becomes 1st Black Virginia woman in Congress

By Stephen Groves The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Democrat Jennifer L. McClellan was sworn into the U.S. House on Tuesday, becoming the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy held a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. McClellan, who was joined by her two children, on the chamber floor. Members on both sides of the House — Democrats and Republicans — stood and applauded when it was noted she was the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Record pay increases for Richmond city employees, along with hikes in spending on youth programming, affordable housing, public education and street paving.

Those are among the areas that Mayor Levar M. Stoney emphasized Monday as he rolled out his seventh budget plan since taking office and the first ever to top $3 billion as the financial blueprint for Richmond and presented it to City Council.

Mayor Stoney emphasized two elements of his proposed financial package for the 202324 fiscal year that begins July 1 that are of the most concern to the council and the public — the general fund into which taxes, fees and state funding flow, and the capital budget that includes spending on buildings roads and other infrastructure and mostly involves borrowing.

In his budget address, Mayor Stoney said his proposal, fueled by a $110 million jump in general fund revenue, which could be the largest single-year increase ever, seeks to continue the work to make Richmond a better, more equitable place to live.

The council plans to hold a public hearing 6 p.m. Monday, March 27, to hear public comments before considering amendments, and has set a schedule for approving the final package in early May.

The mayor’s proposal calls