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Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave

Here's a quick guide to the major bills still moving through the legislature, beyond weed and data centers.

News

It&#x27;s time for a lightning round on the other headline-grabbing bills still alive this General Assembly session, beyond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="constitutional amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" data-vars-content-id="5bd367b9-fa6e-49c7-8712-699c1aee701e" data-vars-headline="Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" target="_self">constitutional amendments</a>, weed and data centers.State of play: With Democrats controlling both chambers and governor&#x27;s office, several have a clear path to becoming law. Here&#x27;s what they&#x27;d do:

Flashback: Richmond's unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns

A look back at RVA's chaotic 2016, from Stoney's win to rooftop bars and creepy clowns.

We hear the kids are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="throwing it back to 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" target="_self">throwing it back to 2016</a> and thought it would be fun to play along.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral trend" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" target="_self">viral trend</a> is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a big year for Richmond.

The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session

From GWARbar to Rappahannock, legislators share their go-to Richmond spots.

Food and Drink

Richmond Times-Dispatch restaurant critic Justin Lo recently got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the lowdown" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" data-vars-content-id="a652a22d-3155-4778-9b38-a41364bb30fe" data-vars-headline="The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" target="_blank">the lowdown</a> on where state lawmakers go to eat when they&#x27;re in town.Why it matters: The 140 members of the General Assembly are temporary Richmonders for 30-to-60 days every winter, and they dine local.

How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill

Lawmakers aren't looking to stop the boom, but they want data centers to pay more.

Virginia isn&#x27;t pausing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" data-vars-content-id="89b2517b-ae50-4ad5-875b-344981a937bb" data-vars-headline="How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" target="_self">data center boom</a>, but lawmakers are trying to keep residents from footing the bill for it.Why it matters: That&#x27;s easier said than done.

Five years after Virginia's first COVID case: What's changed and what hasn't

The weirdness has stuck around even as most Americans have moved on.

COVID

<figure><img alt="a gif of a long line of cars " height="450" id="ef645b27-18c1-41b1-a477-e2e842f848aa" src="https://images.axios.com/1BYFsW8f_wMjzx_CS2fzlfp8Mmo=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/03/06/1741286788797.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A throwback to December 2020 when hundreds of drivers showed up to the Diamond for a COVID test. VIdeo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios</figcaption></figure>It&#x27;s been five years since Virginia declared its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/covid" data-vars-content-id="cc37249c-616a-4927-b47c-60248708e2c1" data-vars-headline="Five years after Virginia&#x27;s first COVID case: What&#x27;s changed and what hasn&#x27;t" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/covid" target="_self">COVID-19</a> case and made us all <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sadder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/09/25/virginia-988-hotline-mental-health-crisis" data-vars-content-id="cc37249c-616a-4927-b47c-60248708e2c1" data-vars-headline="Five years after Virginia&#x27;s first COVID case: What&#x27;s changed and what hasn&#x27;t" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/09/25/virginia-988-hotline-mental-health-crisis" target="_self">sadder</a>, weirder and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more reclusive." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/01/virginia-is-the-third-loneliest-state-in-the-country" data-vars-content-id="cc37249c-616a-4927-b47c-60248708e2c1" data-vars-headline="Five years after Virginia&#x27;s first COVID case: What&#x27;s changed and what hasn&#x27;t" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/01/virginia-is-the-third-loneliest-state-in-the-country" target="_self">more reclusive.</a>Why it matters: The weirdness has stuck around even as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://news.gallup.com/poll/612230/four-years-say-covid-pandemic.aspx" data-vars-content-id="cc37249c-616a-4927-b47c-60248708e2c1" data-vars-headline="Five years after Virginia&#x27;s first COVID case: What&#x27;s changed and what hasn&#x27;t" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/612230/four-years-say-covid-pandemic.aspx" target="_blank">most Americans</a> have moved on.

COVID hospitalizations on the rise in Richmond

The uptick comes at a less-than-ideal time with regard to booster availability.

Health

COVID-19 hospitalization rates have risen 77% in Virginia so far this month amid signs of a late summer wave sweeping the country.Why it matters: Simply put, our guard is down.

COVID rates are slightly up in Virginia

COVID-related hospital admissions are considered low in all but two counties in Virginia.

We&#x27;ve been hearing more anecdotal reports of COVID-19 cases in Richmond and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="around the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fauquier.com/news/article_bc695508-9497-5dd8-9f77-c762aad8ba3c.html" data-vars-content-id="74857dd9-eed3-494e-a02a-f070bead1260" data-vars-headline="COVID rates are slightly up in Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fauquier.com/news/article_bc695508-9497-5dd8-9f77-c762aad8ba3c.html" target="_blank">around the state</a> over the past few weeks. (Get well soon, Karri&#x27;s boyfriend!)The latest: Overall rates remain low, but there has been a slight uptick in cases, per the most recent data available from the state and CDC.

COVID spread levels jump in Richmond

When community levels are high, CDC recommends the use of masks in indoor, public spaces and on public transportation.

It&#x27;s time to mask up again, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What&#x27;s happening: All of metro Richmond, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most of central Virginia" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;null=CommunityLevels" data-vars-content-id="981a2b8a-b23b-4428-824e-2fd4813c93d2" data-vars-headline="COVID spread levels jump in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;null=CommunityLevels" target="_blank">most of central Virginia</a>, is experiencing high community spread of COVID-19, according to weekly community levels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calculated by the CDC" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?null=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_state=Virginia&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=51760" data-vars-content-id="981a2b8a-b23b-4428-824e-2fd4813c93d2" data-vars-headline="COVID spread levels jump in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?null=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_state=Virginia&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=51760" target="_blank">calculated by the CDC</a> using hospitalization data.

Virginia's flu season surge

A surge in flu cases is hitting earlier than usual.

Yet another wave of viral illness — flu — is crashing on a health system already stretched to a breaking point by COVID-19 and, more recently, RSV.Why it matters: The commonwealth surpassed last year’s peak a full two months before flu season typically begins, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Virginia Department of Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/influenza-surveillance/" data-vars-content-id="4ad97cd8-912f-4452-8e15-e5fc30ec60e7" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s flu season surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/influenza-surveillance/" target="_blank">per the Virginia Department of Health</a>.

COVID rates creep back up in Virginia

Community spread levels are currently medium throughout the Richmond region.

COVID-19 is making a comeback just in time to plague the holiday party circuit.What&#x27;s happening: Hospitalizations in Virginia were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="up 40%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vhha.com/communications/virginia-hospital-covid-19-data-dashboard/" data-vars-content-id="d449afd2-1d54-445b-a458-9d72a444d43d" data-vars-headline="COVID rates creep back up in Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vhha.com/communications/virginia-hospital-covid-19-data-dashboard/" target="_blank">up 40%</a> last week, per the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.

Pediatric wards fill up in Richmond as flu season starts early

Doctors say the number of RSV cases, or respiratory syncytial virus — a common illness — jumped fourfold since October.

A surprising increase in respiratory illnesses in children is putting pressure on hospitals around the state.Why it matters: The early onslaught of cases is filling pediatric units earlier than normal, prompting concerns about a challenging flu and respiratory disease season, the Virginia Mercury&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sarah Vogelsong reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/10/31/around-virginia-respiratory-illnesses-surge-among-children/" data-vars-content-id="890de1c5-46e4-4b4c-be2d-0e424efaa562" data-vars-headline="Pediatric wards fill up in Richmond as flu season starts early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/10/31/around-virginia-respiratory-illnesses-surge-among-children/" target="_blank">Sarah Vogelsong reports</a>.

Virginians are slow to get boosted

So far, 437,000 people in Virginia have gotten the new booster.

Virginians aren&#x27;t rushing to get the new Omicron variant boosters — a trend that&#x27;s worrying public health experts as the winter months approach.What&#x27;s happening: So far, 437,000 people in Virginia have gotten the new booster, which is about 7.5% of the eligible population, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Department of Health statistics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/see-the-numbers/covid-19-in-virginia/covid-19-vaccine-summary/" data-vars-content-id="0863751f-8118-4325-a425-85d24ebaa7c9" data-vars-headline="Virginians are slow to get boosted" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/see-the-numbers/covid-19-in-virginia/covid-19-vaccine-summary/" target="_blank">Virginia Department of Health statistics</a>.

No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate

Misinformation surrounding a CDC advisory panel's decision spread widely last week.

An advisory panel <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/20/covid-vaccine-school-immunization-schedule" data-vars-content-id="333cf651-cea5-4b45-997c-88ca17466c6a" data-vars-headline="No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/20/covid-vaccine-school-immunization-schedule" target="_self">voted</a> to add COVID-19 vaccines to the CDC&#x27;s schedule of childhood immunizations, but that doesn&#x27;t mean the shot will be required in Virginia or anywhere else.Why it matters: Misinformation surrounding the decision <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spread widely" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/10/19/covid-vaccines-children-cdc-disinformation/" data-vars-content-id="333cf651-cea5-4b45-997c-88ca17466c6a" data-vars-headline="No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/10/19/covid-vaccines-children-cdc-disinformation/" target="_blank">spread widely</a> last week, including in a tweet by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vowed to fight" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/GovernorVA/status/1583272988752781313" data-vars-content-id="333cf651-cea5-4b45-997c-88ca17466c6a" data-vars-headline="No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/GovernorVA/status/1583272988752781313" target="_blank">vowed to fight</a> the non-existent mandate.

How Virginia used COVID relief to fund law enforcement

The biggest allocation for police came in the form of $23 million for a one-time bonus for corrections and law enforcement staff.

Virginia spent millions in COVID-19 relief money to boost spending on police, jails and prisons — money that was initially touted as a lifeline for people struggling to afford housing, food and health care.Catch up quick: President Joe Biden gave U.S. cities and counties $350 billion to recover from the pandemic through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Few limitations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/19/federal-covid-funds-arpa-state-county-city" data-vars-content-id="f370b07c-2995-4481-a0c5-496d728bbc7f" data-vars-headline="How Virginia used COVID relief to fund law enforcement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/19/federal-covid-funds-arpa-state-county-city" target="_self">Few limitations</a> were put on how local governments could spend ARPA funds.

COVID 🦠

Five years after Virginia's first COVID case: What's changed and what hasn't

COVID hospitalizations on the rise in Richmond

COVID rates are slightly up in Virginia

COVID spread levels jump in Richmond

Virginia's flu season surge