“A Virginia Senate committee narrowly defeated legislation Wednesday that would expand the circumstances in which a drug dealer could be charged with felony homicide in connection with a user’s death,” reports WTOP-FM. “The bill, a priority of Gov. Glenn Youngkin and fellow Republicans, was pitched as a deterrent to criminals that would save lives amid the rising tide of overdoses deaths, particularly those attributable to fentanyl. But the Democrats on the committee who voted it down voiced skepticism that stiffer penalties, rather than an approach focused on substance abuse treatment, would effectively address the root causes of the issue.”

"The Virginia Senate Education and Health Committee recommends legislation to boost teacher pay, following the committee's first meeting of the 2024 legislative session," reports Morgan Sweeney at The Center Square. "SB 104, sponsored by longtime senator and committee member Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, would deeply impact teachers’ livelihoods in the commonwealth and require an ongoing commitment from the state. It seeks to raise Virginia teachers' salaries to at or above the national average."

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Virginia Senator Danica Roem (D-30, Gainesville, Manassas) is encouraged about her bill to reform the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) fees.

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Manassas City Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger is attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 92nd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. The three-day conference brings together over 250 mayors nationwide to discuss challenges, share best practices, and engage with federal officials.

Davis-Younger, a first-time attendee, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to network and participate in informative sessions addressing various concerns, from poverty and homelessness to AI. The meeting includes conversations with national leaders, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Davis-Younger will also visit the White House on January 19.

Davis-Younger, a Democrat, is up for re-election this year and will finish her first mayoral term on December 31, 2024. No one has announced a campaign to unseat her, though it’s still early in the local election cycle.

Democrats Mark Wolfe, Pamela Sebesky, and Tom Osina are also up for re-election this November.

In Dumfries, Vice Mayor Monaé Nickerson has been appointed to lead the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Small Cities Council. This is her second one-year term in this role. The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor-Elect David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA.

As a member of NLC’s Small Cities Council, Vice Mayor Nickerson will work with local leaders to encourage collaboration, networking, and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities with similar demographics, sizes, or locations. The council aims to ensure that cities, towns, and villages across the country have access to ideas and resources to thrive.

The leadership of this year’s council includes Chair Jan Arbuckle, Vice Mayor of Grass Valley, Calif.; Vice Chair Mary Sarver, Mayor Pro Tem of Grandview, Texas; and Vice Chair Gabrielle Nelson, Councilwoman of Port Wentworth, Ga.

Nickerson is serving her second term on the town council.

The Center Square: “Former President Donald Trump is far and away the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, but new polling digs into why the former president dominates when it comes to the working class.”

“The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll of 2,573 likely voters, conducted in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights, shows Trump’s support is highest among Republican voters making less than $50,000 and those without a college degree.”

DeShundra Jefferson, chair at-large of Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors, delivered her first remarks Tuesday, January 9, on the State of the County. She was elected in 2023 and assumed office on January 1.

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“A northern Virginia county is acknowledging that it underreported President Joe Biden’s margin of victory over Donald Trump there in the 2020 presidential election by about 4,000 votes, the first detailed accounting of errors that came to light in 2022 as part of a criminal case,” reports Matthew Barrakat at the Associated Press.

Late tonight, there is word that the Stafford Democrats' nominating caucus will start later than planned.

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“Kicking off the first day of Virginia’s 2024 legislative session, Gov. Glenn Youngkin gave the annual State of the Commonwealth address,” reports Morgan Sweeney at The Center Square.