L. Louise Lucas

Virginia legislators approved a $205 billion two-year budget that includes a new energy consumption tax on data centers, aiming to generate up to $600 million annually. The budget funds healthcare, public education, teacher raises, and a retail weed marketplace while addressing groundwater impacts from data centers. The data center tax compromise lacks environmental standards sought by the House and retains a sales tax exemption through 2035.

Virginia lawmakers are nearing a budget agreement as the House and Senate meet to finalize the state budget by June 30. The Senate proposed a tiered tax for data centers based on generator use, while the House preserved the data center tax exemption but removed environmental stipulations. Both chambers include priorities like healthcare funding and education raises in their proposals.

The Virginia Senate's budget proposal maintains a sales tax exemption for data centers but introduces a tiered tax on diesel generators used by the industry, projected to generate $1.8 billion for the state. The tax aims to address pollution concerns and offset lost revenue from the exemption, with varying rates based on generator types.

Debate over taxing data centers remains at a stalemate as the July 1 budget deadline approaches. Sen. Louise Lucas brought the issue to Chesterfield residents as part of her statewide Data Center Listening Tour.

Community activists and leaders in Northern Virginia gathered to oppose the expansion of data centers, citing environmental harm and government failure to manage their impact. Attendees criticized tax breaks for corporations like Amazon and Powerhouse 95, while state senators acknowledged concerns about uncontrolled data center growth.

Virginia's House and Senate released conflicting budget proposals, with the House removing environmental standards for data centers and creating a commission to study their impact, while the Senate included a teacher raise and funding for health services. The data center tax exemption remains a key point of contention.

State senators Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke advocated for the removal of a data center tax exemption at Hampton City Hall on June 14th as part of the Data Center Listening Tour. The event followed the announcement of a new $300 million data center.

Sen. Louise Lucas and Sen. Mamie Locke will conduct a data center listening tour to discuss the impact of data centers on Virginia's budget. The event aims to gather community input on the topic.

Virginia lawmakers remain deadlocked over extending tax exemptions for data centers as a July 1 budget deadline approaches, threatening a government shutdown. The dispute centers on whether multinational data center operators should pay taxes like other businesses, with opponents citing environmental and economic concerns while supporters highlight job creation and economic contributions.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed 31 bills passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature, blocking measures like public employee collective bargaining expansion and cannabis sales legislation. Democratic lawmakers and progressive allies criticize her approach, arguing it reflects a cautious centrist stance rather than leveraging unified Democratic control, while Spanberger defends her actions as fulfilling her constitutional role.

Democrats accused the Trump administration of political prosecution after the FBI raided the office of Virginia Senate President Pro-Tem L. Louise Lucas, but reports surfaced that the investigation started under former President Joe Biden's administration. The raid has sparked outrage among Democrats, who claim it is an example of President Trump's abuse of the Department of Justice to target his perceived political opponents. The investigation's timing and circumstances are being questioned by lawmakers.

Democrats accused the Trump administration of political prosecution after the FBI raided the office of Virginia Senate President Pro-Tem L. Louise Lucas, but reports surfaced that the investigation started under former President Joe Biden's administration. The raid has sparked outrage among Democrats, who claim it is an example of President Trump's abuse of the Department of Justice to target his perceived political opponents. The investigation's timing and circumstances are being questioned by lawmakers.

The Virginia Supreme Court struck down Democrats' redistricting push, which cost the party $64 million. The ruling is a major setback for Democrats' efforts to flip control of the House of Representatives in November's midterm elections. The court's decision sparked an uproar on social media, with many criticizing the Democratic Party's costly effort.

The Virginia Supreme Court struck down Democrats' redistricting push, which cost the party $64 million. The ruling is a major setback for Democrats' efforts to flip control of the House of Representatives in November's midterm elections. The court's decision has sparked an uproar on social media.

Virginia Democratic State Senator L. Louise Lucas's office and business were raided by the FBI as part of a federal corruption probe, prompting criticism and mockery from conservatives who referenced her past statements about no one being above the law. The raids were part of a court-authorized investigation into illegal marijuana sales and corruption. Lucas is a major power broker in Virginia politics and an ally of Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger.

Virginia Democratic State Sen. L. Louise Lucas's office and business were raided by the FBI as part of a federal corruption probe, prompting critics to point out her past statements about no one being above the law. The raids were part of a court-authorized investigation into illegal marijuana sales and corruption. Lucas is a major power broker in Virginia politics and ally of Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

Virginia state Senate leader L. Louise Lucas had her office and a nearby cannabis dispensary searched by federal authorities, which she claims is a politically motivated probe. The search is reportedly about power and not just about one state senator. Lucas remains unyielding despite the raid.

The FBI has raided the office of Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, a Democratic lawmaker with a history of financial and ethical controversies, as part of a corruption probe. Lucas has faced scrutiny over her handling of campaign funds and business dealings, including her involvement in the marijuana industry. The raid is the latest development in a years-long investigation into Lucas' activities.

The FBI raided the office of Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, a Democrat with a history of financial and ethical controversies, as part of a corruption probe. Lucas has faced scrutiny over her handling of campaign funds and her marijuana dispensary. The raid comes after years of investigation into her political conduct and business dealings.

Federal agents raided the office of Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas and a cannabis dispensary she co-owns as part of an alleged corruption investigation. Lucas is the Senate president pro tempore and one of the state's longest serving lawmakers. The raid has drawn renewed attention to her.

The FBI raided the office of Virginia State Sen. L. Louise Lucas, a key proponent of Virginia's latest redistricting effort. The raid occurred on Wednesday. CBS News reported on the development.

Federal authorities executed a search warrant at the offices of Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, a close ally of Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The raid was carried out by the FBI on Wednesday morning. Multiple FBI vehicles were positioned outside Lucas' office in Portsmouth, Va.

The FBI raided the office of Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas and a nearby cannabis dispensary she co-owns as part of a federal corruption probe. The raid is linked to Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a political ally of Lucas. The investigation targets illegal marijuana sales and corruption.

The FBI has raided the office of Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas as part of a federal corruption and illegal marijuana sale probe, which also targets a cannabis business co-owned by Lucas. The raids put pressure on Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who is facing criticism for her agenda. The search warrants were signed off by a federal judge due to probable cause.

Virginia Democrats' redistricting referendum faces backlash as opponents accuse Gov. Abigail Spanberger of a 'bait-and-switch,' citing her prior pledge against redrawing the congressional map. Critics, including former governors George Allen and Glenn Youngkin, argue the plan would shift political power to Northern Virginia Democrats while diluting rural and agricultural districts, with Rep. Ben Cline claiming his district would be split into five 'spaghetti strands.' The Vote YES campaign denies accusations, stating the effort aims to 'level the playing field.'

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger faces accusations of a 'bait-and-switch' for shifting her stance on redistricting, as opponents argue her support for a plan to redraw the state's congressional map undermines rural representation and contradicts her previous pledges. Critics, including former governors and Republicans, claim the referendum would consolidate Democratic power in Northern Virginia while fragmenting agricultural districts.