Dogwood Daily: Assault Weapon Ban Defeated in Senate

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood Daily. We’ve got a round-up of all of today’s Virginia news coming right up.

But first…

Scandalous! Love, or at least the reality-show version of love, was in the air last night as ABC’s “The Bachelor’ visited Virginia Beach for a drama-filled episode. 

Five things you need to know today …

1. Assault Weapon Ban defeated— The Senate Judiciary Committee stopped a bill that would have banned the sale of assault-style weapons and possession of high-capacity magazines. The bill was a central part of a package of eight gun-control measures proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam. While the House passed all of the measures, three of the bills ran into opposition in the Senate, which appears to be taking a more cautious approach to reform. The committee rejected the bill on a 10-to-5 vote, and sent the measure to the state’s Crime Commission to study for next year. -The Washington Post
   
2. Possible pay increase for government employees— There’s a good chance Virginia teachers and other state employees could soon receive pay bumps. Money committees in both the state Senate and House unveiled their proposals Sunday for a two-year spending plan. But some teachers say the raises don’t go far enough and barely cover increases in the cost of living. The chambers will now vote on their own versions of the budget proposals before ultimately reconciling the two budgets next month. -WAVY  
   
3. Increase in addiction treatment— A state agency has reported considerable increases in addiction treatment under Virginia’s Medicaid expansion. The state launched the Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) Program in 2017 after a record number of fatal drug overdoses. That system expanded Medicaid coverage to include inpatient detoxification, residential treatment and other services related to addiction. The report in increased addiction services access comes as lawmakers are considering budget proposals to expand care for substance abuse disorders. -Virginia Mercury
   
4. Chase announces candidacy for governor— State Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield County) announced that her candidacy for Governor in Virginia’s 2021 race. Chase has attracted attention with a string of controversies, her vocal support for conservative issues, and propensity to carrying a holstered gun on the Senate floor. Chase won her second term last year. On Monday, Chase said she is planning to seek the Republican nomination but did not rule out running as an independent if “any shenanigans that are pulled.” -Richmond Times-Dispatch
   
5. One billion dollar contract awarded to BWXT— The U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program has awarded subsidiary BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc., new contracts totaling roughly $1 billion for the manufacture of naval nuclear reactor components. This work will be performed at BWXT locations in Lynchburg as well as at the locations in Ohio and Indiana. This is just the latest large contract awarded to BWXT; last year, the Navy granted the company two the submarine reactor component and fuel manufacturing and long-lead materials contracts. –The News and Advance