The Virginia General Assembly closed in Richmond on March 9, with a historic first as the House of Delegates was led by a Black man, Don Scott of Portsmouth, for the first time in the legislature’s 405-year history.
However, in addition to Scott’s barrier-breaking leadership, there were other moments to remember in this year’s Virginia legislative sessions.
Political observers may note the generally conservative Assembly—no matter which party is in charge — passed progressive bills such as raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2026 and banning the sale of new assault weapons. In addition, one note that will resonate through time is the attempt by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis, attempt to ram a major proposal through the 60-day session.
Youngkin and Leonis introduced a $2 billion project to move the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals from the downtown Washington, D.C. arena to a proposed, state-of-the-art sports facility and entertainment district at Alexandria’s Potomac Yards neighborhood.
The measure failed to receive a full legislative vetting due to the actions of State Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), a seasoned, no-nonsense lawmaker who serves as the chamber’s president pro tempore and chairs the powerful Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Lucas refused to consider the Monumental bill in committee. She expressed concerns early on about the project’s financing. But Youngkin largely ignored her — and that was not smart.
When the Youngkin team first learned of Lucas’s concerns, they should have met with her immediately and sought to engage in whatever type of dealmaking and horse-trading works in Richmond to get her support or at least soften her opposition. But they didn’t and Lucas responded by using her three decades of experience and influence as well as the mastery of the body’s rules, to kill the project’s financing.
In other words, she blocked the “Glenndome” shot.
Youngkin may call a special session to consider the Monumental legislation and he has the power to do that. But it would be in his best interest to consult with Lucas first, so she won’t have back-to-back defensive blocks showcasing her skill and prowess on the court of politics.