Jan. 29 Newsletter: Sending millions to New Kent
Weather: Get outside! It's the nicest day in weeks. High of 60.
On this date in 1942, four Virginia senators protest during the General Assembly when they are told they cannot bring their girlfriends on a trip the next day to Colonial Williamsburg. Only wives were invited.
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU. Virginia Commonwealth University is a powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. We attack challenges as opportunities to do what others can’t or won’t. VCU is truly unlike any university you’ve ever seen.
Va. Senate blocks bill that would’ve given Richmond millions more in Rosie’s gambling revenue
A Virginia Senate committee blocked a bill that could have allowed Richmond to collect several million dollars more per year from the city’s Rosie’s gambling facility.
Last year, the Richmond location produced $7.4 million in tax revenue, of which half was sent to New Kent County, because it is the home location of Colonial Downs.
The 50-50 split dates back to when the facilities were smaller and mostly allowed bettors to gamble on real horse racing without traveling to New Kent.
Richmond janitors go on strike over working conditions, alleged anti-union actions
A group of janitors who provide cleaning services at Richmond municipal buildings through a contract between the city and Nu-Tech Janitorial Services went on strike against their employer Tuesday.
The janitors are protesting what they say are unlawful actions by the New York-based Nu-Tech to stop their employees from unionizing as well as calling for better working conditions.
Avula says he has heard no ‘validated’ reports of increased ICE presence in Richmond
Despite rumors circulating on social media, Mayor Danny Avula said Monday his office has not had any “validated” reports that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are currently conducting operations in Richmond.
The mayor also vowed that “Richmond police officers will not be doing the work of deportation.”
Also today in The Richmonder
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Nine out of 10 say VCU is improving people’s lives, driving innovation
An independent survey of 400 Richmond-area residents finds that Virginia Commonwealth University is viewed as the employer with the most significant economic impact in the Richmond region, outranking major corporations and state government agencies. The Public Opinion Strategies survey finds 92% of respondents say VCU is producing important innovations in science, technology and health care that improve people’s lives; 88% believe VCU’s continued growth and success are important to Richmond’s future and 79% say VCU is a good neighbor and a trusted partner in the community that makes the Richmond area a better place to live. Read more.
In other news
- Richmond radio host John Reid announces run for lieutenant governor (Times-Dispatch)
- New details released in Chesterfield pub shooting: 'It was all aimed at one person' (CBS 6)
- A tour of the James River Branch Trail in progress (South Richmond News)
The editor's desk
Graham Moomaw's piece Monday on a potential new bus stop design was a conversation starter. The new approach is anything but subtle, and Richmond's planning commission had plenty of thoughts about it.
My first reaction was similar to the commission's, but if we're serious about making transit and travel safer, installing one new stop seems like a good way to test the concept, as opposed to committing to 100. Then we can all take a field trip and decide for ourselves.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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