David J. Toscano

Attorney at Law

Virginia Attorney General Opinion Issued
Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board Can Cap Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Response to Democratic Leader Toscano’s Request Confirms Legal Authority

David J. Toscano (D-57), Democratic Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, today issued the following statement:

In March, when a climate change denier was confirmed as the head of the US EPA, I wrote to Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring for an official opinion about existing state law or authority to address carbon pollution and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). My request particularly highlighted the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board.

Today, the Attorney General issued a very significant opinion, concluding that the Air Pollution Control Board ‘is legally authorized to regulate GHG emissions, including establishing a statewide cap on GHG emissions for all new and existing fossil fuel electric generating plants.’ This is a huge development in the fight to mitigate further climate change, which the Trump administration in Washington has pushed off to the states.”

The Attorney General’s Opinion, Number 17-010, is available here.

The Veto Session

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The Marathon and Maelstrom of the Veto Session —
Democrats Sustain All Governor’s Vetoes

The legislative year ends with what’s called the “veto session.” This year’s was held Wednesday, April 5, 2017, the day when the legislature considers the Governor’s vetoes and his proposed amendments to various bills. It is typically one of the longest floor sessions of the year and, as the Democratic floor leader, one of the most intense, as every vote counts on almost every issue. This year, Governor McAuliffe vetoed an unprecedented number of House bills, 21 in total. [Read more…]

Budget Passage and Adjournment

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On Saturday, February 25, 2017, we adjourned this year’s “short session” of the General Assembly with passage of a modified budget. The revised budget places total General Fund spending for FY2017 and FY2018 at $40.47 billion. [Read more…]

Washington Chaos, Redistricting, and Other Political Machinations

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With Washington D.C. in chaos, the emerging opposition to the Trump Agenda is having an impact in Virginia. We are seeing more citizens come to the State Capitol to protest the conservative agenda and argue for values we consider important, such as increasing the minimum wage, creating greater economic opportunity for more Virginians, investing in public education, protecting Planned Parenthood, or bringing redistricting reform. [Read more…]

Contact Me

123 E. Main Street
8th Floor
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Email: davidjtoscano@gmail.com
Phone: 434-960-7171

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 501
Charlottesville, VA 22902

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