Veto Session, a Street Mural, and Zero Fare Transit
Cheers RVA!
Today will be warm and windy, with a high of 81 and increased humidity, and a low of 67 in the evening.
the juice:
The House of Delegates approved 41 of Governor Youngkin’s proposed budget amendments and rejected 164, with the Senate rejecting an additional eight amendments in the one-day veto session, according to Michael Martz at the RTD.
The opening of a Rosie’s Gaming Parlor in Henrico is likely to move forward as an attempt to overturn the Governor’s veto of a referendum failed.
However, included in the budget is a provision to allow localities to keep all gambling proceeds they generate rather than sending half of the money to New Kent County.
The senate rejected the Governor’s proposal to make increases in the standard tax deduction and the refundable portion of the earned income tax credit permanent.
Those tax benefits are set to expire in two years.
the pulp:
A 15-year old girl has died after being shot in Gilpin Court Wednesday evening, via WWBT. A teenage suspect who knew the victim is in custody.
Students at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle created a mural near the school on Mosby Street, via WTVR. The project is part of the ‘Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper’ initiative to calm traffic along the corridor with curb extensions, flexible posts in the median, and raised bus platforms.
the dive:
Zero fare bus transit could be coming to an end for GRTC riders, according to Ian Stewart at the Mercury.
A one-time grant and corporate funding are set to expire this summer.
Zero fare service started in March 2020 in response to the pandemic to reduce close contact between bus operators and passengers.
A state grant of $8 million from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation in December 2021, as well as matching funds from VCU and GRTC, have allowed the program to operate, with ridership increasing 14% in FY2024 to nearly 11 million riders.
Stewart quotes GRTC Chief of staff Adrienne Torres regarding future funding for zero fare service:
We have zero-fare in there for this year, but we still need to continue to have support for it. Our grant applications are still pending. So hopefully we’ll know for sure in the next month or two where we are. Our budget’s going to go to the board in May. We have a strategy and a plan that hopefully will come to fruition for FY2026.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
A sea turtle near Huguenot Bridge, via r/rva redditor LucidOneironaut.
Have an amiable day RVA!
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