Election 2014

Richmond dispensary sues over alleged monopoly on medical marijuana

After more than six years spent trying to open up shop, Richmond Compassionate Care Collective, a medical marijuana dispensary, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Richmond’s three existing dispensaries conspired with community organizers and a city council candidate to monopolize the local medical marijuana trade.

With signatures approved, Kids First Initiative gets closer to the 2018 ballot

On Tuesday, City Council verified the signatures for putting the Richmond Kids First Initiative on the 2018 ballot. The embattled initiative, which supporters had worked to put on the 2016 ballot, would allocate up to 3 percent of the city’s general fund over the next 10 years for a special fund for children’s and youth services.

Richmond city council meeting discusses investigating the death of Richard “Pedie” Perez

Talk about policing dominated the Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, as councilmembers and citizens discussed amending the Richmond Police Commission enabling ordinance, initiating a police commission investigation into the death of Richard “Pedie” Perez following a settlement between the city and Perez’ family earlier that day, and investigating all cases in which individuals are seriously injured by Richmond police. At the meeting’s beginning, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt proposed moving these three agenda items to a future meeting, based on…

Richmond Youth Council aims to lower voting age

Richmond youth have rallied together in an effort to lower the city’s voting age to 16. If successful, they would earn the right to vote in municipal and school board elections long before they can even buy tobacco.

City forced to increase debt, rethink its finances

Last week, Richmond’s City Council faced a painful choice between paying a $30 million bond termination fee or taking on an extra $10 million in debt over the life of the bond. Neither of these options help the city handle its deficit, but council members opted for continuing payment through the life of the bond.