Dogwood Daily: Virginia Democrats will no longer accept Dominion donations

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…

Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron has ended an agreement with federal authorities to lock up people suspected of being in the United States illegally in exchange for cash. Activists who have been protesting the city’s involvement with immigrant detention declared the move as a victory.

5 things you need to know today

1. Virginia Democrats won’t accept Dominion donations
   In an interview with the blog Blue Virginia, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker announced that her party would no longer accept political donations from Dominion Energy. She called Dominion’s contributions a “very contentious issue,” as some believe the energy monopoly’s large donations have given it too much power over Virginia’s General Assembly. -The Roanoke Times
   
2. Hugo’s campaign claim deemed “Mostly False”
   State delegate Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax) has been sending out a campaign mailer on Democratic challenger Dan Helmer’s health insurance views that VPM has deemed “mostly false.” In the mailer, Hugo, who serves as chairman of the Republican caucus, claimed Helmer wants “to abolish private health insurance.” That is incorrect. Helmer supports a Medicare option while still allowing people to keep their private insurance if they prefer it. -VPM
   
3. Trump rejects Senators’ nominations for Judge
   Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have renewed their search for a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Virginia after the White House rejected their first two nominees. The spot has been vacant since U.S. District Court Judge Glen Conrad announced, in Dec. 2017, he would revert to senior status. President Trump is considering U.S. Attorney Thomas Cullen for the position, a suggestion on which Kaine and Warner declined to comment. -The Roanoke Times
   
4. Omega Protein expected to exceed fishing cap
   Omega Protein announced that it expects to exceed the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s cap for catching Chesapeake Bay menhaden this fall. The Department of Commerce could shut the business down for being out of compliance, but Omega Protein is betting that won’t happen. Omega’s lawyers argue that menhaden are currently at sustainable levels and not being overfished, so they should not be punished for exceeding ASMFC’s “arbitrary” cap. -Northumberland Echo
   
5. Montgomery County requests tax increase on Virginia Tech properties
   Montgomery County will ask the General Assembly to raise the minimum property tax percentages of commercial tenants operating out of Virginia Tech-owned properties. While leases are usually taxed at 15%, academic-affiliated occupants can rent tax free. Supervisors asked the General Assembly to consider the tax issue because the property tax is one of the best ways to raise funds for services. “It’s hard to run our county on the limited funds we have, and any funds that can be found anywhere would be greatly appreciated,” Supervisor Sara Bohn, a Democrat told The Roanoke Times. -The Roanoke Times

From the Gram