Virginia Senate Votes to Censure Amanda Chase
State Sen. Amanda Chase was in attendance at an extremist rally organized by self-styled boogaloo boys last summer, where organizers chanted anti-police and anti-government slogans. (Photo: Coleman Jennings/VPM News)
Virginia’s Senate voted on Wednesday to censure Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Midlothian) for exhibiting “conduct unbecoming of a Senator,” dealing a rare but toothless rebuke to the GOP gubernatorial candidate.
Chase personally attacked several senators during her response to the censure, accusing them of “double standards” and vowing legal action.
The 24-9 bipartisan vote for censure followed Chase’s speaking appearance at a Jan. 6 rally that ultimately led to the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Chase later referred to people who stormed the Capitol as “patriots” in a fundraising email and Facebook post. Three Republicans Sen. Tommy Norment (R-James City), Sen. Jill Vogel (R-Fauquier) and S
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RICHMOND â The Virginia Senate narrowly passed a measure Thursday to move any municipal elections still held in the spring to November.
Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a Democrat, broke a 19-19 tie on the bill by Sen. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, following a lengthy debate. Advocates said November elections allow more voter participation, while opponents worried about national partisan politics tainting local races.
âI put this bill in for the people,â Spruill said.
The bill now moves on to the House of Delegates for its consideration.
Spruill said that most local elections in Virginia are still held in May. Voter turnout is substantially lower, especially among people of color, than in November elections. He also said it would be more fiscally responsible to consolidate the local elections onto the November ballot.
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Virginia Speaker of the Houser Eileen Filler-Corn seated at the head of the House of Delegates chamber. (Photo: Craig Carper/VPM News)
Members of Virginia’s House of Delegates may be meeting remotely, but most will still collect $211 daily payments during their virtual 2021 session to supplement their salaries.
The so-called session payment rate is pegged to federal estimates of Richmond meal and hotel prices. Unlike formal per diems normally given to lawmakers who travel to Richmond during session, the 2021 payments are subject to taxes.
The payments are separate from part-time delegates’ annual salary ($17,640), office stipend ($15,000 for most delegates) and compensation for non-session meetings ($300 for a half-day, $400 for a full day). Each lawmaker s legislative assistant will also collect the $211. Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) and Del. Nick Freitas (R-Culpeper) have declined the payments, according to Elizabeth Mancano, the Ho