Have thoughts about how Virginia should meet our energy needs? Gov. Abigail Spanberger wants to hear from you.

Spanberger’s office released a public survey today seeking input on how to plan for Virginia’s energy future.

Below, I report on federal legislation that would require employers to move faster when negotiating a first union contract with newly organized workers.

And I share the new album I can’t stop listening to.

Want to get in touch, or have stories you want me to cover? Reply to this email or reach out to me directly at michaeloconnor@couriernewsroom.com.

Michael O’Connor

Reporter, Dogwood

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., left, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., in the Rayburn Room at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

“Water is wet”

“Is this news to anyone?”

Those were some of the comments on Reddit about my story today on a labor bill opposed by Virginia’s five Republicans in the US House of Representatives.

So, to my fellow Redditors, let me explain: while Virginia House Republicans opposed a labor bill (not surprising), 20 other House Republicans joined Democrats in supporting it (more interesting). And all six Virginia Democrats in the US House backed it.

The bill, called the Faster Labor Contracts Act, would put a set timeline on when employers have to negotiate a union contract with newly organized workers. Currently, companies can take as long as they want, resulting in months and sometimes years of drawn out negotiations.

Here’s a good one-pager that explains the bill.

Not only did 20 House Republicans support the bill, some helped Democrats force a vote on it using the same procedure used to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.

The bill is now with the US Senate. A few Senate Republicans support the bill, but it’s not clear this Congress—which isn’t exactly well-known for getting things done—will actually send the bill to The White House. (No word on whether President Donald Trump supports the bill).

Yesterday, I caught up with US Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) about why she supported the bill. I also asked US Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) on his press call this afternoon whether he planned to support the bill.

Read what they had to say and more about the bill

Josh Boyd with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 110 in Norfolk penned an op-ed arguing US Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) doesn’t care about working people.

Watch David Paladin share an update about the union officer elections for the Education Association of Alexandria.

Sam Graham at WFXR reports on a recent labor rally in Roanoke.

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., speaks with reporters after the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearings on Capitol Hill Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

State lawmakers are still at an impasse over whether to get rid of Virginia’s billion dollar tax break for data centers.

On Warner’s press call today Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Michael Martz asked if Warner had any thoughts on the ongoing state budget talks.

Warner, a former governor, seemed to side with Gov. Abigail Spanberger and leaders in the House of Delegates that Virginia should keep its tax break for data centers in place.

“ You know, Virginia’s earned its reputation as the best state for business,” Warner said. “We need to maintain that, and I don’t think we should go back on our word.”

Warner added that he disagreed with the growing number of data center moratoriums that have popped up around the country.

Warner said data centers should pay their fair share and be held to environmental standards.

“ I think the decision on location of these data centers ultimately needs to be left to the community, but I do think there needs to be a minimum set of standards,” Warner said.