US court allows #Trump to enforce ban on #DEI programs, pending appeal
“Richmond, #Virginia-based 4th Circ Court of Appeals stayed a Feb ruling that said directives by Trump, incl an order urging DOJ to investigate companies with DEI policies, likely violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution”
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-court-allows-trump-enforce-ban-dei-programs-now-2025-03-14/
@heidilifeldman Just called into Senators Warner and Kaine. Warner's staffer affirmed that he would be voting no, but Kaine's did not mention. Keep up the pressure!
Senator Warner: (202) 224-2023
Senator Kaine: (202) 224-4024
https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/six-republican-states-set-hammered-34846236 “The EU is reportedly also targeting products from Republican-led states such as Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia.” #Virginia #TradeWar #Peanuts #tariffs #USPolitics
It is very early days, but I have written two draft submissions to allow safer and more affordable #MissingMiddle homes in #Virginia which I intend to submit for public consideration next month as soon as that becomes possible. Thanks to https://bsky.app/profile/stephenjacobsmith.com for doing the work at the national level to make this much more possible here. #BuildingCodeReform
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/03/10/surprise-us-gov-youngkin-sign-the-paid-sick-days-bill/ “a year after the law was enacted, 86% of employers supported it” #PaidSickLeave #Virginia #VALeg #PublicHealth
Measles at IAD (Dulles)
he Maryland Department of Health and Howard County health officials announced today a positive case of measles in a Howard County resident who recently traveled internationally. This case is not associated with the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. Out of an abundance of caution, health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.
Anyone who visited the following locations during any of the following hours may have been exposed:
Washington Dulles International Airport: Terminal A, on transportation to the main terminal and in the baggage claim area
March 5th, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department
March 7th, 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm
https://health.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/One-Case-of-Measles-Confirmed-in-Maryland.aspx
34 birds identified this morning.
https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/cumberland-marsh-nature-preserve.html
#Virginia #Medicaid
Cutting Medicaid means thousands of people, mostly women, will have to leave their jobs to become full-time caregivers. "Kinder, Kirche, Küche"
https://www.alxnow.com/2025/03/07/congressman-beyer-warns-of-devastating-impact-of-medicaid-cuts/
A Sensitive Complex Housing a CIA Facility Was on GSA's List of US Properties for Sale
Plans to redevelop a Northern #Virginia warehouse site have long been complicated by the area’s worst-kept secret—the presence of a CIA facility. The #GSA put the site up for sale anyway.
https://www.wired.com/story/gsa-sale-cia-facility/
“The GSA’s effort to sell hundreds of US #government properties is part of... Elon Musk’s so-called #Doge...
some of the buildings identified house classified #CIA space"
I am proud to share that "HB2153 Comprehensive plan; housing development by nonprofit organizations.", partly inspired by the successful #CvillePlansTogether process has passed both chambers of the #VALeg and is awaiting signature by Governor Youngkin https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2153 #Virginia #housing #zoning #YIGBY
https://cardinalnews.org/2025/03/06/fairfax-county-legislator-wants-to-redirect-solar-projects-from-farmland-to-parking-lots-but-theres-a-catch/ “We have seas and seas of large parking lots associated with office buildings, big box stores and strip malls that have potential to generate lots of energy” #virginia #solar #energy #shortage #parking #ParkingReform #zoning #climate #conservation
Today would be a good day to focus on fighting back.
