Virginia

Virginia’s new blue trifecta puts right-to-work on the line

Published

4 months ago

December 6, 2025

Virginia’s new blue trifecta puts right-to-work on the line

Given its proximity to Washington, D.C., Virginia has long had a reputation for its off-year elections swinging to whatever political party does not control the White House. After four years of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin—whose victory came on the back of Joe Biden’s first year as president—the commonwealth went strongly Democratic this year, electing incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger amid President Donald Trump’s second term.

Virginia Democrats now have a trifecta in Richmond, and political winds suggest that this could finally spell the end of right-to-work in the state, after nearly 80 years of the law being on the books.

Spanberger’s term doesn’t start until January, but state Democratic lawmakers have already introduced right-to-work repeal legislation that they hope to send to her desk. So far, Spanberger claims to oppose right-to-work’s repeal, but the coming weeks will show if she reverts to her career-long pro-union track record.

In late November, State Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D–Woodbridge) introduced Senate Bill 32, which would repeal Virginia’s right-to-work law that prevents private sector workers from being forced to join a union or pay union agency fees as a condition of employment. During her gubernatorial campaign, Spanberger reiterated numerous times that she did not support repealing Virginia’s right-to-work law, saying that supporting repeal was a false litmus test for being pro-worker.

“I know there are those who think you can be pro-business or pro-union….I reject that idea,” said Spanberger in a campaign trail speech to the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. After the introduction of Foy’s repeal bill, a Spanberger spokesperson told the media the incoming governor “does not support repealing the current statute.”

But it’s unclear exactly what Spanberger does support, and a more granular reading of her campaign trail pledge leaves notable wiggle room. In her statements during the election, she claimed she did not support “full repeal,” while leaving the door open by saying “reforms may be necessary.”

Although it’s unclear what “partial” right-to-work repeal might look like, one potential clue may come from Virginia’s not-too-distant past. In 2020, then-Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D–Springfield) introduced legislation that was billed as a “partial repeal” of Virginia’s right-to-work law in that it did not force workers to join a union but could require the compulsory collection of so-called “agency fees” from non-union members.

Agency fees function as a union workaround for workers who refuse to join a union by still putting them on the hook to financially contribute to the union. In the 2018 case of Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down this practice for public sector employees as a violation of First Amendment rights, but agency fees can still be collected in the private sector if permitted under state law. A similar approach to Saslaw’s prior effort could perhaps be used by Virginia Democrats to effectively gut right-to-work, while simultaneously claiming it does not technically constitute Spanberger reneging on her campaign promise.

Past right-to-work repeal bills in Virginia have had a poor track record, even among state Democrats. A 2021 repeal bill was voted down in resounding—and bipartisan—fashion by a tally of 88–13 in the House of Delegates. But since that time, numerous moderate Democrats have retired from the state legislature, making it far from certain what a vote might look like now.

For her part, Spanberger’s past record includes cosponsoring the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act while serving in the House of Representatives. The PRO Act, which included a laundry list of pro-union desires, was notable for containing provisions that would have effectively overridden state-level right-to-work laws. The incoming governor also received substantial support from labor unions, including AFSCME, during her campaign.

Spanberger is right that the choice between being pro-business and pro-worker is often a false dichotomy. But there are better ways to strike this balance than “partial” repeals of right-to-work. For instance, Virginia could look to its neighbor, Maryland, where Democratic Gov. Wes Moore has initiated a portable benefits pilot program for gig economy workers. Portable benefit models allow gig workers to use Simplified Employee Pension-style funds to purchase benefits on exchanges, which they can then take with them from job to job.

As workers increasingly show a preference for flexible work and scheduling autonomy—which often means more gig and freelancing work—this is the type of pro-worker reform that moves labor policy into the 21st century, instead of staying stuck in the labor battles of yesteryear. In addition to Maryland, deep red states like Tennessee and Utah have also implemented portable benefit models, suggesting the bipartisan appeal of such an approach.

We’ll soon see if Virginia holds the line or becomes the second state since Michigan in 2023 to repeal right-to-work. Whatever happens, Virginia’s—and America’s—labor policy debate is badly in need of an update.

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Virginia

Sullivan wraps up a career with deep roots in the forest

Published

9 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Sullivan wraps up a career with deep roots in the forest

Jay Sullivan came to Virginia Tech as a newly minted Ph.D. He found a university with a strong forestry program, a passionate faculty, and motivated students. The forests and mountains of southwestern Virginia were a great place to make a home and raise a family, so he stayed here and made a career, a career that drew to a close when Sullivan retired in December after 36 years.

Sullivan joined the Department of Forestry before there was a College of Natural Resources and Environment. Through the changes, the expansions, and the promotions to full professor and former department head, Sullivan remained true to the primary mission of teaching and helping students reach their potential.

In 2015, Sullivan was selected as head of the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. He served in that role until opting to step back into a full-time faculty position in January 2025.

Sullivan was asked to reflect on his long and distinguished career at Virginia Tech.

When did you come to Virginia Tech?

I arrived in fall 1988, shortly after completing my Ph.D. at the University of California-Berkeley.

What made you choose the field of forestry?

I grew up camping, fishing, and backpacking, and I wanted a career that promoted conservation of the resources I loved. Initially, my interests were forest biology and ecology, but an influential professor and co-student (to whom I’ve now been married for almost 45 years) got me interested in forest economics as a direction that might have the greatest impact on decision-making and policy formulation that would make a difference.

What have been your central areas of research?

As a grad student, I had the opportunity with the U.S. Forest Service to help build an economic impact analysis system known as IMPLAN. My role was to develop analysis procedures, and that experience was formative in my career. Interestingly, IMPLAN is still used today, though long-since privatized. I noticed the current version of that system was even used recently to examine the economic contributions of Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth.

At Virginia Tech my research focus has been on economic incentives for forest conservation and restoration, that is: how do we keep forests as forests? Projects have examined forest landowner challenges in Virginia and beyond, including threats of insects, ice damage, and others: afforestation of frequently flooded lands in the Mississippi River Delta, Appalachian hardwood reforestation of surface-mined lands, and establishment of gum plantations in West Africa. Of course, there have been numerous other studies over the years and all have been challenging, but having the opportunity to work alongside other faculty and students to solve the challenges we faced has been enormously satisfying, even if sometimes stressful in the moment.

How has the field of forestry changed in the years you’ve been a researcher and educator?

Technological advances in data acquisition like GPS, remote sensing, drones, and field equipment get a lot of deserved press, but, for me, in forest economics I am amazed at how the questions we address have evolved over the years.

As a student or new facility member, I never would have dreamed about some of the issues and products that have emerged, such as forest carbon as a valuable commodity, or a millennia-old product like barrel staves would be in such demand, or that we would be talking about aviation fuel as a viable forest product. It would have seemed like science fiction that solar facilities or data centers would become pressing land use concerns. The level of interest in all aspects of forests and forestry for their role in solving global challenges facing society is pretty amazing, too.

What has stayed constant in your time here?

The quality and passion of the students and faculty over the years in pursuing their careers and answering the fundamental issues in forestry.

What were the campus and university like when you arrived Virginia Tech?

You could see mountains from every window on the third floor of Cheatham Hall!

What meaning have you found in your career at Virginia Tech?

The most rewarding aspect has been seeing the success of our students in their careers, with so many in influential positions in industry, agencies, and academia. With many, those successes were expected, but some who you weren’t sure how they would even graduate turned up in amazing places with incredible responsibilities and important roles!

What advice would you offer to younger faculty members who are just entering their careers?

Pour into our students, as I think they always will be the greatest impact that we can have in our short careers.

What’s next for you?

I will be chasing my wife and grandchildren around the mountains of Southwest Virginia and across the globe, continue teaching the Bible to college students at my local church, do a little rock climbing and mountain biking, and promoting forestry education with the Virginia Forestry Education Foundation.

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Virginia

Virginia hires Richmond’s Aaron Roussell after Amaka Agugua-Hamilton’s firing, investigation

Published

21 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Virginia hires Richmond’s Aaron Roussell after Amaka Agugua-Hamilton’s firing, investigation

Virginia has its new women’s basketball coach, after a messy ending with its previous one.

The Cavaliers announced Tuesday they had hired Richmond head coach Aaron Roussell to replace the fired Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, who was reportedly the subject of an internal investigation over allegations of staff mistreatment. Roussell will be the seventh head coach in program history.

Roussell had been the Spiders’ head coach for seven years, accruing a 148-72 record and leading them to three straight NCAA tournament appearances since 2024. They notched the first tourney win in their history against Georgia Tech in 2025.

Aaron Roussell has some work to do in Charlottesville.

(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS)

Roussell will not have to travel far for his new job, but he will enter a program facing surprising levels of instability after a Cinderella run in this year’s March Madness.

After entering their first NCAA tournament in eight years, the Cavaliers reeled off wins over Arizona State in the First Four, No. 7 Georgia and No. 2 Iowa to reach their first Sweet 16 since 2000. Then, days after the season ended, the program announced Agugua-Hamilton’s firing in a cryptic “Virginia Announces Leadership Change for Women’s Basketball” statement.

Per On3’s transfer portal tracker, six Virginia players have entered the portal, including last season’s leading scorer Kymora Johnson.

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Virginia

Former Virginia Gov Glenn Youngkin hints at political future, says he’s ‘chomping at the bit’ after exit

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Former Virginia Gov Glenn Youngkin hints at political future, says he’s ‘chomping at the bit’ after exit

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Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signaled his political career may not be over, telling Sean Hannity he still has “more to give” just under three months after leaving office.

“I have more to give. I just do. The one year of campaigning and the four years of running, so five years, went by in five seconds. It was amazing,” Youngkin said on the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast.

In the full episode, debuting Tuesday, Youngkin sat down with the Fox News host to discuss his time in office, as well as what things have been like since his term expired in January.

NEW POLL REVEALS SPANBERGER’S POPULARITY IS PLUMMETING AMID BACKLASH OVER GERRYMANDERING

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin addresses the crowd during an early voting rally on Sept. 21, 2023, in Petersburg, Va. (Steve Helber/AP)

“Every morning [when I was governor], I woke up literally bounding out of bed, ready to roll, and that was the most purposeful I’ve ever felt in my whole life.“

Youngkin oversaw a range of conservative measures passed in the state, including a push to ensure age-appropriate curriculum in public schools.

SPANBERGER SIGNALS LEFT BENT AFTER CENTRIST CAMPAIGN; GOP LEADER WARNS OF ‘FAIRFAXING THE REST OF VA’

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger responds to President Donald Trump’s unseen State of the Union address. (Steve Helber/Reuters)

He also pushed for tax cuts, including efforts to reduce the state’s grocery tax, rolled back COVID-19 restrictions early in his tenure and emphasized tougher public safety policies.

His time in office concluded earlier this year, when Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration succeeded his.

“I’ve been out of office for six weeks. I took [my wife] Suzanne on vacation, which she so deserved. She’s been amazing. I think she’s of the best first ladies in America,” he said.

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“But six weeks has felt like six years… You’re chomping at the bit.”

While Youngkin stopped short of outlining specific plans for the future, his comments suggest he is keeping the door open to a return to public office.

Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.

Taylor Penley is an associate editor with Fox News.

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