Laura Vozzella

Richmond, Va.

Local reporter covering Virginia politics

Education: Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., BA in English Literature

Laura Vozzella covers Virginia politics for The Washington Post. Before joining The Post, she was a political columnist and food writer at the Baltimore Sun. She dutifully recorded hockey sums and breaking news for the Associated Press in Boston, covered federal court for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and chronicled everything that moved in a small Connecticut town for her hometown newspaper, the Hartford Courant.
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Latest from Laura Vozzella

Youngkin rewrites gaming measure in 11th-hour flurry of bill actions

The Republican easily broke the record for vetoes by a Virginia governor, issuing more in a single year — 153 — than the 120 that the previous record-holder issued in four years.

April 9, 2024
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) broke the record for vetoes by a Virginia governor this year.

Youngkin agrees to scrap tax cuts in proposed overhaul of state budget

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on Monday rolled out 233 proposed amendments to the state budget passed by the General Assembly.

April 8, 2024
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is proposing a rewrite of the budget the General Assembly passed last month.

Youngkin doesn’t rule out rare budget veto as Va. deadline looms Monday

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) faces a Monday deadline to act on the state budget, but, without a compromise deal with lawmakers, could resort to a historic veto.

April 6, 2024
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) delivers remarks to a group of supporters last month in Chesterfield County as he criticizes the budget passed by the General Assembly.

After Va. arena plan collapses, politicians and dealmakers trade blame

Virginia politicians and business leaders spent this week publicly blaming each other over how and why the deal had fallen apart — and whether that mattered.

March 29, 2024
Alexandria Mayor Justin M. Wilson (D), Washington Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) listen to JBG Smith CEO Matt Kelly in Alexandria on Dec. 13.

Youngkin vetoes assault weapons ban but signs two gun-control bills

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said a slate of gun control bills passed by Democrats in the General Assembly would make Virginians less safe, adding to his veto total.

March 27, 2024
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).

Va. Democrats promote budget bill in statewide tour of their own

Democrats plan to play up aspects of the budget that they think will be popular, including higher spending on K-12 and higher education and mental health.

March 25, 2024
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (Portsmouth) is joining fellow Democrats for a tour around the state to promote the General Assembly's spending plan. (Minh Connors for The Washington Post)

‘Hail Mary’ paired arena with Tysons casino. Youngkin and Leonsis say no.

The idea has been flatly rejected by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and the teams’ owner, who still hope their plan for a Potomac Yard arena will overcome setbacks.

March 24, 2024
Some political and business figures have been pitching an idea to pair a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals with a new casino in Fairfax.

Industry-friendly Va. ‘skill games’ bill could get caught in arena fight

Skill game supporters fear Gov. Glenn Youngkin might veto the bill out of spite, while industry critics worry he might go along with it as part of a deal to get the arena.

March 18, 2024
A bill before Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin would bring “skill games” to much of the commonwealth.

Leonsis finally met arena nemesis Lucas, but maybe too late to save it

Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis sat down with state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) just days before she prevented the arena from winning approval.

March 10, 2024
Virginia Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) addresses the Senate floor on March 9 at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond.

Youngkin vetoes eight bills as Va. assembly wraps up without arena

The vetoes targeted bills related to firearms, book banning, marijuana, voter rolls, surrogacy, railroad safety and cybersecurity.

March 9, 2024
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed bills related to firearms, book banning, marijuana, voter rolls, surrogacy, railroad safety and cybersecurity.