Dogwood Daily: What Virginia congresswomen are saying about impeachment

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. And if you’re a fan, please forward to three friends who need to know what’s going on in the Commonwealth and tell them to subscribe here. 

But first…

Calling all fans of the austere and slightly-eerie. If you’ve ever wished you lived inside an Edward Hopper painting, now’s your chance.

Five things you need to know today …

1. Virginia Congresswomen explain their impeach decisions— The three Virginia Congresswomen who helped lead the Democratic party towards impeaching President Trump are explaining their decision to their constituents. Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton both held town halls where they fielded impeachment questions from voters. Rep. Elaine Luria, meanwhile, released a two-minute video discussing her thinking. All three representatives come from Republican-leaning districts. -The Dogwood 
   
2. Sen. Chase quits Republican Caucus– State Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) has quit the Senate Republican Caucus after Sen. Thomas Norment Jr. (R-James City) was elected the Senate’s minority leader. Chase criticized Norment earlier this year when he didn’t side with her over a verbal altercation she had with a Capitol Police Officer last March. Chase said that she isn’t leaving the GOP despite Norment releasing a statement saying otherwise. “I am a Republican, always have been and always will be,” Chase wrote on a Facebook post. -The Progress-Index 
   
3. Loudoun County school faces criticism on race-– The Academies of Loudoun is facing criticism over its admission policies after it came to light that students of color are underrepresented in the high school. The school, which opened last year, is designed to offer more opportunities in STEM-based learning to the region’s highest achievers. The Loudoun NAACP says that black elementary school children are less likely to be recommended for the accelerated classes that often propel students towards more challenging coursework late. Earlier this month, Virginia attorney general Mark R. Herring announced that he was reviewing the accusations. -The Washington Post
   
4. Environmental groups blast Dominion– Environmental groups have expressed frustration over Dominion Energy’s renewable energy portfolio geared at environmentally conscious consumers. Their biggest criticism lodged at the portfolio is that, if approved, The Rider Total Renewable Generation program will result in the closure of the state’s renewable energy market due to the state’s strict non-compete laws guarding the utility. Regulations prohibit non-utilities from selling renewable energy if the utility in their territory offers a renewable energy package. The program also has faced criticism for charging customers a premium for energy that is less expensive to generate according. Dominion relented on one matter of contention this past week, said that it’s willing to allow regulators to remove a coal plant from the program. -Virginia Mercury
   
5. McAuliffe possibly eyeing second gubernatorial run– Former governor Terry McAuliffe has begun staffing his political action committee in what many see as a sign that he may be interested in running for governor again in 2021. McAuliffe’s outsized role campaigning for Virginia Democrats this past election had already fed speculation that he was eyeing another run. McAuliffe was barred from running in the last race, as Virginia restricts governors from serving back-to-back terms. While McAuliffe has yet to comment on the matter, he has never publicly ruled out the possibility of his return. -The Washington Post

A map before you go….