sports: Virginia Tech tennis legend Larsen Bowker has died at 89.