North America’s oldest continuous legislative body was thrown into crisis this week after a water treatment plant failure effectively locked lawmakers out of the Virginia State Capitol for safety reasons.
One state lawmaker says residents across the rest of Richmond are facing water shortages, and hospitals are relying on tanker trucks to provide the water needed not only to sedate patients but also to warm and disinfect medical equipment. He said he had to use it.
The right-wing group Virginia Project made a Confederate-era proposal after saying the crisis could be the reason Congress immediately turned its attention to infrastructure funding.
“Perhaps Congress, without water, should retreat to Appomattox,” the group’s social media post said, referring to the area about 160 miles southwest of the Capitol, where the Richmond-based Confederate States of America lived until April 1865. He mentioned the area that surrendered to Union forces in May.
Mr. Yonkin plans to ban sanctuary cities on condition of cooperation and state funding
Richmond, Virginia and the Virginia State Capitol (Getty)
Others, like Virginia Republican Party Chairman Richard Anderson, have placed the blame on the Democratic mayor who recently resigned and is now running for lieutenant governor.
”[The crisis is] “This is a direct result of the incompetent leadership of former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who presided over Richmond’s crumbling infrastructure,” Anderson said.
“Stoney like LG? Absolutely not.”
The crisis occurred less than a week after current Democratic Mayor Dr. Danny Avula took office.
Mr Avula, previously a pediatrician at Chippenham Hospital in neighboring Chesterfield County, said he had been working on the scene since the water system first failed.
Avula said he spent much of Tuesday night at the city’s factories and announced Wednesday morning that some pumps were starting to operate.
“Reservoir levels are starting to fill up, which is really encouraging. Right now, the reservoir level is 7 feet depending on conditions.” [Our] Reservoirs typically operate at approximately 18 feet. ”
Mr. Avula’s work drew bipartisan praise, including from one prominent Republican.
Yonkin invites new Trump administration to move beyond Washington DC, Maryland and settle in Virginia
Drivers are welcome near Lee Highway in Arlington, VA. (Getty)
State Sen. Mark Obenshain of Harrisonburg, chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus, said he had never seen a legislative session start in such turmoil in his 21 years at the Capitol.
“I commend the new mayor for his tireless efforts to resolve this inherited crisis,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) told Fox News Digital that the water outage had a dual impact on his work, as both the Capitol and his district office in nearby Mechanicsville felt the impact. He said he gave it.
McDougle said the power outages extend beyond the limits of Richmond and extend north and east into Henrico and Hanover counties. Voters are asking his office for help.
McDougle praised Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s “extremely proactive approach to finding solutions to problems that arise within the city,” and echoed the same attitude of officials in suburban counties.
”[We are] We are working to ensure that hospitals and other infrastructure have water so they can continue to treat patients, and that our people have access to water so they can care for their families.
“But this was a real effort on behalf of state and local government to try to help Richmond.”
He said Avula had only taken office a few days ago and did not deserve to be held responsible for the crisis.
“It’s unfortunate that this had to happen in his first week,” McDougle said.
“But we really need to investigate and find out what’s causing it.” [the Stoney] The administration could have made this a serious problem that affected many people. ”
Schools in the McDougle area were closed Wednesday and the Legislature was adjourned until Monday. The move follows concerns from leaders and staff that the Capitol’s iconic fire suppression system could fail without sufficient water flow.
McDougle said it would be wise to exercise caution, but Virginia’s status as the oldest continuous Congress clearly predates public utilities, and while the Capitol is out of order, He said that the people’s work can and should be carried out in any way possible.
Another state lawmaker laid the blame at the feet of Richmond’s longtime Democratic leadership.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Recently departed Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney will speak on infrastructure along with Democratic Eleanor Holmes Norton and Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Rep. Len Williams, R-Stuart, said Richmond is a city “plagued by systemic neglect and lack of accountability.”
“Currently, Mr. Stoney wants to become the next lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth. Despite the city’s growing infrastructure needs, Democrats are struggling with serious issues such as water pollution and the deterioration of aging water pipes.” , residents are exposed to unsafe drinking water and public health is compromised,” Williams said. .
He previously proposed a bill that would allow state agencies to review public facility renovations and provide engineering assistance.
Democrats narrowly control Congress and want to prevent Mr. Youngkin’s vice president, Winsome Sears, from succeeding him in November, but Mr. Williams said the crisis was a “more “It symbolizes a huge failure,” he said. The work of maintaining essential services is being ignored. ”
Richmond businessman Jimmy Keady echoed Williams’ sentiments, telling Fox News Digital that the crisis is not just an infrastructure failure, but a failure of the city’s leadership in the past.
“For almost 48 hours, businesses have been forced to close, residents have been without clean water, and hourly workers have lost wages,” Keady said.
“The political implications are just as serious,” added Keady, who is also a political consultant.
He noted that the Virginia General Assembly is only in session for a few months, and lawmakers must specifically pass a resolution to extend business beyond the end of their term.
“Losing nearly 11% of this short session, Virginia lawmakers have passed legislation that addresses growing problems across the commonwealth, including economic growth, rising health care costs, and, of course, aging infrastructure.” Valuable time will be lost to pass the bill.”
Richmond’s water supply comes primarily from the James River.
Fox News Digital reached out to Stoney’s campaign and House Speaker Don Scott Jr. (D-Portsmouth). Avra could not be reached.
In remarks late Wednesday, Yonkin praised public and private partners around the Capital Region who have helped residents deal with water shortages, from Avra to companies like Amazon and Publix.
“The collaboration between the surrounding counties and the resources of the city of Richmond and the state was truly inspiring. Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield counties not only combined all of their expertise in emergency management, but also their resources. I did.”
“If there was a fire emergency and there was no water supply to the city, they all mobilized fire pump trucks to actually allow the city to respond quickly to such emergencies. did.”
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
Source link
