The Mayoral Ballot (So Far); Fantastical Disconnect; A State Fix Since the City Won’t; Sewer Politics; Next Stop, Richmond!

RVA 5x5 - January 13, 2024

No algorithms. No content filters. Honest and insightful analysis from Richmond, VA.

This week check out our five stories on:

• A look at how the ballot for mayor in 2024 is shaping up — who is already in, who might jump in, and who is the big question mark candidate that could still tip over the whole apple cart?

• The Mayor and his administration won’t do anything to fix the city’s meals tax problems, so some restaurants are getting behind state legislation to ask the state to fix it and stop the insane interest charges and rogue penalties — but no local legislators have yet signed on to support the changes.

• The Mayor gave an interview this week that can only be believed if you read (or watch) the whole thing by first relocating to a parallel dimension...

• The city faces a huge expense to modernize our ancient sewer system to help protect the river and the Bay. Our most recent state allocation was cut from $100 million to $50 million because of gubernatorial politics which are apparently more important than residential utility bills.

• Richmond made an important list for corporate relocations in a key industry publication, who has had their eye on this region for several years, filling their pages with good press about our many strengths and quality of life — and not one mention of a casino.

STORY #1 — The Mayoral Ballot (So Far)
Em Holter Ran a story in the Times-Dispatch back during the holiday on the state of the 2024 race for Mayor and there are some names you have heard of, some you have not, and the one big question mark that could still cause complete disarray.

Holter reported that Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) reveals who has already filed the required paperwork to organize and begin fundraising and collecting signatures beginning in January.

The four candidates who have filed are: